A close call in 1966 prompted the beginning of the Manawatu Marine Boating Club. Stan Nolan nearly lost his life when he hit a log at sea while boating one day and as a consequence he called a meeting of interested people to form a club to establish a shore based marine radio at Foxton Beach. The club was formed with eighty people and a radio base was installed at Donna Raikes Store at Foxton Beach.
Work quickly got underway to build a launching ramp for boats at the current site at Hartley Street and twelve months later a small clubroom of two small rooms was moved on to the current club site. A tractor was acquired and over the next two years the ramp was widened and the wharf was installed. Club membership grew steadily during the next ten years, this necessitated larger clubrooms and further widening of the ramp and wharf which were built with voluntary labour and donated materials.
Further club membership necessitated a still larger building so a tilt slab base was built on the site and the original building lifted on top of this structure. This increased floor and outside deck areas and provides a wonderful facility for members and visitors.
The merge of the local Sailing Club with the MMBC, and a close relationship with the Coastguard has made the Club stronger, and today - with a membership of over 650 people - the club caters for the boating fraternity in Manawatu and Horowhenua.