Charlie Manning

When Charlie Manning’s petition for nomination to the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame was being composed, many contributed information to his nomination.  It was difficult to precipitate the information into this short document.  Charlie Manning joined Racine Yacht Club, Racine, Wisconsin, at age 25 and has supported Racine Yacht Club and its activities through the years since.

He has served on the Hook Race Committee, been Entertainment Director, Sea Badge staff, Wood Badge Course Director, Rear Commodore, Nominating Committee member, Chair of the 100 Year Anniversary Committee, and Commodore for 2012 to 2015.  He taught in the acclaimed Racine Yacht Club Adult Sailing Program.

Charlie is a strong supporter of youth sailing serving in the leadership role of Racine Yacht Club’s Sea Scout Ship 5750.  This entailed teaching basic and advanced sailing skills such as navigation, towing, radio use, anchoring and sailing safety.  These skills were applied in eight-day Lake Michigan cruises he organized with up to 16 coed Sea Scouts applying their lessons.  His training activity would be continued in winter months with the Scouts building wind generators and land sailing carts, learning boat and engine maintenance, repair, welding, electrical components and amplifiers. 

As a result of his tireless work as a Skipper in the Sea Scouts, Charlie has been awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award, Venturing Leadership Award and the Wood Badge.

In 2016 Charlie introduced the US Sailing STEM program into the Youth sailing program, as he serves as a Board Member of the Racine Youth Sailing Foundation.

In 2016 Charlie was elected as a Trustee for the Village of Wind Point and was appointed Chair of the Wind Point Lighthouse.  He is responsible for hiring the caretaker of Wind Point Lighthouse. He is quite knowledgeable of all Lake Michigan lighthouses.

While giving of himself to the training of others, he races his own sailboat Winter is Coming in the Queen’s Cup Race, Hook Race, doublehanded and Wednesday night races, and many other regattas.

When Charlie sails and races his own boat he reminds his crew, “Stay in the boat, don’t hit nothin’, no injuries or hurt feelings, we got to use this same equipment tomorrow.”

The Board of Directors of Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation welcomes Charlie Manning into the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame.

November 16, 2021

Charlie Manning was nominated by the Racine Yacht Club to the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame.