CYC History

History of Charlottetown Yacht Club

Centuries of Tradition

Recreational boating has a very old history in Charlottetown. According to Harry Holman's website, the Hillsboro Boating Club ran the "Regatta" in Charlottetown as early as 1874.

Founded in 1922, incorporated in 1938
The Charlottetown Yacht Club was founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1938 to promote sailing and power boating in Charlottetown Harbour and the Northumberland Strait, provide facilities for club members and visiting boaters, and maintain a clubhouse and other facilities to promote the welfare of the membership. The Club is located on one of the most scenic points of the Charlottetown waterfront, with a panoramic view of the Harbour.

The origin of the Club is documented in the reproduction of an article from the Halifax Sunday Leader published in June 1923, see below. The Commodore was T.E. Grady, Vice Commodore was Dr. A.B Reid, and Rear Commodore was Charles Moran. See  sailstrait.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/every-citizen-should-be-a-member-the-guardian-and-the-founding-of-the-charlottetown-yacht-club/ .

The first CYC clubhouse was built in 1937
In 1922, club members met in the Navy League building. On his website, Harry Holman told the story of why and how the first CYC clubhouse was built on the site in 1937: https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/yacht-club-history/ and sailstrait.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/charlottetown-yacht-club-a-history-in-five-photos/. That original clubhouse was similar to the later one we have today. When Ron Atkinson was Commodore in 1964, CYC purchased the land it had previously been leasing from the City. Major renovations were made to the wharves and the building was extended.

CYC incorporated in 1938 under the Act to Incorporate the Charlottetown Yacht Club
The CYC was incorporated in 1938 under the Act to Incorporate the Charlottetown Yacht Club.

CYC incorporated in 1974 under the 1951 Companies Act
In 1974, CYC appealed to the Province to repeal the old Act and incorporate the club under the 1951 Companies Act. The appeal was signed by Roger Tanton, Keith LeLacheur, Gordon Gay, Cameron MacDonald, Dennis Richard, R. Gordon White, Paul Williams, Ronald White and Vincent Newson. The club adopted a constitution and by-laws. The 1974 constitution reads, "”The objects and purposes of the Company are as follows: (a) Of continuing the operation of a club or association known as the ‘Charlottetown Yacht Club’ which said Club was originally founded under “an Act To Incorporate the Charlottetown Yacht Club … 1938 … the founding fathers of which Club included A. Malcolm Irwin, Henry C. Bourke, Fred W. Morris, Walter S. Grant, John J. King, Alexander C. Sinclair, Simon P. Paoli Jr, James A. Currie, Joseph L. Curran, George Buntain, Earl C. Baker, Norman M. Saunders, Percy W. McNevin, John O. Hyndman, Frank H. Stanley and Kenneth M. Martin. (b) To generally promote small boat sailing and motorboating in and about Charlottetown Harbour and to provide anchorage and facilities related thereof for all club boats as well as for visiting pleasure boats and yachts. (c) to establish, maintain, conduct and operate a clubhouse …”.

The current clubhouse was built in 1992
The old clubhouse was torn down in 1992 and replaced with the current, larger building. The new building provided a restaurant, banquet room, change rooms/showers, a boardroom, classrooms for junior sailors and more deck space. In 2022, a major renovation upgraded the washrooms, combined the two front offices into a large retail space (Fred's General Store), converted the boardroom into a lounge (Wayne D. Gray Mariners' Lounge), and revised the tool room/workshop. The storeroom was renovated in 2024. In 2024, the building was lifted one meter to accommodate the new, higher seawall.

Marina Infrastructure 1992-2010s
Originally, boats were largely kept on moorings. In 1992, CYC took a giant step forward by building a new clubhouse and marina. The marina had 32 berths at docks and 25 boats on moorings. In 2000, CYC installed a new state of the art floating breakwater and 80 new marina slips. The docks were renovated in 2002 to increase the number of slips and install new electrical pedestals with meters, dock lighting, cable television and telephone outlet capability. In the 2010s, the 72 outer docks chains were replaced (2014), the old wooden junior sailing docks were replaced with EZ Docks, the City installed a pubic kayak EZ Dock, and the marina was dredged.

