Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron

Club History

1967 - The Squadron was first formed, although waterfront land was scarce. Meetings were held in a private house, then later at the Sea Cadet’s Hall. Social functions were arranged on board members' yachts rafted up. Our objective was the promotion of yachting for boats other than the racing dinghies sailing from Cairns Sailing Club. Our interest was to promote offshore racing and cruising, and we gradually built up a membership that increased year by year.

This was the decade or more when it became common to see versatile backyard builders take up the challenge of constructing their own yachts in the adequate space of the ¼ acre home block throughout Australia. In most coastal centres, commercial boat builders worked with wood or GRP. Steel and ferro cement were often the choice of the amateur builders of private yachts. Slipping in the early days was available at Cairns Harbour Board Slipway (opposite the current Casino) or against 2 piles close to the Sea Cadet’s Hall, where the firm bottom and tidal range accepted vessels up to 4’6” draught. The facilities to service these yachts were very limited in Cairns.

Cruises to the nearby reefs and islands were often arranged with 3 or 4 boats travelling in company. Weekend races around buoys, round islands, to Green Island, to Fitzroy Island; to Port Douglas and Low Island became annual events. 8-12 yachts sailed regularly. We also became the host club for the Gladstone to Cairns- Cairns to Port Moresby races.

Mid-1970s - CCYS leased part of the Harbour Board Slipway for an after-work Friday social venue, installing showers and a bar, with the remainder as a work area for members and visiting yachtsmen's projects. This lease was extended in 1978 to operate the slipway. It became a financial asset to the club. We established swing moorings in the Harbour, available at a moderate rental. We had applied to the Harbour Board for a site in Smiths Creek where land reclamation was in progress, and although little could be done for many years, our liquidity was established.

1979 - a move was made to join Cairns Sailing Club as they intended to incorporate catamarans, dinghies, and yachts. This was seriously debated, and the Squadron declined the offer. The Sailing Club became the Cairns Yacht Club and split the membership of the Squadron: a severe blow as it reduced membership and created much ill feeling in yachting circles in Cairns.

1980 - CCYS was given notice to vacate the site, firstly the slipway; then in 1981, the clubhouse, as a tourist venture was imminent on the site. Our race planning for the Moresby event was run from a hired Cairns Harbour Board Social Welfare Club, and we used the Pier master’s office as a radio room. We supplied and manned the Radio Relay vessel.

Meanwhile, work commenced on the Smiths Creek site. Debentures were raised to cover the cost of the travel lift and associated yard facilities, and a great amount of work was carried out by members free of charge. Plumbing was at the cost of material only. Two members covered the expenses of the travel lift purchase from their own resources.

A new viable business under the full-time management of volunteer OLLIE UPITE was established. The struggle to consolidate the venue, and repay debt was, unfortunately, at the cost of losing the club’s racing activity, our events and trophies, and our facilities that we now had to replace. In appreciation of the assistance given by Cairns Game Fishing Club, Cairns Motor Boat Club, we invited their members to use our repair facilities. Fishing trawlers were also allowed these services.

1985 - The Squadron’s interim open-air clubhouse (Now the laundry and veranda area in the work yard) was used to host the inaugural Hamilton Island to Cairns Yacht Race.

The hospitality of the members did us proud. The event was a resounding success; and although a second was planned as a link-up event with the Cairns to Port Moresby Race the following year, Queensland Yachting Association withdrew their support and favoured a shorter event scheduled during the same period. During 1985 CCYS became incorporated, took up a further lease (A) for expansion of the storage operations and Stage 1 of the clubhouse.

Dinghy storage racks were donated by Cairns Harbour Board. The Squadron then acquired the old barge ramp and roadway; rebuilt it, effectively consolidating the properties.

During this decade Taylor Marine built an on-site chandlery on our lease. Construction of the 16-berth marina followed by the 10-berth marina extension completed the waterfront accommodation. The industrial complexes of Portsmith attracted many businesses to the area. The BBS across the road developed their site and neighbouring “temporary” structures were re-established permanently.

1996 - CCYS celebrated the re-opening of the extended clubhouse with stage 2 structurally completed. Equipping and furnishing the new building was undertaken so that functions could be attracted. Mortgage payments, airline strike and credit squeeze with rising interest rates plus expanding staffing commitments created financial pressures that we sustained initially by subsidies from the yard operations. Meanwhile, the Annual Five Island Regatta and the Easter Regatta at Port Douglas were well supported. Some Corsair dinghies were purchased, and enthusiastic sailing was reborn, although briefly.

1997 - 19 Pile moorings were driven for us in Smiths Creek southeast of the clubhouse by the Harbour Board with repayments made over time.

1998-2001 Upgrade of office computer systems, purchase of “Margaret U” our first rescue boat, the boat shed on the southern fence-line, and registration of CCYS training school were acquisitions of note. Socially the inaugural Life Member’s Dinner used the upstairs function room venue with notable enjoyment, and the founding members' contributions acknowledged with the presentation of a gold lapel pin. Thursday evening members’ nights, Goose Club draws, were popular and the winning float entry in Cairns Festival of Lights a highlight. The members supported the establishment on-site of the Schools Marine studies shed for practical training of secondary school-aged students.

