''Not only did he have sections for sale, but there was a yacht club as well,'' Brook said. ''We got the royal title by default.''
The club runs on democratic racing lines, with only the renowned Des Townson-designed Electron yachts allowed to compete on race days.
It means no one has a bigger on-the-water advantage than the others standing on the bank sailing their yachts by remote control.
Brook, who makes the sails for the club, said it came down to the skills of the person sailing the Electron - a boat based on the popular Townson 32 design.
''It is a very nice little boat, easy to set up and it sails really nicely, from light weather to heavy weather.''
More than 1000 Electrons have been built. Clubs are scattered as far afield as Rarotonga.
''The bulk of the clubs are in Auckland because that was where Des lived,'' Brook said.
Once enthusiasts were over the financial hurdle of buying their Electron - $4000 new or $1500 for a good one on Trade Me - the sport was remarkably cheap.
Even Electrons that were 20 years old were competing favourably with new ones, and club subs were a steal at $5 a year.
Brook was into his second set of rechargeable batteries in 10 years of sailing and there was next-to-no maintenance on the boats. It was just a matter of wiping down the hull after racing and replacing batteries from time to time.
''It's not an expensive sport - it's not like playing golf.''
Pond weed has not been an issue since the council introduced grass-eating carp into the canals.
''The carp have been extremely effective.''
The club's 14 members mainly liveat the Mount and Papamoa, and none own anything bigger nowadays than their little boat.
However, it wasn't always that way. A former member had sailed around the world before being lured down to the pond.
Brook said the same sailing techniques were used on large boats except there was no capacity to set a spinnaker.
Setting the right course around the buoys was all-important and, like on a big boat, it was a case of pulling on the sails - like letting the sails out when running before the wind.
''You still have to adjust the sails and use the rudder.''
Members racefor four trophies - three of them awarded annually and the other split into thirds of a year.
Brook said members were mostly retired and the club fostered a great spirit. ''We are a friendly bunch.''
Royal Palm Beach Yacht Club racing days (except when it's raining):
Weekends: Sundays 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Weekdays daylight saving: Thursdays 5.30pm to 7pm.
Weekdays winter months: Thursdays 1.30pm to 4pm.
