long beach yacht club commodore

Long Beach Yacht Club

Stories from the Long Beach Yacht Club

6201 E Appian Way Long Beach, CA 90803 562.598.9401

Website: www.lbyc.org

Located on a promontory at the east end of Naples Island on Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, California, Long Beach Yacht Club is recognized throughout the worldwide yachting community for its hospitality, and is home to the Congressional Cup match racing competition. Featuring a very strong youth program, parents and club staff ensure there is a healthy mix of education, training and social activities. Sailing programs have access to boats ranging from eight-foot Sabots to Catalina-37 match race boats.

LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

"The mission of the Long Beach Yacht Club is to promote all aspects of yachting in the spirit of good sportsmanship and camaraderie. Our founding membership in the National Sailing Hall of Fame helps satisfies our mission by preserving the rich history of American Sailing. This is an auspicious time to commit our support as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our signature event, Congressional Cup, the grandfather of club match racing.  Our Club was founded in 1929 and we are very proud of our 85 years of notable contributions to the rich sport of sailing."

David Stotler, Commodore

HISTORY OF THE LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB by Club Historians  Carlton  B. “Bud”  Scott and Jo Murray

The Long Beach Yacht Club, now internationally known for the Congressional Cup sailboat regatta, began in 1929 for the purposes of planning a powerboat race between Long Beach and San Francisco.

The proposed race would be run during the San Francisco Motor Boat Show to provide advertising for the show and Northern California boating industries. The Associated Boating Industries of Northern California wrote Daniel M. Callis, Sr., a Long Beach architect active in boating and local yacht clubs requesting a Long Beach area club act as the Southern California host of the race. His drive to pursue this opportunity led to the formation of Long Beach Yacht Club.  His early vision of passionate club members leading yachting contests has continued throughout the club’s history.

The First Race

The concept of the race was to use a handicapping system, going from Long Beach to an overnight stay in Santa Barbara, then to another overnight stay in Monterey, and finishing in San Francisco for a total distance of 460 miles -- the longest powerboat race in the world. The winner would receive a trophy donated by Sir Thomas Lipton then-valued at $1,000.

Callis agreed to be general chairman of the executive committee and promoter of the race. Committee work would be handled by the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Monterey Chamber of Commerce, Santa Barbara Yacht Club and Associated Boating Industries of Northern California.

Callis initially offered the sponsorship of the race to the California Yacht Club; however, CYC declined on the basis that it would not have complete jurisdiction over the race. Callis then met with Charles Camp and Norman Able (all three would become commodores of LBYC), and a decision was made to run the race under the auspices of a “Long Beach Yacht Club,” which reportedly might have existed at some prior time but no longer did so.

Despite problems with finding enough entries, the first race was run in April 1929 by a Long Beach Yacht Club, the burgee (flag) for which was made by the wife of prominent Long Beach attorney Jonah Jones, Jr. and flown in the race. The winner was Arthur Macrate (LBYC commodore in 1931) in his Zoa III.

This first race was viewed as a great success, future races were anticipated and it seemed that it might be time to form a real Long Beach Yacht Club.

A Real Long Beach Yacht Club

Callis, Macrate, Camp, Able and others met at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco to see if there was support for the concept of a real Long Beach Yacht Club. There was, and a subsequent meeting was called by Jonah Jones, Jr. on September 6, 1929 to present the concept to a group of Long Beach businessmen interested in yachting. They agreed to form a real Long Beach Yacht Club.

Widely acclaimed speedboat racer Richard Loynes was elected commodore, and on October 7, 1929 Jonah Jones, Jr. filed the Articles of Incorporation. Charter memberships were extended to 100 individuals. Despite collapse of the stock market, the new and real LBYC soon had 100 members paying dues of $5 per year; $2.50 for kids.

The Club Starts Rapid Growth

Less than a week after filing the Articles of Incorporation, the new LBYC began by organizing a speedboat race between Long Beach and Avalon for October 11-12, 1929. Boats were to be 16 to 30 feet in length with inboard engines (some expected to be 500 hp). Officials were from LBYC and the Catalina Island Yacht Club, and this race also began a long and close relationship between the two clubs, including overlapping memberships and flag officers.

By February 1930, only four months after incorporation, membership had increased to approximately 150, and arrangements for meeting space had been secured at the Pacific Coast Club. Planning was underway for the second Long Beach to San Francisco powerboat race, and “plans were being formulated for the finest yachting harbor on the Pacific Coast at Long Beach.”

On April 24, 1930, the “Second Annual All-California Power Cruiser Race to San Francisco” started off Belmont Pier, with 10 of the 21 entries flying the LBYC burgee. Not surprisingly, given the time of year, the boats encountered heavy weather and considerable damage was done to boats and participants.

Arthur Macrate (then vice commodore) did well in that second race in the vessel Hermana, but interest in future long-distance powerboat races started to be diluted as other races and events were organized.

Looking for a Marina and Clubhouse

The installation of D. M. Callis as commodore was held at the Pacific Coast Club with 125 in attendance. Special guests included the commodores of Catalina Island Yacht Club, California Yacht Club and Los Angeles Yacht Club. An important agenda item at the installation was a discussion on developing a yacht harbor in Long Beach followed by the construction of a clubhouse.

There was definite need for a yacht harbor. Forty yachts were reported temporarily moored in the outer harbor of Long Beach in “exceedingly unfavorable locations, generally where water is dirty and frequently covered with oil.”

Using the Pacific Coast Club as its headquarters, discussions began with the City of Long Beach and County of Los Angeles regarding development in Alamitos Bay and plans were formulated to “begin construction of a clubhouse as soon as a definite location for a yacht harbor has been determined by the city.” Key individuals in this effort included: Jonah Jones, Jr.; Frank Garbutt of the California Yacht Club, Pacific Coast Club and Los Angeles Athletic Club; Arthur Macrate; George L. Craig; Norman Able; Charles Camp; Sam Selover; and D. M. Callis.

Despite the influence of this group, the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach agreed in 1931 to build a bridge over the mouth of the San Gabriel River linking Seal Beach with Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach (which at that time ran down the Alamitos peninsula). This bridge, which would prevent access to all but small craft having less than 14 feet overhead clearance curtailed serious development of Alamitos Bay as an important yacht harbor for the next two decades.

The First Clubhouse

The formal approval of plans for the first LBYC clubhouse on June 30, 1936 reportedly started a flurry of fundraising and “sweat equity” on the part of members. By opening day of the regatta season, May 8, 1937, the facilities apparently were fully paid for.

The clubhouse was located west of downtown Long Beach a 2,000-foot “stroll to paradise” out a boardwalk from the shore (under what is now the Port of Long Beach). There were moorings, a Star Boat dock adjacent to the clubhouse and an anchorage area. There was no boardwalk beyond the clubhouse, but access to the L-shaped end of the moorage was accessible by walking over the rocks to the other side. There are unconfirmed but apparently valid reports that young ladies from the neighborhood enjoyed walking out beyond the clubhouse and skinny dipping inside the L-shaped end of the secluded anchorage.

After years of having to moor boats up and down the coast, or in less-than-favorable locations in Long Beach’s inner and outer harbors, members were understandably delighted with their new facilities. The clubhouse was described as having “a snug club-room, a snugger galley” and two heads.

The War Years Were Approaching

Despite some records stating LBYC either sold or donated its first clubhouse to the Sea Scouts in 1939, newspaper articles indicate that the facility was still in the hands of the club during much of 1940 and perhaps even part of 1941. Opening day 1940 reportedly was celebrated at the clubhouse, but by November 1941, the facility was in the hands of the Sea Scouts.

LBYC was once again a “paper club” with no clubhouse, but the yachting and social activities continued for a while despite the growing influence of world events.

World War II would change the lives of many club members, and markedly affect boating for several years. It would also mark the real beginning of Alamitos Bay as a marina and, ultimately, home for the club’s second clubhouse.

Alamitos Bay and the Second Clubhouse

Beginning as early as the 1920s, individuals who subsequently became prominent members of LBYC were instrumental in the development of Alamitos Bay and the marina. The second, and current, clubhouse simply could not be sited and constructed until the bay was protected from disastrous floods and the marina constructed.

After major efforts by members, an initial lease for the clubhouse site was obtained in March 1959. The lease was expanded in January 1960 to include the clubhouse building as well as the access to Basin 4 slips adjacent to the clubhouse. In September 1969 the lease was extended to 2020.

Groundbreaking for the current clubhouse on Appian Way was held on June 1, 1960, and dedication ceremonies were December 16, 1960. The club was now positioned to expand rapidly and gain the recognition and stature it now enjoys within the worldwide yachting community.

Long Beach Yacht Club Today

LBYC membership stands at 1,000 regular members. It thrives on the constant activities provided for the members that include racing, yachting, fishing, diving, swimming, social programs and youth activities.

The club is actively engaged in community outreach programs using the same Catalina 37s used in Congressional Cup.   Activities include: the Marcedes Lewis Regatta with six Boys and Girls Club teams participating this year. Jordan High Schools students sailed in The Panthers at Sea program and another group of Boys and Girls Club kids raced in the Wet Wednesday races. The Patriot Regatta, our premier community event, also attracted a record participation level with five  branches of the armed forces racing; Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy teams aggressively competed against each other.  New this year in May, the club has planned a Heroes regatta with teams from our local Police and Fire Departments competing.

Of all the activities available to members, the youth programming is perhaps the most popular. Sailing and swimming lessons for little ones, swim team meets and regattas for competitive children all provide solid learning and teambuilding experiences in the aquatic environment.

