Members
will be saddened at the loss of founding member and former commodore,
Dr Ernest Bennie, who has died at the age of 83.
46
years ago, in 1976 Ernest was asked by Bobby Corbett to help him form
a sailing club for doctors. The Serpent Yacht Club had their first
ever muster that year, when 21 yachts raced to Colintraive on a
stormy day in May. Ernest, his wife Norma and their young family were
one of only a handful to pass the finish line on board their
Elizabethan 29, Taal.
Ernest
was a colourful character and a prominent consultant psychiatrist.
His self-prescribed therapy in the late 1970s was to accept the
challenge of building his own boat. He purchased a UFO 34 hull and
deck, and fitted it out at Argyll Marine in Renfrew. Launched in
1979, Hulahoop was originally kept at the latest marina on the Clyde
- Troon, which is now run by Stephen, Ernest’s eldest son.
Hulahoop
was later upgraded to a Sun Fizz, Quechica in 1986, which cruised
widely from its base at Largs. The plethora of teenage crew on board
still reminisce about some of the best holidays they’ve had. A
highlight was the CCC’s 1989 Blue Water Race from Kip to Brest in
France, experiencing the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day in Belle
Isle.
In
1998, the Sun Fizz was replaced with another Jeanneau, the Sun
Odyssey 45 called Benita, returning this time to berth at Troon.
Life-long friendships were formed over the years between Serpent
Yacht Club participants, and also their children.
Ernest
served as commodore in the 1980s. He and the committee were
instrumental in extending and widening the membership to other NHS
employees and their families. Supported by his wife, Norma, as social
convener for four years, get togethers and BBQs became a fabric of
the club.
A
regular venue for club dinners was the Carrick - a surviving clipper
ship moored at the Broomielaw on the Clyde, but when this became
untenable, Ernest’s many and varied tastes came into play. He
introduced the membership to the Tuxedo Princess - an iconic, but
notorious white vessel that was nicknamed (amongst others) as ‘The
Love Boat’. The loyal membership supported his suggestion, despite
the unusual venue. Thereafter, club social events reverted to more
fitting venues like The Glasgow Art Club and The Western Club.
Ernest’s
loyalty to the club and its lively programme of musters and races
meant his family endured many long, wet, windy sails. But his
seamanship and detailed knowledge of the relevant charts ensured the
safety of all concerned. He was a cautious but adventurous sailor -
prioritising the safety of crew.
His
favourite days on the water were calm seas and strong sunshine. The
engine would take the strain and the crew diverted to a quiet
anchorage where Ernest would hop on his windsurfer, or dive - lightly
clad - into the sea to cool off.
His
pleasure at developing a good, all round tan, encouraged him to
expand his sailing exploits outwith Scotland and over to the
Mediterranean. He explored the waters around Majorca, France and then
Spain, where he enjoyed 11 years of warm weather sailing. Following
his Mediterranean adventures, Ernest chartered yachts in the
Caribbean and assisted his cousin and crew to sail from Largs to
Greece, on route to Israel.
Life
took a quieter pace after Ernest and Norma’s move from Glasgow to
Rhu, with marine exploits confined to motor boating with friends on
the Clyde, where he enjoyed many champagne lunches in favourite
anchorages.
Despite
a few health problems, Ernest’s love of the water drew him to
return to motor boating in 2012 on Loch Lomond, where he had his
first boat as a student medic. He spent ten enjoyable years exploring
the loch. Never content with just a regular boating experience, he
insisted on having a paddle board, a kayak, wetsuits, and drysuits
all stored in the available locker space, for young and old to enjoy
together.
Even
until Ernest’s final weeks, he enjoyed pottering on the loch where
he had made many friends. He took great pleasure and satisfaction in
encouraging his grandchildren to respect and enjoy the water.
Ernest
was an adventurous, wise and entertaining character who will be
sorely missed.