Major seawall restoration and building lift during the 2024-25 winter
Together with community partners, the Club undertook major restoration and raising of the seawall after the 2024 boating season, following years of planning work by volunteers. Funding was secured by the committee from a partnership of government agencies, and CYC also contributed major funding. The old, low, crumbling steel and wood seawall with steel rope tie-backs was replaced with a taller and far sturdier "berlin wall" style structure. Sixty foot steel H-beams with hardened steel tips were precisely vibrated into the bedrock using GPS positioning. Heavy concrete panels were lowered into the slots on the piles and backfilled. Solid rod tie-rods were buried between the berlin wall and heavy concrete panel "dead heads" buried near the building's south and east faces, and across the east wharf. The seawall from the east wharf to the east side of the west wharf were included in the renewal. The seawall on the south and west sides of the west wharf can stand for a few years yet. The building and grounds were raised 3 feet (1 meter). The docks had to be modified to fit the new seawall profile and attached to the seawall in a new way.

A tradition of education, racing, and generous hospitality
CYC has held up the long tradition of education, racing, and generous hospitality established in the 19th century by Charlottetown boaters. Today, local and visiting boaters have access to the marina, moorings with tender service, gas dock, launching slip, and a 10,000 lb. crane and mast crane, all serviced by a friendly knowledgeable staff. And of course to the vibrant, friendly social life at the club.

Racing in Charlottetown - More than 140 years of a Summer Regatta
Charlottetown Race Week in its present form dates back to the 1980s but has deep roots in the community. Charlottetown has hosted a Regatta in various forms since the 19th century. On his website, Harry Holman notes that Hillsboro Boating Club operated a popular Regatta at Charlottetown as far back as at least 1874, following the rules of the Royal Halifax Yacht Club. Like today, the 1874 Regatta attracted "fast boats from various towns and settlements on the coast". A grandstand was erected at Connolly's Wharf. During a week of festivities they held a public dance in the Drill Shed, a Grand Ball and a Concert. Over the years commercial fishermen and professionals have competed in various regattas at Charlottetown along with weekend sailors. See CYC Race Week History for information about the history of CYC's modern Race Week.

2022: CYC's 100th anniversary and Hurricane Fiona
CYC had a sparkling season in 2022 to mark its 100th anniversary. Docks went in April 30th, and the Salt & Sol restaurant opened their doors for the season in mid-May. The Peake & McInnis Opening Regatta kicked off the racing season on June 4th, followed by the Monday and Wednesday evening racing tradition of boating clubs worldwide. In July, Charlottetown Race Week and One Design Speed Week welcomed boats from far and wide. The PEI Boating Festival ran races between Charlottetown and Summerside, and renewed the Around the Island Race. Other annual regattas included the Race the Tide dinghy regatta, the Fitzroy Rock race. The Northumberland Strait Challenge and Peake & McInnis Closing Regatta had to be cancelled owing to Hurricane Fiona on September 24, which caused massive devastation across PEI. Fortunately, CYC's south-facing infrastructure was largely spared owing to evacuation by all boats and the mainly northerly winds of Fiona. CYC held an end of season reception in Salt & Sol in October and an awards night and Christmas party in November at the Haviland Club.

Junior Sailing Program
CYC is a leader in seamanship education. CYC's junior sailing program began inn 1963 with the donation of 16-foot Flying Junior sailboats from a fleet purchased for the National Boy Scout Regatta. By the 2020s, the popular Junior Sailing Program was using its own Laser, Optimist and 420 fleet. Every summer, young people from all walks of life across PEI communities enjoy learning to sail and become water-wise. Young people interested in racing train together and participate in regattas far and wide. The "young at heart" also learn to sail in popular adult sailing courses run out of CYC.

