23240_May JIB.indd - Pensacola Yacht Club

SHIP’S LOG BY DAVE HOFFMAN
One of my fi rst articles during our centennial year mentioned that the
fi rst event PYC hosted after forming in December 1908 was a cruise
to Camp Walton. Commodore Morgan led a fl eet of power boats there
for a weekend of partying. The event was such a success, that it set
the stage for an annual cruise, which became the highlight of the PYC
social scene. However, as any yachtsman knows, once two boats
head in the same direction the adrenaline starts to pump and a race is
on! It did not take long for the cruise to become a very serious race.
At fi rst the race was a “fi rst to fi nish is the winner” event. A huge silver perpetual
trophy with a speed boat on top was dedicated and still resides in our ballroom trophy
case. However, it soon became obvious that only a few members had any real chance of
winning, so handicaps were calculated to give cruisers an opportunity to collect a prize.
Each boat was given a start time based on their estimated speed. The slowest boats
started fi rst and the others started throughout the day with everyone fi nishing about the
same time to enjoy the big party at the Miramar Hotel.
And everyone had a great time, right? Well, maybe not everyone! Stories are told of
gunshots fi red across a competitor’s bow, fi st fi ghts at the picnic, arguments over the
scoring, competitors adding multiple and bigger engines and the speeds becoming so
fast that it became unsafe to participate. To get the adrenaline under control our wise
forefathers changed the format to a predicted log race, which became an immediate
success. Members would predict the time of day they would arrive based on their engine
speed, currents, winds and other factors. It quickly became the grandest event of the
year. If you owned anything that would fl oat you entered this race, estimated your time
to the nearest second, loaded up your friends, stashed away all timepieces and motored
to Ft Walton for party central! And what a party they had around that pool. Current
members that recall those days are cautious about just how much they tell about those
weekends.
Unfortunately, the membership lost interest in this event and it has been many years
since the race was held. However, our annual cruise to The Wharf might be an occasion
to resurrect the predicted log format, polish up the trophy and get that adrenaline fl owing
again. Let’s just be sure to check our fi rearms in addition to our watches before the
start!
FL COMMODORES’ ASSOCIATION
HONORS LIBBA DENNIS
BY PAST COMMODORE JOHN MATTHEWS
Mrs. Allen M. Dennis, Jr., better known of all PYC members as Libba, was recently
admitted to membership in the PYC Chapter of the Florida Commodores Association
as an Honorary Member. The Florida Commodores Association was recently created
to strengthen the ties between Past Commodores of recognized yacht clubs throughout
the State of Florida. With the creation of this new association, the founders realized that
all Past Commodores had received the benefi t of signifi cant others in their yacht clubs
in order to successful serve as the Commodore. As a result, the membership category
of Associate and Honorary Member was created to permit these individuals to join the
organization and be recognized for their contributions. So it is with Libba Dennis.
Libba’s husband was Vice Commodore of Pensacola Yacht Club and was in line to serve
as Commodore when he died suddenly. Since his death, Libba has continued to serve our
yacht club and each Commodore who has served since the death of her husband. Libba
continues to ensure that fresh fl owers are always on the dining tables at the club. She
places beautiful fl ower arrangements throughout the club on many occasions. In addition,
Libba is always willing to help the Commodore’s wife whenever she is asked. Libba has
been known to be actively involved in the Summer Sailing Program with some of her
younger relatives.
In honor of Libba’s continuing service to Pensacola Yacht Club and in recognition of her
commitment to the membership, Libba Dennis was made an Honorary Member of the
Pensacola Yacht Chapter of the Florida Commodores Association. Welcome Aboard!!!
Page 12 • May ‘09