The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

34. In 1961, the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs was incorporated. 35. In 1972, the City of Clearwater began to contest the lease on the Mandalay property. After several years of negotiations and legal action, the club was ordered to vacate the site and was awarded $200,000 as compensation for the cost of the buildings, pool, and other improvements made to the site over the years. The club became “homeless” and membership dropped drastically (down to forty members) as a result. 36. In 1973, led by Taver Bayly, the remaining members of CYC began to meet in a rented space next door to the Towne House Restaurant while searching for a new home for the club. They named this temporary home the “Downtown Station.” 37. The Board of Trustees was established in 1974. 38. The property at 830 South Bayway, where Clearwater Yacht Club is located today, was purchased in 1976. 39. CYC mounted an Olympic campaign in the Soling Class in 1976. 40. In 1977, the new clubhouse at 830 South Bayway was dedicated. 41. The Kahlua Cup, the club’s first annually scheduled “big boat regatta,” was held in 1977. 42. The Clearwater Yacht Club Gulls (the club’s women’s auxiliary) was formed in 1977. Betty McGraw Perkins is given credit for naming this charitable group. 43. In 1978, the first Clark Mills Regatta was held as part of the Kahlua Cup weekend. 44. The first Clearwater to Key West regatta was held in 1986. CYC was the host club and CYC’s Charlie Brown was the race organizer. 45. The Bow Chasers were formed in 1987. Their goal was to provide sailing instruction and race committee support. The Bow Chasers have grown in numbers over the years and have broadened their involvement to include social events for women not active with sailing. 46. Clearwater Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing program was officially organized in 1988. 47. In the 1990s, the group now known as the Cruisers got its start when members began to have “raft ups” in the Intracoastal Waterway.

148 The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011 The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011