Welcome to the Palm Beach Sail & Power Squadron website
Richard C. Wood, JN - Commander
Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron (PBS&PS), also known as America’s Boating Club of Palm Beach, is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons. Since our founding in 1944, PBS&PS has been responsible for educating thousands of Florida boaters. One of our main goals is to provide basic boating education opportuni9ties to the public and more advanced courses to our members. These classes are all led by qualified volunteers.
The United States Power Squadrons is a three-sided organization with Learn on one side, Connect on another, and Engage on the third. Our Squadron is involved in many Civic Service events. We also provide important update information to NOAA for maintaining the navigation charts. Our Fraternal/Social functions include weekly lunch get-togethers (Thursdays) and special event such as picnics, dinners, rendezvous, and a holiday gathering. Our meetings are fun and informative with presentations of local and nautical interest. We offer many opportunities for member involvement throughout the year that are designed for family members of all ages.
Please cruise through our website. Check out our courses, our history, and the list of scheduled events. Membership is open to those that actively boat and/or have an interest in boating. Contact us about United States Power Squadrons / Palm Beach Sail & Power Squadron membership information (“JOIN US”) through the website. We’ll be happy to welcome you aboard. We provide many fun and interesting ways to enhance your boating experience.
Cdr Richard C. Wood, JN
About Us
America’s Boating Club offers high quality boating education to promote boating safety. We have operated for many years under the name United States Power Squadrons. In fact, we have offered our educational courses for over 100 years.
A cornerstone of that education is maintaining our courses to stay current with the evolving boating world. We update our courses to stay current with boating regulations and new ways to employ the latest technology.
Whether you are a new boater or a seasoned veteran. Take a look at the courses and seminars we offer. It possible something on the list will catch your eye. Boating can be much more enjoyable if each of us is comfortable in operating our craft.
Locally here in Palm Beach County, we are known as America’s Boating Club of Palm Beach. WE were previously known as the Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron. We are the same GREAT organization with the same GREAT people. We just wanted a name the better describes who we are today. By the way, we have been operating in Palm Beach County for 75 years.
We offer world class education locally here in the Palm Beach area. Our instructors are the best. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.
Once you get to know us from our education, you may want come join our organization and rub shoulders with fellow boaters that operate right here. We would welcome you to our group.
We meet regularly and have opportunities to go boating together for fun.
History of Palm Beach Sail & Power Squadron
Leroy C. Gross was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1942. He was aware of the excellent work done by the Miami Power Squadron, which had been chartered on 05 February 1939, in teaching the rules of safe boating. He strongly believed that there was a real need for a squadron in the Palm Beach area. He attempted to form the Palm Beach Power Squadron during the winter of 1942. A representative of the Miami Power Squadron visited the men at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club regarding squadron activities. One member, Commander Joseph Risden of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary objected to the formation of the new squadron.
On 11 February 1943 Mr. Gross sent a letter to Charles L. Petze, Jr, AP, who was in charge of instruction and a member of the United States Power Squadrons Governing Board about the objection. On 18 February 1943 Mr. Gross received an answer from Rear Commander George C. Peace, JN stating the letter had been turned over to Commander James Lunnon of the Miami Power Squadron. After many exchanges by mail, the long-awaited organizational meeting was scheduled. The Palm Beach Post published a notice on 12 January 1944 announcing that the charter membership meeting of the Palm Beach Power Squadron was to be held on 17 January 1944.
On 18 January 1944 the Palm Beach Post published another notice stating the Beginner’s Classes would start on the following Monday. On 27 March 1944, 23 students took the “Entrance Exam” supervised by Rear Commander Henry S. Thompson, N, Chairman of the Board of Admissions of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS).
The ten who passed the exam became the Charter Members of the Palm Beach Power Squadron and signed the Petition for Charter. They were: Mssrs. Anthony, Aycock, Baldwin, Ballentine, Dewey, Gross, Michaels, and Rogers. Mrs. Adele C. Parkinson also passed the examination and was considered a courtesy member according to the National Rules in effect at that time.
The first regular meeting of the Palm Beach Power Squadron was held on 20 November 1944. Eight of the Charter Members were present and the proposed slate of officers was unanimously elected. That first Bridge consisted of: Henry C. Gibson, Commander; Rosco T. Anthony, Lt/C; Leroy C. Gross, Secretary; and James M. Ballentine, Treasurer. On 28 November 1944, the Bylaws of the Palm Beach Power Squadron were approved by the Governing Board of the USPS.
In 1969, Palm Beach Squadron celebrated its 25th year. The burgee was changed to show a silver border around it, signifying the 25 years.
In 1994, Palm Beach Squadron celebrated its 50th year. The burgee was changed to show a gold border around it, signifying the 50 years.
In 2000, the name was changed to The Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron.
In 2019, Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron celebrated its 75th year. While the burgee was authorized to have a platinum border, the members voted to keep the gold border on the burgee.