Congressional Cup News & Stories

CONGRESSIONAL CUP JOINS ALPARI WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR

BACK TO YACHT CLUB STORIES PAGE

Welcome aboard! As I’m sure you know by now, LBYC’s Alamitos Bay retreat is the ideal place to enjoy our prestigious tradition of sailing excellence, engaging on and off-the-water experiences, an exceptional dining and social culture…and so much more. Our clubhouse — in addition to featuring some of the best views in Long Beach proper and Southern California in general — is also home to our welcoming, attentive staff, and a distinctive, authentic sense of member camaraderie that can’t be found in any other place. After nearly a century, we’re confident in the experiences we provide, and the incredible range of amenities and activities that await all members…and guests. This is where you’ll find distinguished, even legendary racing events, friendly competition, active recreational pursuits, or the chance to enjoy the company of family and friends poolside, as you let the cares of the day fade away. Your new membership is also the perfect opportunity to chart a new course for your new club lifestyle, pick some favorite or brand-new activities, and generally enjoy the LBYC lifestyle. To help, each week our New Member Onboarding Program will spotlight the different activities, amenities, programs, and personnel that make Long Beach Yacht Club your retreat for on-the-water moments, member-to-member connections…and experiences that celebrate camaraderie, friendship, and fun. Now let’s cast off for new adventures! NORM RICH General Manager 

LBYC FACTS   + HISTORY

Customs   & culture, lbyc  leadership.

NORM RICH General Manager [email protected]   Pro Tip:  You are about to meet new lifelong friends who will make your sailing, swimming, and social activities memorable, enduring, and meaningful. Enjoy your journey, laugh along the way, and celebrate all the great things that make the LBYC a world-class facility!

ANDREA HART Director of Member Services/ Notary Public [email protected] Pro Tip:  Get involved; be part of  the experiences!

MARCIA PETTWAY   Controller [email protected] Pro Tip:  Celebrate your family events at the club. Plan your corporate events with us. There are plenty of meeting spaces available from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm with the stunning view of Alamitos Bay.

RUDY RAMIREZ AR/Notary Public [email protected] Pro Tip:  You can access your account online 24/7!

BLAIR CARTY Commodore

KEYS TO THE CLUB

What’s  next.

Each week you’ll receive an email about Long Beach Yacht Club and choose an experience that guides your immersion into our way of life. You can always return to this page at any time for information regarding your new membership!

We are known for our signature sailing regatta - Congressional Cup - yet we were founded in order to host a powerboat race.

The repeated use of a red star in our burgee is a wink to LBYC member Eddie Fink, who won the Star Class World title in 1932.

Star Boats were an Olympic class sailboat, and the win was key to Long Beach's fleet to be sponsors in the 1932 elimination rounds for the Olympics. (Gilbert Gray of New Orleans ended up representing Long Beach).

The palm trees in the club's parking lot were all planted over one weekend by LBYC volunteers. The trees arrived from a farm in Palm Springs in two pickup trucks, and individual members sponsored the tree purchase - $25 apiece!

The lava rocks in the general manager’s office, the library, and the exterior round-about all came over on one vessel for the club's tiki architecture.

The LBYC pool is 25 yards and heated year-round.

Our race committee boat is named after our first commodore: Loynes.

The clubhouse was designed by Montierth and Stickland - well known mid century modern trailblazers. The building blends South Sea Island treatments with contemporary design glass walls.

Montierth and Stickland also designed the marine bazaar and the marina restrooms.

Our first clubhouse was donated to the Sea Scouts - a long-term relationship between the Scouts and the club that has continued.

LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB

New Member Onboarding

All staff members can be reached via our main clubhouse number: 562.598.9401

EXECUTIVE TEAM

2023 COMMODORES & CAPTAINS

SCOTT DIXON Vice Commodore

LISA MEIER Rear Commodore

BOB PIERCY Fleet Captain

GREG MAGNUSON Port Captain

Long Beach Yacht Club © 2024

6201 E. Appian Way • Long Beach, CA • 90803

CLUBHOUSE: 562.598.9401

WELCOME  ABOARD

Welcome   aboard.

Local News | Former Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore Larry…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Los Angeles
• Los Angeles County
• The Grunion

Local News | Former Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore Larry McDowell dies at 95

Larry McDowell Jr., Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore in 1973, has died. He was 95.

McDowell was a second-generation leader of the club, with his father, Lawrence William McDowell Sr., serving as commodore in 1950.

The younger McDowell’s favorite hobby was fishing and he was a lifetime member of the Southern California Tuna Club. He was their most senior member, having joined in 1956.

He died recently in Palm Springs, at the Desert Regional Medical Center trauma center, according to his wife, Lillian Burke McDowell. They married on Oct. 8, 1972, at the Long Beach Yacht Club and they just celebrated their 50th anniversary in Palm Desert with their daughter, Denise Michelle McDowell.

Lawrence “Larry” William McDowell Jr. was born July 8, 1927, in Long Beach. He attended Lowell Elementary, Rogers Junior High and Wilson High schools. He graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1951.

He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity (Epsilon Omicron 492) since 1949 and a member of the USC Alumni Association.

During World War II, he served tours of duty as a radioman third class in the U.S. Coast Guard, aboard the USS Wakefield, in 1946, and in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, aboard the USS Tabberer, in 1951.

He formed the L. McDowell Company in 1955 and was a manufacturer’s representative for heavy industrial power transmission equipment for more than 40 years.

The 11th District U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 34 elected him commander in 1975.

He was also president of the Palm Desert Gyro Club in 1995. Gyro International is a nonprofit social service and fraternal club for men. He also served as International District 9 lieutenant governor in 1998 and 1999, and Gyro International governor from 2000 to 2001.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert. Funeral services there are pending.

McDowell also volunteered as an advisor to the Assistance League of Long Beach from 1985 to 1990. In lieu of flowers, donations to ALLB in his memory are suggested.

Besides his wife, McDowell is survived by daughters Gayle Hudson and Denise Michelle McDowell, son Lawrence McDowell III, and five grandchildren.

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in Local News

News | San Bernardino settles wrongful death police shooting lawsuit for $4 million

Local News | Silverado Park gym in Long Beach to temporarily close for repairs

Local News | Long Beach OKs additional consequences for public library code of conduct violations

News | Is LA County putting itself at legal risk by sending light-duty probation officers home?

Club + Resort Business

Long Beach Yacht Clubs Open Doors to the Public

By Rob Thomas | June 13, 2019

Seal Beach Yacht Club

From learn-to-sail days and open houses to potluck dinners, Southern California yacht clubs and groups are presenting opportunities for the public to learn more about what they offer. John Caldwell, Commodore at Seal Beach Yacht Club, suggests trying a club on for size by attending a dinner or joining a cruise.

In Long Beach, Calif., several yacht clubs and groups require membership for entry, The Grunion Gazette reported. John Caldwell, Commodore at Seal Beach Yacht Club (SLBYC), said in many cases, it is because of their tax status as a not-for-profit.

But there are ways to join activities before committing to membership—generally by establishing your guest status with the club by calling prior to visiting, The Grunion reported. Caldwell suggests trying a club on for size by attending a dinner or joining a cruise.

Alamitos Bay Yacht Club’s Commodore David Schack said his club hosted an open house on June 8. The open house included membership incentives, tours of the clubhouse, sailboat rides and complementary food and drinks.

“We have a couple of great ways non-members can get involved; both involve our sailing program,” he told The Grunion . “One way is through our junior sailing program where we will be offering learn-to-sail programs through to advanced sailing. New this year is an adventure program which will include kayaking, paddleboarding and fun sailing days including pirate day, destination sailing, try-a-boat, and a lot more fun stuff.

“The other way non-members can get involved is through our adult learn-to-sail program, which is a great way adults can get out on the water, learn how to sail, and have fun.”

Shoreline Yacht Club (SYC) Commodore 2019 Einar Lorentzen said most of their activities are not open to the public, but they have two items that are: a pancake breakfast on July 4 and this summer’s beginning sailing classes taught on Cal 20s, The Grunion reported.

Cerritos Bahia Yacht Club (CBYC) mostly caters to boat owners in the adjacent marina near the Golden Sails—and the club welcomes guests who are interested in joining. Commodore Jay Warner told The Gunion , “We have many activities planned ranging from golf tournaments, a Del Mar Opening Day trip, multiple club cruises to Catalina Island as well as Dana Point, Cabrillo, and Newport Beach.

“We have coordinated a September weekend trip to Cabrillo Way Marina the same weekend as the Los Angeles Harbor Boat Show. In October, we get together and cruise out for the Great Pacific Air Show in the waters off Huntington Beach. These are just a few of the events and activities we have on the 2019 calendar.”

Long Beach Singles Yacht Club welcomes guests. According to Commodore Bruce Clark, “The next dock party is on gangway 22 on June 15. “Bring your own beverage and a potluck item that will serve 10. Often members bring musical instruments and a combo plays old time songs.”

Long Beach Rowing Association is hosted “Learn to Row” day June 1, The Grunion reported. The free event included a tour of the boat house and history of the club and the 1932 Olympic Marine Stadium, expert instruction on the rowing machine on how to refine your stroke, and an opportunity to get in a boat and row in a sculling (two oars) or sweep (one oar) boat on the water.

