We are delighted to announce that Boston Station member Stephen Forasté has arranged an exciting talk by Stu Flerlage during the February 19, 2025, Rats Lunch. Stu has a long history of sailing alongside Larry Huntington on Snow Lion, a yacht built in 2006 by Larry—a former Commodore of the New York Yacht Club and a veteran ocean racer. Drawing on his extensive experience, Larry incorporated lessons learned from heavy weather sailing, including his time aboard Carina in the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race, into both Snow Lion's design and his approach to crew selection.
Stu’s presentation will highlight the invaluable lessons he’s learned from his years of sailing with Larry and other notable crew members, such as Jack Cummiskey, Bjorn Johnson, and Bill Schneider. Central to the discussion will be Larry’s leadership style, which emphasized meticulous preparation in every aspect—from boat design and provisioning to navigation strategy. Larry’s unwavering focus on situational awareness and crew management under challenging conditions—like sending someone aloft in 20+ knots of wind 1,000 miles offshore—set him apart. He often guided the crew through potential navigation scenarios, adapting to evolving weather and sea states, while ensuring that every crew member was trained to handle any task, from steering to bilge cleaning.
Stu will also share personal anecdotes, including one from the 2011 Fastnet Race, where he encountered the profound difference between the perception of danger and the emotion of fear—an experience that forever altered his perspective on life and sailing.
This talk will take place during lunch, so those who need to return to work can plan to leave by 1:30 PM. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from Stu’s experiences and gain insights into Larry Huntington’s remarkable approach to leadership and ocean racing.
All members and their guests are welcome. The menu will be chowder, salad, crackers and desert, and a bar will be set up for the thirsty (donations accepted). The charge will be $40.00. Click here to register.
The "Rathole" entrance is located in the alley behind the Massachusetts Transportation Building at the corner of Charles and Stuart Streets. The approach to the Rathole resembles the approach to a disreputable speakeasy and can be challenging for navigators lacking local knowledge. Click here for directions. If the directions induce uncertainty, please call me anytime during the day on my cell (603 359-3618) and I will provide additional guidance.
