Welcome Aboard “Pipes Dream”
Parents of students enrolled in Meydenbauer Yacht Club’s “learn to sail progam” are hosted each Wednesday during the summer classes on “Pipes Dream.”
Below: In 2005, TYC Jr. Racing Chair, Craig Rone, presents Betty and Jack with an award for hosting parents on “Pipes Dream” so they could watch their children race.
Many of us have enjoyed a few friends on board for an afternoon spin or a cocktail cruise. Yet one sailboat has entertained literally hundreds over the past 20 years: Betty and Jack Laffaw’s Pipes Dream.
By Joan Storkman When Betty and Jack sold their
Bellevue restaurant, “Pizza and Pipes” in 1990, they were able to buy their first sailboat, a Catalina 30. It wasn’t long before they up-sized to a Cat 36’, the boat of their dreams, so it was appropriately named Pipes Dream. On one of their first voyages, they took their two young grandkids to Barkley Sound where they fished and enjoyed the fabulous meals Betty prepared. The following year they returned to Barkley Sound with 10 family and friends. The smell of cinnamon rolls, fresh fried fish, and Betty’s homemade pies brought new friends on board wherever they landed.
When Betty and Jack were in
their 70’s, their teenage grandkids participated in the Tacoma Yacht Club Junior Sailing and Racing programs. Betty and Jack followed the circuit, taking up to 20 parents on board. Jack would jockey between the Laser and Opti courses so parents could see the
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action and get photos. Betty always provided lunch—sandwiches, fruit, and homemade cookies. Often, the young racers would tie along side, squirming and asking to use their head. Betty and Jack would laugh with delight that yet another person wanted to use their boat. As the sailor hustled back to the race course, Betty offered, “How about a cookie?” which was eagerly accepted with a smile and a “Thanks!” In 2005 TVC’s Jr. Racing coordinator Craig Rone created “The Betty and Jack Laffaw Award,” in appreciation for hosting hundreds of kids and parents on Pipes Dream over the years. When their grandchildren were
in college. Jack would say, “Take Pipes Dream out anytime with your friends,” and Betty would add, “Just let me know if you’d like me make food for you!” On many of these trips Betty and Jack were invited along because their grandkids said, “We want to show you off!”
Once when Betty and Jack
were sailing up to a dock on Lake Washington, a rock band asked if they could take some promo shots on Pipes Dream. “We’d be delighted,” Betty and Jack exclaimed! As the band climbed on board it was unclear who was more excited: The band who’d never been on a boat or Betty and Jack who were full of questions about the band’s music, their next venue, and their web site. One band member asked about the boat’s name and upon hearing the explanation excitedly exclaimed, “I had my eighth birthday at Pizza and Pipes!” For the past several summers,
Betty and Jack have taken parents of junior sailors from their yacht club, Meydenbauer, out each Wednesday to watch their children. One week they had 25 on their boat! At age 86, why do they volunteer to do this? “We love for the parents to see their kid’s independence,” Betty beams, “to see
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