The club was founded in February 1967 by a group of civil servants interested in sailing. The site at Hooe Lake Point was developed from a disused Admiralty rubbish dump by three stalwart pioneers. The object of the club is to promote and encourage sailing and cruising under power by Civil Servants. Hooe Point is the Plymouth branch of the CSSA and is also the sailing branch of the CSSC (Plymouth Area) who are the holders of the lease for the site. RYA courses are run by the CSSA (details are available from the Hooe Point Secretary). The club is represented at the Port Of Plymouth Sailing Association and also on the Area Council of the CSSC

Site Development

One of the first objectives was to develop a suitable site on which to park boats. Much hard work was done by the founder members of the club with very little finance. The rubbish dump had to be levelled and a sea wall established, most of the cost was met by contributions from individual members and the proceeds of jumble sales etc. Concrete blocks (5 Ton) were obtained from the MOD, a crane was hired from Sparrows to put the blocks into place, rubble was acquired from the local demolition firms to infill behind the blocks and a slipway laid.

In 1977 the strip of land between the boundary fence and the RNEC Rowing Club was leased and is now being utilised for the boat parking. During the same year the club hut was replaced by the CSSC with a wooden hut from HMS RALEIGH, a local Naval Establishment being modernised.

Electricity was brought on the site from the nearby MOD Base at Turnchapel, water was brought in and toilets (Portaloos) were installed 1978.

During 1979 fresh infill had to be acquired when it was discovered that the sea wall had moved, there was also some erosion by the slipway at the end of the club hut. More concrete blocks were  purchased and positioned on top of the originals in an effort to squeeze some moisture from the underlying mud. Piling had been discussed but was beyond the financial means of the club and funds from the CSSC were not available. The blocks seem to have had the desired effect.

January 1980 saw the birth of a concrete surface on site with a 12ft wide strip being laid from the main gate to the hut and along the slipway. This has been of tremendous use particularly when moving boats around. Shingle was collected from the beach by wheelbarrow and spread around the muddier parts of the site transforming a quagmire into a reasonable hard standing.

Gabion baskets were purchased in 1980 with a view to rectifying the erosion of the slipway. Twenty in number were bought initially and these laid during January\February 1981 by a small working party of some members. Further baskets were bought as funds became available and the work completed. When this was completed a strip of land approximately 20' x 50' had been reclaimed for boat stowage.

Moorings ( 1967 to 1981 ) 

The area we have for moorings is very restricted, approximately 30 boats of varying sizes are catered for by singing moorings mostly on mud berths ,with 5 more on deep water moorings.Before 1975 the moorings were laid quite haphazardly, but the Mooring Officer (Gordon Bishop) righted this problem by laying trots, some work still needs to be done and a further trot is planned for the spring of 1981.

Members were  still required to supply their own buoy, chain and sinker which are then laid as directed by the Mooring Officer. As always there is a waiting list for moorings and hopefully these members will be accommodated in due course ( situation is still the same in 2015)

A warning was given here regarding working on the mud, this work can be arduous and should not be undertaken by anyone susceptible to heart conditions. It is advisable to work in pairs on the mud, with if  possible , a lookout ashore should any difficulties arise.

Moorings should be checked  regularly for wear and tear. It is better to replace slightly worn chain than to lose your boat.

Boating Activity 1981 

This fell into 3 categories, Racing, Cruising and Fishing.

At Hooe Point most of the fishing is done in a variety of boats from sailing cruisers to small motor powered dinghies with the odd 20ft – 25 ft motor vessel capabler of carrying 12 anglers.

 Racing in the main is undertaken by the dinghy fleet which consists of 23 boats of vaious kinds, Mirrors,GP 14’s, Albacores, Lasers etc. Several events are planned each season usually May- August, the main event being the South West Regional Dinghy Meeting which is held in July and is open to all Civil Servants. Points are awarded to each competitor depending on the position in the race and the crew with the best points at the end of the season is awarded the “Dinghy Cup”.

 Some racing is done by the sailing Cruisers, usaually culminating in a rally to one of the local anchorages. These events are organised by John Hall in conjunction with the Club Secretary, Sam Rogers. The Cruiser races, like the Dinghy races are run on a points system, the winner receiving the “ Tuppeny Cup”. This cup has set inits base a Twopenny coin dated 1797 which was found by Arthur Gibb when excavation work was being done in the very early days of  Hooe Point Sailing Club, hence its name.

Social Activities 1981

These were restricted to Annual General Meeting and "Laying Up" Supper in February and  November respectively, both were held at the CS Sports Club , Beacon Down. The South West Regional has a slightly social atmosphere in that beer and sandwiches were available on site after the event. The Club Members also visited the Dartoor Prison Officers Club at Princetown on a couple of occasions by invitation. Graham Whieland being the Social Secretary at that time.