The CYC Burgee
One of the earliest activities of the Charlottetown Yacht Club was the identification of a burgee for the club (see images below). In 2020, Harry Holman found that there were several versions of the CYC burgee and no clear evidence that any one design had been formally approved. He and Operations Manager Andrew McFarlane developed the 2020 version in consultation with members. The triangular red and blue flag with the CYC letters in white comes from a long yachting tradition. The triangular flag is unique to yachts and should be flown to show that the owner is aboard or nearby. The colour and design identifies which club the yacht belongs to. Originally these flags were flown from the masthead, but more recent practice is to fly the burgee under the starboard spreaders. If it has no other value it can act as a wind indicator. Powerboats fly the burgee off a short staff on the bow. Club commodores fly a special flag which has similar design elements but is square with a swallow tail. Burgees should be an essential element for the annual sail-past.

CYC's Commodores
2023 & 2024 - Tim Cook
2022 - Stephen Cudmore
2021 - Gordon Proude
2019 & 2020 - Don McGinn
2018 - Andrew Rankin
2016 & 2017 - Stephen Murray
2015 - Kerry Marsh
2014 – Dr. Jim Thompson
2013 - Terry Scott
2012 - Basil Dickson
2011 - Murray Cook
2010 - Dwight Vessey
2009 - Douglas Rankin
2008 - Randy Johnston
2007 - Percy Simmonds
2006 - Jonathan Ross
2005 - Wellington Gay
2004 - Terry Allen
2003 - Todd Dupuis
2002 - Brian Scales
2001 - Shelly Cooke
2000 - Peter Toombs
1999 - Dr. Stuart Matheson
1998 - John Dennis
1997 - Kent Scales
1996 - Tom DeLong
1995 - Catherine Flanagan
1994 - Robert Sear
1993 - Jim Lea
1992 - David MacInnis
1991 - William (Woody) White
1990 - Ron Smith
1989 - Peter Johnston
1988 - Ron Herbert
1987 - Gordon Harper
1986 - Chris Brittain
1985 - Don Scott
1984 - Doug Hambley
1983 - Gordon Miller
1982 - Gordon Garrison
1981 - Dr. Bob Midgely
1980 - Beth Cudmore
1979 - David Hume
1978 - John Rankin
1977 - Clive Cudmore
1976 - Ron White
1975 - Gordon (Bus) Gay
1974 - Roger Tanton
1973 - Paul Williams
1972 - Dr. Raymond Grant
1971 - Tom Walker
1970 - Freemont Archer
1969 - John Evens
1968 - John Simmonds
1967 - Clive Stewart
1966 - Ian Rankin
1965 - Art Love
1964 - Ron Atkinson
1963 - Percy Simmonds
1962 - Don Smith
1961 - Wendal McLaine
1960 - Neil MacLean
1959 - Don Martin
1958 - Bob Borden
1957 - Neil Maclean
1955-56 - Mac Irwin
1953-54 - Ken Martin
1948-52 - Hal Brooks
1943-47 - Fred Small (Source: Rob Hambly's 1997 article in the Guardian, see above).
1936-42 - Fred Morris
1927-28 - Dr. James Blanchard
1926 - J. Charles Moran
1923 - T.E. Grady
1922 - Commander W.G Lewin NR

2018 - CYC Awards Night Winners

Overall Monday Night - Satisfaction, Randy Johnston
B Fleet Winner Monday Night - La Minot. Steve LeClair
Overall Wednesday Night - Satisfaction, Randy Johnston
Overall - Satisfaction - Randy Johnston
Fitzroy Rock Race - Ardezan Andrew Rankin
Northumberland Challenge - Totally Irresponsible, Adam Affleck
Sportsmanship - Steve Cudmore, for mentoring Junior Sailors
New Skipper/ Rookie of The year - Sail LaVie, Mike LaVie and crew
Race Committee Volunteer of the Year - Helen Blake

2020 - Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Hurricane Teddy:
The COVID-19 pandemic struck the world in January/February 2019. In March, PEI declared a state of emergency that persisted throughout the boating season. PEI's Public Health Office issued directives and guidelines. CYC's Board of Directors, staff and volunteers rose to the occasion under Commodore Don McGinn's leadership. Members had a great boating season within the restrictions needed to keep everyone safe. In late September, Hurricane Teddy arrived as a post-tropical storm to make 2020 an even more memorable year. The threat of the cyclone nipped the season a bit short for many. Club members pulled together to prepare boats and infrastructure.

