On February 4, 1973 a group of dedicated, sea-loving sailors thought it would be fun and exciting to form a club that would encourage the art of sailing, advance the arts of navigation and promote fellowship.  THE GREENHAVEN SAILING CLUB was born!!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CLUBS FIRST 25 YEARS :

1973

• The club was formed on February 4, 1973, The first Commodore was Charlie Clachrie.
• Both Wethersfield Sea Scouts and Westerly Sea Scouts were first notified that the club was formed.
• Russ Sadler produced the first membership card.
• The procedure for bringing in new members was established. The procedure stated that 'any person interested the club must fill out, and sign an application. This application must then be presented to the secretary and forwarded to the board of directors. The board members then votes to accept or decline the applicants'.
• Fred Ewalt made the first sailing pennants.
• Kirk Patton installed a mooring at Napatree point. the mooring is approximately 300' from shore and was installed for any club member to use.
• The first nominating committee was formed. The members sitting on this committee were:  John Plant, Stan Rupinski,  and Ken Lanphere.
• The club selected February 2nd 1974 as the date of the first annual meeting and for all future  to be held on the first Saturday in February.  The program for this first meeting was as follows:

             Spice the main brace       1830 hours.   Hard tack and pea soup      1930 hours.

  Quarterdeck meeting:   annual reports of the committees,  Elections of officers for 1974

  Hatch prizes awards:    Sailing awards for 1973,  Tom Fools Award,  Change of command.

1974

• The first directory of members was  published.
• The first set of by-laws was distributed to all the members.
• The first Tom Fool's Award was presented to both john Plante and Mike Martell.
• The club first started using a handicap procedure. The method of handicap was established by the race committee.
• Kirk Patton passed away on May 29, 1974'
• The first Drunken Sailor Race was raced. This race was conducted in memory of Kirk Patton. The only requirement for this race is to sail something that is not a boat.
• The flagpole at Greenhaven Marina was erected in December of 1974. The flagpole was donated by the club and was honored in memory of Kirk Patton.

 1975

• Channels 68 and 71 were deemed the official channels for intercommunication between members.
• The first set of racing rules and regulations were established and presented to the club members.
• The first flag was flown at Greenhaven Marina on June 1st, 1975.
• The first Tuesday night races were at 6:00 starting on June 3rd & 10th. The idea of these races was presented by Ken Lanphere and Freddie Desarro and approved by club members.
• Membership was up to 104 active members.

1976

• Stan Rupinski won the Tom Fool's Award for running out of gas when trying to leave the Mystic Seaport. His prize was a can of beans.
• The race committee changed from having trophies for each race to to one for the season.
• It was moved that the annual banquet be held the 2cd Saturday in February instead of the 1st as stated in the by-laws. This is to avoid a conflict with the Cat Boat Association function held on the first Saturday

1977

• This year the club was very active with a variety of separate activities. These  activities were:

4 outside races,  4 bay races (multiple races),  Shelter Island Cruise,  Block Island Cruise,  Mystic Seaport Cruise,  2 Napatree Rendezvous**  1 Flat Hammick Mini Cruise,  1 club picnic**        ** consisted of badminton, volleyball, and horse shoes.

• The NAYRU rules were first used in the 1977 race season.
• 4 Awards were given for the Drunken Sailor Race. These were most original, worst,  first to sink, and first over the finish line.

1978

• The  first Greenhaven Regatta was conducted. 1st place was awarded to Bill Stoddard,  2cd went to the Lamphere boys, and 3rd place went to Hank Stebbins.  On this very important day in history, the first regatta, a sailors worst nightmare occurred, There was no wind!  By the time Bill was crossing the finish line there was still boats waiting to start the race!
• The club conducted the first Labor Day Cruise and Christmas Party. The  first Greenhaven Regatta Party at Block Island. This was complete with a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, and the club members singing Christmas carols.  Stan Rupinski hosted the party on his Kells 28.  Twenty-two members partied on that boat that day.  And from the records, there was still plenty of room to have more people.  A few things that occurred over the Christmas Party Weekend. Bud wrapped his painter around his outboard prop, Tom Earle was looking for the person - or - persons who filled his dingy with salt water, sand, and hermit crabs.  Jed Comstock and his dog Chester raced around the harbor in Jed's dingy.
• George Smith thought of the idea of conducting a race in honor of Fred Desarro. Other members of the club supported this idea and the "Fred Desarro Memorial Trophy" was created. The trophy is awarded to the highest placing club member in the Annual Greenhaven Regatta.
• Charlie Clachrie died in 1978

1979

• Bob Stowe was named the fleet captain.

1980

• Greenhaven Sailing Club was accepted in the Eastern Ct Yacht Racing Association.
• The original handicap system was changed to honor the PHRF handicap system.
• Bill Oat was commended for his expert seamanship. He sailed his rudderless boat down the south side of Fishers Island  and through Lords Passage by using only his sail trim.

1981

• First Annual Tag Sale was conducted by flow Stowe, Phyllis Tupper, and Bev. Ham
• Bill and Fran Oat presented the club with a special flag to be flown by the commodore's boat.

1982

• Because so many people had interest in the earlier days of the club and the stories intrigued so many members, the club decided to appoint Tom Earle as the first club historian.

1983

• The first year the club did not join the ECYRA.
• The first permanent Tom Fool's Award was presented to Ted Driftmeyer (overboard)

1984

• The Annual Block Island Cruise was canceled because there was no 3 day weekend this year. However, so not to miss the cruise, many members elected to sail to the New London fire works on the Thames River.  This marked an ending and a beginning. The Block Island Cruise ended and the New London Fireworks Cruise began.

1985

• The free membership rule went into affect. Unless there was authorized approval from the board of directors, the club can only give free membership to people in the service and to children. A child 18 years of age would receive one free year  then must elect to continue their membership.

1987

• The first female commodore -- Eleanor Burgess
• The first life time members were approved --Bob and Florence Stowe.
• Members voted to incorporate the club and start looking for property to lease or purchase.

1991

• The Greenhaven Sailing Club opened the first bank account at Washington Trust.
• The club dissolved as a corporation.
• First publicity chairperson was appointed-- Skip Hoffman.  Skip's job was to make sure everyone and anybody knew about the club and what the club's objective was.

1992

• "Keep your own score races" were put into effect starting with the 92' season.
• The club voted to have only one cruise per year. This was known as the firework cruise to New London.

1994

• Phyllis Clachrie was given permanent membership in recognition of use of the name Greenhaven and the marina.

1995

• First year for using the Perpetual Trophies.
• End of the Steward position and start of BYOB to the annual picnics and any of the meetings.

1997

• The club became an affiliate member of the ECSA  for the calendar year 1998

1998

• 25th year or the clubs existence!  Congratulations Greenhaven sailing Club!!

1999