Port Huron to mackinac race

Founding Year:  1925
Location:  Port Huron Yacht Club
Address:  212 Quay St., Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone:  (810) 985-9424
Website:  phyc.org/
Event Website:  www.thebluewaterfest.com/
Race Website:  www.bycmack.com/index.cfm

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the story

The earliest record of the Port Huron Yacht Club is found in the 1906 Port Huron Directory listing the address as 1 Butler.  There is no further proof of organization until 1923...

​1On July 4 1923 a group of Port Huron boat owners got together for a race on the St. Clair River. After a wonderful afternoon of competition, followed by a banquet at the Harrington, it was decided that there was enough interest to form a yacht club in the city. Organizational meetings were held every two weeks at the Harrington through the end of the year. Captain E. W. Kiefer and Captain John Hodge were the chief organizers...

In March of 1924, the first annual dinner dance was held at the Harrington.  The officers were also installed on that day which were:

• Commodore:  Henry Clough
• Vice Commodore:  Joseph Gannon
• Rear Commodore:  Norman Cosgrove

Also in that year a Ladies' Auxiliary was formed with the purpose of raising money for the Club especially for furnishing a clubhouse if and when one could be secured.  Eventually this would be the home of the PHYC...

One of the many traditions of the race is the announcing of the boats and crews when they arrive.  Commodore William A. Wiard did this for many years...

race history

1924-July 4th is when racing began by hosting a regatta inviting the Edison Boat Club, Detroit Boat Club, and Bayview Yacht Club.  A fishing tug would tow the boats from Detroit to Port Huron to ensure a good attendance.  Thirty boats participated in the race.

1925-The first Port Huron to Mackinac race is sponsored by the Bayview Yacht Club and hosted by the Port Huron Yacht Club.  Twelve boats enter the contest but only six finish due to high winds.

• 1932-The first race entry from Port Huron, a 38-footer named "Djinn" sailed by Dr. Arnold Francois, navigated the course. 
• 1938-The race has a record number of yachts...32.
• 1942-The there was consideration to suspend the race for the duration of WWII but it was the White House that urged it to continue.
• 1961-The fleet grows to more than 200 for the first time.
• 1975-The first Super Mackinac is run with boats traveling 600 miles going all the way from Port Huron to Chicago.
• 1985-316 boats, the largest fleet ever, start the race but 96 withdraw due to bad weather

Over the years many sailboats have raced the courses including boats from the America's Cup...

Boats will end the race at Mackinac Island with some finishing in less than 24 hours...

The entire week leading up to the race is filled with activities for the whole family.  You can find out about everything there is to do by heading to the websites listed here:
Port Huron Yacht Club
Bayview Yacht Club
Blue Water Fest
Mackinac Island

references

• Port Huron Yacht Club
• Bayview Yacht Club
• Mackinac Island Tourism
• Detroit Public Library
• Library of Congress-Sanborn Map-1906
• Port Huron Directory-1906