Defiant and Paul

Have you seen what’s on the dock on the front lawn of the Club? You won’t need to blink and try to clear the seeing double, but there’s not one, but two Melges IC37’s that are destined for the Canada’s Cup race this September. 

RCYC’s own fleet of boats were some of the last; Defiant was THE last off the line at Westerly Marine in Santa Ana, California. She is hull #35.

Our first IC37 owner to learn about is Paul L’Heureux. He confessed that he doesn’t think himself to be a good enough sailor to be on the A Team of his boat, Defiant, but did think that it would be really cool to be a boat owner, and somehow contribute to the excitement of the Canada’s Cup. As with so many events, last year’s race was postponed due to COVID-19 and everyone has all fingers and toes crossed that it will go ahead as scheduled, from Sept 2nd to 5th, 2021. 

About Paul

Paul’s dad purchased a sailboat when he was 17 years old, and that was his first introduction to sailing. He participated as foredeck crew on his father’s boat for Wednesday evening club racing at the National Yacht Club during the late 70s and to the late 80s. He owned a 12’ dinghy and sailed it in the Kawarthas during the mid 70’s. Paul loosely kept connected to sailing during a busy business career and raising a family until 2011 when he purchased a 40’ cruising sloop. He felt a desire to join a yacht club and settled for the best by joining the RCYC in 2016. Sailing Lake Ontario was not enough and he decided to extend his sailing season to year round by purchasing a 49’ Beneteau, owned by an RCYC Member, but anchored in the BVI. He picked up Modus Vivendi in Tortola and changed up his lifestyle to spend one week of each month sailing around the Caribbean from November to April, for two years. Modus was sold in 2019, and he now has an Oyster 655 currently in Newport, just itching to go anywhere! Matawai will come in handy during this year’s Rolex Cup Invitational, that’s for sure. 

Speaking of the Rolex Cup, that’s where in 2019, Paul attended this regatta for the first time and promptly decided to purchase the Melges IC37. In his own words says, “Well, I was drunk at the time, and thought it sounded like fun!”. He was so excited to be part of the International racing scene, from the cocktail parties, to the networking and all the social fun that was there, that he was clearly under the influence of FUN. We also have Terry McLaughlin and Jamie Keating to thank for the suggestion and influence of having a Canada’s Cup Defence team and IC37 at the Club. 

Paul sure had some challenges to work through with his impulsive decision. From getting the boat ordered and built in California to RCYC during a global pandemic, and the overall uncertainty of actually getting the boat build finished even before it would travel across the US and into Canada. He also had to overcome not knowing enough about this boat; set up, sailing and all that’s needed. With the help of Terry’s Canada’s Cup team including accomplished sailors; Andrew McTavish and David Jarvis, he knew that while he didn’t have the expertise, they did. Defiant has become a full team effort as he has relied heavily on them, and learned so much along the way. 

As Paul becomes more comfortable with the speed and responsiveness of the IC37, taking the helm on Tuesday nights, he and Vigilant’s part-owner, David Howard, are committed to sharing the experience of the boats, especially with the under 16 up-and-coming sailors. 

When Paul was asked what he was most excited about, he said:

 ”To be a part of the Canada’s Cup team and help bring younger talent into sport boat racing. For the competition and the fun of all of it.” 

To Paul, there is nothing more exciting than to be with a group of people aligned to the same goal and achieve through dedication and hard work.