The Beverly Yacht Club has a long legacy of women who sail and who sail fast.

According to Deborah Elfers, the female fleet has been on the water since 1925.

“There’s this long, long history at the club of supporting women sailors,” she said.

Elfers is the fleet captain of the Thursday afternoon Beverly Yacht Club’s Ladies’ Thursday Afternoon Series, featuring the classic wooden H-12 sailboats as well as the newer Bullseyes. Every week throughout the spring and summer, the fleet races on the edge of Sippican Harbor. The goal, of course, is to win.

“It’s very competitive,” said Elfers.

Each month, the skipper with the fastest time wins an award, and the season culminates with a trophy for the overall best time of the season.

The experience level of the skipper and her crew (who usually handles the jib in the front), varies from boat to boat.

Although Elfers grew up on boats, she didn’t begin racing until she was an adult. She and her family moved to town almost 20 years ago where they were quickly introduced to the small H-12 boats.

"We fell in love, seeing the H-12 sailing all around. They have such a beautiful silhouette," she said.

Elfers and her husband bought one and named it Tiger Tale.

“I actually didn’t race for a long time. I had to work on building my boat handling skills and confidence,” Elfers said. “I didn’t expect to ever race my boat.”

Elfers changed her mind after crewing for a friend one day.

“I was totally hooked after that,” she said. “I crewed for a few years and then decided to take my boat out.”

With her new blog, Taking the Tiller, Elfers talks about her passion for sailing, racing and the H-12. She also encourages women who want to sail or race to try it out. The yacht club has programs to teach women to sail and race, some of which are open to non-members.

Learning to race is as simple as offering to crew for a skipper in need.

“In my experience, the best thing is to try to do it with someone you trust and know,” said Elfers. “The most important thing is to be enthusiastic because you can teach everything else.”

That’s how Christina Bonney is getting herself race ready.

A relative newcomer to racing, Bonney is entering her third summer on the water after taking the club’s training program.

Susan Ford and Susan Butler sail past. Photo by: Georgia Sparling

She is a floater for the Thursday afternoon races, filling in for anyone without a crew.

After the initial race of the day, the crew and skipper switch places for an unscored race that gives novices an opportunity to practice.

“It’s a really great way to foster interest in the sport and for the crew,” Bonney said. “The first time I did it I was terrified, but you get really great coaching.”

Paul Hyde, committee boat operator and a principal race officer at the club, agreed.

Paul Hyde watches the wind to determine the best place for the race. Photo by: Georgia Sparling

“The cool thing about that is that it’s open to anybody. You don’t have to be a member,” said Hyde. “Basically they can show up and say they’re willing to sail.”

The group is also a social one. Many of the women meet for lunch at the yacht club before heading out on the water.

“Sometimes it’s talking about boats, sometimes it’s talking about whatever’s happening in town,” said Hyde, who sets up the marks for the race while the H-12 and Bullseyes make their way to the start line.

In a post Elfers wrote on her blog, she summed up the women’s fleet like this: “We are a social bunch, a terrific group of energetic individuals who are committed to growing the fleets, and who care about helping each other become better sailors. Our experiences together help to bind us ever more closely with each passing year.”

Ken Deyett gets ready to drop the mark for the race. Photo by: Georgia Sparling

In addition to Thursday afternoons, there are co-ed H-12 and Bullseye races on Sunday. The Beverly Yacht Club has other races on Wednesdays, Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

For more information on a race, lessons or volunteering to crew, call the club at 508-748-0540.