Sailing at Somers started long before the Somers Yacht Club came into existence. Sailors could be seen dragging their boats over the sand dunes and the wide beach to enjoy the brisk southerly breeze on Western Port Bay. In 1962 a public meeting was held to gauge support for the formation of a club. With a positive response, activities started shortly thereafter. The first annual meeting was held on 12 November 1962.

Initial membership of the Somers Yacht Club was 75. The first Flag Officers were Commodore Stan Byrne, Vice Commodore Ken McKaige, and Rear Commodore Keith Robeson. A site measuring 60m x 50m on the foreshore opposite Alexandra Avenue was selected for the new club's activities. Initial activities were modest, with race control based on a card table in a tent and a total of three flags.

In 1963 it was decided to raise finance for the first stage of a clubhouse. $3,000 was raised through a debenture issue. Membership by then had grown to 122 with a fleet of 28 boats. The fleet that season consisted of: 1 Sabot, 3 International Cadets, 1 Cadet Dinghy, 1 Quickcat, 2 Sailfish, 4 Moths, 2 Gwens, 1 Austral, 1 VJ, 2 Herons and 4 GPs – quite a mixed bag.

The clubhouse was built to 'lockup' stage and officially opened by the Shire President on December 26, 1964. Membership had increased to 140. The first winch and starting lights were installed that year. A year later the membership had grown to 350, with 85 yachts and 20 powerboats on the register. Social cruises to other clubs on the bay started, along with the first of the Annual French Island Cruises. This was also when junior racing got underway.

Until 1966 rescue boats were privately owned and our first club rescue boat was purchased for $688 and christened the S.L. BYRNE.

Hosting of National and State Titles commenced in 1967 and has continued almost every year since. The Somers Yacht Club became well known for its excellent beach and club house facilities together with the ability to organise such events. By 1968 membership had reached 614.

With a membership of 750 in 1969, extensions were planned to more than double the size of the clubhouse and construct a control tower. In 1971 the Sea Rescue boat shed was built to the west of the clubhouse.

By 1972 erosion had taken hold to the west of the club. Grass was planted on the dunes fronting the club and the area fenced off in an endeavour to stabilise the dunes. By 1974 erosion had commenced in front of the club and despite strenuous efforts by members to slow down its progress over ensuing years, the dunes were eroded away and the sea reached the front fence in 1978. It became necessary to move the fence back several times as it kept being undermined. In 1985 government permission was granted to relocate the boat storage area to a position to the rear and east of the clubhouse. Erosion continued to within 10 metres of the clubhouse by 1991, at which point the government agreed to the building of a stone wall to protect the clubhouse.

This was not the end of the Club's erosion problems, however, as it became obvious that as the high water mark proceeded inland to the east of the clubhouse, the new boat storage area was in danger. An extension to the rock wall completed in 1997 has solved the problem. The Somers Yacht Club now boasts a new beach created behind the wall as its base for sailing activities, and a stable precinct for the clubhouse and rescue boat shed.

As with other yacht clubs throughout Australia, membership has declined from the heady days of the 70's and 80's when Somers Yacht Club was the largest 'off the beach' club in Australia and boasted the biggest 'Mirror' fleet in the world! The advent of sail training classes and an active collaboration with local schools has gone a long way to stabilising membership numbers in recent times. The introduction of social membership has also contributed to this stabilisation.

Due to a severe storm in August 2001 the Club was rebuilt and reopened in May 2002. The new building now has a carpeted lounge, separate hall area, commercial kitchen and upgraded showers and toilets downstairs. The new floor to ceiling windows have also improved the views of Western Port Bay and the sailing.

The 2003-4 season saw the Somers Yacht Club host the A Class State Championships in March and the Yachting Victoria State Youth Regatta on the weekend of the 24th and 25th April 2004.

Prospective new members of the Somers Yacht Club can be assured of joining a progressive and friendly club where enjoyable times can be guaranteed for sailing and non sailing members alike.