History

History PhotoPGSC was started in the early 1970s by a group of sailors interested in racing their sailboats. In 1974, our first commodore was elected and the club was formalized. An active cruising schedule was added in 2000. Scheduled small boat racing was added to the calendar in 2002. Both the racing & cruising fleets grew. The mission of the Punta Gorda Sailing Club is to foster sailing as a sport and recreation for its members and the community. The goal of the PGSC is to provide an active schedule of sailboat racing and cruise activities at the lowest cost. Over the years, the PGSC has developed a full schedule of activities. For membership costs and to download a form, click the Join today button. We look forward to your participation.
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PGSC Racing

Racing Photo PGSC organizes several series of club racing throughout the year including the Spring, Summer & Fall Series. The club races are usually held on Sunday afternoon. Tides can dictate changes in starting times and days. Following the race, the racers meet for dinner at a designated restaurant. This allows the racers to get the race results and to discuss the race. Please note that all Club members are welcome and encouraged to participate in the post-race he WF PHRF and by the PGSC Racing Instructions. Full sailing instructions and race entry forms can be downloaded from the PGSC web site or can be requested from the Fleet Captain. The sailing instructions include start times, courses for various classes, radio channel to be monitored, and other pertinent information. Races include courses around fixed government marks or an Olympic-type course around temporary buoys. The chosen course for the day of the race is posted on the stern of the Committee Boat, along with the location of the post-race get-together. The races are run by the Race Committee aboard the Committee Boat. They determine the course, register the competitors, conduct the starts and keep the times. Those wishing to crew for races are encouraged to make it known at the Club Meetings or to advise the Fleet Captain-Racing. There is a crew “want ad” section on the club web site as well. The PGSC sponsors or supports two regattas which are part of the Charlotte Harbor Boat of the Year (BOTY) competition. The first is the Charlotte Harbor Regatta in early February. Charlotte Harbor Regatta Inc. is the organizing not-for-profit board that holds this event each year to benefit the youth sailing activities on Charlotte Harbor. The Conquistador Cup Regatta held in early March since 1993. For many years, it was run by past-commodore Dave Hanson and sponsored by the Royal Order of Ponce Leon Conquistadors. In 2006, Dave turned over this event to PGSC. Bob Knowles has helmed this popular regatta for the past several years. It is a full weekend of sailing & fun. Saturday’s events consist of two races followed by a barbeque. On Sunday, the sailors compete for the Conquistador Cup. It is a Swedish Start Race and the first boat over the line wins the coveted Cup. It’s not a weekend to be missed. The PGSC has a good relationship with our neighboring Sailing Clubs. Their members are frequently seen competing in our regattas and many of our sailors travel to their events. The following regattas are also included in the Charlotte Boat of The Year Competition: The Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club hosts the Leukemia Cup each spring with the proceeds donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Many activities are included in this annual event. The Platinum Point Yacht Club at Burnt Store Marina sponsors the Golden Conch Regatta. This two day regatta is held every January. The Summerset Regatta is hosted by the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society in Ft Meyers/Naples in the fall. The Naples Offshore Race, sponsored by the Naples Yacht Club, is an overnight race from Naples to Boca Grande Pass and back. It is held in November. In addition, the club has several Specialty Races. One such race is the Moonlight Regatta. This has become a favorite of the Club with over 30 boats (both racers and cruisers) participating. PGSC supports Small Boat Races (less than 20 ft) using One Design and the Portsmouth Handicap System. These races are less formal. Presently, small boat racing is held every Wednesday of the month. The racing is held at the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center at the Charlotte County Beach Park. Bring your own boat and race with the not for profit educational sailing center for both adults and the youth. It’s the place where beginners learn to sail and enjoy our great sport and join in with others from our club and the community. Contact Dennis Peck for information about the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center.

PGSC Cruising

The Club sponsors a number of over-night cruises with local and destinations to the nearby barrier islands. This is open to sailboats and trawlers. Going on these cruises is a great way to develop your “local knowledge”, under the guidance of some old salts. The PGSC has many cruises on their schedule which have become club traditions. Examples of two such cruises are the “Picture” of Beer Race/ Cruise and the Memorial Weekend Cruise to Pelican Bay. The traditional Memorial Day Weekend cruise started in 1999 as an informal cruise of 4-5 boats heading to Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa for the Memorial Day holiday. They would meet up with some Jimmy Buffet parrot heads from Cape Coral and socialize on Roy’s shrimp boat. After 2 years, the group got larger and they moved the party to shore. Now 40+ boats anchor in Pelican Bay for the weekend and fly the PGSC burgee. The weekend starts with boats meeting at Pelican Bay, followed by a Happy Hour on the beach. The following day, we head across the island for a barbeque at the Pavilion near the Gulf-side beach. On Memorial Day, the boats head back up Charlotte Harbor or to another anchorage. Originally started in November 1994, the “Picture of Beer” Cruise began with a fun race down to Cabbage Key. In 2007, the race destination was changed to Matlacha, and 2010 to Gasparilla Marina. The club member in charge of running the cruise/race sets the rules and anyone can win. The winner receives the “Picture” of Beer Trophy (a traveling trophy). The race is followed by dinner at the marina restaurant. Recently added is the overnight “Third Thursday Anchor Out” off Gilchrist Park each month to enjoy downtown Punta Gorda events. This, also, is the start of some weekend cruises. There are two long distance cruises in the spring and fall. In the past, the sailors have headed south to Marco Island & the Keys and north to St. Petersburg & Tarpon Springs. These cruises vary in their duration from 1 week to 3 weeks. The Cruising Fleet Captains are always open to suggestions for future cruises and encourage members to organize cruises and to become cruise leaders. A cruise leader is in charge of that particular cruise. He/she, with the help of the Cruise Fleet Captains, plans the destination, helps to answer navigation questions, and organizes happy hours/dinners. Cruising with the club is a great way to meet your fellow members. Information on upcoming cruises is given in the Jib Sheet, the Web Site and at the monthly meetings. Sign-up sheets for the cruises are available at the monthly membership meetings.

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