1956 – 1964
The Morro Bay Yacht Club was formed in 1956 by an interested group of sailing and power boating enthusiasts. During the early years, much of the time was spent helping to improve harbor and boating conditions such as the placement of channel marking buoys. Members of the MBYC helped organized the Morro Bay Harbor District, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla and the Chamber of Commerce. Fun activities included sailing regattas, power boat races, holiday parties and sand spit outings. The club sponsored summer sailing lessons with the recreation department and hosted visiting yachts.
In 1960, a used houseboat was purchased for $500 to serve as a clubhouse. There was never an official spot to tie-up, so it occupied five different places along the waterfront, moving when asked by business owners. The favorite and last location was by the south Embarcadero boat ramp with ample room for races and large gatherings. It was sunk on March 28, 1964 by the tsunami from the Great Alaskan Earthquake.
1964-1979
After an inactive 1964, the club revived and rented the house at 541 Embarcadero, our current location. The city of Morro Bay was incorporated in 1964. After the tsunami, waterfront properties were not to be occupied as personal, so SLO businessman Charles Berkemeyer approached club members to rent his place. The land lease was purchased in 1966 and races and activities began again. The racing calendar filled up with new regattas, and monthly social events attracted families. In 1971, after many improvements had been made to the house, grounds, and docks, the city of Morro Bay granted a permanent lease to three parcels of land. Two of the parcels were given over by the Cal Poly Corinthian Sailing Club who were promised use of the yards and clubhouse. Membership grew in the 1970s and plans began for a new clubhouse to replace the small home and old docks. Construction began in September 1979. The new 5,000 foot building was designed and built entirely by the efforts of club members, who numbered about two hundred.
1980-Present
The current clubhouse was dedicated on May 18, 1980 and it has filled all the needs of a thriving yacht club. In 1986, the boat storage yard across the street was leased from a private owner and fences installed. In the 1987, the docks were replaced. The bathrooms were remodeled in 2005 and the galley in 2018. Membership continued to grow and fleets increased in size. The Summer Sailing Program and the Morro Bay Youth Sailing Foundation, formed in 2012, help the Junior Yacht Club to thrive. The Cal Poly Sailors utilize a long-time relationship as Student Members and use boats and equipment owned by the MBYC as their racing craft. The Morro Bay Yacht Club enjoys a reputation as a welcoming respite for itinerant sailors. The 60th Anniversary of the MBYC was celebrated in 2016 and the 40th Anniversary of the current clubhouse was noted in 2020.
