Racing Around Long Island by Sail: Stefany Coulter

Among the sailors competing in the 38th Around Long Island Race, which began Thursday out of Sea Cliff, is Stefany Coulter of Port Washington.

Coulter, who says she is one of only two women contestants out of 66 entries, is racing in a 28 O’Day, which she bought in Port Washington.

“The boat was in great disrepair – 34 years old, and I have undertaken a complete renovation and have entered this 190 nautical mile race,” she said.

Coulter calls the boat “Silk Purse.”

“I named it that based on the expression, ‘You can’t make a Silk Purse from a sow’s ear,’” she said. “I grew up in Texas and my mom said that sometimes, but I always dreamed I would by an old boat and make it into a silk purse.”

After the race, Coulter plans to develop the use of her boat for classes for women who are victims of domestic violence.

“I feel that learning to sail is an experience that can shatter boundaries that we women put in our own way,” she said. “I hope to join forces with an organization that can see the value in that.”