About Us > History

The second year the club was led by Commodore Gene Koch. Ham radio and SCUBA classes were offered to members, and socials included beach parties, a dart tournament, and a New Year’s Eve party followed by the Polar Bear Regatta on January 1, commemorating the founding of the club. An active cruising calendar had PIYC boats traveling to Rockport, Shamrock Cove on St. Patrick’s Day, the land cut, and Ingleside for a chili cook-off. A land cruise aboard the Tex-Mex Express train was taken to Laredo for shopping, bar hopping, and dining.

1988 saw several PIYC boats participate in the biannual race to Vera Cruz, Mexico. Local club cruises included trips to Island Moorings, Port O’ Conner, and the HEB Lighthouse. The club also participated in the Ultimate Yacht Race held in Corpus Christi. This year had different Commodores. Commodore-elect was Charlie Miller, next in line was Larry Albrecht, and the helm was then taken over by John Rupke. Other members, Larry and Jean Whipple, left on a cruise through the Caribbean and Bill and Peggy Fairey cruised the Gulf Coast. Several PIYC boats also participated in the biannual race to Vera Cruz, Mexico. Local club cruises included trips to Island Moorings, Port O’ Conner, and the HEB lighthouse. The club enjoyed a Valentine’s Day sock hop, a Captain’s cook-off, an Octoberfest, and a talent show (you should see the video!). The club also participated in the Ultimate Yacht Race held in Corpus Christi.

Commodore Keith Walker led the club during 1989, another eventful year. PIYC hosted other area yacht clubs with delicious food and a live band at Anchor Resort, and was in return invited to join some of them for parties. Wine and cheese tasting and a Cinco de Mayo party were highlights of the social scene. Cruises traveled to Island Moorings for a Cajun shrimp boil, Flato Cut to watch the Blue Angels air show, City-by-the-Sea to eat at the Crab-N, and raced (cruiser style) home from the Bay Yacht Club. Other activities included a celestial navigation course, a boat junk sale, and three club teams entered in the Beach-to-Bay marathon.

By the beginning of 1990 PIYC had a membership of 67 families. After a royal installation banquet, Ulf Carlson reigned as club Commodore. A varied social calendar included international theme parties such as a Mexican pot-luck dinner, an Italian smorgasbord, a Mardi Gras Masquerade, and a Hawaiian Luau. The club also enjoyed purely American traditions such as a hayride, wiener roast, ice cream social, Spam cook-off, and a White Elephant gift exchange on New Year’s Eve. Cruises were held to Port Aransas for a wild game dinner, Buccaneer Days fireworks display, a summer white sail to Bahia Marina, a scavenger hunt in Port Aransas, and a hot tub cruise to Island Moorings.

Charlie Miller was elected as the clubs' Commodore in 1991, the year of the first annual PIYC ‘Round the Bay Regatta. Cruising highlights for the year included a Mother’s Day cruise to Spinnaker Hole, an offshore trip to Army Hole in Port O’ Conner, and the first “Mother of all cruises” – a family cruise festival with the participation of all the area yacht clubs and boating organizations. Social events to remember were the Jamaica Me Crazy party and a land trip to the Corpus Christi Greyhound Races.

In 1992 Joe Horvat served as Commodore. Gala parties to celebrate all major holidays were held, as well as on the dreaded Friday the 13th . Dining and dancing under the stars were enjoyed at the annual membership party. Innovative cruises had club members involved in fishing contests, kite flying contests, crab races, and chili cook-offs.

1993 began by “putting on the Ritz,” as the club installed Darlene Bak as Commodore. The weather played havoc with the cruising schedule during the year, but many club members enjoyed the Whooping Crane cruise aboard club trawlers, and an Island Moorings hot tub cruise. The club also had a social calendar with a Valentines Day dance, Halloween costume party, and an international covered dish supper.

Under the direction of Commodore Hank Hammer, the Long Range Planning Committee began in 1994 looking into the possibility of building a new clubhouse. PIYC had grown to a membership of 88 families and was quickly outgrowing the facilities at Anchor Resort. The social committee planned exciting parties such as a dog show, a chowder contest, and a “Gidget Goes to Padre Island” party that aroused the attention of several uninvited law enforcement officers. The Sunday afternoon Beer Can Races were initiated, and cruises included a scavenger hunt, conch shell blowing concert, a Mothers day cruise and brunch at Corpus Christi Municipal Marina, and a Ladies Only day sail.

Chuck Armstrong served as PIYC Commodore in 1995, while the Long Range Planning Committee continued to work toward a permanent home for the club. Club cruises ranged from a “Hot Ruddered Bum” and hot tub cruises in the winter, to the traditional plug in/chill out cruises to favorite marinas to beat the heat of a typical Padre Island summer. An aborted offshore cruise to La Pesca, Mexico, proved out Murphy’s law again with sea conditions and equipment failure causing club boats to return to home port. The social director planned beer feasts, beach bonfires, an empty pockets pita party on April15, and a Policeman’s Ball to commemorate the prior year’s big blowout party. The groundbreaking was held in October, and the Christmas and New Years' parties were held in December in the brand new clubhouse.

1996 began with the construction of a new building. Bennie Sue Carlson was elected as club Commodore. Many club members put in countless hours of “sweat equity” and donated furnishings to complete the new clubhouse. In addition to working non-stop on the building, PIYC continued an active social, racing, and cruising schedule. A land cruise to Laredo, a race to the Bahia Hee Hee, favorite area anchorages such as Donnel Point, and a trip to the Texas Jazz Festival were the highlights of the cruising circuit. Memorable parties that year included a beach party, a fish fry, and a progressive dinner. The most memorable of all was the Grand Opening Dedication Gala held on August 17 in which the PIYC clubhouse at 13402 Whitecap was officially christened.

1997 started with the membership settled into the new building and the Commodore, Dean Lucas, focused on improving the grounds of the clubhouse. A new courtesy dock was built, the driveway was paved, and landscaping was upgraded. The membership continued to expand and members readily volunteered their cooking talents for outstanding Blue Paste Suppers and for upkeep of the grounds and clubhouse. The Annual Party for this year was a huge hit with a fish fry, live music and dancing, and great decorations. Outstanding cruises were the circle raft-up and Bahia’s Gumbo Feast.

Bob Maupin was the 1998 Commodore. The year began with the new board hilariously presenting themselves to the membership at the Annual Banquet as ‘The Great White Father and His Heavenly Host.’ Accomplishments for the year included installation of boat slips, pilings for future slips and pumpout station, bulkhead repair and new chairs for the clubhouse. Club members were kept informed of plans and activities through Sunday morning Member’s Brunches. The PIYC was active in the community events of Spoil Island Cleanup, Halloween Boat Parade, Padre Fest, LaPosada Boat Parade, and the Children’s Christmas Party. In addition, the Mayor addressed club members regarding his vision for the Island. Fun activities included a summer Polar Bear Regatta and an afternoon ‘formal’ High Tea Cruise.

Under the direction of Commodore Preston Orchard in 1999,  the club continued to prosper. The front gate was remodeled, the wheelhouse was upgraded, a new riding lawnmower was secured, the PIYC brochure was printed, and a New Member Orientation Program was organized. The women of the club implemented their own special functions, the ‘Pink Thing.’ Cruises included powerboats motoring to South Padre, and a Mystery Cruise hosted by Jimmy Buffet. Club members enjoyed socials of Las Vegas Night and Auction, Annual Family Picnic, Luau Annual Party, Talent Show and Tailgate Chili Cook Off.