The first powerboat race from Hobart to New Norfolk was held on the 16 March 1924. Following the race, a meeting was held on the shores of the Derwent River from where the Derwent Motorboat Club was formed with 30 members and Mr J Turner as the first Chairman.

The club grew in membership with races and social events held on the Derwent River and around the Harbour, which included speedboats and power cruisers. In 1925, the club was renamed the Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania.

Social outings and campfires onshore were part of the boating calendar which included regular cruising to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Racing expanded to include Channel regattas, the Hobart Regatta and Boxing Day races to Old Beach and New Norfolk. The club boasted races with over 30 competitors,

60 members and 58 boats registered.

In 1927 a ‘Ladies Social Committee’ was formed which helped organise a range of social events. Card nights, dances, billiards, snooker and a Grand Ball were among the many activities from which members began to raise funds for a dedicated clubhouse.

In 1929 the first Commemoration Day Race was held at New Norfolk followed by a dance for competitors and members. The MYCT held the first powerboat championship races in 1930, which included both inboard and outboard classes and the highlight in 1931 of Mr B Self racing at a top speed of 50 miles per hour.

The club then leased some land on the Queens Domain with the plan to build a clubhouse, but this didn’t occur. During 1933 the club opened its clubrooms in an upstairs area in a building in Collins Street, Hobart, with an evolving array of social activities. Also, that year a branch of the club was established at Huonville. It ran for several years but closed after a number of members moved away from the area.

The club hosted the first Australian Powerboat Championship held in Tasmania at Franklin in 1935 and went on to host many other events for mainland competitors over the years.

In 1939 a new larger clubhouse was purchased in Victoria Street in Hobart, which had been granted a liquor licence and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Hobart Mr J Soundy with 400 members and guests present. The club’s successes continued with Mr D Gorringe being warmly received after returning from the Australian Outboard Championships where he had gained a second place in a race at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

World War II was underway, and in late 1939 petrol restrictions prevented the use of power-driven craft for personal use. One race was held in 1941, the annual Commemoration Day Race to New Norfolk. The clubrooms continued to prosper with social events and as a place for servicemen and women to gather and relax during leave periods.

Racing had declined over the war years, but the enthusiasm returned to the sport by the 1950s with the reintroduction of powerboat racing at the annual Hobart and other regattas around the State.

Around this time the club purchased land on a foreshore site at Lindisfarne where a range of facilities were planned and powerboat racing took place in Lindisfarne Bay.

In 1955 a race for power cruisers was conducted around Bruny Island, a voyage of over 100 nautical miles, and was won by Mr V Johnson. The round Bruny and round Betsey Island races later became regular fixtures on the MYCT calendar.

During this period a raft of volunteers worked at the foreshore site to develop jetties, a launching ramp and eventually the clubhouse. There is no doubt the enormous effort by the many volunteers of that day is the main reason behind the ongoing success of the club.

It was during the 1960s that, due to noise complaints from around Lindisfarne, another site for powerboat racing was required. The then Commodore Mr HC Millington leased a site on the Derwent River at Granton. He was instrumental in the club procuring the land which is still used for powerboat racing today.

The site has been named the ‘HC Millington Memorial Circuit’ in memory of Mr HC Millington who passed away in 1969. He had been a race driver, served several terms on Committee and in the roles of Vice Commodore and Commodore.

Again, it was the club’s army of volunteers that assisted with the construction of ramps, a kiosk, control tower and small clubrooms onsite at Granton. This effort saw the race circuit become a stage for races at local, state and national levels.

The MYCT also hosted powerboat race weekends at Dianas Basin on the East Coast near St Helens for a number of years up until the early 1970s, and these included races against the other two Tasmanian clubs, the Northern Tasmanian Powerboat Club and the North-West Powerboat Club.

These events were considered the premier race weekend in the State in the day, but alas due to environmental concerns with the waterway also being home to many endemic bird species, the event was required to be relocated to the Granton circuit.

In 1973 the clubrooms at Victoria Street were put up for sale and sold to the RSL, which helped fund the construction of the new clubhouse at the Lindisfarne foreshore property. Much of the work was again completed by the volunteer army with a grand opening in 1974. The facilities included a two-storey clubhouse, ramp, two slipways and a large foreshore carpark for members.

During the 1980s cruising boats were gaining popularity, both trailer boats and moored vessels participating in a host of time trials, on-water quizzes, progressive dinners, and the ever-popular Betsey Island time trial and the Round Bruny Island classic cruise in company.

In the mid-1990s a number of Tasman Bridge to Bridgewater Bridge ski races were organised by the MYCT and sponsored by Anchor Wetsuits. These events were popular and attracted mainland competitors as well as numerous Tasmanian racers.

The clubhouse saw big attendances at the Tuesday nights members night with eight ball, indoor bowls and beer and prawn nights all well attended. It was around 1999 that a bold Committee with Mr C Debnam as Commodore planned to build a 123-berth marina to cater for the growing number of larger cruisers.

With a plan to lease half the berths off the plan to raise 50% and to borrow 50% of the $1.25M needed to fund one of the first floating marinas in Southern Tasmania, it was indeed ambitious.

After some setbacks due to funding and a design issue that saw the initial breakwater fail, berths were taken up quicker than expected, costs were kept down, and the project was successfully completed in 2000. Having stood the test of time, the marina is still operating at near full capacity and is still providing an outstanding facility for cruising members.

Between 2003 and 2005, three Formula 1 Superboat Races were organised and run by the MYCT off the Regatta Grounds on the Derwent River. These events were watched by around 15,000 people from the foreshore and vessels. In 2005 an Offshore Superboat event was held on the Derwent River; these larger race boats offered a spectacular event with a few crashes but thankfully no injuries to drivers. The event was a huge success for powerboat racing in Tasmania.

In the 2000s the MYCT organised and ran a number of ‘Tasmanian Boating, Leisure Watersports Expos’ involving boat dealers, caravans, motorhomes, camping displays and more in the carpark at Lindisfarne. These were large events open to the public and free of charge; up to 7,000 visitors attended over a weekend. The success of these was mainly due to the hard work by the many volunteers who organised, managed and ran the event for a number of years.

In 2007 the State Government offered the Governor’s Launch the ‘Egeria’ up for sale, and this was taken up for a nominal fee by the MYCT. Whilst she was in need of some maintenance and repairs, the Egeria has now fully been restored by an enthusiastic team of volunteers who are now running charters on behalf of the club. She sits proudly in the marina as the club flagship, admired by members and guests alike.

Like many other yacht clubs in Tasmania, we relied on regular trade in both the bar and for meals to help support the club. This was a similar situation for the Lindisfarne RSL Club who were finding a decline in membership and an increase in running costs were making trading conditions difficult. In 2008 an agreement was struck between the RSL and MYCT to amalgamate and share some facilities. This has proved to be a most successful partnership whereby our joint membership and sharing of facilities have seen us enjoy better trade, increased membership and a more vibrant and social atmosphere.

Powerboat racing remained an integral part of the club, with racing continuing at Granton, around the state and interstate, and numerous successful titles brought home to the MYCT. In 2013 the club hosted a Powerboat Drivers Reunion, a well-attended and successful event held at Lindisfarne with drivers from around the state and interstate also attending.

The marina was predominantly power cruisers but there are now a healthy number of yachts in berths across the site. Through an affiliation with the Lindisfarne Sailing Club, regular keelboat sailing races are undertaken on the Derwent River during the week and on weekends. The clubhouse is used to support our sailors with presentations, videos of the races, and of course a meal or drink at the bar afterwards. The keelboats provide a spectacular event to view from the clubhouse during the summer evenings.

A major renovation on the clubhouse saw the bar extended to allow greater access for members and guests and a revamp of the ‘Reflections’ restaurant, which had gained popularity not only with members but also the general public.

Around 2015 the club saw the introduction of a then relatively new sport to the area, dragon boating. The Derwent Storms Dragon Boat Club use some of the club’s storage space, ramp and wharf facilities to both train and race on the Derwent River. This vibrant group of paddlers have attained several interstate and international awards and accolades. They are now a regular feature around the club.

In 2023 the clubhouse underwent yet another refurbishment with the covering in of an outside deck area. This significant project, overseen and managed by Life Member Mr J Smith, saw the work completed on time and under budget, adding to the usable space adjoining the bar and restaurant areas for our now over 800 members.

Thanks to the forefathers of the club meeting on the shores of the Derwent River in 1924, we can now celebrate the 100-year milestone of the MYCT. It is fitting that our powerboat members will be representing the club as the MYCT hosts the National Powerboat Championship at the MC Millington Memorial Race Circuit at Granton in March 2024.

