Kanagio celebrates 85 year
Oct 25, 2018
The Kanagio Yacht Club turned 85 years old on August 30th, 2018. Back on a Wednesday evening in 1933 in Port Stanley local boaters gathered to form a boat club in order to unite boat owners and enthusiasts. Officers of the club were elected, and a design for a pendent (burgee) was to be submitted to a committee. The name chosen for the club was Kanagio Yacht Club.
Eighty-five years later the Kanagio Yacht Club continues to adhere to its original commitment to encourage all phases of boating, secure honorable conduct, foster a friendly and co-operative spirit, cultivate fraternal relations with other clubs and maintain proper facilities for its members on a non profit basis.
KYC is located just north of the Port Stanley Harbour on the west side of Kettle Creek. It is a non-profit self-help club maintained by its members with help from outside sources only when necessary. We have an active volunteer committee system that organizes activities and runs the day to day operation of the club. Our park like setting provides our 62 boating members with a peaceful location for private tranquil periods as well as exciting club functions for active and associate members as well as their guests throughout the boating season. We have reciprocal agreements with a wide range of other clubs on the Great Lakes and encourage traveling boaters to come and visit us during the boating season.
Yes, you guessed it! Kanagio is a name from the Oneida Band and it means “Kettle” in English. The reason the name Kanagio Yacht Club was chosen because the harbour is the mouth of what the indigenous people call Kanagio Creek and Caucasians called Kettle Creek.
Established only for the wealthy as a sailing club, with a total membership of 30 the first club house was established in 1934 at the end of Main Street. During the 30’s the Club moved 3 times to new locations. In the 1950’s the club moved to Stan’s Marina, with the boats anchored in the middle of the creek and a dingy was used to get back and forth. The next and final move to our present location took place in 1968 to land rented from the Ultramar Oil Company. The land was purchased by the club in 1987. The club house underwent renovation in 1995/1996 and to this day looks great. A storage garage, gazebo and improved launching well have also been added over time to the facility.
KYC is one of the best kept secrets on the north shore of Lake Erie. We have 62 active members, along with associate members, and honorary members. We welcome new members, as well as those traveling boats looking for a short term stay at a safe harbor.
The photos show the existing club house, the attractive flower beds around the deck, our fish pond and two photos of original drawings for older club houses. We have a park like setting and often have live entertainment on the deck. Members participate in local summer activities including boat parades. We have our own barge for installing and removing docks, a travel lift and “honey sucker” all available to members along with providing on ground winter storage.
Brian Knowles, Port Stanley ON
