THE HISTORY OF THE COLABA SAILING CLUB

By Cyrus Heerjee

The Colaba Sailing Club was founded in 1936 and is the youngest of three civilian clubs. It was envisaged by a group of enterprising sailors from the other two clubs, who saw that potential of a Port Trust shed near Sassoon Dock for the purpose of building boats and promoting interest in sailing. Under the able leadership of Mr. Young and Col. Seymour Williams the shed was acquired and the club established.

The early years, before the War, saw the Club prosper, with a membership of about a hundred. While the Club did not have any boats of its own, its members did own boats of varied design and construction. At that time, with Burmah-teak costing Rs. 2.80 per cubic foot, a Sharpie cost only Rs. 700 to build ! Thus the shed was soon humming with activity, and so an increasing number of boats were built with the co-operative efforts of the members.

Numerous experiments to evolve a boat design best suited to Bombay’s particular harbour conditions were carried out. Finally, the “Flower Class Sharpie” was chosen. It was of the simplest form of construction, while its shallow draft and fan type centerboard made it ideal for various creeks around Bombay’s Harbour. It had proved very stable and durable.

The War years, with increasing restrictions for movement in the harbour, hindered civilian sailing in Bombay. Most boats had to be transferred to inland lakes and rivers around Poona and elsewhere. The CSC also lost its boatshed, which was acquired by the Navy. Although another was procured after the war, that too had to be eventually relinquished and the Club today cannot boast of any premises of its own.

Nevertheless, interest revived, and sailing was again taken up in earnest soon after the war. By 1947, membership had established with about 80 active members. In 1947 a contract was placed with Amadi Shipyard to build 20 Sharpies, of which the Club took four. The remaining were bought by the Dufferin and individual members.

The next few years spelt the golden age for the Colaba Sailing Club. From October to May, the pattern was cruising and racing on alternate weekends.

Flotillas of four to five Sharpies regularly went on cruises up and down the Amba River, Dharamtar Creek and Narwal. Occasional forays were also made outside the harbour to Kihim. These cruises were well supplied with food and drink and we are told that the CSC was responsible for six marriages in two seasons ! Perhaps and incentive to the unmarried to join the ranks.

Now the Sharpies have been replaced by Lightnings – which are international class. The 7 Lightnings race regularly, one of the bog events is the Lightnings Cup to Mandwa and back.

The Lightnings often used to cruise up the Amba River in the same style and also to Khanderi Island and Rewas. Barbecue on the beach at night, a bottle of rum and a guitar under the stars, there is nothing like it in all the world.

The membership is now seven hundred strong, comprising of many junior members, especially college students. The Club holds sailing camps over weekends where novices are taught the basics of sailing.

In 1986, two Seabirds flying the CSC Burgee had a wonderful, action packed voyage to Muscat and back. This was the first non-coastal Arabian Sea crossing in an open boat. Some of our members have represented India in various International events.

And now, 61 years since its birth, almost all the accomplished sailors in Bombay sailing circuit hold a special place for the Colaba Sailing Club in their hearts. For this was their first sailing club. And it was the CSC which taught them not just how to sail, but also showed them a new and exciting way of life.

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