Thomas “Tom” Dekker

Tom Dekker has been sailing and racing in the Lake Michigan region for over fifty years, getting his start at age 18 out of Port Washington, Wisconsin.  He joined Port Washington Yacht Club in 1974, is an ongoing active member, past Commodore and consistent racer today.

Tom enjoys sharing his love of sailing and racing and knowledge of skill with everyone.  For many years, passenger van loads of Wisconsin Hoofer Sailing Club members drove to Port Washington to learn from Tom, his crew and the fleet.  Tom instructed church groups. Of course his children, grandchildren and nephews have been the highest priority students and they race with him every summer.

Tom is known as an excellent commander, fully trusted by his crew and striving to maintain safe conduct and passage in all conditions. He has competed in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac over 35 times, on his vessels Warrior and Bravo. He has won his section once, finished second three times, and finished third twice in that storied race. Tom is an inducted member of the Island Goats Sailing Society of Chicago.

He’s raced in the Queen’s Cup Race, HOOK Race, and Clipper Cup distance races on Lake Michigan about that many times.  Port Washington Yacht Club has counted him a steady contestant for its weekly Wednesday evening and Saturday races as well. 

Tom’s commitment to his crew, dedication to teaching others to sail and race, and consistent sailboat racing presence on Lake Michigan has set an exemplary standard few others achieve.

Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation joyfully inducts Thomas Dekker into the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame.

October 10, 2025

Thomas Dekker was nominated by the Board of Directors of Port Washington Yacht Club.