About The Author

Chief Editor, Rob Thomas is based in Cleveland, Ohio. He's a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and a long-time golf course rater. Married with three children, Rob enjoys golf when not participating in activities with his family. Follow him on Twitter (@AmGolferBlog) and listen to him on the Club + Resort Talks podcast.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Articles Read More >

Club + Resort Talks Discusses Major Renovation at Atlanta CC

Georgia Resort Re-Opens Transformed Clubhouse

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa Showcases $3.2M Upgrades

Oregon Resort Readies to Unveil $3M Clubhouse Renovation

Search club + resort business.

• Course+Grounds
• Design+Renovation
• Food+Beverage
• 2023 Top Ranked Clubhouses
• 2023 Top Ranked Pro Shops
• 2023 Top Ranked Patios
• 2023 Racquet Facilities
• 2023 Aquatics & Pools
• 2023 Fitness & Wellness Centers
• 2023 Culinary Experience
• 2023 Club + Resort Business Leaders in the Club Industry
• 2022 C+RB Leaders in the Club Industry Winners
• Culinary Playbook
• Kitchen Equipment and Design Playbook
• Maintenance Employees Playbook
• Technology Playbook
• Digital Issues
• Sponsored Content
• The Road Ahead/The Road Back
• Unboxing Videos

  Maybe you have thought about joining a yacht club, but have been put off by the cost of belonging, the size of the big clubs, or the kind of program offered. Well, perhaps our club would appeal to you.

  Marina Yacht Club of Long Beach is a small club, with less than fifty family members. We say “family” because that’s the way we behave. Everyone knows everyone else, and we support each other in our boating life. And yes, kids are welcome.

   MYCLB has a very diverse cruise program, which includes both water and shore events. Our cruise plans range from Santa Barbara to Coronado Cays, and from Santa Cruz Island to a “Land Cruise” at Desert Hot Springs. Sometimes we even have an unofficial “Catalina Around” cruise for those hardy individuals willing to circumnavigate Catalina in December. In the colder months, we party on the hard.

  MYCLB is a member of Southern California Yachting Association, and we are reciprocal with a large number of clubs up and down the coast. If you are motivated to race, the SCYA membership allows our members to participate in many sponsored races.

  It does not cost much to belong to MYCLB. The initiation fee is about the cost of a lunch at Hof’s Hut, and the annual fee is quite affordable. We can offer this because we have no real estate to support, so we can focus on having fun and using our boats.

   You might enjoy our different approach to yachting. Come visit with us, attend an event, and see what we are all about.  

  Interested?

Call Vice Commodore Rodney Coomber at

(714)-891-0767  [email protected]

SEAL BEACH YACHT CLUB

Sat, Jun 12

Seal Beach Yacht Club

Commodore's Ball 2021

2021 Commodore's Ball. Note that registration closes on June 8th at 11:00 AM. ** IMPORTANT RESERVATION INFORMATION BELOW **

Time & Location

Jun 12, 2021, 6:00 PM

Seal Beach Yacht Club, 255 N Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803, USA

About the event

Reservations are required for Our upcoming Commodores Ball on June 12 at 6 PM. You may reserve a table for six by contacting Debbie Baughman at debra@hartshomes.com or 562–833–6313. 

Please be advised that all members of your party wishing to sit together must have pre-paid before the table  reservation can be accepted.  The remaining tables will be available for open seating with a pre-paid-reservation.  Deadline to reserve your seat is online by June 8.

Dinner Choices:

Appetizer Trio :

Bruschetta w/Roasted Tomatoes, Burrata Cheese & Pesto Oil

Grilled Shrimp w/Tamarind Chili Dip

Polenta Bite w/Carmelized Wild Mushrooms

Choice of Three Entrees:

Panko Crusted Sea Bass w/Tomato Coulis

Slowly Braised Boneless Short Ribs w/Cabernet Mushroom Sauce

Meyer Lemon Chicken w/White Wine, Capers, Spinach & Shallots

Accompaniments:

Roasted Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Breads/Rolls & Butters

Mixed Greens Salad w/Apples, Berries, Heirloom Tomatoes, Feta, Champagne Vinaigrette

Dessert Trio:

Trio of Mini Fruit Tarts, Lemon Squares & Mini Tiramasu

Coffee & Tea

CB Sea Bass

Cb short ribs, cb meyer chicken, share this event.

• Officers, Directors & Staff
• Scuttlebutt Newsletter
• Membership Information + Application
• Voluntary Contribution
• Race Calendar
• Racing Results
• Events Calendar
• Photo Gallery
• Community Action

Your Cart is Empty

• $0.00 Subtotal
• About NYCLB

History of the NYCLB

The Navy Yacht Club Long Beach was established under the authority of Naval Station Instruction 1710.9 dated 23 October 1967, for the express purpose of encouraging Corinthian sailing and boating; promoting safety, traditions, customs, and competition in yachting; and providing a competitive sailing identity through which members could participate in local, state, and nation competitive events.

As Port Services Officer, Naval Station Long Beach, LCDR John P. Larson, USN , originated and brought into being a sailing facility, a new form of recreation for the Navy in the Long Beach area. In the fall of 1967 LCDR Larson called a group of sailing enthusiasts to a meeting to organize the club. The by-laws were approved on 8 November 1967. Last year we celebrated our fiftieth year, and what a spectacular anniversary celebration it was!

Mr. Robert M. Allan, Jr. , a member of the Fales Committee, an organization of influential civilians devoted to acquiring boats and facilities to support Naval Sailing programs, supported the Clubs establishment.

The Naval Recreation Fund provided the initial equipment and facilities the Club used. Four Coronado 25’ and ten Coronado 15’ boats, a floating dock and a 16’ x 32’ trailer were enclosed with a chain-link fence. Commodore Driscoll in 1969 asked for a Navy Marina for private boats; Commodore Sernmens in 1970 was able to provide docks and fingers installed with 30 slips for boats donated. The Marina Club House provided heads and showers and a meeting room where a three-ton jib boom was installed in 1972.

1967: November the Club was founded. The facility was begun in December. Four Coronado 25‘ were each named after four Commanders; John Paul Jones, Alfred Alliance, Ariel, and Providence. Charles Gardner

1968: Wednesday noon races began along with the Winter Day Sailor Series. Dues were 25 cents a month. First flag pole and patio roof installed. Charles Gardner

1969: Several Seaplane Buoys installed for moorings. 117 members. Serapis, a Coronado 25‘ was raced with other four Club boats and raced to Ensenada. 39 entrants in Navy Day Regatta. Henry Sprague represented NYCLB, winning the Congressional Cup. Scott Driscoll

1970: In August the new Marina with 52 slips was dedicated. Coronado 25‘ rabbit races held on Thursday evenings. First Club cruise to Catalina. NYCLB joined Yacht Club Association of Los Angeles - Long Beach Harbors and was accepted as SCYA Affiliate Member. James P. Seramens

1971: Seventy-five boats in Commodore‘s Invitational. Hosted Cal 40‘ for Mid-Winter Regatta. First Salty Saturday Race in April. Initiated intra-Club Independence Day Regatta in August. Membership 200. Robert J. Trauger

1972: Marina Clubhouse dedicated 21 June. Cruises to KHYC and Bahia Corinthian. Parking lot and jib boom installed. Coronado‘s 25‘ replaced by 27‘ Catalina's. New Year Eve party in new Clubhouse. Harold S. Croyts

1973: NYCLB became incorporated. Naval Station downgraded to Support Activity - no longer have port for ships. Newsletter became SCUTTLEBUTT, Membership records stolen, recovered next day. David W. Whelan & Carl W. Coe

1974: Ocean racing participation increased. Club sponsored sailing symposium, it was a success. Clarence Shaw organized Junior Sabot Program. Junior sailing scholarships established. May Salty Saturday was for Single-handed Race. 180 people at 4th July picnic. Lady Skipper‘s Race began in October with chili fest following. George H. Christena

1975: NYCLB Associate member of SCYA. Full cruising calendar now a tradition. Club hosted 25‘ Cal Nationals. Cookouts and social activities increased thanks to a new gas BBQ grill. E. Lawrence Bingham

1976: The year brought successful racing, cruising and social programs, a Bicentennial Dinghy Parade, hosted West Coast Sailing Championship race, and the after-effects of a fire in the Clubhouse. Alfred C. Krueger

1977: Increased participation and activity in racing and cruising program. Ruel Cameron, TAHUNA, raced in TRANSPAC. Tenth Anniversary party in October. Philip H. Novodvorsky

1978: NYCLB joined Southern California Youth Yacht Racing Association. Long Beach will become home port for ships. A five-year plan for the Club was approved. Donald E. Burke

1979: Cruises once a month, including Don and Dee Bastin named Yachtsman and Lady Mariner of the year. SCUTTLEBUTT with pictures and personal articles. Hosted first international race series with the Japanese. Hosted first SBORA Nationals. First USMC Commodore. Clarence E. Smith, Jr.

