In the early and mid-90s, a very active Portsmouth fleet was composed of Coronado 15s, Lasers, Capris, and other small boats. People on these boats often capsized, and “turning turtle” (completely upside-down) was considered a big event. Some discussed having an annual award for this and naming it the Turned Turtle Award.
At the time, George Sheller, with a group of regulars visiting Rocky Point, hunted down a turtle carved from ironwood. When George returned to Phoenix, he used the ironwood turtle, a dowel for the mast and boom, and mounted it on a wooden plank. The “Turned Turtle Award” was born.
This award was given out several times in the 90s but then disappeared until 2023 – it showed up at George’s table at an AYC Membership Meeting. The ASU crowd heard about it and adopted the concept, awarding it immediately to an ASU sailor, Will Bailey. The recognition continued at the Commodore’s Celebration in 2024.
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2024 – Devon Howe
Turtled his MC Scow at the Governor’s Cup and spent who knows how long in the water trying to upright it, only to leave it turtled all night, being battered on the rocks. His dry bag containing his car keys, phone, and wallet was also underwater, tied to the boat. The next morning, the boat was towed in the turtle position to the marina. It came out of the water in a turtle position from a submerged trailer and looked like the ship-wreck on “Gilligan’s Island” (if you are old enough to know)…complete with a gaping hole in the side.
2023 – Will Bailey
Received the award from George Sheller for turtling Cindy Pillote’s Bucc at the 2023 Birthday Regatta. He left the dock and immediately capsized, remaining upside down for over 45 minutes until rescue divers came from a practice area to help.