A Q&A with the new commodore
An interview with the new Havre de Grace Yacht Club (HDGYC) commodore, Bill Cox, during the club’s spring equinox and sock burning party, gave Bill a chance to describe his sailing experience and his motivation for tackling this new role. As a father of two Eagle Scouts, a busy program manager, and an all-around nice guy, HDGYC is lucky to have Bill at the “helm”.
When did you decide sailing would be in your future?
I played around in high school learning to wind surf. I loved the whole concept of going that fast and far with so little equipment and no engine. That introduction to the aerodynamics of even that level of sailing resulted in my career in aviation. I have a private pilot license and a degree in aviation from Embry-Riddle, and I work at BWI Airport as a program manager for infrastructure systems. However, my need to have some sort of work and life balance likely led me right back to sailing for fun.
What has that path been like?
I took my whole family to Havre de Grace for the ASA 101 class at Baysail School of Sailing, and we all loved it. I bought an AFC 14 daysailer and brought it to Havre de Grace. We didn’t keep it long because my wife said we needed a bigger boat. Sweet words!
I also joined the HDGYC in 2015 after I met a fellow Boy Scout Dad and crewed on his Sabre 30 where I learned a lot about sailing and racing. Another crewmember demonstrated how to take that boat through really heavy weather, and when he bought his own J/24, I started racing with him.
Heeding my wife’s advice, we bought a J/30 in 2018; I keep and sail it at North Point Sailing Association in Sparrows Point, but I also share ownership on a Capri 25 that sails in Havre de Grace. We race in the spinnaker class on Thursday nights.
What motivated you to take on leadership roles at the club?
Well, I really like the sailing and sailors up in Havre de Grace. I started my racing there and wanted to be more engaged. A lifelong value for me is that I really believe everyone needs to do their part and step up when you get that tap on the shoulder. I accepted a board position and now commodore.
What are your goals for the club?
Number one is for all our sailors to be familiar with the rules of racing. I want us to be safe and have fun on the racecourse, and I’d like 2026 to be a No-Contact season (easier said than done). I think we should encourage sailors to be the best they can be and to expand their horizons to race in other venues. Wouldn’t it be great for a winner of Nationals to say they are from HDGYC?
Interview by Betty Caffo
