CAROLINA SAILING
The Cruising Club of Charleston By Dan Dickison Bob Kelley, the CCC commodore, in front of the Charleston Yacht Club.
B
ob Kelley, commodore of the Cruising Club of Charleston, is in a jovial mood. Nothing seems to please him more than gabbing about his club and its outings, unless, of course, he’s actually participating in one of the organization’s cruises. On this bright June day, seated inside a waterfront eatery on the Charleston peninsula, he’s tossing out anecdotes about raft-ups and annual competitions among members for attending the most cruises. If you measure the tenor of his words, you’ll glean some insight
Four club members on their way to happy hour at the host boat at the Steamboat Creek cruise.
36 August 2008
SOUTHWINDS
into why this club—an organization manifest only on paper, on the Web, and in the hearts of its members—has managed to exist for more than 35 years. “Most of the members are pretty active in our events,” offers Kelley, “and that’s how we like it. Because of that, we don’t feel the need to promote membership too aggressively. Fifty boats is really the ideal number.” With 55 names on its roster, the club is one of the smallest officially recognized sailing organizations in the Carolina Low Country, but it’s also one of the most active. Year around, CCC members maintain an impressive schedule of activities, and it’s all very social. “Meet and cruise— that’s basically our agenda,” explains the commodore, with a smile. On the first Thursday evening of each month, the club’s members congregate at the Point Grill in Mt. Pleasant. Typically, they take in an informational presentation, conduct a quick discussion of club “business,” and enjoy dinner. The following Saturday, the monthly cruise takes place, which is usually a short trip to some overnight anchorage within easy sailing distance of downtown Charleston.
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