Georgian Yacht Club, Owen Sound, Ontario Canada
EDIT: search is over. Tom Chambers for the win!
Calling all long term Members!
I do not have any of the 1999/2000 board minutes. I am hoping that one of you may have some or all of these records in your emails, or that you may have a lead for me to track down printed copies?
Appreciate you taking a couple minutes over the holidays to search your file boxes or go waaaay back in your emails.
John Griffith
1.226.755.2956
Low water levels and high temps have brought back the eurasian milfoil invasion to the basins. The west basin had it the worst causing two or three boats to get stuck in tall weeds.
On Saturday morning we had a great turnout and between weed rakes, cutters, and fish nets I think we accomplished enough to get through the rest of the season.
Big thanks to: Ron Downie, Ron Ball, Vince Van Alphen, Garth Beveridge, Joyce Buckley, Frank Greaves, Frank Solinger, John Lehman, Robin McMahon, Brad Findlay, John Gilbert, Mike Forcier, Randy Wright (and crew), Jason Lehtovaara. Special thanks to Sarah Lehtovaara for snacks, and to Ben Miller for lending us pond rakes and a dump trailer.
Sorry if I missed anyone who was also out helping.
Nice work out there sailors!
GYC members spotted rounding the Kidd Bay marker in the 2025 Georgian Bay Regatta.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Bonert on April 2, 2025 in Owen Sound, Ontario. Born in Germany, Richard came to Canada in his 40s with his young family, to join the University of Toronto as a Professor of Electrical Engineering.
After retirement, he moved to Owen Sound to enjoy a life embracing all his favourite outdoor activities. During summers, he loved sailing on Georgian Bay on the Quixotic, spent countless, happy hours hiking and exploring the Bruce Trail, and in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the area, together with family and friends.
A true lover of the outdoors and for close to 17 years, Richard was a Trail Captain with the Bruce Ski Club and Land Steward of two properties for the Bruce Trail Sydenham section. He was also a member of the Silver C’s and the Georgian Yacht Club.
Richard was also very generous sharing his extensive technical knowledge with friends, family and community organizations needing advice on solar and LED lighting solutions.
Richard leaves his partner, Ella Lund-Thomsen; his sons Martin (Niko) and Michael (Yeony); his grandchildren, Elisabeth, Rhea, Yonas and Lars; his brothers in Germany, Erich (Vera), Ernst (Hilde) and Rudolf; and his sister-in-law Nina Thomsen.
As per Richard’s wishes, there will be no funeral. Anyone who would like to remember him may make a donation to his chosen organization, the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
Special thanks to Doctors Fenn, Barfoot and Hodgson and all their people in the wonderful palliative care team, as well as all the nurses and care support he had in unit 6-2 at Brightshores Health. Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, greybrucecremation.com.
Credit: https://www.greybrucecremation.com/2025/04/richard-bonert/
All members must volunteer on committees. Please contact the Chairs of the committees that you serve on to find out how you can help.
Huge thanks to Garth Beveridge, John Lehmann, Paul Middlebrook, Ed Griffith, Ralph Suke, Jim McLaughlin and Ron Downie for chipping in today on some brush cleanup and making a difference around our Club.
Three vessels made the trip to White Cloud Island on Sunday June 4th. Big thanks to the members that helped out. Harry and Irene Hartrick, Dave and Cathy Sykes, Ed Griffith, Brad Findlay and new committee member Scott Caple.
The crew performed tasks like cleaning picnic tables, delivering firewood, installing signage, and collecting legacy trash.
Taking on cargo and tools at the GYC.
Scott Caple resisting the urge to convert to power boating.
Captain Ed minding the tow.
Captain Ed chucking wood.
Cedar Bank, Sykes, and Dr’s Orders on the dock for spring clean up. Note the brand new dock tops courtesy of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Cathy Sykes collecting some floating debris on the trip home.
White Cloud Island Outstation Cleanup Report 2018
Crews from Maggie, Cedar Bank, and associate members Brad and Vicki Findlay aboard Calypso completed the fall outstation maintenance at the White Cloud Island property today.
Thanks to all members for keeping the island clean this summer. Please remind anyone using the island to treat the privy hole like they treat the heads in their boat and only put things down the hole that have been eaten first; and please do not burn garbage in the fire pit.
Summary of work:
In case you missed it: I encourage everyone to check out this new book from local photographer Rob Cotton. It is chock full of beautiful pictures and fascinating stories about the Owen Sound harbour.
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2018/01/10/history-book-tells-city-harbour-story-in-pictures
Side note: here is the author, Rob Cotton, assisting me aboard the Calypso, we were towing a disabled bow rider power boat back to the Marina in May 2015
Marine/Rail History Day 2008
Text Reads: “SEASON’S END – Vacant mooring slips at the Georgian Yacht Club reflect in the calm waters of Owen Sound bay as the boats are drydocked nearby signifying the end of another sailing season. All but a few of the yachts kept at the club have been taken out of the water for the winter.”
Text Reads: “GETTING READY – It’s almost time for sailors to head for open water. Preparation for the summer boating season has started at the Georgian Yacht Club in Owen Sound where Stan Weatherall and Alan Fawcett are repairing the wooden docks.”
