History of the Dolphins Cruising Club of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Established March 1989

Founders

Roy and Jeannie Chapman (Sandpiper, Tartan, 30’) and Dick and Polly Jones (Balestrand, Islander, 30’) met in February 1989 aboard the Chapmans’ boat, the committee boat for a St. Petersburg Sailing Association race. In March 1989, Sandpiper and Balestrand sailed together to Marina Jack’s in Sarasota. Over dinner, the four sailors decided they needed a cruising group.

Inaugural Outing

The first group cruise was held in May 1989 to the Tierra Verde Yacht Club (no longer in existence) with six boats from Tanglewood and Venetian Isles. The club was dubbed “The Northeast St. Petersburg Sailboat Cruising Club.”

Name

In June 1989, 15 members gathered in “a lovely air-conditioned private room at Bahia Beach” (near Shell Point/Little Harbor Marina) and named the club “Dolphins Cruising Club of Tampa Bay.”

First Commodore

John Lesniak (Windragon, Island Packet) elected by general acclamation, June 1989. Since then, 18 people have served as commodore.

Motto

“We Ain’t Got No Noble Purpose” attributed to Les Carter (Osprey, Watkins, 33’), possibly at that first meeting in June 1989. To this, Gene Weatherup (Shenandoah, Herreshoff, 53’ and Jolly Mo, Hatteras, 43’) later added “and we don’t want no organization,” but that’s not officially the motto. Another saying from the early days: “By-Laws, No. 1: We ain’t got no bylaws.”

Mission Statement

“The Dolphins Cruising Club of Tampa Bay is a group of sailing enthusiasts whose purpose is to share and promote the enjoyment of cruising while focusing on responsible, informed, and safe sailboat handling.”

Membership

From the beginning, the club was for owners of cruising sailboats. In 2019, as some early members of the club transitioned from sailboats to trawlers, the club began allowing owners of cruising powerboats to join with approval of the Flag Officers. At its peak, the Dolphins had more than 50 boats and 100 sailors in its fleet. Membership began declining in the late 2010s.

Organization

The club filed for incorporation as a not-for-profit social organization in December 2008, when membership was at a peak and a better handle on money and organization was needed. The club was officially incorporated in January 2009. Bylaws were adopted at that time, establishing a board of directors. The bylaws were overhauled in 2021.

Cruises

Club cruises are planned at least once a month from October through May, usually to locations no more than a few hours’ sail from St. Petersburg. Longer cruises are undertaken in the spring. Club members have sailed from Tampa Bay to the Bahamas, Marathon, Key West, Dry Tortugas, Islamorada, Miami, the Atlantic Coast of Florida, and northward on the West Florida Coast to Crystal River, Cedar Key and the Panhandle.

Traditional Events

Halloween cruise at the end of October; Fall Kick-Off Cruise with other sailing organizations at Emerson Point/Desoto Point in November; Holiday Party on land; Gasparilla Pirate Anchor-Out at Fantasy Island; Valentine’s Cruise to Terra Ceia Bay followed by cruise to Cortez Fishing Festival in February; a St. Patrick’s Day event with Tampa Sailing Squadron; March/April cruises to Pelican Bay, St. James, Fort Myers, Marco Island and/or points south.