Long Point Bay Yacht Club

My partner Sharon and I started sailing on Lake Erie in 2002. First on Falcon’s Nest, a 7.6 metre Kelt and then in 2011 we moved up to Zatarra, a 36' Catalina. Living in Port Dover makes it easy to take the boat out whenever we get the urge. We love to cruise and have sailed as far as Port Colbourne at the eastern end of the lake and Put-in-Bay at the western end. Along the way, we've met many people who've since become good friends, and we’ve enjoyed their hospitality when we arrive at their ports. Zatarra has also participated in the Lake Erie Interclub (cruising division) and the Maythem and Hewson regattas.

We started sailing on Lake Ontario in 2016. First on @dock.calm, a 23’ Georgian, which we sailed from Scarborough Bluffs Yacht Club to Port Dover Harbour Marina, joining friends there on Dock 6.

​

In 2017, after deciding to make sailing a big part of our upcoming retirement, we purchased Zambezi, a 35’ C&C Mk1, which we sailed from National Yacht Club in Toronto, through the Welland Canal for the second time in two years to her new home on Dock 3 at PDHM. In 2019, we joined Long Point Bay Yacht Club, taking part in many social and cruising activities, including two amazing trips across Lake Erie to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Bill and I spent many summer days down at the waterfront in Mississauga and Toronto watching the boats go by until finally, one year, we decided to take the plunge! We took a basic sailing course through Humber College and not long after joined Port Credit Yacht Club. We purchased our first boat, a C&C 30, at the In- Water Boat Show out in Scarborough and brought her home to PCYC. We were working in those days but enjoyed many weekends cruising around Mississauga and Toronto.

​

Since then, we’ve lived in Raleigh and New Bern, North Carolina where we were, and still are, members of Blackbeard Sailing Club. Along the way we’ve owned a Catalina 35 and an Island Packet PacketCat catamaran. I was never big on cruising – too much like camping for me, even on the catamaran, so we decided to change course and bought a fishing boat perfectly designed for mark boat duty to support the racing fleet on the Neuse River in NC. I found my niche! Great times on the water, super angles for picture taking and home in my own bed every night. After our return to Canada, we bought another fishing boat with the hope of doing more of the same.

After chasing the sailboat racers with our camera, we become members of Long Point Bay Yacht Club. We’re hoping to continue our “fun in the sun” with more race support on the Lake.

We sail a Colvic Countess 33, a British kit boat, named Fat Bottomed Girl for her wide beam. We purchased her in 2009 from a Port Dover resident who used her as the committee boat for Wednesday night racing. We had her shipped to Whitby where we were members of the Whitby Yacht Club. 

Lynn and I retired in 2017, moving to Port Dover to be nearer to our children in Hamilton. Fat Bottomed Girl of course came back home at the same time and we completed work on the boat, getting ready for our retirement plans.

​

We've been sailing for nearly 18 years and have experienced a number of exciting adventures. From bareboat chartering in the British Virgin Islands a number of times, to taking our sailboat down to Florida from Port Dover in 2019. We haven't sailed much on Lake Erie and are looking forward to new adventures and some anchoring out at Long Point.

I have been sailing for 40 years. Starting with a CL 16, moving on to a C & C 25, and now with our CS 30, Whisper, which we have had for 24 years. My late husband, Norm and I were first docked down the river but once the Port Dover Harbour Marina was built we moved to dock 2 at the marina. We first joined the CYC in the 80s and I was Commodore in the 90s. The LPBYC came to the marina from Booth’s Harbour as the marina was adding a third dock.

​

I married Steve in 2001. In meeting many of the LPBYC members we realized the vast majority were sailors so we decided to join and both of us became very involved in the Board, eventually becoming Commodore. I have seen many changes as the marina grew into what it is today.

​

I was very fortunate to grow up spending my summers at my family cottage in Port Dover, and still do so today. I have enjoyed sailing to the west end of Lake Erie and to the east. We have made many acquaintances in the clubs across the lake.

​

As Past Commodore I look forward to our new season with our current Board and continued Commodore, Derrick Yeomans.

I have been sailing for 23 years with my wife, Judy. I am a Past Commodore of the LPBYC, and I have enjoyed many years of cruising from east to west on Lake Erie visiting many ports and making acquaintances along the way and enjoying their hospitality. As the cruising director, I am intent on keeping our relationships with the clubs amiable, and I hope to continue our reciprocal arrangements.

Living in Port Dover since 2018

Previously from Waterdown.

Married to Lorraine Johnson Becker

Own 28 Grampian Sailboat “ Salt Kettle “

Own 380 Highfield Rib

I have been sailing our boat in Port Dover for 9 years

Previous crewed on Rapsidy and Childsay both Port Dover sailboats in PDYC sail club

​

As a long-term member of Long Point Bay Yacht Club, I have many memories to share about all the good times we have. My partner Susan and I enjoy sailing the waters of Lake Erie aboard our 30' Hunter sailboat.