Phuket Yacht Club Will Live On

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Phuket Yacht Club will live on

OUT WITH THE OLD: PYC’s former base was an ideal environment for sailors of any standard

PHUKET: -- Phuket Yacht Club (PYC) officials recently announced that after nearly half a century based at Ao Yon Bay, circumstances have forced them to weigh anchor and move on.

The club has been unsuccessful in attempting to secure the lease on the club house premises for over a year and with a 40% increase on the lease amount this means that the club is forced to relocate.

Club possessions have been moved to the Ao Chalong Yacht Club’s base in Chalong with thanks to Commodore Grenville Forham and Vice Commodore Mick Kealy for giving the club a temporary home.

PYC started as a non-profit organization designed to bring like-minded members of the sailing community together and to encourage participation in the sport of sailing, club racing and other water activities.

The club has a history of providing opportunities to unprivileged Thai children or many years in teaching children from Ko Sireh village to swim and more recently assisting the children from the Sunshine Village in learning to sail.

It is difficult to establish how long the yacht club has actually been at Ao Yon Bay. Records are hazy, but according to long term residents and ex-commodore David Ratcliffe, the club house was there well before 1992. Ao Yon Bay has been a wonderful base as it is a secluded, all weather bay - ideal for children and adults to learn to sail and a great place for socializing.

The future of PYC looks bright and the committee and members look forward to another 40 years on Phuket.

If members or would be members have questions please contact the Phuket Yacht Club on phuketyachtclub [at] gmail.com or visit PhuketYachtClub.info.

Source: http://www.facebook....uketGazette.net

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-07

[Guest]

Would they be able to come to North East of Phuket?

Ao Por could offer sailing for the whole year. During the Southwest monsoons there are winds, but the Phanga Bay is still pretty well protected from the big surf.. and this place also needs some more activities.

[Phuket electrician]

They have always struggled to attract visitors with the exception of sporadic 'family day' and of course the Christmas party - attended by Santa Clause himself. The club has been blighted by petty squabbling for years. Mr D Ratcliffe was the 'commodore' for over ten years until about 2008 and with Cindy's and the rest of the family’s' help maintained the club - although the mission was more often than not very blurred. Paul and Katy tried to establish youth sailing but again petty squabbling hampered their endeavours. Good luck to whom ever takes on the mantle and respect to Ao Chalong Yacht Club for their positive attitude - as usual.