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

to discuss the formation of a coalition of clubs was held at CYC (Martin, Gray and Mains, 2004). Yacht clubs in the Tampa Bay Area and the west coast of Florida had cooperated in the organization of sail and power boat races since the earliest days of their existence. In August of 1960, representatives of clubs in the area met to discuss the formalization of this relationship. The goal was to provide club reciprocity so members who visited other area clubs for regattas or on cruises would be able to make use of the facilities of the host club. After much discussion about the specifics of the arrangement, the statewide organization now called the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs was formed. The articles of incorporation for the organization were signed on July 26, 1961. The thirteen charter members of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs include: Bird Key Yacht Club (Sarasota); Bradenton Yacht Club; Clearwater Yacht Club; Davis Island Yacht Club (Tampa); the Field Club (Sarasota); Naples Yacht Club; Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club; Royal Palm Yacht Club (Ft. Meyers); St. Petersburg Yacht Club; Sarasota Yacht Club; Tampa Yacht and Country Club; Tarpon Springs Yacht Club; and Venice Yacht Club (Martin, Gray and Mains, 2004). In 1961, CYC celebrated her fiftieth anniversary with much fanfare and a great deal of community support. It seemed that CYC was set for smooth sailing, but a bad storm was brewing just beyond the horizon.

Cover of Ransom and Tracy’s booklet for the club’s fiftieth anniversary. This cover shows the current CYC burgee, which had just been adopted at the time of the anniversary. CYC Archives.

Snipe postcard. Courtesy of the Fleming/Green family.

Renovated Mandalay Clubhouse (1960s–1970s). Courtesy of Dave Perkins.

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