A range of celebrations was held for all our members and guests to enjoy, including music, food and friendship. The club hosted a lunch to honour the work undertaken by our staff, and those volunteer members past, present and future. At this time an official plaque was unveiled by Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, and Club Patron, Mr Ralph King.

1920’s

A CLUB WAS BORN

The history of powerboat racing in Tasmania began in 1905 when the Royal Hobart Regatta Association conducted the first official motorboat race. The event was won by A McDowel's 'Dart’ with Geo Cheverton's 'White Lady’ in second place. The sport continued intermittently until it practically lapsed during World War I, and it was not until 1924 when Messrs FW Chalu, WE Taylor, J Townley and JW Turner organised a long-distance race/time trial to New Norfolk that the sport was revived.

Twenty motorboat drivers competed. The time trial was won by the Reading Brothers helming the Malunna. Fastest race time was recorded by HC Millington helming Aristocrat and in doing so he was presented with the inaugural Championship Pennant of the Derwent.

The following day, 16 March 1924, prominent Tasmanian aquatics statesperson JG Turner presided over a meeting on the New Norfolk esplanade, and the Derwent Motorboat Club was formed to promote and encourage the building and use of motorboats, to encourage motorboat racing by the promotion of regattas, races and trails of speed and endurance.

Thirty-three members enrolled at this meeting and the first committee was elected to draft the Constitution and Rules for the new club.

Elected were:

• Chairman: JG Turner

• Hon Secretary: JW Turner

• Hon Treasurer: FW Chalu

• Committee: WE Taylor, EC Fish, HR Clayton,PF Darvell, WG Latham, F Ward, L Potter

The first racing season was short but sweet. There was a race at Old Beach on 14 May 1924 with HC Millington taking first prize. Social times were had with members celebrating the race with a campfire on the banks of the Jordan River.

The club’s reputation and popularity flourished. The final race of the season was on 12 July 1924 with 32 competitors. By the end of the season the club had a membership of 76 with 58 boats on the register. The first Annual General Meeting was conducted on 1 October 1924.

With the increased popularity and membership, the 1925-26 racing season and social programs expanded to include both speedboats and power cruisers.

In 1925 the club forged ahead, and with the growing number of speedboats, time trials/races were divided into motorboat and speedboat classes.

On 19 October 1926 the name of the club was officially changed to the Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania and a revised Constitution was accepted.

The club continued to grow rapidly; the popularity of outboard powered speedboats resulted in a third class being added in 1928. The interest being generated by speedboat racing resulted in the club receiving invites to hold events at regattas.

The first Commemoration Day Race to New Norfolk was held on 23 March 1929.

1930’s

FIRST SPEEDBOAT CHAMPIONS

The MYCT conducted the first Tasmanian State Speedboat Championships in Hobart on 5 February 1930 under new rules introduced in 1929, attracting entries from the MYCT, Mersey Yacht Club of Devonport and the Tamar Yacht Club of Launceston. The first State Championship winners were B Class – J Tyson with C U Later (TYC), C Class & Unlimited Class – C Walch with Gee Whiz II (MYCT). The State’s first Tasmanian speed record was set by B Self with Ariel, recording a speed of 50 mph on the Derwent in 1931.

The speedboats were gaining in popularity quickly and for the first time were featured on the cover of the 1932 Royal Hobart Regatta Association’s program. The picture included the club’s first Tasmanian Outboard Champion, C Walsh, driving Gee Whizz

MYCT OPENS FIRST CLUB HOUSE

A building fund established in season 1927-28 enabled the opening of the first clubhouse in 1933, located in Collins Street. So successful was the club that they established a Social Committee to conduct functions and the Vice Commodore started chairing the Race Committee.

CLUB’S FIRST AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION

The club was represented for the first time at the 1933 Australian Speedboat Championships in Sydney by AJ Clarke driving A.J.C. and C Walch driving Gee Whiz III. They did the club proud with AJ Clarke winning the C Class Outboard Championship ahead of C Walch.

1935 MYCT CONDUCTS FIRST AUSTRALIAN SPEEDBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP IN TASMANIA

After founding a MYCT Huon Branch Club in 1934, the following year the club had the proud distinction of conducting the first Australian Speedboat Championships held in Tasmania at a spectacular three-day carnival at Franklin. MYCT member AJ Clarke (A.J.C.) won the 1935 B Class Outboard Championship.

1938 MYCT CONDUCTS AUSTRALIAN SPEEDBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOBART

One of the most memorable events from the early years occurred when the club conducted the 1938 Australian Outboard Championships in conjunction with the Royal Hobart Centenary Regatta from 12-14 February. The feature event on the program was the coveted O’Donoghue Shield for the Australian Open Outboard Championship. After three close and competitive heats, P Story – Chromeplate (NSW), WH McFarlane – Tilmerie (South Australia) and CA Walsh – Gee Whizz VI (MYCT, Tasmania) had each won a race and were tied on points. A runoff race was required to decide the Australian Champion and in a thrilling tussle, Walch, using speed and his superior ability to round the turn buoys, won the Shield in front of a large crowd on the regatta’s 100 Year Anniversary.

1939 SECOND CLUBHOUSE OPENS

A historic moment for the club took place on 24 July 1939 when the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman JT Soundy MP, officially opened the impressive MYCT clubhouse in Victoria Street, Hobart in the presence of a large gathering of VIP guests and members

1940’s

WORLD WAR II AND RECOVERY

On 3 September 1939, the 41st day following the official clubhouse opening, Australia was drawn into World War II and the regular activities and priorities of the club changed for the next six years.

National Security Regulations also brought various restrictions, and club activities were confined to shore functions. Despite this and along with petrol shortages, records show the 1941 Annual Commemoration Race officially took place.

During the war, the clubhouse proved to be a popular place to rendezvous, not only for members but also for visiting servicemen of the Commonwealth and their Allies. Many members served with various arms of the fighting services during the war and the club is proud of their record.

Other members unable to join the Navy, Army or Air Force served their country in other ways, with a number joining the Naval Auxiliary Patrol and assisting in local patrols.

Following the end of war in 1945, a relaxation of petrol allowances made it possible to conduct limited on water activities.

By 1946 interest in speedboat racing had been revived and regular events were being conducted once again.

A leasehold of a section of the Domain foreshore was obtained as a racing headquarters, and a boat ramp was provided.

By the 1947/48 season upgrades and additions were made to the Clubhouse and there was a full schedule of on water events.

1950’s

LINDISFARNE RACE HEAD QUARTERS

The club purchased a foreshore property at Lindisfarne Bay to provide a racing headquarters with the ultimate goal of building a club and boathouse along with workshop, jetty, slipways and all other necessary amenities. Additional renovations and furnishings were undertaken at the clubhouse.

During 1954 the club fleet made a substantial contribution to the outstanding success of the aquatic welcome to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Members organised and provided an area with seating for physically disadvantaged children during the Royal parade.

The club also took a very active part in the big tourist drive planned by the Festival of Tasmania Organisation in December 1955. A full day aquatic carnival was conducted on the Regatta Ground under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sir Ronald Cross, Governor of Tasmania, when many spectacular powerboat races were staged.

Other sections of aquatic sport gave full support. One of the most hazardous and longest power cruiser races was held the following weekend around Bruny Island (over 100 miles). It was won by VM Johnston’s ‘Kiyu’. On the water the additional club championships were conducted along with long distance and harbour races, reliability trials, regatta racing and campfire cruises.

Late in the 1950s and into the early ’60s, Doug Elliot’s Chryslerpowered hydroplane was the fastest boat around, usually starting from the rear of the field in handicap races at Lindisfarne Bay.

A full schedule of events on shore were also conducted including cabaret nights, club dinners, picture and lecture evenings, children’s picnics, Christmas dinners, inter-club billiards, snooker, cribbage, and darts tournaments.

As the MYCT was the only Tasmanian club to affiliate with the National Authority of the Australia Power Boat Association, it played an active part in founding the Tasmanian Council of the APBA in 1958. The first official APBA sanctioned Tasmanian Speedboat Championships were conducted in 1959.

1980’s

MYCT PRODUCES CHAMPIONS

The 1980s is remembered as a golden era for MYCT club members winning Australian Power Boat Championships. The club certainly punched well above its weight for almost a decade. It all started in 1980 when Mark McTye built his own boat (Tru Blue #17) and engine, tested and raced at Granton before heading to Taree for the 1981 Combined Australian Outboard and Inboard Championships over Easter.

McTye’s campaign did not get off to a good start on the day prior to his championship attempt. While running good lap times in practice that appeared to put him well and truly into contention, his engine started to detonate. It was a long night for the team: finding parts, pulling the engine down, honing a cylinder, rebuilding and running it back in. In the first heat of the title McTye crossed the finish line second, but he was elevated to first position because Peter Winks (Nitro) had been disqualified for jumping the start. If McTye had won, the second heat the title would be his, but Winks got the perfect start this time with McTye chasing hard until he felt the engine going off song and slowed but managed to finish second.

