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):
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 https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/yacht-club-history/ 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.
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), and converted the boardroom into a lounge (Wayne D. Gray Mariners' Lounge).
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.
Junior Sailing Program
The CYC has become a leader in seamanship education. With a strong Junior Sailing Program currently 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.
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.
1922 to Present - CYC's Commodores
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 - 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
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.
2022 - CYC100, CYC turned 100 in 2022
In 2022, CYC turned 100.
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 https://sailstrait.wordpress.com/yacht-club-history/ 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.
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), and converted the boardroom into a lounge (Wayne D. Gray Mariners' Lounge).
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.
Junior Sailing Program
The CYC has become a leader in seamanship education. With a strong Junior Sailing Program currently 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.
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.
1922 to Present - CYC's Commodores
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 - 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.
2022 - CYC100, CYC turned 100 in 2022
In 2022, CYC turned 100.
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Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee - 2020
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Charlottetown Yacht Club Burgee - origin and meaning unknown
Commodore Burgee
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/
Origin: http://sailstrait.wordpress.com/yacht-club-history/
Aerial view of Charlottetown Waterfront in 1958