1980: Bareboat charter cruise to the British Virgin Islands. By-Laws revised and updated. Hosted new PHRF open event for ladies, the Footin‘ Foxes Race. First annual 4th of July Parade and hors d‘oeuvres contest. Jean G. Goppert

1981: Hosted SCYA dinner meeting at Allen Center in April. Held first Opening Day Ceremony. Dinner meeting held on Buccaneer Queen. Held expanded 4th of July Boat Parade and Picnic. Membership increased to 248. First Coast Guard Commodore. Richard F. Goward

1982: Regular Member of SCYA. Student membership program of NROTC members at USC and UCLA to provide sail training as future Naval Officers. Organized chapter of International Order of the Blue Gavel for S/C. Placed seventh out of nineteen in Lipton Cup. Clubhouse now has four showers. William J. Nelson

1983: Participated in management of SCYA sponsored Olympic Classes Regatta. Raced C1 5‘s against HMAS Sydney and lost, but against Japanese destroyer ―Sawakaze we won. Ladies Invitational was a clean sweep of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Reciprocal cruising schedule included Dana Point Yacht Club and Dana West Yacht Club. USNSA Bob McWethy was speaker at November dinner meeting. Mario Ferrara

1984: NYCLB participated in Olympics sailing program with SCYA volunteers helping to make the sailing events a success. The C-15 program included races against the Australian from ―Sydney which was in NYCLB‘s favor. George F. Mahoney

1985: Major facility expansion and improvement with 350 slips, concrete pilings and renewed docks. The Club hosted thirteen different yacht clubs from the Southern California area. They visited with 155 boats and 515 guests. NYCLB members enjoyed an active racing and cruising year. John A. Monkvic

1986: NYCLB‘s membership peaked at 273. The first Member‘s Day Brunch, as well as an outstanding Opening Day, 4th of July, and pot-luck dinners rounded out a busy social calendar. First Christmas Parade of Lights Club sponsored for crews of Navy ships in port. Clubhouse renovation going slowly. Jonathan C. Ide

1987: The Club‘s twentieth anniversary year. The Membership Roster contains a broader representation of the various uniformed services than in the past: retired members continue to be the main force in leadership and continuity in the Club‘s operation. Mike Elliott and Ray Vida led the cruise program with 216 boats coming in from 16 different yacht clubs. The cruise- out sent 116 NYCLB boats with 232 members, on reciprocal cruises from Marina del Rey to San Diego. NYCLB for the 1st time assisted Metropolitan Yacht Club of Oakland, CA in staging the San Francisco to Catalina Race. John Larson, Membership number 1, received the LA-LB Harbor Association‘s Yachtsman of the Year Award. Herbert A. Turner

1988: The Club participated in a full calendar of racing, cruising, and social events. Along with five other yacht clubs, NYCLB co-sponsored the Charity Regatta for the benefit of the Children‘s Clinic of Long Beach. We assisted the Metropolitan Yacht Club of Oakland to Catalina Race. Lt. Mike Turner and crew on the USC-NROTC‘s 41‘ ketch ―Sea Traveler, won their class in the race. Groundbreaking for the new 2 story Clubhouse, and the construction began. (First woman Commodore). Alita Marks

1989: New Marina Facility was completed. NYCLB‘s trophies, plaques, and burgees highlight new Clubhouse décor. A pictorial gallery of S/C‘s honors our past. Bobby Novodvorsky was LA/LB Yachtswoman of the Year. First annual Lady Skippers Invitational race offers opportunities for future regional exposure. 4th of July and Christmas Parades show innovative talents of our members. Bill M. Lewis

1990: NYCLB continued to co-sponsor Oakland-Catalina race with MYCO. Followed by our own homeward bound race. Members participated in race management seminars; women‘s sailing convention; NYCLB‘s women‘s invitational is part of the women‘s championship of LA/LB Harbor. Sponsored LB Charity Regatta. Ron Tornan establishing Jr. Sailing Program. Continue to use cruise-ins and cruise-outs to visit local yacht clubs. Finish each Salty Saturday with a social activity at the Marina Clubhouse. Herbert L. Schoonover

1991: The good news: released, furnished, and occupied our fist dedicated office; by-laws were modified permitting some dependent membership, and allowing spouses to hold membership and office; new renovated shower and laundry facilities. New trophies were added to the perpetual list for Race Committee Boat participation and most miles logged in our cruising program. The bad news: A dock blew away, leaving a few Club members in temporary slips and requiring a monumental effort on the part of our MWR colleagues to stabilize the situation. Robert E. Fort

1992: 25th year as a Club. Bill Lewis, S/C was LA/LB Harbor Association‘s Yachtsman of the Year. Second time in 5 year history of the award a NYCLB member has won. Hosted the SCYA‘s Old Timers dinner, with 150+ guests. Racing Fleet participated in NYCLB‘s Salty Saturday Series, Club‘s Invitational, numerous local invitational and the Catalina Series. Jr. S/C Bob Fort, in SCEPTRE won a trophy in Oakland-Catalina Race. Numerous NYCLB members assisted Betty Larson, Committee Chair, with the Catalina end of the race and the Homeward Bound Race. Bobby Novodvorsky became first Associate Member on the Club‘s Board of Directors. Numerous pilings were added to the Marina and construction on the new sail loft began. Paul W. Lowry

1993: The Oakland to Catalina race was rescheduled to be conducted on odd numbered years to avoid conflict with other events. The first annual hosting of NOSA‘s Argosy Race layover. One hundred plus sailors involved, hopefully this event has found a home at the Navy Marina. NYCLB was involved for the first time in the USC/UCLA NROTC Regatta, by contributing a Race Committee for the midshipmen from schools nationwide. Club By-laws were changed in response to the problem of having a 15% quorum for general membership balloting. The change provides strictly controlled absentee ballots. NYCLB re-instituted the MWR assist work weekend now required as compensation for the Club‘s free use of the Clubhouse for some 30 events per year. John P. Larson

1994: We hosted the USC/UCLA NROTC regatta and the Read Cup Challenge for the first time. NYCLB challenged for the Gator Cup at NYCSD. The Independence Day Regatta following an eight year absence, was to fill in for the Homeward Bound Race with 14 yacht clubs making a cruise-in to our facility. Bad weather kept our Club dockside. We hosted the 2nd Annual NOSA Argosy Race finish and put on a dinner for 150+ racers and NYCLB members. Naval Station Long Beach was disestablished and down graded to a Naval Support Activity for the third time in its history. The loss of active duty members resulted with a by-laws change allowing marina patrons to be Affiliate Members. The first Virgil Crabtree Memorial Fishing Tournament was held. The Navy Day Regatta teamed up with the Oktoberfest making it a highlight event. NYCLB participated in the Annual Long Beach Charity Regatta. A new Ship‘s Store was opened to supply the marina‘s needs. NYCLB was a contender for the SCYA‘s first ―Club of the Year Award for regular members. Richard Satchell

1995: Six of our members passed this year. We received the announcement of the Naval Shipyard closure in 1997, thus the Navy Marina will also close. NYCLB brought home the Gator Regatta Cup, an annual race in San Diego between Commodores of the 4 Southern California Navy Yacht Clubs. The MYCO race from San Francisco to Catalina was sponsored by our Club. We hosted the NOSA Argosy Race for the third year. The finish was in Long Beach with a steak dinner for the racers. Al Toll

1996: The By-laws were changed to allow broader eligibility for membership to include Coast Guard Auxiliary, DOD civilians, and veterans as the result of the need to relocate due to the Marina closure. The Navy Marina renters were given slips at the Downtown Marina at our present slip rent for 3 years. Navy Marina renters began relocating in October to the Downtown Marina, some moved to Cabrillo Marina in San Pedro. We found a building on the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station we shared with the WWII Submariners. The facility is a former brig with a kitchen, storage, bathrooms, and somewhat renovated. Moving our Club to offshore facilities will affect our ability to provide reciprocal privileges to other yacht clubs. The hosting of regattas and other events will continue. We hosted the NOSA Argosy Race finish at Long Beach as well as a steak dinner prepared and served by our members. The men‘s team won the Gator Regatta at NYCSD, but due to our not having a women‘s team, under the new rules, we could not win the overall team trophy. Beginning our 30th year our membership with a strong group of volunteers. William C. Nielsen

1997: Moving from the old facility to storage and finally to our present location at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station was the result of teamwork as well as the many hardworking and dedicated members. Our Clubhouse looks very nautical and inviting, with the help of the WWII Submarine Vets. In the latter part of the year we contacted the Long Beach Maritime Foundation regarding the possibility of our Clubhouse aboard the USS NEW ORLEANS. The Foundation has asked for a decommissioned ship from the US Navy for permanent berthing in the Long Beach Harbor, we are awaiting approval from the Navy Department. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Club and many have given support the Foundation with contributions. This would make NYCLB the only yacht club in the world on a Navy ship. Our first MEMBER‘S APPRECIATION DAY was held in September at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station on the water at the Beach House. This resulted in our first mini cruise-in to SBNWS. Along with the numerous changes, the Club also experienced and survived the first non-military female commodore. Marion Monkvic

1998: We started with the traditional, Commodore‘s Invitational Race. This is a Long Beach/Los Angeles area performance handicapped racing series. Our members participated in the annual Ensenada Race. Ron Toman in PASSAGES won a trophy for first place in his class. He also won the NYCLB‘s READY FOR SEA PERPETUAL trophy. Our Opening Day Ceremony was well attended with the highlight of 3 marine F-18 fighters fly- over during the ceremony. The Club continued with the MEMBER‘S APPRECIATION picnic on the beach at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. The arrival of the USS New Orleans was delayed, but the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station is a good home until our ship comes in. Richard Tyhurst

1999: NYCLB continues at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Our membership is around 130+. The hope of moving aboard the New Orleans is not looking good. Our biggest event during the year was Opening Day ceremony. The Newport to Ensenada race was a slow race, with most wanting to just finish. At the Cabrillo Marina Mary Hunt MAME held a dock party with a great turnout. The 4th of July party was on H dock at Shoreline Marina. The annual picnic honoring Member‘s Appreciation was held with a good turnout. I thank all the members of the GREAT club. Victor Padilla

