SBYC Founded 1893
Some Important Events
in the History of The Sodus Bay Yacht Club
1893, July 4
Earliest record of handicap racing by a group of Sodus Point cottage owners.
1893, Fall
Sodus Bay Yacht Club formally organized at a site where Krenzer’s Marina now stands.
A.C. Bartle was the first Commodore. Membership was not limited to owners of boats.
1895, August 9
The Sodus Bay Yacht Club is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with the primary objectives “to promote and encourage interests in yachts and yachting, to encourage the traditions of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and facilities for the use and recreation of its members…”
1900
Original clubhouse and docks were completed at the cost of $2,200, supervised by Commodore Meade and the trustees.
1904
Miss Rose Williams, racing a Lark, became the first woman in central New York to win a yacht race, crossing he finish line twice in first place, picking a silver cup in the James Holmes race, and tied for third prize overall for the season.
1905
“Ladies” over the age of 21 were allowed to join the Club as Associate Members upon paying $2.00 in dues.
1907
SBYC’s application to join the Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was accepted.
1913
SBYC recognized by the local community as a major tourist attraction. A promotional piece provides the following quote “Visitors are cordially welcomed to the spacious club home of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club on the south shore of Sand Point. This organization is largely drawn from western New York. The club house is a rendezvous for the members and their families from all points of the Bay. A commodious dancing pavilion, greatly enjoyed by the members, has been a recent addition.”
1920-1935
The ailing economy resulting from WWI leads to foreclosure on Clubhouse and property. While there were no facilities, the Club continued and the membership grew from 5 to 39. In 1935, a group of members formed the Sodus Bay Realty Corporation and purchased the Clubhouse and property back from the State. The Corporation then leased the facilities back to the Club.
1922
Club was forced to give up LYRA affiliation due to drop in membership.
1924
LYRA event held at SBYC under the flag of the Rochester Yacht Club. Over 100 boats participated.
1934
C.P.H. Vary, who served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1926-1942, was the first SBYC membership to be given an Honorary Life Membership.
1934
SBYC joined the Central New York Yacht Racing Association.
1935
The “Robin”; class was introduced. Designed by Benjamin Wood of Sodus, NY. The fleet grew to 19.
1935
SBYC joined the North American Yacht Racing Union.
1938
SBYC was accepted back into LYRA as a full member.
1958
Total membership (all categories) grows to 150.
1959
The 75th LYRA event was held at SBYC; this was the third LYRA held on Sodus Bay. SBYC took on a carnival atmosphere for the event with at least 70 boats moored in the harbor.
1964 & 1969
SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.
1976
SBYC hosts the LYRA Regatta. The Freeman Cup Long Distance race finished at the entrance to the Bay and two days of course racing followed.
1981 & 1985
SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.
1986
Clubhouse undergoes a major renovation; enlarging the bar area and improving bathroom facilities.
1991
The Challenge Cup Regatta drew a record 45 boats, including 20 J/24s. Stuart Needel on FALCON became the first SBYC sailor to win the Freeman Cup Long Distance race.
1991-1992
The East Floating Dock System was constructed and installed using member labor. This addition provided 16 new docks for use by the membership.
1993
SBYC celebrated its Centennial Year. Events included a Winter Ball at Oak Hill Country Club, an Antique Boat Show, and a Centennial Match Race Regatta won by John Swartz on Sea Witch. An additional highlight was SBYC’s hosting of the LYRA Regatta for the 8th time.
1994
District (7) J-24 Championships held at SBYC.
1994
The Club installs a small boat hoist to accommodate a growing number of small boat sailors.
1995
CNYYRA (Central New York Yacht Racing Association) held its annual regatta at SBYC. At the same time SBYC was host to the J/24 District Championship. In all over 110 boats participated.
1996, July
SBYC hosts the 8 Metre World Championship
1997
Through the efforts of Past Commodores Bud Seymour and George Sibley, the Club purchased the boathouse and property directly to the north of the Club. This property was owned by Heidi & Eugene Van Voorhis members of both Rochester and Sodus Bay Yacht Clubs. Upon Heidi’s death and Eugene’s sale of their property on Newark Island, there was no longer a need for the property.
1998
At the Eastern Yachting Circuit (EYC) meeting in Kingston, Fleet Captain Mike Foley and Rear Commodore Tom Knapp bid to host the Annual EYC regatta at SBYC in 1999. The Regatta was held and included a long distance race from Oswego Yacht Club to Sodus Point and three course races.
1999
Eric Will and his crew aboard Bushwacker won the Soverel 33 North American Championship.
2000, Spring
Sixteen new floating docks were installed. The project under the direction of Past Commodore Jim Lyles and directed by Docks and Moorings Director, Jim Adolf, was begun in early 1999 and finished in early spring when several “work days” were scheduled to assembled the docks. All 16 slips had been rented during the previous winter so many in the work party were slip holders anxious for their new dock to be in the water.
