Fred White’s sailing life
Fred (age 92) has been a lifelong sailor. His love of boats goes way back. When he was a junior in high
school, he built his first boat (a 10-foot rowboat made of oak and plywood). He built a hand-pulled
trailer, and a friend helped him pull it two miles to Fairmont Lake in Independence. He was thrilled when
it actually floated.
Fred built his first sailboat, a 12-foot cat boat named the Wee Windy, in the late 1950s. He learned how
to sail (sort of) by reading books at the Linda Hall Library while in grad school at UMKC. He later went on
to build three 18-foot Y Flyers and began racing in the Y Flyer class at Lake Jacomo. His late wife Carolyn
was with him every step of the way.
In 1974, he purchased a 28-foot E Scow, which became the family’s primary craft. Over the years, his
boats have included four different Y Flyers, four E-Scows (including one still at Smithville Lake); a 17-foot
Mud Hen, a Wind Rider catamaran, a C-Scow, M-20, Helsen, Hobie 14 & 16, Prindle 16 and 18, Mariner
19, Butterfly, and Hunter 24.5. Out of all those boats, he has always enjoyed the E-Scow the best.
Fred and his first mate Carolyn took about ten coastal and Bahamian cruises over the years on live-
aboard boats from 24 to 41 feet. He has an adventure (or trauma) to share about each of these trips!
He describes his cruising life as a study in agony and ecstasy, taxing one’s endurance and ability to adjust
to new trying circumstances, and trying to see the humorous side of most situations. Carolyn faithfully
crewed for him in the wind and the rain; and he only turned her over twice in 60+ years of sailing. Both
times she stayed high and dry.
Sailing was always family activity, with both daughters, Laurie, and Lynn, joining the crew starting at age
two. They all shared many vacations at Tablerock Lake, Lake Superior, Destin, Florida, and multiple
camping trips with a sailboat in tow. He also patiently taught many students how to sail over the years,
including his grandchildren.
Fred and his sailboats have been fixtures here at Smithville Lake since the lake was first built. He is proud
that his grandsons, Luke, and Freddy, are continuing his sailing legacy here at Smithville Lake. They
learned from the best. He especially enjoys having his friends, Chuck, and Diane Turner, as sailing
buddies here at the lake.
Fred retired in 1997 from a long chemistry teaching career at Pembroke Hill School. He has always
enjoyed woodworking, and has built over 100 pieces of furniture, mostly in walnut. He continues to
build many projects with his grandsons and his workshop is never quiet.
Fred’s favorite quote comes from the “Wind in the Willows” where Water Rat says to Mole:
“Believe me my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply
messing around in boats.”
Fred White (1933-2025), B Dock “Polly Ester”
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