Gulf Harbors Yacht Club welcomes all who would like to meet new friends, enjoy the outstanding view, partake in many different social events, support the community, and enjoy the best food and drinks in the area.
Our Purpose
For over fifty years, the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club has warmly welcomed everyone interested in boating events, dining in a friendly atmosphere, and meeting new friends. Boat ownership is not a requirement for joining Gulf Harbors Yacht Club; neither is living in the Gulf Harbors neighborhoods.
Gulf Harbors Yacht Club welcomes all.
Our History
On March 15, 1965, the Officers and Board of Directors of the Floramar Cruise Club, Inc. adopted a resolution to amend the Articles of Incorporation, changing the Club’s name to Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, Inc. The new organization received its charter on April 27, 1965 and was registered with Lloyds Registry on May 5, 1965.
The Club was commissioned on June 19, 1965 with Harry Cadenhead serving as its first commodore. The Club occupied a residential type building at #16 Floramar Terrace owned by the Lindrick Corp., a subsidiary of the Henry Crown & Co., Chicago, and developers of Gulf Harbors, from 1965 to 1973. Rent was $15.00 per month plus utilities. This building was demolished in 1973 to make way for construction of the Sea Castle condominiums.
Club meetings were held in the auditorium of Clearwater Federal Savings & Loan Assn. for a short time. Then meetings and parties took place in the Gulf Harbors Civic Association Building until 1978. In 1972, the Lindrick Corp. offered to donate a strip of land on the North Channel in the present Gulf Harbors Beach Club Estates area.
This offer was withdrawn early in 1975, and on April 7, 1975, the company gave the Club a letter of intent to conclude our final location on the North Channel at the west end of Marine Parkway in the Gulf Harbors Woodlands Community. At a regular meeting on May 10, 1976, the membership authorized the building committee, headed by Rear Commodore Harold R. Haney, to proceed with plans for the construction of a clubhouse on the new site. With the help of many officers and members, the building was completed and commissioned on February 12, 1978.
IOBG Chapter
The International Order of the Blue Gavel (IOBG) is an international organization made up of Past Commodores from qualified yacht clubs. Its primary mission is to promote the highest ideals of yachting; preserve yacht club customs and traditions; and provide social, educational and humanitarian programs. In doing so, it also recognizes past commodores from the international yachting community.
The IOBG is governed by an International Board of Directors, Regional Districts and local Chapters. All of Florida is District 8 where the previous Director was Karen Shea from our GHYC. Karen also served as the South East Vice President and was instrumental in bringing into the fold of the IOBG the Hemmingway Yacht Club of Cuba. The current President of District 8 is Kathy Hockenberry, previously affiliated with the GHYC. Three past GHYC commodores have also led District 8: John Snow 1990, John Button 2001 and Joe King 2005.
Locally, our GHYC IOBG Chapter was chartered on October 10, 1982. The current president is Ed Grillo, Vice President David Hook, Secretary Tony Majka and Treasurer Karen Shea. The GHYC Chapter (12 members) meets six times a year and is responsible for the GHYC annual Change of Watch and the Commodore’s Ball.
The chapter has provided significant monetary support to the Club’s youth sailing camp, started and hosted for numerous years the GHYC Member(s) of the Year recognition program and has hosted numerous other events like the Pig Roast, Spaghetti Feast, fish fries and memorial events.
The Gulf Harbors Yacht Club offers reciprocity to all International Order of the Blue Gavel (IOBG) members with a valid membership card.