With two different heat winners a third heat was now required to determine the championship winner. With the points McTye had accumulated he had to finish third or better to secure the title. He got a good start in heat 3 but was soon over taken by two of the other frontrunners. He guided his ailing boat to the finish line in third place to claim his first Australian Championship.

Later in the year he also set a new Australian 1250cc SportsSpeed Record at 145.93kph/90.68mph. Frank Oldham also set a new Australian 2700cc Super Sports Speed Record in Domino at 164.42kph/90.68mph.

1982 DIANAS BASIN RACE MEETING

The NWPBC took over the running of the Dianas Basin race weekend for 1981-82, after which MYCT members Adam Brinton, Mario Sorrentino along with Rodney King kept it going until 1999.

The 1982 annual race meeting at Dianas Basin was one of the most memorable on record and would have an impact on the sport’s future in Tasmania. With some good bright weather for early June around, a good number of spectators found their way to the remote course.

The best of the best in Tasmania turned up to compete in 1982, including a surprise guest driver. What most did not know prior to the meeting was that Mike Cleary had invited renowned, former, multiple Australian Champion powerboat racer, David Toyer from New South Wales, to join him at Dianas Basin. While discussing the possibility of this with Wayne Cross, he told Cleary to tell Toyer to bring his life jacket and helmet and he can have a go at driving his unlimited mono, Team Mercury.

The A Grade Outboards and Inboards would run in their own classes over the weekend and compete against each other until the prestigious ‘Cock of the East’ championship race at the end of the program on Sunday. It became clear as the program progressed that defending champion Peter Cooper (Macho) and Adam Brinton Nerv Gas) were the quickest of the inboards with each lowering the best lap time of the class until Cooper got down to a 42-second lap.

Toyer (Team Mercury) and Frank Oldham (Domino) were leading the charge in the outboard races with consistent times around the 43-45 second mark. Then in the final outboard race, Toyer flew the little black Bullet around the course to claim pole position for the big race with a fastest lap of 41 seconds, giving outboard supporters real hope of winning the Championship.

The final had come down to Tasmania v New South Wales and Inboard v Outboard. It was the best quality field seen for years with former Australian Champions Toyer, Cooper, Brinton in pole positions 1,2 & 3. Tasmanian Champions and speed record holders on the outside of them were Oldham, Grant Lovell (Country Boy), John Palmer (Cracker Jack) along with Sue Hewitt (Pyscho) and Michael Hepher (Bullet 303).

The big crowd lined the foreshore as they blasted away from the pole boat and watched in awe at the battles taking place on the water over the next six laps. With superior acceleration Cooper got into the lead narrowly on lap 1 but Toyer hung on, floating the mono hull around the outside at high speed on the turns, threatening to take the lead. Meanwhile Brinton who was sitting behind these two just could not quite close the gap. Further back, Hewitt and Hepher were battling hard for 4th and 5th, and Palmer and Lovell were having their own race in the hydroplanes.

For five laps Toyer had almost grabbed the lead floating, his boat high and wide out of the final turn heading to the finish line.

However, on the last lap on the final turn he changed tactics and turned hard, sweeping around onto the inside of Cooper. Cooper was quick to realise what had happened and quickly straightened his boat towards the finish line and powered on to win narrowly. The response of the crowd cheering and clapping, as all the drivers returned to shore, was a great moment for the sport.

Following that event Toyer wrote a multi-page article covering the event for a National Boating Magazine. It certainly helped raise the profile of the sport in Tasmania, and Toyer later returned to cover other races. He also designed a tunnel hull for Cross that went on to set an Australasian Speed Record, win Australian Championships and finally win the ‘Cock of the East’.

1980’s LINDISFARNE CLUB EVENTS

During the 1980s time trials were gaining popularity with both trailer boats and moored vessels participating in up to six Carby Darby time trials including the J Ridgeway Memorial, Bill Whitehouse Perpetual and the Wanda Trophy, along with the classic events: MYCT Commemoration Day Race, Bridge to Bridge and Betsey Island Time Trial.

1988 COMBINED AUSTRALIAN POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS

The bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1988. It marked 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet of British convict ships at Sydney in 1788. The Combined Australian Championships conducted by the MYCT at the Granton race circuit over the Easter period were recognised as an official bicentennial event. Those who won a championship were presented with an official bicentennial medal.

Eamon Kelly (Vice Commodore) and his team had transformed the Granton circuit with a major clean-up, and with the addition of new bunting, flags and signage it looked like a race circuit ready for the arrival of competitors from four states.

The event also attracted a strong media presence resulting in a four-page newspaper feature and reports in the newspapers, radio and television. A huge number of Tasmanian drivers competed, but on the Saturday the small number of leading interstate drivers who made the trip were claiming all the championships, until a win looked a little more promising in the 1250cc Open Hull Championship.

Heat 1 provided plenty of action, as some competitors appeared to jump the start and the race was red flagged after Tom Tucker (Tom Thumb 7, NSW) was thrown from his boat while leading the race. Only two boats were permitted to start the re-run as all the others had previously jumped the start. Mike Cleary (Diamond World Racing, MYCT) went on to win heat 1 and now only needed to win heat 2 to claim the championship.

Tucker got away to an excellent start in heat two, but with a little extra trim on the long shaft Mercury 90 ‘block of flats’ Cleary started to close the gap and managed to catch and pass Tucker. He went on to claim the first 1988 Australian Powerboat Championship for Tasmania and the MYCT.

The expected highlight of the meeting was the Unlimited Open Onboard Championship on the Sunday. The Granton circuit was at full capacity, the gates were closed, and police had to control traffic both north and south of the circuit, as bottlenecks had been formed by spectators parking their vehicles to find viewing spots on the banks of the Derwent River. Those in attendance that day often speak of the anticipation and excitement. As the field of supercharged and normally aspirated craft powered down towards turn one side by side, the noise and vibration shook the ground on which the large crowd was standing. When the spray had cleared at turn 1 just John Palmer (Poacher NWPBC, Tas) was still running at speed. In their eagerness to get the advantage going into turn 1, all the other competitors had overstressed their engines, and Palmer went on to win the heat and eventually the championship ahead of Ben Olbrich (Ol Nic MYCT, Tas). Along with Cleary two other members also won Australian Championships that weekend: Greg King (Kings) 1000cc and 1800cc Super Sports, and Tony Marks (Goucho) 6000cc and 7500cc Inboard Displacement. Special mention must also go to the MYCT Ladies Committee that operated the kiosk and ran raffles etc, raising thousands of dollars that funded fitting out the new kitchen at the Lindisfarne clubhouse.

In 1989 Greg King secured another two championships, taking the 1250cc and 1800cc Super Sports titles.

END OF EIGHT LAP TROPHY RACES AT GRANTON RACE CIRCUIT

For 15 years or more at the Granton race circuit there was a feature trophy handicap race held as the final event of the day, open to anyone over 8 laps or 4 to 6 laps around the island at the southern end of the circuit. These races generated plenty of interest, as the back marker started up 3 minutes behind the frontrunners. At the end of the 1988-89 season, the club decided to end these trophy races on safety grounds due to the speed difference of the craft and new lightweight hulls having difficulty with the disturbed water being generated on the narrow circuit by the large number of mixed design boats. They were to be replaced by special events during the season e.g. Tasmanian Statewide Series events for groups of classes.

1970’s

GOOD & DIFFICULT TIMES

Byron Horne served as Commodore for most of the 1970s and he and his committee guided the club through some of its best times and most difficult times in its history.

During the 1971-72 season, 53 boats received race day trophies for competing at the Granton race circuit. Three MYCT members at the 1971 Australian Outboard Championships conducted at Wagga Wagga New South Wales won Championships: Ralph King – Nipper King 45ci Family Pleasure, Lindsay White – Challenger 45ci Sports, Robbie Richardson – Miss Hunter 75ci Family Pleasure and another title for Ralph King – Nipper Tunnel 75ci Sports. Ben Olbrich added yet another Australian 95ci Inboard Displacement Championship to his resumé at Southport, Queensland.

Three of the club’s female members made the news as they were in high demand at the meeting as passengers in the family pleasure classes. One of the feature races at the now annual Dianas Basin meetings was a Ladies Only race where the racing was fast and very competitive. These races paved the way for female drivers in the future to compete regularly.

