About
THE SHORT HISTORY OF PRESQU’ILE YACHT CLUB
The Presqu’ile Yacht Club was organized in the early forties by the
sailing families owning summer cottages on Presqu’ile Point. At that
time, most of the boats in the club were 16’ to 18’ dinghies. The old
trophies, in possession of the present club, indicate sailboat racing
activity in the years 1942 to 1950. In the early fifties, however, the
activity ceased and the club became dormant.
In the early sixties a new breed of sailors appeared on the Presqu’ile
Bay.
In 1966, with the initiative primarily of the sailors owning cottages in
the Gosport area of the town of Brighton, The Presqu’ile Yacht Club was
reconstituted and Bob McEwen was elected as the first commodore of the
this new club. The fleet of the club consisted mostly of dinghies and
boats of up to 20’ long. The club held weekly races and season inaugural
and season closing dances in the Brighton Legion. The club meetings were
held in one of club members cottages.
In the early seventies, most of the boaters of the then Pearsall Marina
joined the club. Over time, the club’s fleet changed from dinghies to
mostly cruising boats. During this time, the club started seriously
looking for a waterfront property to buy. In 1976, the Presqu’ile Yacht
Club bought a property of approximately three acres at the east end of
Price Street in the Gosport area of the town of Brighton where the Club
resides to this day.
The harbor was excavated, the docks were built, and a 66’ trailer bought
for a club house and a de-masting crane was installed. All work, with
the exception of the excavation, was done by the labour of the club
members.
In 1981, the club was officially incorporated as a non profit
organization and at this time also, the harbour excavation was enlarged
to accommodate more boats.
Presently, the club is at full capacity of 44 members with boats ranging
up to 34ft. The club runs an active racing program. Races are held most
Saturdays during the summer months in Presqu’ile Bay and in the main
lake to Nicholson and Scotch Bonnet islands. Cruises are organized
during the summer months to various locations around Lake Ontario. The
social activities include barbeques, potluck suppers and corn roasts.
The Presqu’ile Yacht Club is considered one of the most scenic, tranquil
and friendliest clubs on Lake Ontario.