Environmental installation requirements were notified to mitigate toxic paint residue, barnacle scrapings, battery, oil, and paint disposal and runoff into the creek such as was produced in our boat maintenance area. The installation of the washdown area was essential to our continued operations.

During 2001 changes in Government regulations impinged on the small trawler fishing industry that had provided 50% of the Squadron’s yard income. The extent of subsidy provided by the yard for the clubhouse operation could no longer be sustained. As our debt levels were rising, and foreclosure by our bank imminent, restructuring of the club business became essential. A close examination of all options available was undertaken. Stage 1 was to sub-lease the clubhouse business. This alleviated the mortgage payments and running costs of the building but did not address the accrued debts.

Stage 2 formulated a business management contract with Ray Fry Services for the shipyard operations. A secondary commission-based agreement for marina, piles, and trailer boat storage was established. The cash injection from the sale of the travel lift to Ray Fry Services was sufficient to continue operating and pay all outstanding debts while maintaining club ownership of the lease.

The next four years were spent consolidating and accumulating funds to address the long-overdue infrastructure maintenance programme. 2006/7 cash outlays of approximately $80,000 for the marina rebuild, members’ toilet and shower renovation, electrical works, still allowed a $125,000 sinking fund to be set against the mortgage, thereby reducing interest payments.

Since 2005 CCYS and CYC have jointly supported a regular series of introductory sail training courses, using the fleet of 6 J24 yachts acquired by NQ Sailing for the purpose, presenting a well-received opportunity for adults to learn to sail small keel boats; and for many to venture into owning and cruising their own yachts.

Whilst popular cruising in company events such as the annual Louisiade Rally conducted through Yorkey’s Knob Boat Club provide crews further offshore experience and enjoyment, the local racing programme is limited. Much needs to be done to reinvigorate this core aspect of our club. Many of our members sail further afield; some return after the adventures of coastal and ocean cruising.

2008 Taylor Marine re-organised their business activities, closing many of their branch outlets. Cairns was one to go: as a result, in exchange for the remaining term of their lease they offered us their street-front building. This was eventually sublet to Mickey Ink (sign maker) and VIP Plastics, both supporting marine industries. We acquired the Taylor demountable building as a new office and training room and with the generosity of Mr. Ray Fry re-located it to a more convenient site opposite the clubhouse.

2010 members endorsed changes to our constitution to allow Associated Clubs to be included as member clubs, recognized as mutual supporters of marine-based sport and recreation from our venue. CCYS hosts the Cairns Dragon Boat Club, an active group of paddlers formed originally by breast cancer survivors. Their efforts in successfully competing in State competition, and in being awarded first prize for their float in the Cairns Festival are a measure of their enthusiasm and commitment. We are proud to have them with us.

More recently we have accepted an invitation of reciprocal club acknowledgment with Singapore Yacht club and with Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia. The Cairns flotilla of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard has also expressed interest in moving their social home to CCYS.

2010-11 A new Collaboration Agreement with the management company Ray Fry Services now replaces the agreement established in 2003. A new sub-lease of the clubhouse based on the Retail Shop’ Lease is operating successfully, with the clubhouse itself receiving a major facelift, and extensive repairs to present a fresh and welcoming atmosphere to club members and guests.

2011-12 Congratulations CCYS on attaining your 45th anniversary. Congratulations also to all the dedicated and tireless workers on the day that made it all happen.

2017-19 The Club found itself in very difficult times. A decision was taken to review the work model to increase the return to the club and provide a regular and predictable income stream. Expressions of interest in leasing the yard were called. A lease was signed and management/operation of the yard transferred to CBS on 1 July 2018. After a year, it is operating satisfactorily. The bar/clubhouse operation remains problematic despite various efforts and there is growing concern it threatens the sustainability of the Club.

2019-2020 The club has been hampered with constraints of COVID-19 making it impossible to operate efficiently. Board and other meetings could not be conducted as usual, causing much stress.

A club manager was appointed but did not have the skillset required to run our entire club. A more experienced general manager is in the process of being recruited.

A lack of maintenance was identified as a major problem within the club. An active system of response was placed under the maintenance committee and was well supported by volunteer working bees.

Board resignations were a major disruption to the organization, leaving some jobs not completed. The current board is operating well, and their main focus will be to upgrade and follow the requirements of governance.

Relationships with Sailing Australia (YA, Sailability Cairns and other yacht clubs were re-established. Security issues were highlighted after several break-ins and stealing on-site. Locks have been changed and cameras installed.

Leases on kitchen and Sailmaker/ Rigger areas are yet to be finalized.

Staff meetings have been conducted and need to continue to ensure communication is maintained, and everyone is on the same page.

Sailing school and renovation on Keel Boats (J24’s) was slow due to the reliance on volunteers with skills and experience being available. Grants were obtained to assist with the equipment and parts for the J24’s.

2020-2021 The club appointed a qualified general manager (Brent Simpson) to run all aspects of the club. We have had many issues with running our kitchen and finding the right people to take on this space. Ideally, we would have liked to have leased the kitchen but unable to secure a business to take this on. Instead, we have had to run this ourselves and this has caused many challenges.

More live music has been a great addition to our club and attracted more patrons. We sadly lost one of our dearest and respected life members under devastating circumstances. Andy Heard will always be fondly remembered for his contribution to our club.

We are proud of the support and partnership we have built with Sailability and look forward to many years of inclusive activity for the disability community.