About us

OUR HISTORY

The Pram Fleet has a long and rich history in Manatee County going back to the early 1950’s. We are a non-profit educational organization and rely on donations to continue our programs. We teach children to sail for fun and in competition. We are dedicated to support and promote the sport of sailing for the youth of Manatee County in an atmosphere of fun and good fellowship.  We strive to teach sportsmanship, responsibility, self-reliance, and respect for authority, equipment, and the marine environment while encouraging a life-long love of sailing. We are located in the Bishop Sailing Center at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 Snead Island Road, Palmetto, FL.

WHERE WE BEGAN

In 1938, the Manatee River Boat Club (MRBC) was organized on the Ninth Street steps at the Bradenton pier. The MRBC formed the Manatee River Pram Fleet for the youth of Manatee County in the late 1940’s. A small shed was set aside to house the prams and have a place for a teaching program that would show local children the fundamentals of sailing.

Read more about our history in a 2017 article written by Merab Favorite, a graduate of MRPF Summer Camp.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

The construction of the new Bishop Sailing Center in 2016 provided an opportunity for growth at the Manatee River Pram Fleet.  Combined with an easier launching area, the new space has allowed for more diverse sailing opportunities and increased class sizes.  While the Opti is still our main boat, our fleet has grown to include O'Bic, Laser, Sunfish, 420 and Windmill boats.  The new facilities offer us a chance to use technology with our sailors for increased tactical learning and enhanced land-based activities.  While the building and site location may have changed, the heart and soul of the program remain steady thanks to the dedication of Director of Sailing, Lisa Fath, who has been with the Pram Fleet for over thirty years.

Top: Sailors rigging boats and sailing out of the cut.
Bottom: Dr. King & Pam Blalock say goodbye to "The Shed" prior to the opening of the new Bishop Sailing Center.