1972 VICTORIAN OUTBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS

As a warm-up to the upcoming Australian Outboard Championships, three MYCT drivers ventured to the 1972 Victorian Outboard Championships in March. They did well with Lindsay White in Challenger winning the 45ci Sports Championship and Alan McTye in Nip A Long winning the 75ci Championship ahead of Bill Cleary in Juliet.

1972 COMBINED AUSTRALIAN OUTBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 1972 Combined Australian Outboard Championships was without doubt one of the biggest powerboat events held in Tasmania in the 20th Century, attracting over 100s of entries from five states. With perfect weather conditions, a great line of boats and the BP Mercury outboards – making a noise that police had received reports about from up to 17 miles away – drew a massive crowd to the Montrose Bay foreshore. Every local media company was there along with television stations to catch the action.

The racing proved close and competitive, and at times spectacular. The crowd also witnessed a spectacular flip in the hotly contested 75ci Sports Class where a large number of very evenly matched Nipper Tunnels battled for supremacy.

Ken Blackwell from Sydney driving Lightning was running closely beside MYCT’s Alan McTye in Nip A Long, and just ahead of another MYCT driver Bill Cleary in Juliet, when suddenly Blackwell’s craft took off and completed a massive 360-degree flip with feet to spare. Cleary took evasive action and when Blackwell landed, his boat spun 180 degrees to face other oncoming craft. It was good luck and good driving by all concerned, acknowledged by a big cheer from the huge crowd on the foreshore.

MYCT members ended up dominating both the 45ci and 75ci Australian Championships with Ralph King (Nipper Tunnel) winning the 75ci Sports class and Robbie Richardson the 75ci Family Pleasure class. Ralph King became a double Champion by taking the 45ci Family Pleasure class in Nipper King and Lindsay White the 45ci Sports class in Challenger.

BUILDING OF LINDISFARNE CLUBHOUSE PROJECT GETS UNDERWAY

During 1973 the clubhouse at Victoria Street was put up for sale and sold to the RSL, which helped fund the construction of the new clubhouse at the Lindisfarne foreshore property. Unfortunately, the contracted builder went under leaving the club in a difficult situation. Fortunately, members rose to the challenge, Ralph King assisted in organising another builder to oversee the project and much of the work was completed by club members.

The new clubhouse opened in 1974 with facilities that included a two-storey clubhouse, ramp, two slipways and a large foreshore carpark for members. With the opening of the new clubhouse, the competitions organised by the Social Committee at the clubhouse were very popular and included interclub and social championships for indoor bowls, cribbage, darts, snooker and billiards.

The Ladies Committee responsible for the operation of the kiosk at Granton also organised progressive dinners at members’ houses, raffles, lucky door prizes and party plan events in conjunction with members’ businesses where they received discounts and a percentage of sales went to the fundraising effort of the club.

THE FIRST OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR RACE LICENCES

In 1972 those under the age of 17 years could drive in some states in special events due to no State licensing requirements. In Tasmania legislation had been enforced for some time requiring those helming motor powered craft to be 17 years or older and to have passed an examination on marine rules and safety. These rules were eventually adopted nationally by all states.

The MYCT worked in conjunction with the Hobart Marine Board to have legislation passed for the licensing of Junior drivers between 14 and 17 years of age – the first of its kind in Australia. Following the enactment of the suitable by-laws, MYCT Junior members, Richard Emanuel and Michael Cleary, studied and sat for the first exam. Both passed and became the first officially licensed Junior drivers in Australia. Emanuel (driving Cobra), Cleary (Juliet Minx) and Guy Royal (Juliet Junior) were the State’s first 20kw/25hp Class Junior Class drivers in Tasmania when they began competing in the 1973-74 season at Granton.

TEAM MYCT HEADS TO AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Easter 1974 a team of four MYCT leading drivers ventured to Wagga Wagga, NSW, for the combined Australian Outboard Championships. L to R: Bill Cleary (Omega 75ci Sports), Brian Ferguson (Lil Eagle 45ci Sports) Richard Robertson (75ci Family Pleasure) and Ralph King (Drag N Fly 20kw). Cleary and Robertson did not have quite enough speed to win but placed very well, Ralph King did not get to start due to an engine problem, but Brian Ferguson out drove his interstate competitors to win the Championship. Sadly, his engine measurer’s certificate was not lodged with the APBA in the allowed time and his championship was not confirmed – however now, many recognise him as the 1974 champion. In 1975 Ben Olbrich driving Lightning III accumulated another Australian 75ci Inboard Displacement Championship.

TASMAN BRIDGE COLLASPE

The Tasman Bridge collapse on 5 January 1975 had a significant impact, especially after the financial burden the club undertook after the initial contracted builder went under. The city was basically cut in two, making it difficult for over half the club membership to patronise the club regularly. The club’s facilities were utilised by the authorities to transport patients by water across the Derwent to the Royal Hobart Hospital. It appeared one of Tasmania’s premier powerboat weekends conducted annually on the East Coast at Dianas Basin would cease in 1975, until Les Collis and the MYCT took over the organisation of the event and ran it until 1980.

CLUBS BIGGEST EVER RACE CALENDAR?

The 1978-79 race season officially opened on 29 October 1978 at the Granton circuit with an additional eight race meetings at the circuit until early May. There were also eight race day programs conducted at regattas: New Norfolk, Lewisham, Sandy Bay (2 days), Glenorchy, Royal Hobart (2 days) and Bellerive.

In addition to those 17 race days, there was the MYCT Commemoration Day Race, Betsey Island Race and the BP Bridge to Bridge.

The club also conducted an overnight 2-day navigation time trial in late May. With these 21 events run and won, it was then time to head for the famed two-day Dianas Basin East Coast Cup meet, near St Helens.

All these events, 23 days in total, over just 7 months were well patronised by competitors. The reintroduction of Family Pleasure craft racing, open to family type runabouts, helped boost the numbers and some passengers went on to compete themselves.

1960’s

RUNABOUT CLASS GROWS

With the increasing availability, the popularity of family runabouts grew enormously in the 1960s. The club membership grew as many runabout owners wished to compete in time trials and races conducted from Lindisfarne Bay.

By 1969 the club membership had grown to 467: 12 honorary life members, 420 full, 27 lady and 20 junior members. The club fleet consisted of 189 craft: 89 runabouts (71 outboard and 18 inboard), 74 power cruises, 19 inboard speedboats and hydroplanes and 7 motor dinghies.

On 2 April 1960, ‘Simcat’, driven by OD Gordon Smith (MYCT) established an Australasian Record of 74.568 mph at Lindisfarne in the 75ci Hydroplane Class. This was the first interstate speedboat record in the Inboard Class established in the State.

MYCT WINS THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT 75CI HYDROPLANE CHAMPIONSHIP

The State was represented in Australian Inboard Championships for the first time in 1961 when OD Gordon Smith (MYCT) won the 75 Cl Hydroplane Championship with ‘Simcat’. As a result, the 1962 championship for this class was allotted to Tasmania and was conducted by the MYCT at Franklin on 24 February 1962

when a spectacular full-day carnival was most successful. In the meantime, ‘Simcat’ had established a new Australasian record of 80.295 mph for the class on 3 December 1961. The championship was won easily by ‘Miss Boron’ (Thornton Simpson) from NSW after ‘Simcat’ lost her propellor during trials on the eve of the contest and was in trouble throughout the racing.

By the mid ’60s, racing on Lindisfarne Bay was no longer viable in the long term due to noise concerns. Harold Millington, the driver of the Silver Streak boats, after serving several terms on the Committee took on the role of Vice Commodore and then Commodore.

In January 1963 OD Gordon Smith won another Australian Championship in the 75ci Inboard Displacement Class with Platypus on the Mersey River, Devonport.

In 1966 MYCT member R Reynolds won the Australian 300ciRunabout Championship.

In May 1967 the MYCT conducted the Australian 300ci Runabout Championship at Lindisfarne Bay. It was won by Devonport’s Brian Richards on John O.

GRANTON RACE CIRCUIT

During the 1967-68 season, Commodore Harold Millington, besides obtaining and paying for the lease of the Granton race circuit property, was personally responsible for the installation of launching ramps, race box/control tower, public address system and a tractor.

As mentioned in the MYCT’s 46th Annual Report in 1969 “The sad death of our Commodore Harold Millington overshadowed what has been the best year of powerboat competition yet enjoyed by this Club. Fortunately, Commodore Millington was spared us long enough to witness the success of his efforts to put racing on its own two feet.” The Granton site was officially named as the ‘HC Millington Memorial Aquatic’. With changes to interpretations of language over the years it is now unofficially referred to as the ‘HC Millington Circuit’.

CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SPEED RECORDS

The race was on to see who would be the first Tasmanian to officially break the 100 mph speed barrier on water. In 1969 club member Dick Lovell behind the wheel of his hydroplane Cyn Sue made speedboat history on being the first to exceed the mark.

