Pelican Yacht Club
History
Founded in 1962, Pelican Yacht Club is a
member of the Gulf Yachting Association and the United States Sailing
Association.
The Charter Members, an enthusiastic group of men pooled their efforts to
construct six “Comet” class sailboats which were completed in due course
and the first “One Design” sailboat racing activity commenced on False
River.
The coffee pot used to supply coffee during the long hours for
construction of these six original boats was later to become the permanent
trophy for the Club’s annual “coffee pot” series of winter time club
races.
Because of poor club facilities at the time, and because it
was the only Comet fleet in this area, giving it no opportunity for
inter-club competition, it soon became inactive and was supplanted by the
Y-flyer class. The Y-Flyer fleet built up to about eight actively
participating boats at its peak and enjoyed several years of good racing
activity. However because of the unfortunate coincidence of its members
having to leave the fleet during a relatively short period of time, it
became inactive. About the same time the Flying Dutchmen Fleet came into
existence and it became the most active fleet in the club. With the
gradual increase in the clubs membership, two other fleets emerged, the
Lido14’s and the Day Sailor. And the late 70’s marked the beginning
of the cruising class fleet.
Pelican Yacht Club
Facilities
The club is situated on a two-acre
site on the western side of False River near the town of
New Roads . The
front porch of the club house faces False River for an unobstructed view
of the 14 mile long oxbow lake.
The long pier in front of the club house has a large
deck at the end that affords a wonderful spot to view
the lake and all its activities.
The Club's newly
remodeled club house offers a large air-conditioned
main activity room
,
a large 'chart' room, new full kitchen with all appliances. In addition
the new restroom facilities offer privacy with showers and dressing
area.
The club has 300 feet of lake front property with 400 feet of dock
and deck area. The club currently has eight
wet slips, and
dry storage for approximately forty
boats , all of which are in a very secure area. The newly constructed
concrete
launch ramp
can handle
trailerable cruisers in the twenty six foot plus class with no problems.
The long dock can accommodate large number of temporarily moored boats and
those for week-end campers.
False River offers excellent sailing
opportunities with its clean deep lake waters. Good winds (almost) all
year-round, a challenging place to sail because the wind direction shifts.
It has been said, that if you learn to sail on False River, you can sail
anywhere! Because PYC is located far enough inland, and the area's mild
climate, False River is ideally suited for year-round sailing.
There are very few week-ends during the year when there are no
club members sailing.
Pelican Yacht Club
Activities
The club offers a wide range of activities well suited to a
family oriented atmosphere. We currently sponsor two open Regattas and a
special Flying Scot Regatta each year. In addition we conduct numerous
informal club races on weekends through out the year and have greatly
expanded this program. Many members of the Club also participate in
regattas held at other Gulf Yachting Association Clubs.
If racing is
not your thing, well this 14 mile long lake is ideal for day sailing and
over night camping. Take a boat out drop, an anchor and dive in the
clean water for a swim, an ideal outing for the family. How about an
afternoon or evening sail to the town of New Roads, just a few miles
north of the club, enjoy a meal then a leisurely sail back to the club.
The club hosts numerous socials
during the year, wine & cheese tasting, beer tasting, fish fry, 4th of
July boat parade, and the annual sail to New Roads to view their Mardi
Gras Parade with a party at the club after the return sail.
The high
point of the year is an annual Christmas Party hosted by the Club's
commodore. The number of activities and socials are expanding as we are a
fun loving group.
Club boats are available for use, in addition to
free sailing instruction, for club members. You do not need a boat or even
sailing experience, just the desire to learn.
Feel free to drop by the
Club on any nice weekend as there is usually a club member around and they
will be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have.
Interested, give the
Commodore or any board member a call and get started with this wonderful
sport.
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Google Map And Directions To Pelican