2000, July
SBYC hosted the prestigious LYRA Regatta for the 9th time. Under the capable leadership of Ed St. George, Past Commodore Chuck Willette as Regatta Race Officer, and a group of dedicated volunteers, the event was a resounding success. From July 31st to August 6th over 125 boats from around the lake participated in this exciting event. For the first time, the Regatta was linked with the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event became known as the Leukemia Cup Regatta and approximately $15,000 was raised toward the life saving work of that organization.
2001
The Clubhouse kitchen underwent a major renovation. Workspace was more than doubled, hot water tanks were upgraded for the kitchen and the bathrooms and an office was created for the Club Manager.
Erik Will and the crew of Bushwacker successfully defended their Soverel 33 North American Championship at Larchmont Yacht Club, placing first in four of the seven races.
2002
The Club purchased the Compson cottage and property directly north of the boathouse property. Past Commodore Ed St. George is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent.
2003
All of the property north of the Clubhouse including the garage, the boathouse and the Compson cottage were torn down making the area available for future club expansion.
2004
Through collaboration with Skip Shumway, the club acquired four IDEAL 18 sailboats for member use. The property north of the club was modified with a dock for the boats and a work shed to act as a base for the new “SBYC Small Boat Program”. Tom Knapp ran the program, which included one design club racing as well as open sailing, to rave reviews from club members. Through the efforts of Bob Wood and a dedicated group of volunteers, a working Officer of the Day program was established and successfully operated over the entire summer. The highlight of the social scene took place on Labor Day Weekend when Rochester Yacht Club joined us in a three-day Pirate’s Weekend complete with costumes, great food, music, a pirate’s invasion and movies on the lawn in the evening.
2005
The Small Boat Program continued to be popular with the membership with David Drushler and his wife Nathalie LaRochelle at the helm. After 20 years of Rochester YC wins, the SBYC racers were finally able to bring home the Challenge Cup to the clubhouse, winning it back by a slim 1 point margin. Pete and Leigh Quackenbush and the crew on Moongator won the Best in Fleet trophy at the LYRA Regatta in Youngstown. The season was blessed with good weather and, along with the Lighthouse Race, we saw the return of another favorite “fun race” – the “Bang and Go”. Water balloons and cannons, along with buckets abounded! At the Annual Meeting, Ed St George was recognized with Life membership for his many years of service to the club and yachting in general on Lake Ontario.
2006
SBYC hosted both LYRA and the North American 8 Meter Regatta. SBYC also hosted Sodus Bay Junior Sailing Association’s 50th Anniversary. And SBYC had 10 new members in 2006.
2007
The Ideal 18’s were purchased and continue to club assets, making the club more attractive to new members. SBYC hosted the EYC as well as the Challenge Cup, while SBYC and SBJSA partnered to host a Laser/Optima regatta. SBYC member and LYRA President MIke Foley is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent.
2008
SBYC hosted a very successful Centrals Regatta and Challenge Cup. We resolved our property tax assessment issue with the town saving us money. The SBJSA completed their new Educational Building which includes handicapped showers and restrooms that can be used by SBYC
2009
In addition to our normal racing and social events, SBYC hosted the North American Lightning Championship Regatta for ten days in August. It was an amazing event to host with excellent participation from our membership and to watch as the Women’s, Junior’s and Master’s Lightning racers from all over North America raced on Lake Ontario. A special thank you goes to Tom Knapp, Alys Klingenberg and Ed St. George for Co-Chairing this event. With the purchase of the south end of Irwin Street, and after much planning, the north side of our property under went a much needed facelift with a new walkway and landscaping. The house roof was finally repaired after many years of dripping rainwater in the bar and kitchen. Thank you to Dave Parker and his committee for these two major projects.
2010
The renovation to the front wall and East Basin saw all of the old concrete removed and new rock filler added before new concrete was poured. The new water and electrical lines were embedded into the new concrete and new power and light towers are being installed which will complete the project. A great turnout of volunteers made this project a success. The Annual Challenge Cup Regatta saw 31 boats of all sizes participating in the two-day event. A round of applause goes to Fleet Captain Mike Thurley with help from Rear Commodore Pete Quackenbush for planning such a successful regatta. SBYC and SBJSA also hosted the Centrals Regatta for small boats with 68 boats competing during the regatta.
2011
A good year for the House financially and in participation, as private parties and member special events (Lobster Fest, Pig Roast, Clambake, Cuban Night) boosted attendance. SBYC Challenge Cup racers were successful in winning back the Challenge Cup trophy for SBYC.Ideal 18 participation was high, culminating in a well-attended and spirited Ideal 18 “Poker-Run” Fun Race. The adjacent Pier Point property was purchased by SBJSA. An easement will be given to SBYC to construct a much needed wave break system on the newly purchased property. Plans for an Adult Learn to Sail Program beginning in 2012 were initiated.