During the 1967-68 season, Ben Olbrich won both the 75ci Displacement and Open Inboard Championships at Goolwa, South Australia. Later in the season Olbrich also won the 95ci Open Inboard Championship at the Granton race circuit.

MYCT Vice Commodore Byron Horne set an Australian speed record for the Express Cruiser Class and then raised it further two months later at speed trials at Rosevears on the Tamar River.

In 1969 Ralph King won his first two Australian Championships in Nipper King by taking out both the 45ci Family Pleasure and Sports Class Championships.

DIANAS BASIN EASTCOAST RACE WEEKEND IS BORN

In 1967 the Tasmanian Powerboat Championships were postponed but finally run by the North Eastern Tasmanian Powerboat Club at Dianas Basin. So successful was the meet it went on to become an annual statewide event run by theNETPBC in association with the MYCT, Northern Tasmanian Powerboat Club and the Nor-West Powerboat Club until 1974.

1990’s

BIG EVENTS THE FOCUS

At the 1990 Annual General Meeting the club welcomed its first ever female flag officer when Joy Fannon took on the role of Rear Commodore.

During the 1989-90 season, Wayne Cross won the Stannard Cup – the Australian Open Inboard and Outboard Championship

– for the second time. In early August 1990, the Australasian, Australian, Tasmanian Championship and Speed Record holder announced his retirement.

During 1992 Cross was inducted into the Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

1991 FOCUS ON BOATING EVENTS FROM THE CLUB HOUSE

In 1991 Joy Fannon (Rear Commodore) and Michael Cleary (Vice Commodore) worked together to the keep the momentum gained in the 1980s Carby Darbys and classic annual events going with the aim of increasing the number of competitors participating in events conducted from Lindisfarne Bay.

Thanks to the assistance of Peter Bluett, Ray Absolom, Peter Horne, Chris Debnam and Michael Knowles and the support of the clubhouse Social Committee, 10 boating trials were held in the 1990-91 season from the clubhouse, most of them attracting sponsorship: six Carby Darbys, ANZ, J Ridgeway Memorial, Bill Whitehouse Perpetual, Social Time Trial and the Wanda Trophy along with the Fosters MYCT Commemoration Day, BP Bridge to Bridge and the Cascade Betsey Island Classic.

Added to this list was the Derwent River Fun Run which was a simple and fun event that proved very popular. With some media coverage and in-clubhouse promotion by the Social Committee, we saw a great mix of motor launches, family runabouts and race boats competing.

Over the next three years competitor numbers increased significantly with 30 to 51 entries at most events, thanks to a number of new members joining the club to be involved. The 1993 Betsey Island event attracted a record 51 crews.

Following the morning on water event, the Social Committee put the now completed kitchen to work providing lunches, keeping patrons happy at the club while waiting for results later in the afternoon.

GREG KING TASMANIA’S FIRST F1 DRIVER

There is no doubt that the course of unlimited outboard racing in Tasmania changed the day MYCT’s Greg King launched his first F1 race boat in 1990-91. While it was a rocket ship from day one, the Kings Towbars and Trailers team continually worked on making it faster, keeping the opposition on their toes.

1992 AUSTRALIAN 800CC CHAMPIONSHIP

Following the late decision of the Griffith Boat Club of NSW not to proceed with the Combined Australian Championships, the club applied for and were granted the right by the National APBA to conduct the 1992 Australian 800cc Open Hull Outboard Championship despite strong opposition from a select few in other states.

The championship attracted 16 entries: the defending Australian Champion, Richard Groom, thanks to TT Line sponsorship secured by the club, and 15 local teams keen to take his title.

The event attracted a surprisingly large crowd, assisted by pre-event interest from the press, radio and two television channels.

The drama that unfolded over the three heats was captured by ABC television and broadcast nationally.

Groom won the first heat in his boat Wretched, hotly pursued by Mike Cleary in Bad News, a brand new boat that had its first run on the morning of the event.

The 16 boats lined up for the countdown clock start in heat 2, and a couple of drivers commenced their start run too early.

Anxious drivers following did not want to be left behind and it appeared that Cleary and Alan Hovington driving Headache were the only ones not to jump the start. Groom crossed the finish line first ahead of Cleary, but it was quickly announced that Groom and others had been disqualified for jumping the start. On slow motion video review it was found that the bow of Cleary’s boat had also crossed the line early, leaving Hovington as the heat winner and only point scorer.

It all came done to the final heat. Cleary by now had a good handle on the new boat and took the lead on the first lap to cross the finish line ahead of Groom. As Groom and Cleary both had a first and second, most believed the winner would be decided by who had the fastest time and the TV cameras and media waited with the two teams for the results. When the winner was announced, it was declared that Hovington had won under the new points system with a third, first and fourth, leaving the media flat footed and looking for Hovington.

1992 FIRST TASMANIAN F1 POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP AT GRANTON

The last event of the 1991-92 season attracted an enormous amount of interest thanks to the first ever F1 powerboat race in Tasmania. Australian Champion Wayne Cross in Mercury dominated the Unlimited Racing at the Granton circuit for many years. Following Cross’s retirement from racing, Greg King debuted a genuine F1 cell/capsule boat which amazed spectators with its tremendous speed and fast turning ability.

With now two genuine F1 boats in Tasmania, the MYCT Race Committee then started work on getting a couple of F1 teams from interstate for the final meeting of the year. As an added bonus, Ralph King who was interstate at the time returned to Tasmania with another F1 boat in tow that had been sitting in Sydney for Mike Cleary and the Diamond World Racing Team, in time for the event.

The huge crowd looked on in anticipation, many raising concerns about the drivers who were strapping themselves into the cell/capsule of the ultra-fast boats that could end upside down underwater.

Powerboat racing in Tasmania got an early insight into how powerboat racing would evolve over the next 30 years.

1993 AUSTRALIAN 800cc CHAMPIONSHIP

Following the incredible success of the 1992 Australian 800cc Outboard Open Hull championship and the largest number of competitors being based in Tasmania, the National Authority of the APBA, for the second year running, awarded the Championship to the MYCT. Club members won all the podium positions with Shaun Parkin (Full Boar) winning the title ahead of Pete Walker (Phantom) and Shane Green (Discovery).

1993 STATEWIDE SERIES WINS

The opening round of the 1993-94 Statewide series was conducted by the MYCT at Granton. Following rounds were at Rosevears, Devonport and Dianas Basin. The Superboat Class for unlimited inboards and outboards ended in a remarkable tie due to the mixed results over the four rounds. Mike Cleary (Diamond World Racing) won round 1 ahead of Mark McTye, Greg King (Kings) round 2 ahead of Colin Courtney (Fabulous Floors), Mark McTye (Shell Marine) won round 3 ahead of Courtney, and King won round 4 ahead of McTye. In the end both King and McTye ended tied on 27 points ahead of Courtney in third – all MYCT members.

Club members also dominated both the 1800cc and 800cc Statewide championships. 1800cc was won by Shaun Parkin (Bat Out of Hell) ahead of Todd Leary and Lindsay Rhodes, while the 800cc was won by Alan Hovington (Lord Owl) ahead of Ricky Clark and Peter Walker.

1994 WAYNE CROSS MEMORIAL

Following the unexpected passing of Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Famer and multiple Australian and Tasmanian Champion and Speed Record holder Wayne Cross, his family offered a Memorial Trophy to be run from 1994 over a five year period at the annual December Race Meet at the Granton race circuit in which the fastest boats on the day would contest.

After the five years were completed, Wayne’s son Adrian was keen for the race to remain on the calendar. In 2024 the family decided to discontinue the annual event.

At the drop for the inaugural Wayne Cross Memorial, Mike Cleary (Diamond World Racing), Greg King (King Trailers) and John Palmer (Boss Hogg) ran side by side, but Cleary had to take evasive action at the first turn when realised his tacho had shot out of the dash and was now jammed against the steering wheel, restricting his ability to turn. With feet to spare he glided past the transoms of King and Palmer, dislodged the tacho and took off after the leaders.

As the leaders rounded the second turn, King barrel-rolled, bringing out the red flag. In the re-run Cleary took a narrow lead as they exited turn one, with Palmer hot on his heels for the entire race.

Wayne’s dad Lyn Cross was on hand to present the first winner’s trophy to Mike Cleary driving the F1 outboard powered Diamond World Racing. Lyn commented, “Wayne would be so happy that an Outboard won.”

In the 30 years that have followed, the names of the who’s who of Tasmanian unlimited powerboat, mostly inboard, drivers have been added to the trophy.

