QUEEN CHARLOTTE ​​​​​​​YACHT CLUB​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

QUEEN CHARLOTTE YACHT CLUB HISTORY

In 1936 Sandy Brunsell, a keen sailor and local boat-builder, together with a group of local identities (Les Kenny, postman; Keating Smith, timber merchant; Tom Moore, wood & coal merchant; Captain Barnsdale, ex Harbour-master; Morice Wiffen, boat-builder; Clarie Pickering, tomato grower and Ed Gridler, chemist) formed the Picton Sailing Club.

Captain Fell donated the bell hanging in the Clubrooms to QCYC. It is engraved "Ferriby 1913". The Ferriby, built in Gooley, was a minesweeper in the war and sunk after a collision with the Inter-Island Ferry "Wahini" at Evans Bay on 19th December 1942.

When the town baths closed at Shelley Beach the changing sheds became available and in time became the Club's new home. Idle-a-longs, Takapuna (Z Class) and P Class were the most commonly sailed classes during these early years.

The cannon, fired each Opening Day, is thought to be dated 1814 and has a 6 pound rating. It had been fired at the Coronation of Edward VII in 1901. It was found lying behind a local Picton shop and is on permanent loan to the club from Bill Berry.

The original flagpole came from the navy convalescent home that was situated at Wedge Point. It was purchased for £12 and erected on 17th December 1955. Whilst this has since been retired a portion of it is now displayed amongst the club's memorabilia

Reclamation

In 1939 the Club was renamed Queen Charlotte Yacht Club. The Club Burgee was a matter of some debate. Eventually the design submitted by Captain Joyce was adopted and is still in use today.




 





Until the 1960s there was no road access to the Club, just a narrow walking track. A big fundraising drive was taken up to finance some of the major reclamation where the old swimming baths were.

Working bees were held taking the bank down to make the parking and rigging area. An old compressor and drill were brought in by barge. The fill was shifted by shovel and wheelbarrow and 44 gallon drums filled with concrete were used to keep the fill in place. It cost £100 to put the road in.

The Clubhouse


Local boat designer and architect Wal Edwards designed the new yacht club and it was built by Tory Channel Contracting. The QCYC Rebuild Committee were successful in securing funding from multiple agencies including Marlborough District Council, Rata and Pub Charity as well as sponsorship from businesses in the Marlborough Region including Constellation Wines, King Salmon and Ray White.  Members also gave valuable time, energy and donations to support the endeavour. The club is hugely greatful to everyone involved and special mention must be made of the tremendous efforts and determination of key members;  Mike Stanton, Ian Gardiner, Sam and Lisa Edwards; and Richard Gifford to make the build happen. 


The Clubhouse was originally an army building at the Delta Camp in the Wairau Valley. It was purchased on 30th September 1945 for £250, and moved to its current site. A loan was taken out at 3.5% over 8 years to fund its purchase.

The Clubhouse was then refurbished over the two winters of 1979-80. A starter's box was added and the veranda closed in along the front.

By the mid 2000's members were aware of the limited lifespan of the former army hut and discussions began on a replacement building and funding. Increasing storms and rising sea levels contributed to the urgency in recent years with the old yacht club flooding 4 times in 2017 alone.