It was in 1968 that college-bound Richard Hendrickson was to make that age-old decision: "what do I want to do with my life." He considered the problem systematically. Whatever the occupation it had to be respectable, stimulating, clean, and involve outdoor activity. However, the true question was, "Is this something I'll want to be doing at age 70?"

His intended course of college study was geology and art, but he opted for His first love, sailboats. "I've been sailing all my life," said Hendrickson. "Starting with my parents who have been sailing all their lives." Incidentally, Hendrickson's father taught the father of Jon Wright (mainsail trimmer on the America's Cup winner, "Stars and Stripes") how to sail.

He went about finding out everything there was to know about the sailboat industry. His first job was in boat manufacturing. Next came a sales position. Finally, joined by a friend, he entered the sailmaking business and discovered he had found his niche.

That partnership eventually broke up, but Hendrickson went on to found Hendrickson Sailmakers, Inc. He started in a 600 sq. ft. garage which soon prospered. In 1987 Richard Hendrickson broke ground for a new 6,000 sq. ft. building to house his expanding business. "We built the building with twice the amount of room we needed in anticipation of future growth. The facility now houses Hendrickson Sailmakers and a sailboat repair business making this a complete sailboat maintenance facility." Hendrickson has since added on to the existing structure to accommodate the demand for his sail cleaning business.

Richard has also pursued his love of sailboat racing. After sailing Sneakboats, Comets and other one-design boats, Hendrickson began racing and winning numerous trophies. His Seidlemann 30, "Salad Bowl" won the Annapolis Yacht's Fall Series Race (Delta II class) in 1977. He also won the Skipper's Race that same year. In 1984 he served as watch captain aboard the "Air Express" which placed third in a class among 52 yachts, in the Annapolis, Md. to St. Georges, Bermuda race which covered 753 miles over six days. "The sport of sailing is more of a participation sport than a spectator sport," Hendrickson said. "Until you've actually had the experience of competition, you won't get a taste for the thrill and excitement of the sport."

"There's no competent sailmaker who hasn't done his share of sailboat racing. You just can't appreciate and understand sails and design until you've observed a boat and its sails under the pressure of competition. You can design sails by computer, and use the most advanced aerodynamic materials, but the ultimate test is still the way it looks. If a sail isn't pleasing to the eye under sail, it will never be acceptable. Sailing is still one of the most economical water sports. Nothing's cheaper than the wind."

"We are providing a service to customers which we hope, they will appreciate as a result of our skill and experience. In making custom sails we derive satisfaction from putting the sails on a customer's boat and seeing them properly set. I hope to stay active in the mechanics of sailmaking. I don't want to sit behind a desk."

One last thing, does Richard ever wonder about the career in geology and regret the road not taken? "I'll let you know when I'm seventy."

For more information about Hendrickson Sailmaker, or if you would like a free quote on that new sail you have been thinking about purchasing, drop us a line in our e-Mail section. We will get back to you by the next business day.