1994 MYCT 70TH ANNIVERSARY – FIRST CLUB LEVY

Australia’s leading boating magazine Modern Boating celebrated the club’s 70th anniversary with a feature story and pictures. The club was unable to proceed with the construction of the proposed marina due to lack of funds and the recession.

However, due to an agreement with the Clarence Council, the club sealed the carpark and put in curbs and speed humps at the Lindisfarne clubhouse property. To raise funds to pay for this and keep the club’s agreement with the Council it was unfortunately necessary to impose the first ever levy in 70 years on members of the club.

During 1994 Vice Commodore Greg Horne and the Race Committee obtained a rescue craft for the Granton race circuit. After serving 15 years as Commodore of the MYCT, Cliff Gore retired from the role.

1995 STATEWIDE SERIES WINS

MYCT drivers continued to dominate the Statewide series in all three classes at a successful round 2 at Granton.

1995 CELEBRATING NAVIGATION TRIALS

The club conducted a special historical style event aimed to recapture the spirit of seafaring pioneers. The ‘Round Bruny Island Salute’ circumnavigation of Bruny Island was a test of seamanship and navigational skills.

1995 MYCT MEMBER MIKE CLEARY F1 CAREER TAKES OFF

In 1993 and 1994, Mike Cleary participated in a few F1 Grand Prix races interstate, limiting his ability to race at Granton. At the end of 1994 a new promoter had taken over the series and several drivers were offered a contract to contest all rounds in 1995. In accepting the contract, Cleary became the first Tasmanian to contest a full season of the Australian Powerboat Grand Prix series. Thanks to the support of fellow club member

Mark McTye who took on the role of team mechanic, Cleary was able to run a solid campaign as an independent in both 1995 and 1996, claiming 3rd place in the 2.4 Carby Class in 1995.

Their results did not go unnoticed, and at the end of 1996 Cleary received a call from leading F1 powerboat driver Graham Jeffers who operated the Jeffers Motorsport Team, sponsored by Castrol Motorsport. To gain more exposure the team was expanding to two F1 boats and wanted Cleary as their #2 driver and, if possible, Mark McTye as his mechanic during rounds of the championship series.

History shows Cleary and McTye joined the team for the 1997 and 1998 seasons, but it was a rough start. Cleary, with a history of staying out of trouble and finishing, was involved in four incidents in his first four races with the team, earning him the nickname ‘Crash’. The incident at Wagga Wagga in which another competitor’s craft took off and landed upside down on the front of Cleary’s safety cell was the worst. Both boats were almost written off but thanks to the safety cells both drivers survived to race again.

The Castrol team was wound up at the end of 1998 after Graham Jeffers had added yet another Australian Series Championship to his resumé and the team’s first 1 – 2 finish in its final race at Bundaberg.

1999 NEW SAFETY MANDATE – THE FIRST CELL TESTS

The club in conjunction with the Australian Power Boat Association conducted one of Australia’s first Safety Inversion Courses and Cell Inversion Test days on 18 September 1999 fordrivers, divers and safety crews.

To reduce and hopefully eliminate the rising number of injuries and fatal accidents, new generation Formula 1 outboard powerboats that raced at well over 160 kph and rounded hairpin turns generating around 4Gs + were now required to be built with safety cells, along the lines of F1 and Indy cars. To drive one of these boats it was now mandated by the National APBA you had to pass an official inverted cell test.

Drivers were now required to be strapped securely into the cells, and depending on the size of driver and cell, they need to release the buckle and belts and, in some cases, remove the steering wheel to exit the craft before they inhale water. Unlike F1 and Indy cars, the powerboat drivers are required to do this while upside down in water before they inhale water.

For those who were first to undertake this test it was a daunting exercise. Fortunately, instructions and advice given by Mark Staunton of NSW who had been involved in the first course interstate had everyone on the same page.

Mike Cleary volunteered to go first. He was strapped into a cell, inverted and dropped in, hit the water and, while submerging, released the buckle. However, he found he had one misaligned and sticky belt connection, and it took him longer than most people expected to exit. Ten years later he said this experience and what he learnt from it helped him escape from a damaged inverted craft after a crash at the National F1 Series in Ballina, NSW.

Following adjustments to the belts, Greg King looked at the other concerned faces around him and put his hand up to go next. King exited the cell in record time and others now started to line up for the test. Banks strapped in next and after some time did not emerge from the cell. Divers still showed the OK signal but righted the cell, and everyone could see Banks had released the belts and was quite capable of exiting, but he was also determined to remove the steering wheel before resurfacing.

Confidence grew amongst the group. All drivers passed and even some of the divers and safety crew took and passed the challenge. Initially many were reluctant and fought hard against the introduction of cells – nowadays, many will not race unless they are in one.

2000’s

THE MARINA IS A REALITY

2000 MYCT official opening of Tasmania’s largest floating marina

2001 TODD LEARY JOINS AUSTRALIAN F1 SERIES

When Todd Leary commenced his Australian F1 Championship campaign he was just the second MYCT member to commit to a full National series. He ran the series quite successfully, except for a dramatic blow over incident at Surfers Paradise regularly finishing in the top 5 with several second and third placings until 2005.

2002 CASCADE BETSY ISLAND CLASSIC RECORD

On July 14, 2002 the Cascade sponsored Betsy Island Classic time trail set a new record for entries at 53, breaking the 1993 record of 51. As usual, a fun event that was keenly contested with entries split into just three divisions.

2003 AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 1 SERIES BIG SUCCESS IN HOBART

David Banks along with the MYCT race committee brought the Australian Formula 1 Powerboat Series to Hobart in 2003, 2004,and 2005 thanks to support from the Hobart City Council, Events Tasmania, SBS Television, and naming rights sponsor Wrest Point.

The series raced in front of the Regatta Domain spectacularly for the first time in May 2003. Fast and close racing two dramatic crashes that kept the large spectator crowd on their toes.

Victorian Gavin Bricker got it all wrong on turn 3 with an amazing double flip. Bricker escaped unhurt and with minimal damage to his craft. Fittingly, in front of a reported 15,000+ spectators the round was won by the MYCT’s Greg King who gained the most points with a third, sixth and first place competing against a strong field of 13 Formula One competitors on a technical course, that included a righthand turn..

2003 CLUBHOUSE UPGRADES

Upgrades were carried out to improve the top carpark and lighting along with new dingy racks being provided. The new Marina had proved to be highly successful and extensions to it were approved. Planning was also well underway for a new slipway.

2003 TASMANIAN BOATING AND LEISURE SHOW

On 8-9 November 2003, the Tasmanian Boating, Leisure and Water Sports Expo proved to be the biggest event to date to be held at the Club. Approximately 7000 people visited the MYCT to enjoy the day and to check out what products and services were being offered to the public from the boating and leisure industries.

Club members dedicated much time to preparing and organising the event. Special mention goes out to Colin Courtney and his committee who took the profile of the Club to the next level and demonstrated the MYCT could successfully run major events.

2007 EGERIA WELCOMED AS THE MYCT FLAGSHIP

In 2005 the MYCT took over the running of the Egeria from the Hobart Ports Corporation and in 2007 the State Government offered the Governors Launch the ‘Egeria’ up for sale. This was taken up for a nominal fee by the MYCT.

Whilst she needed some maintenance and repairs, the Egeria has now fully been restored by an enthusiastic team of volunteers who are now running charters on behalf of the Club. She sits proudly in the marina as the Club flagship, admired by members and guests alike.

2008 RSL WELCOMED TO THE CLUB

Like many other clubs in Tasmania at the time, the MYCT relied on regular trade in both the bar and for meals to help support the Club. This was a similar situation for the Lindisfarne RSL Club who were finding a decline in membership and an increase in running costs were making trading conditions difficult. In 2008 an agreement was struck between the RSL and the Club to amalgamate and share some facilities. This has proved to be a most successful partnership whereby our joint membership and sharing of facilities has seen us enjoy better trade, increased members and contributes to a more vibrant and social atmosphere.

2012 SCOTT CLEARY WINS ROUND 1 OF AUSTRALIAN SERIES

After finding his feet in 2011 driving his dad’s (Mike Cleary) old F1 craft with an F2 Outboard in the Australian Formula Grand Prix Series Scott Cleary turned up with a new boat to contest Round 1 of the 2012 series at Bundaberg, Queensland.

Driving his new American designed Seebold hull Cleary jumped to an early lead in the Australian F2 Championship, leaving all the pre-season favourites in his wake by winning all three heats.

The win making Cleary just the second MYCT/Tasmania to win a round in an Australian Formula Powerboat Championship Series.

The results were impressive given he had only 15 laps of practice in the new boat, which almost flipped in a dramatic practice session.