2000: The Commodore‘s Invitational Regatta was cancelled due to no wind. The day following Opening Day the wind flipped the tent up on the gaff of our flag pole, shredding the tent, and blowing down the flag pole. Novodvorsky re-erected the pole, anchoring it to the building‘s eve. NYCLB‘s chances of getting the former USS New Orleans as a new home is looking bleak. The Club began cruise-outs to Long Beach Downtown Marina along with Long Beach Single Sailors Association, and BCYC. We began a Friday night happy hour at Fort Mac Arthur in San Pedro. There are regular Club members of about 20-30 people. A Burgee on a small post was put on the table with the Fort Mac Community Center helps by putting a white table cloth on the table for our group. Thanks to Mary Hunt, we have had several dock parties aboard her boat MAME. The Club‘s spirit seems stronger and we have gained more members than we have lost. Frank Herbert

2001: The Club‘s Friday night social at Fort Mac Arthur were attended with between 20-35 people each night. The Commodore‘s Invitational Race had 12 racers and the Navy Day Regatta had 14 boats. Our Cruise-out included Shoreline, Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport, even the Isthmus with many Club boats participating. For Opening Day there were about 250 members and guests. The City of Los Angeles agreed to give the ship a berth somewhere in its Harbor area. Then September 11th happened and all the rules changed. All MWR Clubs were barred from military bases due to their being locked down tight. The Friday night socials moved to Ports 'O Call Restaurant, then to the Hilton Hotel at Cabrillo. It was a struggle to find suitable places for socials and even our Board meetings. During that time Flag Officers and Members alike put in extra hours pulling strings, calling in favors, anything to keep the Club going. We all pulled together doing whatever we could to help one another and the Club. Whatever the challenges our Club will continue to grow and prosper. Bryan DeAro

2002: The after effects of the September 11th attacks affected our Club‘s ability to access the Seal Beach Weapons Station and Fort Mac Arthur. Dick DeRusha and I returned in the middle of March from a four month vacation in Mexico. On my return I needed two new Flag Officers so Pam Padilla became the Club‘s Vice Commodore and Ted Valdez moved to Rear Commodore with Dick DeRusha assuming the Fleet Captain‘s office. The Opening Day ceremony at Little Ship‘s Fleet in Alamitos Bay was a success. Cruise-outs included Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, California Yacht Club, Dana Point Yacht Club, King Harbor Yacht Club and the Isthmus. Betty Jackson was the Cruise- out chairman. The Commodore‘s Invitational Regatta and the Navy Day Regatta were successful. MAME‘s dock parties, a Sunday Brunch at Khoury‘s, and the Beach Party at Barney‘s Beach House on the Seal Beach Weapons Station were among our social events. The annual election was exciting as well as good spirited. I want to thank everyone who worked hard to make this a successful year. Millie Warren

2003: This year was mostly a period for recovery for the Club. The Twin Tower attack on 9.11 left us without a home. Access to Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station was terminated, so the Club was forced to find other accommodations. Early 2003 the Military Club at Fort MacArthur, opened to the Club meeting there in a private room for Friday night functions, with a bar and Happy Hour facilities. In late 2003 we returned to SBNWS. The Club held a social event nearly every Friday night after we returned to the Weapons Station. During this period, we held the Club‘s monthly board meetings at local restaurants, i.e. the Crab Shack. After Little Ship‘s Fleet vacated 223 Marina Drive we presented a proposal to the Long Beach City Council, resulting with the Club continuing without a meeting place. The Club continued developing Club activities with cruise-outs to Long Beach, Dana Point, Bahia Corinthian, King Harbor Yacht Clubs, and Catalina Cat Harbor. The Club held four Regattas including the Commodore‘s Invitational and the Navy Day Regatta. The Children‘s Clinic of Long Beach continued to be an outreach of the Club. The Pancake Breakfast and the Charity Regatta were held at the Seal Beach Yacht Club. NYCLB Flag Officers and S/C‘s prepared food for both events. William Plumlee

2004: With the help of Captain Rusty Mirick, Commanding Officer, SBNWS, the Club was permitted to return for monthly Board Meetings and for two weekend events each month. The Club took advantage of these facilities, yet we continued to meet at Ft. MacAruthur for Friday night events; however, with the change of Command structure at the Fort, it became increasingly difficult for the Club to access the facilities. Captain Bob Fowler, and Jack Gordon, MWR Director, assisted the Club with the use of Building 6 so the Friday night activities at Fort MacArthur were discontinued. Two weekend events were held at Building 6 and one at Barney‘s Beach House. The most difficult problem for the Club was gaining access to the SBNWS base. Capt. Fowler continued to support the Club even though he considered the Club one of his greatest security risks. The Club presented to the City Council a proposal for NYCLB to use the facilities at 223 Marina Drive. While negotiations with the City were ongoing, the Club met for a General Membership Meeting to consider moving off the SBNWS. After a lively discussion the Board unanimously voted to continue the negotiations and to sign a lease if one was offered. The lease for the Alamitos Bay Clubhouse was signed in December and the Club moved into the Clubhouse in January. Cruise-outs were held in the following Yacht Clubs: Long Beach, Dana Point, Bahia Corinthian, King Harbor, and Catalina. The Club supported the Charity Regatta, Navy Day Regatta, and the Commodore‘s Invitational. Membership increased to 160+ during 2004. LaVon Plumlee

2005: A rejuvenated spirit of adventure and a much needed boost to members‘ morale was a positive result of the wind break/wind shield at the Alamitos Bay clubhouse. This prompted dreaming about the possibilities for future Clubhouse expansion. Navy Yacht Club is a member of SCYA, ASPBYC, US Navy Sailing Association, and LBMBOA. The Friday night socials are a success. The Club began seeking a liquor permit through the ABC and submitted necessary papers. Opening Day was well attended, as was the 4th of July Barbecue and Christmas Boat Parade. The Commodore‘s leadership kept the NYCLB moving forward and active. The Club continues to support the Charity Regatta and the annual Christmas baskets for the SBNWS. William M. Gordon

2006: This was a rebuilding year for NYCLB. Emphasis was placed on recruiting more volunteers and members to participate in Club activities. A new double-door and the addition of a fence to enclose the Clubhouse was planned. Friday night socials continued as well as an active sailing schedule, A well-attended Opening Day celebration and cruise-outs to Cabrillo Yacht Club, Shoreline Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club and Catalina Island were very successful. The Commodore encouraged membership involvement in the Club activities resulting in a positive growth atmosphere. Several new members were added to the roster. The annual Christmas Party was held at Alpine Village complete with a gift exchange. We celebrated the Christmas Boat Parade at the Clubhouse with several members and guests attending. Richard DeRusha

2007: The unofficial theme this year was renew and rebuild! Under the watchful eye of Commodore Tony Rietdyk a double-door was installed in the Clubhouse. The fence surrounding the Clubhouse was completed providing an enclosed area for social activities. Permits for activities were obtained from the Alcohol Beverage Commission for subsequent events. During Opening Day a fly over of four vintage navy fighter planes added to the festivities. The NYCLB continues to be a regular and active member of the SCYA, the US Navy Sailing Association, the Long Beach Marina Boat Owners Association, and the ASPBYC. The race schedule was very active throughout the year. The Charity Regatta was supported by us and continues to have strong support from several yacht clubs in the Long Beach area. Attendance at the Friday evening socials continues. Several cruise- outs were held with positive responses from the membership. Mariner of the year was Phil LeVine and Lady Mariner of the year was Sara Zak. The annual Christmas Party was held at the Petroleum Club. The Christmas Boat Parade was very well attended by NYCLB members and guests. Tony Rietdyk

2008: The sailing schedule with Race Committee Chair Tony Rietdyk continued to be a Club activity. Southern California yacht clubs were participants of this successful activity. A new lease, the first of three one-year leases for the Clubhouse was signed. A storage shed next to the Clubhouse was completed with Vice Commodore Ron Warren‘s supervision. Perhaps one of the most significant projects was Bunker 33 on the Seal Beach Weapons Station for our use as an on base Clubhouse. Mariner of the year was Frank Farmer and Lady Mariner of the year trophy was awarded to Cindy Heavrin & Kathy Reed. The cruising boat of the year was Mike & Gloria Richards 42‘ Catalina, RAGAMUFFIN. The Christmas Party was held on the paddle wheel river-boat GRAND ROMANCE with dinner and dancing to a live band. LaVon Plumlee

2009: Bunker 33 is our new SBNWS facility, and the Club has signed the first of three one-year leases on the Alamitos Bay Clubhouse. Friday evenings at the Club continue as a tradition with many members attending. Plans include expansion of the current facility to the footprint of the original building. The expansion of the galley and bar area was completed with an opening between the galley and the salon. Several cruise-outs, an active social schedule, and a highly successful race schedule added to the festivities as members continue to join the Club. The Scuttlebutt and a web page have added to the communication between Club members and other yacht clubs. Ron Warren

