Early Years
Foreword
The history of Chichester Yacht Club is entwined with the history of its members. CYC has always been a volunteer-led organisation, so we have been indebted to those members who give up their time to help the Club remain successful especially those members who have served on our various committees supporting the Club sections and the General Committee.
We are especially indebted to the original members who agreed to establish the modern Club in its current form in 1966 and established our 3 main sections - Dinghies, Motors and Yachts.
The Club became increasingly successful over the next two decades. Therefore in the early 1990s, having negotiated a new 70 year lease, the Club embarked on the initial phase of club development. In 2000, the Club initiated its own Millennium Project, integrating the Sloop and showers into the main clubhouse, together with a new Upper Deck, which has enabled the Club to develop its own external events business.
During the 21st century, the Club continued to become increasingly successful, by 2020 the membership was at an all time high, our RYA training courses were filling up and we had an excellent book of business of our external events. However with increasing Covid 19 infections in the UK, for the first time in our history the Club had to close on 20th March 2020.
Next two years proved to be a very testing time for the Club and the hospitality industry in general. But again due the loyalty of our members and staff the Club remained strong and viable.
The Club has always been open to anyone who has an interest in water sports in all its forms. After Covid the Club experienced an increasing in canoeing, paddle boarding and rowing. To such an extent the Club purchased its first rowing boat in May 2022.
The future of the Club looks bright. The Club continues to provide an active programme of racing and cruising, together with an varied social programme for our members. It is our members and staff that will continue to write the history of Chichester Yacht Club.
This history was originally written by John Ascoli (Commodore 1990-1992) printed in the Clubs Monthly Newsletter. The original texts have been edited for the web by Chris Lane, Robin Hamilton and myself.
Tony Mobbs
Commodore 2017-2022
The Club Early Years
One of the more intriguing questions about Chichester Yacht Club is the date when it was originally founded are we talking about 1936 or 1966? This question was hotly debated when the decision was made to celebrate the Club's 50th anniversary rather than its 80th in 2016!
It's quite true that the Chichester Yacht club we know today with the Dinghy, Motors and Yachts Sections does date back to the mid 1960s following the opening of the marina. However the original Club insignia and list of members date from a much earlier time when the clubhouse was the lock keepers cottage and the boats were moored in the canal.
The Old Lock Keeper's Cottage Boats in the Chichester Canal
The club was operated by Denis Vernon a local entrepreneur who lived in the cottage and ran an up market social and dining club for boat owners the 1936 Rules stated that No chauffeur, paid hand or any person in the employ of a member shall under any circumstances enter the Club House!
First Club Rule Book
Vernon even purchased the Frances and Jane a 120ft 3 masted schooner off the club as a possible new clubhouse! All a far cry from our present aim to offer a friendly meeting place for families, friends and even their dogs!
Francis and Jane
The early CYC (known as the Chichester Yacht Company) ceased operating with the outbreak of WW2 and the clubhouse as well as Birdham Pool was requisitioned by the Admiralty as part of HMS Sea Serpent. The Frances and Jane was considered too much a guide for enemy bombers so was broken up at this time.
Last updated 17:05 on 10 January 2025