Cleary also performed well at Round 2 at Wagga Wagga holding the Championship lead as they lined up to contest Round 3 at Grafton. Unfortunately, Cleary was taken out of the contest on lap one as the bunched field headed to the first turn buoy when he side-swiped heavily by another competitor sending both boats high into the air and over. It was the end of Cleary’s championship run as his boat was destroyed in the incident.

2013 MYCT POWERBOAT REUNION – POWERBOAT HONOR ROLL ANNOUNCED

In 2013 the Club hosted a Powerboat Drivers Reunion, a well-attended and successful event held at Lindisfarne with drivers from around the State and Interstate also attending. The event also included a vintage and race boat display that attracted the general public to the club during the day.

On the evening of the Powerboat Drivers Reunion the new MYCT Powerboat Honor Roll Board was unveiled with the first four names on the board announced, Ralf King, Byron Horne, Alan McTye and Frank Oldham.

2012 MYCT FLAGSHIP UNDER-GOES UPDATE

The MYCT Flagship the Egeria required a new deck, and Tony Chamberlain undertook the task, replacing the old deck in stages with Queensland Beech over marine plywood. To protect the new deck and craft while in dock a new canvas cover was also crafted.

For the continued management of the Flagship the Club established a Trust – ML Egeria Preservation Trust.

2014 MYCT MAJOR UPGRADES COMPLETED

Major upgrades of the marina facilities were completed, including water and power services and the replacement of all timber wailings with the support of local suppliers and businesses.

2015 DRAGON BOAT RACERS WELCOMED TO THE CLUB

Around 2015 the Club saw the introduction of a then relatively new sport to the area, dragon boating. The Derwent Storms Dragon Boat Club uses some of the Club's storage space, ramp and wharf facilities to both train and race on the Derwent River.

This vibrant group of paddlers has attained several interstate and international awards and accolades. They are now a regular feature around the Club.

2015 FIFTH NAME ADDED TO MYCT POWERBOAT HONOUR ROLL

At the December Christmas powerboat meeting in 2015 at the HC Millington Granton Race, MYCT Patron and former Australian Champion Ralf King surprised another MYCT Club stalwart and former champion Mike Cleary with the announcement that he had been inducted onto the MYCT Powerboat Honour Roll.

2016 CLUB FLAGSHIP LIFE DOUBLED

Following the Club’s Flagship Egeria receiving the honour to lead the parade of sail at the 2015 Australian Wooden Boat Festival the MYCT ML Egeria Trust received a $46,000 grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund to enable the hull to be splined and professionally re-painted.

An estimated 1000 hours of volunteer work by 26 persons along with seven paid trades persons completed the project which is expected to give the Flagship another 75 years of life.

2016 was also the 75th birthday of the Flagship and at a birthday celebration the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner cut the birthday in the presence of 70 guests.

2018 TODD LEARY WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Stannard Cup – Australian Open Inboard and Outboard Championship of Australia had been won by MYCT club members before but, on home water in Tasmania. In 2018 Todd Leary took his new state of the art F1 boat to compete at the famed Dargle Cup meeting where the Championship would be contested. Taking on the best Todd drove to an exciting victory in front of a huge crowd.

2018 CLUB FLAGSHIP ATTRACTS PATRONS

During the 2017-18 season the Club’s Flagship, ML Egeria doubled its patronage over the previous season, conducting 76 cruises. After the cruises, an estimated 815 people dined at the Clubhouse.

2020’s

2022 MARK JAKINS CLAIMS SECOND AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

After winning the 105mph Class Australian Championship Trophy (Inboards & Outboards Restricted to 105 mph) in 2021 at Granton Mark Jakins driving his outboard powered ‘Hunts Heating’ claimed his second Australian Championship the following year.

At Granton at the annual March Spectacular in 2022 Jakins raced to first place in one of Australia’s premier championship events, the Len Sheltrum Trophy for the 2700cc Super Sports Outboard Australian Championship. He was just the second MYCT member (previously won by Wayne Cross) to claim the trophy in its long history.

2023 CLUB REFURBISHMENT

In 2023 the Clubhouse saw yet another refurbishment with the covering in of an outside deck area. This significant project, overseen and managed by Life Member Mr J Smith, saw the work completed on time and under budget, adding to the usable space adjoining the bar and restaurant areas for our now over 800 members.

2024 CENTENARY

In 2024 the Club held celebrations commemorating the 100 years of the Club.

2024 EGERIA RECORD CHARTER SEASON

in 2024 the Egeria successfully undertook a record 108 charters for the season, largely thanks to the forward thinking of the volunteer group that look after her, introducing Bridgewater Bridge cruises, for passengers to view the construction project from the water.

MYCT TIMELINE

1920-1930

March 15, 1924

• 20 motorboat drivers organise a race to New Norfolk

• FW Chalu, WE Taylor, J Townley, JW Turner were the ‘fathers and founders of the club’

March 16, 1924

• Derwent Motor Boat Club was formed

• Chair – JG Turner

• 33 members

October 1, 1924

• First Annual General Meeting

1925-1926

• Season racing divided into two – motorboat and speedboat

October 19, 1926

• Club name changed to: Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania

November 27, 1926

• ‘Come to Tasmania’ tourist drive

• Racing carnival at Long Beach

• Illuminated motorboat procession

September 12, 1927

• First Life Membership awarded to EC Fish

• Ladies committee formed to organise social events

and fundraising

1927-1928

• Focus on fund building – Grand balls, campfires and social dances

• Powerboats gained more recognition

• ‘Outboard speedboat’ class established in 1928

March 23 1929

• First Commemoration Day Race to New Norfolk

• Celebration dance

1929-1930

• Rules revised

• First yearbook

1930-1940

February 5, 1930

• First State Championship for Outboard Speedboat Class

• Clubs involved: MYCT, Tamar Yacht Club, Mersey Yacht Club

1932

• Retirement of JG Turner

1933

• Opening of Club Rooms on Collins Street

• Australian Championships

• AJ Clark won ‘C’ class outboard in Sydney in boat A.J.C

• C Walch came 2nd in ‘Gee Whizz III’

• AJ Clark came 2nd in the ‘B’ Class Championships

• Inboard Championship of Tasmania held for the first time. Won by AA Thompson in ‘Baby Dot’

1934

• Huon Branch was founded

• Became defunct after several years

1935

• First Australian Speedboat Championships in Franklin

• Three-day day carnival

• AJ Clark in AJC won ‘B’ Class Outboard Championship

February 12-14, 1938

• Australian Powerboat Championships held in Tasmania to coincide with Royal Hobart Centenary Regatta

• O’Donoghue Shield

December 19, 1938

• Provisions made for Trustees

• Captain of the Club

June, 1939

• New Club House in Victoria Street plus a liquor licence

July 24, 1939

• Club House officially opened by Lord Mayor of Hobart – Alderman JT Soundy

• Australian Outboard Championship at Murray Bridge South Australia

• 2nd place Don Gorringe in ‘Doodles’

1940-1950

Impact of WWII

• Petrol restrictions prevented use of power-driven craft

• 1941 – Annual Commemoration Race to New Norfolk only event

• National Security Regulations brought in tight restrictions

• Club activities confined to shore functions

• Clubhouse popular for social events and visiting serviceman

• Many members served. Those that didn’t served in different ways

• Some members joined the Naval Auxiliary Patrol and assisted in local patrols

• Post war – many boats changed hands or were sold

• Much disrepair and speedboat classes became defunct

1945

• Small petrol allowance for motorboats

• Modified racing schedule returned May 10, 1946

• Welcome home social for returning club members and ex-servicemen and women

November 29, 1946

• His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Admiral Sir Hugh Binney visited the club, which gave a needed lift

• Large member presence for the event

• The Commemoration Championship and Harbour races were revived

• Interest in speedboat racing quickly revived

• Leasehold of section of Domain foreshore was obtained as racing HQ and a ramp provided for speedboats

• Social events and fundraising activities increased dramatically to raise money for Lindisfarne. Several thousand pounds were spent on Club Renovations:

- Racing programmes increased

- Long distance events

- Harbour races

- Reliability trials

1947-48

• Activities back in full swing

1949-1950

• The Runabout Class increased in popularity

1950-1960

1954

• The Royal Visit. Club fleet gave an aquatic welcome to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh

1955

• The Festival of Tasmania

- Massive tourist drive

- Full day aquatic carnival at Regatta Grounds

December 1, 1955

• His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Right Hon Sir Ronald Cross attended

• Powerboat races

• Longest and most hazardous power cruiser race held early December around Bruny Island (over 100 miles).

