Louise Knight Takes the Helm at Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club
Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club (FHYC) is anchored in the tradition of competitive sailboat races, boating programs, and cruises. However, the common tradition of a male commodore has been modernized twice in the club’s rich 32 year history with the election of Louise Knight in 2016 and Olwen Jarvis in 2010. Louise’s husband, Don Knight, was commodore in 2006. The Knights are the first couple in FHYC history to both hold the commodore position.
To become the commodore, members must first be elected to the board and then work their way up through a series of offices, demonstrating their leadership capabilities and then voted in. As Commodore, Louise facilitates the general club and board meetings once a month and assures the club fulfills the mission to promote and encourage safe boating, education, comradery and fellowship for all members. Louise and her board oversee and coordinate the activities of 21 committees, keeping FHYC running smooth and meeting mission goals.
FHYC activities include a “Shakedown Cruise”, Ensign and dinghy races as well as cruises to destinations such as Cape Lookout and Ocracoke. FHYC is largest club in Fairfield Harbour comprising 192 boating members. Without a clubhouse to maintain, the dues are reasonable. General meetings are held at the Community Center.
The Knights moved to Fairfield Harbour in 2000 after retirement. With boating in their blood – Fairfield Harbour was a perfect place to call “home port”. Louise says, “I love cruising the water of North Carolina. The “North Carolina Loop” is one of my favorites. It is a well-marked 110-mile loop around eastern North Carolina with a little bit of everything - Dismal Swamp, rivers, locks and bridges, friendly people, great restaurants, osprey and eagles fly overhead. I highly recommend it!”
Look for the Knight’s Atlantic Prairie Trawler, Seaquel, on the waters of the Neuse participating in the many FHYC activities. To learn more about the FHYC, please log onto www.fhyc.us.
