The individual selected need not be actively engaged in sailing events or the winner of a number of races; nor a yacht owner; or be or have been a flag officer of a yacht club; but may be, among others, a race committee person, a member of the press, or someone who has displayed exceptional sportsmanship; or someone not directly associated with yachting who has made an outstanding contribution to yachting.

• 2006 - Phil Eaton (DWYC)
• 2005 - Barney Flam (ABYC/LBYC)
• 2004 - Gary Jobson
• 2003 - Tom Leweck (CYC)
• 2002 - Mark Hansen (KHYC)
• 2001 - Charles M. "Chuck" Kober
• 2000 - Ernie Bain, Jr.
• 1999 - Mike Segerblom
• 1998 - Gail E. Hine
• 1997 - Gene O'Connell
• 1996 - Jim Clark
• 1995 - Kitty James
• 1994 - Pete Ives
• 1993 - Jerry Olson
• 1992 - S. A. "Bud" Zucker
• 1991 - Peggy Gregory
• 1990 - Tom Ehman
• 1989 - Morton J. Bloom
• 1988 - Almon Lockabey
• 1987 - Harlan Moore
• 1985 - Burton Jay, MD
• 1984 - Helen Bedford
• 1983 - H. Donald Brown
• 1981 - Ted Hinshaw
• 1979 - George Fisher
• 1977 - Morris Kirk
• 1976 - Richard Belden
• 1975 - Barry Labow
• 1974 - Paul Hiller
• 1973 - Andy Gram
• 1971 - Harris Lyle
• 1970 - Bill Ficker
• 1968 - Stephen Crosby
• 1967 - Les Newfeld
• 1965 - Gerald Driscoll
• 1964 - Thomas Patrick Dugan
• 1963 - Henry Spraque III
• 1960 - Richard Fenton
• 1959 - Lowell North
• 1958 - Alonzo Jessop