The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association is among the many mourning the death of founding member and coach Paul Doughty.

Doughty, who died on Tuesday following a bout of illness, helped to create the association in 1998 and went on to mentor sailors at the grassroots level.

“Paul was a founding father of the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association and became passionate about all things Opti,” a BODA spokesperson said. “He was also committed to ‘Waterwise’, the Bermuda Sailing Association initiative that went into Government middle schools.

“From that Paul brought Brian Bulhoes who finished 26th at his first International Optimist Dinghy Association World Championships, Dimitri Stevens who was the helmsman for the Bermuda Youth America’s Cup team and Rahiem Steede who qualified Bermuda for the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore.

“Most of Bermuda’s top sailors at one point or another were coached by Paul and he made a significant impression that they carry with them today.

“Paul will be greatly missed by the Opti sailors, both here and abroad, that he had the opportunity to coach and mentor.”

Some of the sailors Doughty mentored also paid tribute to their late coach for the positive impact he made on their lives.

Elijah Simmons, who went on to become a North American Optimist champion, said: “Paul Doughty found me as a little dreadlock Rasta kid at eight years old. He saw the potential and talent I had and invited me to sail year round at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

“Though I would go on to becoming one of Bermuda’s best sailors at the time, it didn’t come easy. Paul always pushed me to be the best version of myself and to stay positive. Thank you for never giving up on me

“My condolences to the Doughty family.”

Antonio Bailey also spoke fondly of his late mentor.

“Rest well, coach. You will be missed,” he said. “You did not simply stop at teaching sailing, you used sailing to teach about life.

“The time I spent sailing under you helped me to mature from a child to a young man.”

Mackenzie Cooper is grateful for the impact Doughty made in his life.

“Paul introduced me to the sport of sailing and fostered my love for the water,” he said. “I will always be thankful for everything you taught me. Sail on, Paul.”

Sean Bouchard described Doughty as “a great coach and mentor for all of us growing up’.

“He will be dearly missed,” he added.

Brian Bulhoes said he would not be the “man I am today” without the influence Doughty had on his childhood while Jono Dill reflected how his late coach “taught me heaps back in the day”.

As well as BODA, Doughty was also influential in youth sailing development at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club where he established a year-round Optimist sailing programme.

“It is with great sadness that the club has learnt of the passing of Paul Doughty,” the club said in a statement. “Paul was a champion of the club and Bermuda’s youth sailing development.

“Paul became an ambassador for many of Bermuda’s young sailors and was instrumental in the development of the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association and the creation of a full-time sailing programme at the club.

“He had a passion for everything sailing: teaching, coaching, history.

“In his personal life he spent many years sailing on the Doughty’s yacht Asteroid with friends and family.

“Those who knew him, quickly became aware of his love of the club. He was the archivist and knew the history of every trophy, half-model and photo hanging in the building.

“Paul touched many of our members’ lives: teaching their children to sail or sharing a glass of wine and a story. He was a treasure and he will be missed.

“The executive, board of governors, members and staff send their condolences to his partner Heather, his sons JP and James and the rest of his family and friends. The club ensign was flown at half-mast in remembrance on January 2. Rest easy, Paul, the watch is over.”