2011: Our goal was to push forward with Clubhouse expansion. The City of Long Beach is supportive and we look forward to it becoming a reality. Proceeds from our well-attended monthly social activities this year will help with Clubhouse expansion plans. We began the year with our January Installation Champagne Brunch featuring our 5-Star NYCLB chefs. I‘d like to highlight the socials this year by mentioning our Luau featuring the Sandy Feet band and a whole pig roasted to perfection by my husband, Bill Plumlee, and a BBQ at Barney‘s Beach House aboard Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. Our thanks go to the NWSSB MWR for their continued support of NYCLB. Our Fleet Captain and Race Committee Chairman S/C Tony Rietdyk continued to outdo his previous accomplishments. Five-buoy races and two point off shore races were scheduled by NYCLB this year. Our thanks go to Becky for all her contributions including her famous Mexican food after the races. And thanks to our Fleet Captain we have been provided with a long list of reciprocals for our members to enjoy. I‘m proud of our NYCLB racing history. Our own LTJG Sprague, an NYCLB racer, was the recipient of the Congressional Cup in 1969. NYCLB proudly nominated S/C Richard Tyhurst for the 2012 ASPBYC Yachtsman of the Year award and I‘m happy to announce that Dick was chosen to receive this prestigious award. He has been a member of NYCLB since 1987, and has been an enormous asset to our Club. He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Our congratulations go to Dick and his wife Marge. I‘d like to recognize those who contributed to make this year special. First, thanks to my Flag Officers and Directors for their support. Following awards were made: Lady Mariner, Becky Rietdyk; Yachtsman of the Year, Mark Steiert; Top Gun, and Camille D‘Esposo for her outstanding assistance on the Racing Committee. Passagemaker Trophy was presented to my husband, S/C Bill Plumlee for the longest journey from San Francisco Bay to Long Beach. NYCLB is an all-volunteer club and I thank all members who donated time and expertise this year. It was an honor for me to again serve as Commodore. LaVon Plumlee

2012: NYCLB average done cruise in each month, welcoming members and sister yacht clubs: American Legion, Mariner YC, Potters and Hurricane Gulch. We sponsored one social each month plus weekly Friday night potlucks. Highlights include the July 3 lawn party with an overwhelming fireworks display from McKenna‘s at the Bay, our annual August Luau, and the September barbecue and dance party at Barney‘s Beach House aboard the naval base. W e welcomed the new Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Commanding Officer, Captain Tripp Hardy USN and his wife Grayce, as new active members, in July. Tony Rietdyk has managed the racing schedule each year followed by taco dinners courtesy of Becky Rietdyk. Kathy Reed and her team recaptured the Gator Cup at the annual race among the three Navy Yacht Clubs in Southern California. Several NYCLB members led by Lisa Meier entered the LBYC Catalina 37 race as The Spice Girls and came in third overall. We cruised out to Catalina Two Harbors twice.  Tamara Carbone

2013: It was pleasure being your Commodore although my year consisted of both highs and lows. During my year we lost our battle with the Planning Commission and were told the new build on our site would not happen. Being the club we are, we rolled up our sleeves, put our heads together and creatively started improving the space we had. The tree table in front of the club made way for a larger patio that included the start of the Navy Nook. One of the year‘s highs, based on the Commission‘s decision not to let us have a new building, was that I was able to lower the dues. Other highs started with Tamara planning a wonderful Opening Day to start our yachting season, and Victor and Pam Padilla keeping the ball rolling throughout the rest of the year. Gary Halliburton grabbed the reins and started publishing the Scuttlebutt, proving he was a great Editor. Tony and Becky keep the racers happy with Becky‘s famous tacos ready and waiting after each race. I really enjoyed my year as your Commodore. Thank you all for letting me be of service. Jeanne Stafford

2014: I was Commodore of this great club in 1999. Although I left for about 5 years, I always kept up my membership. One day Jeanne Stafford, incoming 2013 Commodore, asked me if I would like to join as her Vice Commodore. After talking with my wife Pam I decided to volunteer again. I had learned so much about this club when we were at the Long Beach Naval Station. Fast forward to 2014 and here I am Commodore again. There is a different facility and many new faces. Membership increased steadily this year. To improve our facility, we added more patio around the clubhouse, including the NavyNook. Our members poured the concrete and made the structure for the placement of the window area. Member Al Del Real installed the glass window in the nook and Don Bastin and Tony Reitdyk placed a shade cover over the nook. We added some shade cloth in front and on the side of the building. We bought a new 52" HD TV for inside the clubhouse and set the older 45" TV outside on the clubhouse wall. We started an outdoor summer Movie Night. There were outstanding cruise outs to Catalina, Shoreline YC, Cabrillo Beach YC, King Harbor YC, just to name a few. Our Opening Day was a huge success with perfect weather and dancing all afternoon. Many times other yacht club members stated that NYCLB is the highlight of their Opening Days to attend. Race Chairman Tony Rietdyk and his crew did an outstanding job running about 5 races this year and hosting Becky‘s after-race taco parties at the clubhouse. Tony developed some great sponsors and awarded trophies and gifts to the top 3 class winners. Our club once again was a major sponsor of the Long Beach Charity Regatta, hosting a burger bash, golf tournament, and a brunch at our clubhouse to raise donations. Bill Plumlee and Gary Halliburton cooked omelets to order. The annual Membership Meeting was held at the Navy Golf Course in Cypress with the best turnout in many years, about 65 members, with a delicious dinner and memorable evening for everyone. Bar Manager Tommy Wheeler and his crew did a terrific job this year. As I close this article about my year as Commodore I want to say that I couldn‘t do any of it without the help of my lovely wife Pam. I am very glad we came back to NYCLB; we‘ve had so much fun this year. Thank you for having me as your Commodore for 2014. Victor Padilla

Newport ALYC, Cabrillo Beach YC, Pine Avenue Pier and Long Beach YC. Vice Commodore Jeanne Stafford chaired the 2012 Long Beach Charity Regatta. Our members cooked at the pancake breakfast and sponsored a brunch with IOBG at our clubhouse producing a sizable donation to the charity. The Long Beach Planning Commission granted a two-year lease extension on the clubhouse. Progress toward permit approval for a new building is slow, but we are still working toward this long-term goal. We are very sorry to report we lost S/C Dick DeRusha this year. His burial at sea took place in Alamitos Bay followed by a touching celebration of life at our Clubhouse.  Tamara Carbone

2015:  We started out 2015 with some big surprises. Our parking lot was closed off for six months to replace the gasoline tanks for the fuel dock. A large shipping container stood directly in front of our clubhouse which cut off our view. Due to the construction, some members wanted us to close the clubhouse; however, we continued to have successful Friday night potlucks and monthly special get-togethers. We held the Commodore‘s Brunch with omelets in January, a sweetheart barbecue dinner in February, and a St. Patrick‘s celebration in March. In spite of the construction, in April we held a very successful Opening Day. Thanks to Marine Manager Elvira Hallinan and the city construction crew, were able to get a portion of the parking lot cleared and held our ceremonies behind the shipping container and our luncheon following in the sunshine of our patio and lawn area. This year we also lost our free dock privileges and our ability to med tie our boats. We had meetings with Ms. Hallinan and our council member Suzie Price to voice our disappointments. We were told that they would try and work on an amicable alternative. The balance of the year continued a busy racing schedule, our weekly potlucks and monthly socials, including a fantastic July 3rd barbecue with a terrific view of the fireworks on Alamitos Bay, a Halloween party, and Christmas chili potluck to watch the annual Naples Boat Parade. We ended the year in a very positive cash inflow, due to dues received from 265 members, monthly socials, and Friday night potlucks. Gary Halliburton

2016: It‘s been an honor to be Commodore. Serving as an Army Medic during the Vietnam War, I developed friendships with many of the young men I worked on. There is a special bond that takes place between Military people when they meet. It‘s that same feeling that drew me to join NYC. 2016 was filled with many events and gatherings; from Friday Potluck dinners, Wine Tasting, Holiday Celebrations, Costume Parties, Weddings, or just enjoying an evening sunset. The many upgrades and improvements to the club house have made it an appealing place to hang out. We held our first Wounded Warriors Cruise in September. We took Veteran‘s, many dealing with PTSD, on a cruise followed by lunch. The conversations and genuine delight they expressed, gives me hope that in the future we can connect with them again. Our R/C Dale West and his wife Angie provided the club with training and installation of a Defibrillator. Like Commodores before me, I faced some challenges, but was inspired by the way board members stepped in to help, working to solve any problems together. I thank all of them for their support and dedication. One of the success stories of 2016 is our Salty Sailors Races directed by Chris Mewes. He does a fantastic job encouraging camaraderie and friendly competition, all while people have the chance to improve their skills at sailing. I feel one of the keys to the success of our club is the committed members willing to lend a hand. For the first half of the year, our Scuttlebutt Newsletter was published by Grayce Hardy. When Grayce and Tripp sadly had to leave us, Sylvia Wheeler stepped in. It‘s a perfect example of the dedication of our members. As my year ends, the club will continue to grow and thrive under Commodore Tommy Wheeler‘s leadership. I‘m grateful for the privilege to serve as your Commodore for 2016, but I‘d be remiss if I did not thank my wife Carolyn for her faithful support and help all year long. She‘s been by my constant strength and love. Roy C. Queen

  Wow 2017 was a spectacular year. I had the honor and privilege of being the Commodore during this special time frame. We started catering more of the social events so that the volunteers, that normally performed the vast majority of the work, could start enjoying the events without having to work the entire time. For the first time in many years, we actually had to cancel some of our social events due to rain.

Thankfully the Marine Department did come out and patch the roof before we were soaked through and through. Being that this was our 50th year, it was important that we design our new anniversary burgee and commemorative lapel pins. We also made some very nice changes at the club including the new engineered flooring, the patio resurfacing and a new awning.

The building was painted just before opening day by the grounds committee. A new grill was purchased, and Victor, Manny and Chris did an excellent job building a wind break around it. We also had two of our members, Rodney Coomber and Joyce Jackson get married at the facility.

