Wiscasset Yacht Club hosted its annual open house Sunday, signaling the much anticipated return of the summer pleasure boating season.

Among the hosts were WYC Commodore Don Davis and his wife Cynthia of Middle Street. The couple just returned to Wiscasset in their 36-foot Grand Banks Trawler, In No Hurry. They bought it over the winter.

Davis said it took 14 days to pilot the boat up the East Coast from Kents Narrows, Maryland on Chesapeake Bay. They experienced four lay days due to high winds.

Davis, who is starting his fifth year as commodore, said a great deal of brainstorming and planning had gone into this year’s open house. “It’s definitely the most elaborate one we’ve even undertaken and done entirely by our membership,” he said.

Richard “Dickey” Brigance, of Woolwich looks forward to the open house every year. Brigance and his late wife Jane are both former WYC commodores. “I can’t remember how many years Jane served as commodore. She loved the Wiscasset Yacht Club and was instrumental in helping move our building off its pilings, which were in pretty bad shape, and moving it back to where it now is,” said Brigance.

Safety and Seamanship Director John McMullen said the club was fortunate to get representatives of Kennebec Sea Scouts, Maine Island Trail Association, the Department of Marine Resources and members of the Wawenock Sail and Power Squadron to take part in this year’s open house.

“The Maine State Aquarium ... in West Boothbay Harbor was very kind in providing us with the tide pool display and touch tank,” he continued. The tank included live starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins and a partially blue lobster – which you don’t see every day!

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, McMullen, George Apgar, Dennis Bolduc, Ed Ferranti and Rob Martinez conducted free boating safety inspections. All five are members of the Wawenock Power Squadron and are U.S. Coast Guard certified boat inspectors.

On the grounds behind the yacht club, sailing instructor Tom Stoner discussed WYC’s adult sailing programs. Other activities included demonstrations on deploying an inflatable life raft, and how to safely use signal flares.

WYC is celebrating its 67th year.  Three of the original 23 members are still active in the organization. The club built a new pier in 2016 and recently added water and electrical service on its floating docks. WYC welcomes sailors, power boaters, kayakers, fishermen, families and singles, and vessels large or small.

Find more information at www.wiscassetyc.com