May 6 — Captain, My Captain
Marlene Sassaman’s sailing avocation began in 1980 with the purchase of a brand new Hobie 18. Just three years later, she competed with Cindy Deans in the first Hobie 16 Women’s National Championship. Sassaman was self-taught with the help of her husband and the many sailing friends she met. Marlene became a US Sailing Small Boat Instructor and a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. She served as a board member of the Melbourne Yacht Club and as the Youth Sailing Director for several years. She competed in many Hobie and Sunfish events including the 45 mile Palatka to Jacksonville Race, and the Miami-Key Largo Race. From 2008 to 2010 Sassaman was the captain of an all-women’s team racing a Lindenburg 28. As a cruiser she has sailed her 35-foot trimaran to Bermuda and throughout the Bahamas.
