History- The Early Years


Makar Marina		Allens' Breezeway

The creation of LaSalle Mariners was completed in 1963 and to celebrate its birth a club flag or burgee was designed. It was a simple design with gold on red depicting the community colours of LaSalle.

The first clubhouse at Lafferty Marina did not exist. Joe Lafferty made a loft at his boathouse available to LaSalle Mariners Club Members. This loft was renovated by the members and became a place for members to meet and to get away from the stresses of the real world.

The first regatta was held on a Sunday in August of 1963. It was an impromptu sailing event with many American sailing enthusiasts participating. After the completion of the regatta the participants were treated to fresh corn and cold beer, which was to become a LMYC tradition. In August of 1964, just a year later the first OFFICIAL LMYC Fighting Island Regatta was held. This racing tradition continues to this day.

As time went by this happy relation was not to be. A split developed between the power boaters and the sailors. Power boaters and sailors did not have the same agenda and there was no meeting of the minds. In 1965 the sailors left Lafferty Marina and established themselves at a marina owned by Charles Makar approximately 1 kilometer north of Lafferty Marina. For about 3 years differences between the power boaters and the sailors of LMYC continued to fester. On March 10, 1968 the big split occurred. The original LMYC was dissolved and the assets of the club distributed.

The mold was now cast. The ardent sailors could once again form a purest sailing club. A true sailing club was born with no powerboat association. This was an opportunity for a dream to come true.

In May of 1969 a large canal lot was purchased by Doug Ellis adjacent to the west by member Ralph Allen and across from member Bob Clark’s extensive canal frontage. Both Bob Clark and Ralph Allen allowed LMYC members to use their properties for shared moorings. During those years the Allen’s breezeway was used as gathering spot for meetings, gab sessions and occasional parties.


	The Early Years-1963-1969