Won by VM Johnston in ‘Kiyu’

1958

• Australian Power Boat Association founded

• Founding of Tasmanian Council of APBA

• Founding members: MYCT, Northern Tasmanian Powerboat Club, North-West Powerboat Club

May 10, 1958

• First official time trials conducted by NTPBC

• Won by P Crocker in ‘Lighting’

• Tasmanian record of 61.288 mph

1959

• Official Tasmanian Powerboat Championships conducted

1960-1970

April 2, 1960

• Australasian record set – 74.568 mph in the 75 C.I.P.D

Hydroplane Class

- OD Gordon Smith in ‘Simcat’

- First Interstate speedboat record in the inboard Class

Mid 1960

• Property at Granton procured by HC Millington on behalf of the club

• Best speedboat racing in the State

• Launching ramps built

• Kiosk

• Small jetties

• Control tower built

• His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Lord Rowallan, KT, KBE, MC, TD Honored the Club by accepting Office

of Patron

1961

• State represented in Australian Inboard Championship

• OD Gordon Smith won 75 C.I Hydroplane Championship in ‘Simcat’

December 3, 1961

• ‘Simcat’ established Australasian record of 80.295 mph for the class

• Championship won by ‘Miss Boron’ by Thornton Simpson of NSW

February 24, 1962

• Australian Inboard Championship allocated to the State

• Conducted by MYCT at Franklin

• Full day carnival

January 23, 1963

• 75 C.I Displacement Class Championship of Australia allocated to the State

• Conducted by NTPBC

• Gordon Smith successful in ‘Platypus’

1963

• His Excellency Governor of Tasmania, Lt-General Sir Charles Gairdner CBE, KCMG, KCBO, CB honoured

the Club by accepting Office of Patron

May 13, 1967

• 300 C.I Runabout Championship of Australia held at Lindisfarne

• Brian Richards in ‘John-O’ won (NWPBC)

• State Powerboat Championships moved from Franklin to the Northeast due to bushfires

• Inboard section – Gordon Smith in ‘Jacana’ won 95 C.I Open 155 C.I Displacement

September, 1967

• Commodore’s at Home – Social event of the year

1968

• 262 Club races by Race Committee

• AMPOL Power Cruiser Reliability Trial – 28 competitors

1969

• Huge year in powerboat racing – mainly the Granton site

• Commodore Harold Millington passed away

• Dick Lovell made speedboat history in the State, exceeding 100 mph on ‘Cyn-Sue’

• Ben Olbuch won 95 C.I Displacement, 75 C.I open, 95 C.I Displacement, and 95 C.C Open State Vice Commodore Byron Horne set an Australian record for Express Cruiser class in ‘Betty Irene’

1970-1980

• Overseeing of Clubhouse in Lindisfarne under Commodore Byron Horne

1971

• Earned honour to conduct Australian Outboard Championships for Easter 1972 (First since 1935)

June 30, 1971

• 48th Annual Report – resignation of Mr LJ Ikin who was a part of the Club since its inception

1972-1973

• Working bees for Lindisfarne property

• Bar sales improved by 10%

• Eleven race meetings

• First fast patrol boat

• Tasmanian Outboard Championships at Franklin

• 7 Tasmanian boats competed in Australian Outboard Championships in QLD

• 2 boats in Inboard Championships in SA

• Ben Olbuch won 75 C.I Displacement title

• Bridge to Bridge Race had record numbers

• Bruny Island Race had recorded record numbers

1974

• Rezoning of the Clubhouse

- Beautifying began

- Main trunk of jetty renewed and catwalk replaced

- Difficulty with slipway

Social events increased to help raise funds

- Cabarets every Saturday night

- Game nights on Thursdays

- An expansion of social events organised by the committee

• Club boats took out 16 Tasmanian Championships and 1st Australian Championship

• Media coverage by ABC and 7HT

• 86 boats regularly competed at the Granton circuit, plus 12 visiting boats

January 5, 1975

• Tasman Bridge disaster

October 22, 1977

• Mike Cleary’s powerboat editorial appeared in the Saturday Evening Mercury

1980-1990

• 1988 Australian Powerboat Championships

• Article by Mike Cleary

1990-2000

1992

• Circuit racing at Granton

• Australian 800 cc Championship – radio press and ABC TV coverage

• 51 entries in Cascade Betsey Island Classic

• Australian 800 cc Championships – 16 entries

• First ever Formula 1 Circuit

• Michael Cleary stepped down as Vice Commodore

• Joy Fannon stepped down from Rear Commodore

1993

• Hosted 800 cc Championships

1995

• Round Bruny Island Pioneer Salute – a test of seamanship and navigational skills while circumnavigating. Aim was to recapture the spirit of seafaring pioneers.

• Dianas Basin

- Annual event at St Helens

- June long weekend

- Substantial prize money

2000-2010

2000

• Largest floating marina opened by His Excellency Governor of Tasmania, Sir Guy Green, AC, KBE, CVO

• 160-berth marina

2001

• New committees were formed

- Marina Committee

- Finance Committee

- House Committee

July 14, 2002

• Cascade Betsy Island Classic – 53 boats in 3 divisions Formula 1 Superboats:

• David Banks approached Director for Major Events for Tasmania with a pitch to bring F1 Superboats to Hobart

• Government came on board and City of Hobart gave grants

• King Trailers sponsored

• Massive funding push

• Pre-event dinner

May, 2003

• 1st Formula 1 Superboat Race

• Newspaper, radio, TV coverage, SBS Speedweek

• David Banks became Secretary of the F1 Superboat

Series for three years

2003

• Freshening up of Club

- Top carpark

- New dinghy racks

- New coat of paint

- New lighting

• Marina extensions approved

• New slipway planned

HIH Collapse:

• Insurer of powerboat racing

• Premium went from 60K to 420K

• Limit of 100 events nationally

Tassie Solution:

• State to buy the amount of events

• Each state to set own licence fees and work out how

many events at $4,200 + GST

• Settled on 7-8 events so 30K to raise

• Model is still used today

Dark day:

• Second year of powerboat offshores. Tony Low in a major accident

November 8-9, 2003

• Tasmanian Boating, Leisure and Water Sports Expo - 7,000 attended and visited MYCT

2007

• MYCT took over the running of the Egeria from the Hobart Ports Corporation

2008

• Amalgamation of Lindisfarne RSL with the club

2010 – 2020

December 2012

• Egeria returned to MYCT after repairs - New deck (removed in stages), replaced with QLD beech over marine ply

- New canvas cover

• Now managed by a Trust – ML Egeria Preservation Trust

October 26-27, 2013

• Power Boat Drivers Reunion

- Display of boats in the car park

- More than 120 people

- MYCT Powerboat Honour Roll – first year

2013

• Battle of the old timers – Derwent Gift Classic Yacht Challenge

• Won by John Lucas (83 years old) in ‘Landfall’

2014

• Major upgrade of marina facilities completed

- Replacement of all the timber walings

- Repairs and upgrades of water and power services

- Supported local suppliers and businesses to do upgrades

2015

• Australian Wooden Boat Festival

- Egeria led the parade of sail

- More than $2,000 raised with a Devonshire Tea fundraiser on board

• 2015-16 AWC Twilight Series attracted a record 18 entries

• Derwent Storms Dragon Boat Club joined the Club

2016

• ML Egeria received a grant of $46,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund to enable the hull to be splined and professionally painted

• These improvements will give the Egeria another 75 years of life

• 1000 hours of volunteer work went into the project by 26 individuals and 7 paid workers

March 12-13, 2016

• Granton Spectacular Weekend

- Lewis Deegan from NWPBC took home the 25hp King of the River

• 75th Birthday of ML Egeria

- Her Excellency Kate Warner AC, Governor of Tasmania, cut the cake

- 70 guests

- Recognition of sponsors such as Tasmanian Community Fund plus the volunteers

December 2016

• Wayne Cross and Michael England Memorial Race Meeting

• Todd Leary won Wayne Cross Memorial race in ‘F2 Molgaard’

• Powerboats back at the Hobart Regatta - nine races

2017

• Latura to feature in the 2017 Wooden Boat Festival

2017-2018

• Annual report reveals investment in refurbishment of the Club including new cool room/freezer, new air conditioning and replacement of deep fryer. Also, re-carpeting of the bar, offices and Boardroom, replacement of the bar and desk furniture

• ML Egeria

- 76 cruises

- 815 people dined at the club after the tour

- Booking’s doubled to the previous year

• Fire on Arm 3 at the marina saw 2 boats lost

• Todd Leary won the Australasian Unlimited Outboard Gold Cup – the only Tasmanian to win

2019

• ML Egeria the Flagship for the Wooden Boat Festival

2020

• The Covid-19 pandemic was declared and saw the Club closed for meals

• Club staff decided to provide a takeaway meal service under new rules and provided over 4,400 meals, thus keeping the Club afloat

2021