CYC Bowchaser History

Under the direction of Commodore Pete Stirling, a women's sailing committee consisting of Carol Brown, Em Harris and Sue Bankston, was appointed to study and recommend a sailing program for the women of the Clearwater Yacht Club.

Acting on the committee’s recommendation, the Board of Directors and Trustees approved the purchase of 10 new fiberglass optimist prams.These boats were not only to be used by the women’s organization, but were to be used to supplement the summer youth sailing program along with a fleet of 420’s.

The purpose of the organization was to provide the women of CYC sailing instruction, race committee training, competitive racing, day sailing, continuing education in seamanship, racing rules & tactics, and to create a feeling of camaraderie and enthusiasm for the sport of sailing.

The first membership coffee morning was held at the end of April, 1987.

The original Board of Directors consisted of Captain-Carol Brown, Co-Captain-Sue Bankston, Race Captain-Em Harris, Secretary-Betty Jean Schultz, Treasurer-Dottie Carpenter, Fleet Captain-Sharie Hardy, Cruise Captain-Cheryl Brinkley, Purser-Trish Brown, Board Members at Large-Nancy Hood, Dottie Olsen & Gloria Zebny.

The Gulls provided a babysitting service while mothers raced. Pram racks were built by Norb Zebny and John Bankston and the club dockmaster ran the crash boat.

At a Board meeting held on April 14, 1987, the Board voted to name the group the Bowchasers. According to the “Oxford Companion to Ships and The Sea”, Bow Chasers were “two long guns mounted forward in the bow-ports of sailing warships to fire directly ahead. They were always of small bore in relation to their length in order to carry their shot for a greater distance. They were used primarily when chasing an enemy, to attempt to slow her down by shooting away her sails and rigging”.