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Charlottetown Yacht Club, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
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History of Charlottetown Yacht Club

​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):
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PDF part A
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PDF part B
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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, The Charlottetown Yacht Club is located on one of the most scenic points of the Charlottetown waterfront, with a panoramic view of the Harbour. The CYC was established to "Promote small boat sailing and motorboating in and about the Charlottetown Harbour, and to provide for anchorage and facilities relative thereof for all Club boats as well as visiting boats and yachts". The origin of the Club is documented in the reproduction of an article from the Halifax Sunday Leader published in June 1923, shown below.

The first CYC clubhouse was built in 1937. On his website, Harry Holman told the story of why and how the first CYC clubhouse was built on the site in 1937. Visit http://sailstrait.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/cyc-1937-clubhouse-was-modern-in-every-respect/ to see the pictures and read the early history. The year 1964 was another milestone when major renovations were made to the wharves and the building was extended: https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/1964-a-banner-year-in-the-charlottetown-yacht-club-history/sailstrait.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/1964-a-banner-year-in-the-charlottetown-yacht-club-history/.

Promoting Education
The CYC has become a leader in seamanship education. With a strong Junior Sailing Program using Laser, Optimist and a 420 fleet, many young people have enjoyed becoming water-wise. Also, the "young at Heart" are learning to sail in our adult sailing courses, which are rapidly gaining popularity.  

A tradition of education, racing, and generous hospitality 
CYC has held up the long tradition of education, racing, and generous hospitality established by Charlottetown boaters in the 19th century. In 1993-94 CYC took a giant step forward by building a new clubhouse and marina. 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. Today boaters have access to the marina, moorings with tender service, gas dock, launching slip, a 10,000 lb. crane and mast crane, all serviced by a friendly knowledgeable staff.

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.

The CYC Burgee
One of the earliest activities of the Charlottetown Yacht Club was the identification of a burgee for the club. This 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 it 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 (because commodores are special) which has similar design elements but is square with a swallow tail. An interesting web site which features burgees from all over the world is www.burgees.com. Burgees should be an essential element for the annual sail-past. 

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.


CYC Commodores
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 - Roget 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 - Mac Irwin          
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. Under Commodore Don McGinn's leadership, CYC's Board of Directors, staff and volunteers rose to the occasion. 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.
  • February 26: Annual General Meeting. 
  • March and April: COVID-19 pandemic operating procedures developed.
  • May 16 - Docks in.
  • June 5 - Salt and Sol Restaurant and Lounge opening ... Public Welcome! 
  • June 13 - Opening Regatta. Read the NOR for COVID-19 operating procedures. 
  • June 15 - Start of Monday and Wednesday nights Club Racing. 
  • July 31 - Deadline for submissions to the Shannon Murray CYC Photo Contest, then the public voting ran online through August.
  • July and August - Junior Sailing Courses.
  • August 13-15, 2020 - East Coast Docks Charlottetown Race Week.
  • August - Race the Tide Dinghy Regatta not be held in 2020 owing to COVID. 
  • August 31 - Last day public voting for Shannon Murray Photo Contest finalists.
  • September 15 - Winners 2020 CYC Shannon Murray Photo Contest announced. Began accepting submissions for the 2021 contest.
  • September 5 - Northumberland Strait Challenge.  ​
  • September 19 - Fitzroy Rock Race.
  • September 22-23: Hurricane Teddy arrived as post-tropical northerly gales, unlike some previous tropical systems.  
  • September 26 - Peake and McInnis Closing Regatta. 
  • October 3 - Docks out.


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Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee - 2020

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Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee - origin and meaning unknown

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Commodore Burgee

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Honorary Commodore Burgee


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/
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Aerial view of Charlottetown Waterfront in 1958
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