Jeff Chandler, cousin of famed Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler, and former owner of the Santa Cruz 52 Pressure Cooker passed away April 15 after a long battle with prostate cancer. I had the pleasure of not only sailing the boat a lot with Jeff, but also helping him put the 52 together from new in the early 1990’s. Jeff was really fun to work with – I remember after we sailed hull #1 in Santa Cruz before Jeff ordered his, I pulled him aside and told him that the boat felt underpowered and we should go up on the rig for his. He looked at me, smiled and said "How much taller?" I said "Four feet, and let’s go with carbon" He ordered the rig the next week.
We had good success with the boat and Jeff was one of those owners who wanted to do well, but wanted to have a good time while doing it. Relaxed, fun and unpretentious, he was a great owner, decent sailor and that rare combination of grace, spirit and perspective.
From Bob Wilmot: I built the rig at Omohundro and did the race to Ensenada on the boat. I will never forget when the sun was going down I was driving and trying to get the most out of the boat and Jeff comes on deck and asked red or white? I had no idea what he was talking about. About a minute later I was still steering, now sitting to leeward with a very fine glass of red and enjoying cocktail hour with the crew. Race hard but enjoy the moments. My whole experience with Jeff was very enjoyable. Please pass on my best to his family.
In addition to sailing, we spent many hours talking politics (he was a righty, I am a lefty), radio (Jeff owned AM and FM stations in Carlsbad) and I feel so lucky to have known the man as I did, and share so many great experiences with him. We are deeply saddened by his passing, and our hearts go out to his wife Charlotte and his daughter Kristina. – Scot Tempesta.