2022 - CYC100, CYC's 100th Anniversary and Hurricane Fiona:
In 2022, CYC turned 100. It was a spectacular year for the club.

January 1, 2022: CYC turned 100
February - AGM, Stephen Cudmore took over from Gordon Proude as Commodore, Peter Williams named volunteer of the year.
March - Winners of the 2021 CYC Photo Contest announced
April 30 - Docks in
May 19 - Salt & Sol Restaurant and Lounge opening ... Public Welcome!
June 4 - Peake & McInnis Opening Regatta
June 6 - Start of Monday and Wednesday night club racing
June 17 - Commodore's Reception in the great hall
July and August - Junior Sailing Courses
July 14-16 - Charlottetown Race Week and One Design Speed Week
Race Week 2022 registration: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=14733
July 28-30 - PEI Boating Festival
August 27 - CYC100 Picnic Social and Commodore's Sailpast
August 27-28 - Race the Tide Dinghy Regatta
September 10 - Fitzroy Rock Race
September 15 - One-night screening of "The Race To Alaska" at City Cinema in Charlottetown, sponsored by WaveSkills Sailing School and Marine Source. Donations to Upper Room Food Bank.
September 24 - Northumberland Strait Challenge (CANCELLED owing to Hurricane Fiona).
October 1 - Peake & McInnis Closing Regatta (CANCELLED owing to ongoing Island recovery)
October 1 - End of season reception and Roger Jones Band at Salt & Sol Restaurant and Lounge
October 15 - Docks out
November 18 - Awards Night and Christmas party, Haviland Club, sponsored by Peake & McInnis
November-December: Maintenance repairs began, tool room started getting an overhaul.

1937 Clubhouse replaced in 1992, and the new clubhouse was lifted in 2024

The original clubhouse built in 1937 was demolished in 1992 and the new one constructed. (1992 photos courtesy of John Rankin).

The clubhouse was lifted one meter in 2024 to accommodate the new, higher seawall that was being built.

The Fred Small turned 40 in 2023

The Fred Small, CYC's stout and reliable workboat, turned 40 in 2023. "The Fred" was purchased new in1983 when Gordon Miller was Commodore. Doug Hill organized the fund-raising for the boat. The hull is an RF-18 manufactured by the Rosborough family in Nova Scotia from 1981 into the 1990s. The Fred Small replaced CYC's previous wooden workboat, the Wiz-Bang. Levy Boats in Nova Scotia continues to build boats based on the RF-18 mould.

Fred and Jean Small

In 2022, CYC converted the front office to a combined office and retail outlet to serve members and guests. To keep the memory of members like Fred Small alive, the club named it the "Fred Small General Store".

Fred and his wife Jean were generous members of the Charlottetown Yacht Club for many years. He was active in the boating community from the 1930s to his passing in 1989 at age 86. Mac Irwin described Fred as “the strongest man on the waterfront” from rowing and paddling in the 1930s-40s. He and Jean married in 1952 and lived downtown. Fred raced with Mac in the 1950s, becoming a constant presence on the Charlottetown Yacht Club deck chairs. He visited with everyone, especially Mac and other key CYC members of the day like Hal Bourke and Plum MacDonald. Fred worked at A. Kennedy & Co. Ship Marine Supplies & Hardware on the corner of Queen and Lower Water Streets. Today’s senior members recall buying rope from Fred in the store, which smelled of rope and oakum, and Fred teaching them knots and splices on the veranda as youngsters. Fred served as CYC Commodore in 1943-47 and Vice Commodore in the 1950s, and later was named Honorary Commodore.

Article from a June 1923 Halifax Sunday Leader edition documenting the origin of the Charlottetown Yacht Club
Origin: http://sailstrait.wordpress.com/yacht-club-history/

In 1991, Rob Hambly wrote the following article, published in the 1997 Race Week Insert to The Guardian, "History of the Charlottetown Yacht Club" (Posted with permission from The Guardian):

PDF part A

PDF part B

Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee adopted in 2020

Older Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee - origin and meaning unknown

Commodore's Burgee

Honorary Commodore's Burgee

Aerial view of Charlottetown Waterfront in 1958