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- Hope Town Sailing Club
Welcome to the Hope Town Sailing Club
Nestled on the waterfront of the iconic Hope Town Harbor, Elbow Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, the Hope Town Sailing Club (HTSC) was founded in 1964 to promote sailing in Hope Town, and surrounding Abaco Cays. HTSC is a private Club licensed in the Bahamas.
The Club encourages temporary and permanent visitors and local Bahamians to join the club to participate and support racing and cruising in the community with a variety of activities for adults and juniors. The Club also schedules member social events and sponsors activities to support the Club's goals and the local community.
April 2025 Commodore John Barr's Message
I was elected Commodore March 11th, 2025, along with Flag Officers Vie Commodore Eric Patterson, Rear Commodore Scott Collinson, and Commodore-At-Large Stafford Patterson.
Spirits in the club are high and club events are well attended. Our racing program continues with Scott Collinson serving as RC and P.R.O. New boats are joining the fleet weekly excited to race for fun and trophies . Cruising members on both sail and motor yachts enjoy clean cruises with Scott St. Clair serving as Fleet Captain. Our club house and dock are in great shape and our ranks are filled with happy members.
Last summer I was asked to Chair the By Laws committee to review and update our governing documents. Committee members were Linda Brodie, Monica McKinnon, Scott Collinson and myself. We then took on the task of updating the 62 year old bylaws to a modern document following the traditional core principals outlined by our founders. This new governing document was approved and is now in effect.
Here at HTSC management is a team effort. The EC members play a key role in decision making along with the elected Flag Officers. As we are a mobile society with EC members often traveling and fulfilling their responsibilities off island, I felt improving communications was imperative.
In that regard, we have added Starlink to the clubhouse for internet connectivity which will make video meetings with members off island easy and dependable. A weather station is operating sending up to the minute data to our race committee and we will have a tab on our website with current conditions in Hope Town for all to view.
HTSC has been approved by Marine Traffic to host an AIS ground station and an updated tab on the web site will display a map on the web site showing AIS equipped vessels near by. Additionally, Glen Brodie is now working on a system that will allow us the broadcast on our web site VHF channel 68 for the morning Cruiser’s Net at 8:15 AM. This feature was very popular when provided by another source and now restoring that post Dorian to our website will draw many visitors far and wide.
The future looks bright for the club, and as always I welcome your input and suggestions.
Thanks,
John Barr
HTSC Executive Committee Management Team
Treasurer, Barry Thomas; Secretary, Lisa Shadek; Race Committee Chair, Scott Collison; Feet Captain, Scott St. Clair; Quarter Master, Lynn Hand; Building and Grounds Chair, Bill Hand; Membership Chair, Carol Condon; Co-House Chairs Beth O'Neal and Janet Hardy; Webmasters, Linda and Glenn Brodie, Past Commodores Marcia Talley and Don Meinhold
HTSC Objectives
To promote the sport of sailing in the area of Hope Town, Abaco. To hold or arrange regattas, races and other competitions and to offer, grant or contribute towards the provision of prizes, awards and distinctions. To encourage the Bahamians to continue their interest in sailing and racing. To provide social amenities for its members. To finance the objectives of the organization through membership, subscriptions and fees. To support, financially and otherwise, community projects.
HTSC Programs and Interests
- Variety of Social Events, Including a Weekly Stand Up in the Club House
- Sponsoring Large and Small Sailing Races Open to all Community racers
- Seasonal Day and Overnight Cruising Events
- Support of Hope Town Junior Sailing Program
- Support of Hope Town Fire and Rescue
- Support of Abaco Rage Sailing Syndicate
Hope Town Community
Post Dorian the Hope Town Community is rebuilt and rejuvenated! Restoration projects, harbor cleanup and amazing rebuilding is completed. The community is vibrant with social, cultural and sailing activities, while much of the infrastructure - school, playground, church and community centers have been rebuilt or repaired. The Hope Town Sailing Club continues to grow our membership as visiting boaters and new and old home owners arrive in Hope Town and enjoy all that this community has to offer. The resilience of the local community can never be understated! An amazing rebirth of progress and innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors have taken hold fours years post Dorian.