We had a terrific 3'd of July party, a Spooktacular Halloween party plus a Christmas light boat parade party. Eric Stone once again came out and put on a great performance of beach style music. Unfortunately, we had some of our members cross the bar. Dee Bastin, Katheryn Cumber, Billand Jackie Gordon, Margarita Gulispie, Rayma Alexander, Margie Rokes. Thanks for all the support of the 2017 Bridge and Board of Directors. Very Respectfully, Tommy Wheeler

2018: It’s been an honor being commodore of this great club in 2018. During this year, we had a number of major accomplishments, achievable through the hard work and cooperation of a number of committees and a terrific Board of Directors. This was a big year for negotiating with the Long Beach City Council. One of the biggest accomplishment this year, I believe, was the successful negotiation of the clubhouse lease for a 1S-year period with minimal rent increases. To enhance the negotiations, a committee developed a Long-Term Grounds improvement Plan. After months of negotiations, the City Council approved the lease at their February, 2019 meeting. ln December, 2018, the city council gave approval for NCYLB to use the dock in front of the clubhouse for events at no charge for 130 days during the 2019 year. Also in 2018, we negotiated with the Alamitos Bay Marina to obtain parking passes for all members-not just members with boats-for 2019. One of the things I'm most proud of in 2018 is NYCLB's increased participation in activities for our local Veterans. We sponsored two Clothes Drives for the VA Hospitals P.l.E.R. Center.

We launched a new Veterans Programs in Partnership with the Long Beach VA Hospital and hosted the first annual Duffy Cruise in partnership with the VA Women Veterans Program. Also, in May 2018, we hosted a formal acknowledgment of National Military Spouses Day. Not only is NYCLB stepping up its contribution to our local veterans, but the emotional impact on our veteran participants and the connections our participating club members have made with these veterans is deep and lasting! 2018 also marked an increase in the safety features at our clubhouse' We installed three new fire extinguishers and two first aid kits, and hosted two training sessions for our new AED Defibrillator equipment. Topping off our fabulous year is our new professional website developed by member Mo Nelson, the addition of 80 new patio chairs as well as newly upholstered bar stools and a refinished picnic table. I want to thank everyone for your help and support during this year. it was an honor serving the Navy Yacht Club Long Beach . Rebecca Martinez

 2019: The year started when the Commodore’s Brunch was almost canceled when it looked like we were going to get rained out, but because of some fast work by many of our officers and members, as well as help from our friendly neighbor, Seal Beach Yacht Club, we were able to move the brunch inside at their facility, in just a few days. With the bad weather and last-minute change, we were not expecting much of a turn out.  But much to our surprise we had about 80 members and guests.  The food was great, the champagne was plentiful, wine and Bloody Mary’s were also available, but best of all, was the camaraderie of our great little club.

Another unpleasant surprise, brought on by the weather, in February, was destruction of a large table canopy which ended up in the tree to the south of its location that had to be scrapped.  Then later, after more rain and wind we lost more of the canopy over the main patio area.  Weather was not kind to us!!

On a positive note , shortly after that, we received a new lease from the City of Long Beach which covers fifteen years total.  A five-year period to start with and two five-year options thereafter.  After a thorough review by the Lease Committee, we went back to the city with certain clarifications that we felt were needed and in doing so we received revised language which satisfied all of our concerns and which we signed.

During this same period of time, after discussion with the marina office, we received parking permits for our members, that do not have boats in the Long Beach Marinas System so that they can park without worry of citation or towing .  This was a First !!  These permits were assigned to members only by the yacht club and will be issued each year as is done with boat owners in the marina.

Our Opening Day, held in April was well attended by about 125 people and one of the highlights for me was being able to present 50-year membership burgees to Deborah (Larson) Tyhurst (52 years) and Philip (Ski) Novodvorsky (51 years).  Debra also brought an article from the 1968 Long Beach Press Telegram newspaper outlining how the Navy Yacht Club was formed with her father John Larson being one of the founding fathers.  We were also able to make a copy for our archives.

In July we were able to get our front canopy back up, have a fun 3 rd of July fireworks party and host a “Meet and Greet/Family Day” gathering for the Army’s 113 th Medical Detachment who had just arrived back in the states after a year or more deployment overseas. This event was another first for our club and was attended by 74 members of that group including several children.  We offered Duffy rides for the families, Piñata’s for the kids and food supplied and served by the Bob Hope-Orange County Chapter of the USO.

T his it’s the type of thing, I would like to see our club do more of.

In August we again hosted the Charity Regatta Brunch and presented a nice gift to the Children’s Clinic of Long Beach.  As for me, I finished the carts I promised to build in order to store the stackable chairs on, so they are easier to store in the shed.

Friday Pot Lucks remained a favorite throughout the year.  And again, in September, we hosted the “Wounded Veterans Cruise” organized by Tommy Wheeler and administered by many. We were able to take a good number of veterans on the cruise in nine boats to L.A. Harbor to parade past the Battleship USS “Iowa” where we received a gun salute from the “Iowa” with all hands on the rail of the destroyer saluting our group of boats.  It was quite moving.

Another first by our club was the hosting of an interview of the “Seahorse Whisperer” by Spectrum News, L.A. They set up in our grassy area with the marina in the background and did their interviews with lights, mics and cameras.  The story ran several different days on their T.V News and listed Navy Yacht Club in its credits.

The Annual November General Dinner Meeting was also held at Seal Beach Yacht Club with 75 members present.  A very good dinner was served with a Frank Sinatra singer/impersonator for entertainment. Old officers were recognized and newly elected officers and Board members were announced.

The newly completed 2019-member directory was also distributed to all members in attendance.

Thank you for letting me serve as your 2019 Commodore. It has been an honor & a privilege.  Steve Stanec

2020: For every citizen of these blessed United States of America who have survived the Covid-19 pandemic I say never forget this moment in history.  We have survived other disasters throughout our history and this is the latest one.  It is heartbreaking to read reports of hundreds of thousands of our countrymen, women and children killed by a rapidly spreading virus.  Sad to know it has spread all around the world, killing millions.  Praise God the big pharmaceutical companies immediately began working on a vaccination to combat the virus.  At the same time government instituted total lockdown except for essential services to stop the spread of the pandemic.

That is the backdrop to my year as Commodore of Navy Yacht Club Long Beach.  We had a great Commodores brunch catered by Fernando at the clubhouse.  My wife Joyce and I went off to Australia to visit my relatives.  Days after our return a country wide lockdown was instituted.  The board of directors made the decision to cancel Opening Day and any other planned activities until the Health Department lifted the ban on meetings and gatherings.  That was disheartening as Opening Day is always such a highlight of the year.

As well as that, we had to give up our Friday night get-togethers.  A small number of us continued to meet Friday nights UNTIL I received a letter from the supervisor of the Marine Department.  The letter was a “Cease and Desist” directive warning us to comply with the Health Department or face a fine or even jail.  He agreed to allow only the maintenance members (Tony and Becky) to enter the property until lockdown was lifted.  Months later lockdown and isolation was lifted to allow a maximum of 10 members to gather together.  We got around the 10-member limit by holding the Annual General Membership lunch at Seal Beach Yacht Club.  They have a liquor license and a restaurant license and are not limited.  However, the very next day there was a resurgence of the covid-19 virus and even restaurants had to close.   

In the January Board of Directors meeting, we motioned to have the Long-Term Planning Committee start the process of upgrading our yacht club building.  This included removing the existing storage building that was inside the fence and constructing a storage building outside the fence over the storm drain.  The contractor, David Tran did an excellent job working with our planning committee of Doug Wilson, Moti Cohen-Doron and Tony Rietdyk.  We now had an efficient storage and additional space on the patio with an attractive view of the marina looking shoreside.  We also upgraded the AC power to a 200-amp service.  We are now prepared for phase 2 which is to construct a patio cover extending out to the fence line giving us much more usable patio space.  Rodney Coomber

2021: What a memorable year 2021 was! Despite the second year of Covid-19 related restrictions, we had many accomplishments, successes, and, yes, gatherings, too.  After several months of complete lockdown, we began to gather for Friday night potlucks. They were actually “modified” potlucks; we could gather together and enjoy each other’s company.                   

And many of us were thrilled to do so! Although our Opening Day had to be postponed from April to June, and we had to reduce the guest list, it was an exciting day for those who attended. As restrictions were lifted, we scheduled eight events for the year beginning in June, with maximum attendance. Our largest and most successful was the annual July 3 Boat Parade Party with nearly 100 in attendance. Our club had many accomplishments in 2021, but I’d like to highlight one major ongoing achievement that began in 2018.

In 2018 we negotiated a 15-year clubhouse lease with the City of Long Beach, approved by the Long Beach City Council. The new lease includes a minimal rent increase and requires NYCLB to provide a specific amount in ground and structural improvements over a 10-year period. Phase 1 of improvements was completed in 2020 when we built our new storage shed. Phase 2 was completed in 2021 with the construction of our new patio. This ongoing requirement could never have taken place as quickly and as nicely as it did without the hard work and dedication of some very special people on our Long-Range Planning Committee:  Moti Cohen-Doron, Doug Wilson, and Tony Rietdyk, along with our outstanding building contractor.  General contractor David Tran and his construction crew were remarkable in their skill, generosity, and working relationship with our committee.

Some other accomplishments in 2021:

• Completed new patio construction with heating lamps for winter months.
• Members donated over $8,000.00 for clubhouse construction fund.
• Members donated over $4,000.00 for new clubhouse refrigerator with excess funds transferred to clubhouse construction fund.
• Membership exceeded 210.
• Revised bylaws accepted by membership.
• Event attendance averaged 80 to 100 with profits from those events going to our military programs.
• Successful fundraiser for Adopt-a-Military-Family for Christmas.
• Successful Seal Beach Weapon Station Family-day cruise and lunch.

