History

The Blue Water Sailing Club was established in 1959 to promote weekend sailing, family cruising, and racing.  In the early years, racing interests dominated and prospective members were required to participate in at least one club race.  The founders of the club were ardent sailors as the membership requirements clearly stated, “Any member purchasing a motorboat or motor sailor will be automatically dropped from the rolls.”  The club is more flexible today as some people have “aged out” of sail into power and continued both as members and cruise participants.

By the late 1960s, club members were increasingly interested in organized cruising and by the 20th anniversary of the club’s founding, membership had increased to 218.  Racing continued to be focus with the convening of a Bicentennial Cruising Race Committee and with the BWSC joining with the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club in 1977 as founding sponsors and participants in the Marion-Bermuda Race.  Beverly Yacht Club supported the first race and soon joined as a full co-sponsor of this early ocean race for Corinthian sailors.

Club activities expanded greatly during the 1980s to include a regular schedule of educational seminars and a winter ski weekend.   Extended cruises to Cape Breton, the Gaspe Peninsula, and the Caribbean joined the Annual Maine and Southern Cruises to add to the on the water offerings.  The Marion-Bermuda Race continued to grow in popularity and by 1983 a standing committee was created to meet the increasing demands of the event.

A “No Cooking, No Shouting” seminar set the stage for the inaugural All Women’s Cruise in 1997 and this remains a staple of the on-water calendar.  In the 2000s, BWSC took over full responsibility for the Safety At Sea symposium and the Commodore was appointed to the Executive Board of the Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association.  In 2009, Blue Water Sailing Club celebrated its 50^th anniversary.  It was commemorated with a written history providing a more detailed look at the club’s first 50 years which is available for download here.

 

Blue Water Sailing Club continues to attract enthusiastic sailors dedicated to safe boating and good fellowship. Members find us through friends, educational programs, social events and media, cruises, and the Marion-Bermuda Race. Volunteerism remains the foundation of the club as does the camaraderie of fellow boaters both on the water and off. View our Annual Activity Logs dating back to 1978 by clicking on “Camaraderie” on the website Home Page.