A Short History
The TMCC started sometime around the start of the 70's as an idea. A few Toronto area sailors were enjoying their first multihulls at Toronto Island and dreams of Pivers, Newicks, and Browns were being realized in many backyards in the surrounding area. A tract of reclaimed land just east of Toronto Harbour was turning into an ideal spot for a boat club as landfill from downtown Toronto construction sites was being used to form the headland that is today Tommy Thompson Park or as it’s more commonly known, the Leslie Street Spit.
No small amount of lobbying later, as a perfect mooring basin was formed, the TMCC was given a one year lease on the north shore and future plans were laid to possibly move the plot a few years later onto the spit. The TMCC settled into their new surroundings and the setting soon attracted an assortment of local day-sailing clubs. After several years of renewed leases, a decision was made to form the Outer Harbour Sailing Federation in an effort to better reflect the interests of the sailors, and allow each club to develop their facilities.
The permanence of the clubs and their contribution to the Toronto Sailing scene soon became a way of life and plans to move the clubs were more or less abandoned. The TMCC is proud to have celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2001, and as we move into our 33rd year, we're looking forward to many upgrades and continuing to provide a reasonably priced location to accommodate the unique requirements of these great boats.
Each year sees a few new boats at the TMCC. Just as the proliferation of backyard builders dwindled in the mid to late 80's, several Canadian manufacturers started to spring up.
After years of cruising and racing with his family on his own designs, Alan Slater and his sons ventured out to form PDQ yachts. PC Mould out of Erin Ontario started turning out enough Dragonflys to fill over a dozen moorings at the club, and followed up that success with the Contour 30, 34 and 50. Tektron boats out of Hamilton started experimenting with Shuttleworth designs after years of campaigning a Crowther Tri, the end result being the Tektron 35 & 50. Other building ventures have included the Manta 38, Kelsall Suncat 40, Tomcat 21, among others.
The club has always had active racing every Wednesday night. There is also a core group of racers that participate in many of the Great Lakes events. We also host an annual Regatta that attracts multihullers from all over the Great Lakes, and on several occasions a Boat show/Open House featuring manufacturers and visitors from all across North America.
The club always welcomes visitors, and has developed a reputation as friendly and accommodating. Each summer sees a few visiting multis on our guest moorings, and we'd like to think no trip to Lake Ontario is complete without a visit to our club.
The TMCC is also a member of the Canadian Yachting Association as well as the Ontario Sailing Association and The Outer Harbour Sailing Federation. Our members enjoy reciprocal privileges at all member clubs, and we extend visitors free mooring privileges for two days. Although the club does not have any permanent employees on site, there are almost always a few liveaboards around to lend a helpful hand to any newcomers.
We're excited about what the future holds for multihulls. We've espoused their virtues for more than 30 years. Drop in for a visit and see what sailing on the level is all about!