Florida’s top yacht clubs descend on Ortega

Florida’s top yacht clubs descend on Ortega
William Allen IV and Bert Ralston welcomed the opportunity to embrace tradition as they saluted guests and celebrated firsts, all while carrying on the traditions of yachtsmanship.

It was a long weekend full of festivities and good times for leaders of yacht clubs throughout the state of Florida as a group of reciprocal members and their spouses arrived in mid-June. Leadership at the Florida Yacht Club (FYC) welcomed guests to Jacksonville to be entertained, all while celebrating the customs of traditional yachtsmanship.

“It is always a great turnout when the clubs visit, it’s also a great time for everyone involved,” said Bert Ralston, who helped to bring the outing back to the Florida Yacht Club for the third such occasion. Ralston, who is a past commodore of the club is currently the Commodore of The Florida Council of Yacht Clubs (FCYC), which has Flag Officers disbursed throughout the state, other roles are Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary and Treasurer.

Chip and Betty Hardy of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club with Joey and Pam Sowell of Eau Gallie Yacht Club in Melbourne along with fellow Eau Gallie Yacht Club members Jon and Edy Williams
Chip and Betty Hardy of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club with Joey and Pam Sowell of Eau Gallie Yacht Club in Melbourne along with fellow Eau Gallie Yacht Club members Jon and Edy Williams

The Council exists to encourage the sport of yachting, promote seamanship and navigation, and to promote entertainment of members of member clubs, sound club governance and best practices in club operations. Over 36,000 voters count on the FCYC to represent them in legislative matters that pertain to the boating public. They employ a legislative representative in Tallahassee to speak on behalf of the member clubs and have done so since 1960.

Ralston heaped praise on the staff of the Florida Yacht Club, from the staff to the club’s Board of Governors to members that entertained out of town guests. He also said that it wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership and contributions of William Allen, IV, the current Commodore of the club.

Fred and Jessica Jenkins with Wilson and Penny Studstill
Fred and Jessica Jenkins with Wilson and Penny Studstill

“It’s the first time in history that a club has hosted the group [FCYC] for three such occasions in its history,” shared Allen, while discussing the turnout for traditions at the club.

The Florida Yacht Club is also the oldest continuous running yacht club in the entire state of Florida, dating back to 1876.

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