Issue date
On 21 January 1939, 75 years ago, four bach owners met at Gerald Anderson’s place at Paradise Bay to consider the formation of a yacht club on their side of Lyttelton Harbour. The Charteris Bay Yacht Club opened the following weekend on 28 January 1939 and on the 29th January 1939 the first race was sailed under the club’s banner.
To celebrate this – a weekend of activities will be held on 25th and 26th January 2014. See the programme and register now here.
Over the years there have been many highlights including the building of the Clubhouse in its present position. This took only a couple months in 1946 and was initially referred to as the Club Shed. Its original planned dimensions were 30x40ft which by completion date 23 Nov 1946, had grown to the present main hall size. For many years, as was the custom in those days, the building was then referred to as the Club Pavilion. It wasn’t until 1958 that the club launched its purpose built rescue boat Te Wharau. Launch day was quite a milestone as until then rescues were carried out by a roster of club member owned motor boats.
Early classes were mainly Idle Along, Takapuna, the occasional X Class and P’s. The mid 50′s saw the introduction of our very own class the Charteris Bay Skimmer. Then came Junior Cherubs, Zephyrs, Finns, Paper Tigers, Flying Fifteens, Lasers and Phase IIs as the main senior and intermediate classes. There have always been P Class and at one stage a fleet of Flying Ants complemented the junior classes. Since its introduction in the 60′s, the Starling has been with us as a step up from Optimist or P Class. Many of you will have sailed in these or remember them.
Younger members will remember the introduction of the Optimist to New Zealand and Charteris Bay was the driving force behind their rapid spread in the late 70′s. There were many camps hosted by the club after the Optis took on, Orton Bradley and Quail Island being favourite venues. The format of these camps was adopted by the NZYF [now Yachting New Zealand]. In the late 80′s we saw the introduction of the Mini 12′s later to be known as the International 2.4′s – the first club to cater for disabled sailors.
Over the years we have had a sprinkling of other classes such as Kitty Cats, A Class, Shearwater, assorted Trailer Yachts, Javelin, R Class, Contender, 3.7, 470, 420, Moth, Rothmans [Phoenix] Flying Dutchman and a few other I have forgotten.
Over the years the club has hosted a number of National Contests starting with the Tanner and Tauranga Cups in 1959, Finns, Flying Fifteen, Zephyr, Phoenix, Flying Ant ,to name a few – the Flying Fifteen being the most regular at 9 or 10. The club can boast many National Champions, many sailors at International and World Championships, several Olympic representatives and a member of the crew of an America’s Cup winner. We have had tsunamis, shark attacks, royal visits, and sustained Force 10 storms and many other significant events.
The present members would like all past members to share these memories on 25th and 26th of January next. The programme for the weekend and how to register is available here.
There will be several highlights besides catching up with your past and sharing the future of the CBYC. Sunday will see a sail past of vintage yachts, a luncheon cruse on the Tug Lyttelton, and more discussion and fellowship.
Please register early to ensure your place on this exciting Anniversary weekend.