Committees that accomplished these successes:

  Long Range Planning : Moti Cohen-Doron, Doug Wilson, Tony Rietdyk

  Bylaws: Doug Wilson, Camille D’Esopo, Moti Cohen-Doron, Heinz Butner

  Events: Elena Yuasa, Cindy Ramirez, Joya Ryerson, Dorothy Aho, Casey Barras

  Military Events : Joni Cabral, Casey & Bryan Barras, Colleen Taylor

  Membership Committee: Heinz Butner, David Stancil, Elena Yuasa, Joya Ryerson, Jill Cohen-Doron.

Many additional volunteers!!

 This year our Board also voted Lifetime Memberships to Frank and Penny Farmer, Tony and Becky Rietdyk; and Honorary Membership to David Tran, our building contractor. As you can see it takes a village to accomplish a successful year. Thank you to our many members for their in-kind donations and to all our members for stepping up and making it all happen! Becky Martinez

Staff Commodores

Charles Gardner, CAPT, USN 1967-1969 Scott Driscoll, LT, USN (MC) 1969+ James P. Seramens, CAPT, USN, Ret. 1970 Robert J. Trauger, CAPT, USN, Ret 1971 Harold S. Croyts, Col, USAF, Ret. 1972 David W. Whelan, CAPT, USN 1973+ Carl W . Coe, CDR, USN, Ret. 1973+ George H. Christena, Capt, USAF, Ret 1974 E. Lawarence Bingham, CAPT, USN, (MC) 1975 Alfred C. Krueger, Col, USAF, Ret * 1976 Philip H. Novodvorsky, QMCM, USN Ret. 1977 Donald E. Burke, Maj, USAF, Ret. * 1978 Clarence E. Smith, Jr., LtCol, USMC, Ret * 1979 Jean G. Goppert, COL, USAF, Ret. * 1980 Richard F. Goward, CDR, USCG, Ret. 1981 William J. Nelson, COL, USA, Ret. 1982 Mario Ferrara, ADC, USN, Ret. * 1983 George F. Mahoney, COL, USAF, Ret. 1984 John A. Monkvic, Lt Col, USAF, Ret. 1985 Jonathan C. Ide , CDR, USCG, Ret. 1986 Herbert A. Turner, MAJ, USA, Ret. * 1987 Alita C. Marks, LCDR, USN, Ret. 1988 Bill M. Lewis, Lt Col, USAF, Ret. 1989 Herbet L. Schoonover, BTC, USN, Ret. 1990 Robert E. Fort, UTCM, USN, Ret. 1991 Paul W . Lowry, FTGC USN, Ret. 1992 John P. Larson, LCDR, USN, Ret.* 1993 Richard E. Satchell, CPO, USN, Ret. 1994 Al Toll, SSG. USA, Ret*. 1995 William C. Nielsen, Lt Col, USAF, Ret. 1996 Marion C. Monkvic (Mrs.) 1997 Richard Tyhurst, Lt Col, USAF, Ret. 1998 Victor Padilla, SGT, USAFR, Ret. 1999 Frank Herbert, CAPT, USN, Ret. 2000 Bryan DeAro, SFC, USA, Ret. 2001 Millie W arren, USA, Vet. 2002 William Plumlee, LT, USN, Vet. 2003 LaVon Plumlee , USN, Vet. 2004 William M. Gordon, Lt Col, USAF, Ret. 2005 Richard DeRusha, SP4, USA, Vet.* 2006 Tony Rietdyk, SGT, USA Vet 2007 LaVon Plumlee, USN Vet.. 2008 Ronald W arren, USCG Aux. 2009 Bill Mottinger, 2010 LaVon Plumlee, USN Vet. 2011 Tamara Carbone, USCG AUX 2012 Jeanne Stafford, USNSA 2013 Victor Padilla, SGT, USAF, Ret. 2014 Gary Halliburton, USN 2015 Roy Queen, USA 2016

Long Point Bay Yacht Club

Welcoming 2024  and your new lpbyc board of directors.

2024 is shaping up to be a great year on the water. This year, we have a refreshed board of directors – and some new members – and we want to hear from each of you! I hope you’ll take five minutes to share your thoughts in this brief survey. We’ll use what we learn from the survey to better plan events and activities for you in 2024:

Here’s a link to our member survey: Long Point Bay Yacht Club Membership Survey

Our new board has already met to set out some of the events we’ll hold this year. And with that, I’m pleased to introduce our 2024  board of di rectors :

Commodore - Paul Lipsit

Vice Commodore  - vacant

Past Commodore - Derrick Yeomans

Treasurer - Lynn Davies

Secretary - Sharon Lipsit

Membership - Jan Green

Cruising/Reciprocals - Steve Redmond

Marketing and Communications  - Judy Redmond

Website - Allan Davies

BBQ - Doug Cunningham

Directors at Large - Doug Cunningham, Eric Becker, Troy Wilson

Lighthouse ​Web Cam:

Port Dover Power and Sail Squadron have installed a web cam looking toward Potahawk from the end of the pier at Port Dover. Excellent tool to check out the weather on the bay. Click  Port Dover Power and Sail Squadron.  Select "WEATHER/WEBCAM" on the top right corner of their home page to view. Pl

Planned 2024 Events - Coming soon

2023 club events: ​

Sunday, May 21 at 9-11 a.m. - Membership-drive breakfast (Non-members welcome). 

UPDATE: Congratulations  go out to Susan Cunningham for having the 50/50 winning ticket number 06558341 with a prize of $185!

Saturday, June 10 at 7 p.m. - Members’ Wine and Cheese Social

Saturday, July 8 at 11 a.m. (revised) - Sailpast ( Weather-permitting | Non-members welcome | Skipper’s meeting at 9:30 a.m. ​​

Following Sailpast | Anchor out by Long Point Lighthouse​ for the weekend

Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. - Members’ Pot Luck Dinner

Monday, July 17 - Sail to Port Maitland and Port Colbourne **cancelled due to weather**

Saturday, August 5-7 (long weekend) - Erie Rendezvous

Saturday, August 12 - Anchor out by Long Point Lighthouse

Saturday, August 19 - Poker Run, 50/50, and $1 hot dogs! / Members’ Margarita party

Saturday, September 9 - Closing Dinner and Annual General Meeting

Saturday, September 16 - Anchor out by Long Point Lighthouse

The board and I look forward to an exciting year of boating, events, and camaraderie in 2024.

Wishing you all a great boating season. See you on the water!

Fair Winds,

Paul Lipsit

Commodore, Long Point Bay Yacht Club

Reciprocals

Inter-Lake Yachting Association (ILYA)

Nearly all private yacht clubs around the lakes require visitors to be members of a reciprocal club. Long Point Bay Yacht Club is a member of the Inter Lakes Yachting Association (ILYA) which is an association of dozens of the Yacht Clubs situated around the Great Lakes. This allows our members to enjoy the hospitality of the member clubs on a reciprocal basis. 

Cruising Destinations

Adventures on Lake Erie

Whether you're a power boater or a sailor, if you enjoy Cruising from port to port, anchorage to anchorage or marina to marina and want to enjoy the safety and camaraderie of traveling with like minded adventurers, check us out!! 

S/V Catherine and Zambezi

S/V Sea Wolf

• Yacht Clubs

Long Beach Yacht Club

6201 E. Appian Way

Long Beach , CA 90803

(562) 598-9401

Located on a promontory at the east end of Naples Island on Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, California, Long Beach Yacht Club is recognized throughout the worldwide yachting community for its hospitality, and is home to the Congressional Cup match racing competition. Featuring a very strong youth program, parents and club staff ensure there is a healthy mix of education, training and social activities. Sailing programs have access to boats ranging from eight-foot Sabots to Catalina-37 match race boats.

“The mission of the Long Beach Yacht Club is to promote all aspects of yachting in the spirit of good sportsmanship and camaraderie. Our founding membership in the National Sailing Hall of Fame helps satisfies our mission by preserving the rich history of American Sailing. This is an auspicious time to commit our support as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our signature event, Congressional Cup, the grandfather of club match racing.  Our Club was founded in 1929 and we are very proud of our 85 years of notable contributions to the rich sport of sailing.”

David Stotler, Commodore

HISTORY OF THE LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB by Club Historians  Carlton  B. “Bud”  Scott and Jo Murray

The Long Beach Yacht Club, now internationally known for the Congressional Cup sailboat regatta, began in 1929 for the purposes of planning a powerboat race between Long Beach and San Francisco.

The proposed race would be run during the San Francisco Motor Boat Show to provide advertising for the show and Northern California boating industries. The Associated Boating Industries of Northern California wrote Daniel M. Callis, Sr., a Long Beach architect active in boating and local yacht clubs requesting a Long Beach area club act as the Southern California host of the race. His drive to pursue this opportunity led to the formation of Long Beach Yacht Club.  His early vision of passionate club members leading yachting contests has continued throughout the club’s history.

The First Race

The concept of the race was to use a handicapping system, going from Long Beach to an overnight stay in Santa Barbara, then to another overnight stay in Monterey, and finishing in San Francisco for a total distance of 460 miles — the longest powerboat race in the world. The winner would receive a trophy donated by Sir Thomas Lipton then-valued at $1,000.

Callis agreed to be general chairman of the executive committee and promoter of the race. Committee work would be handled by the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Monterey Chamber of Commerce, Santa Barbara Yacht Club and Associated Boating Industries of Northern California.

Callis initially offered the sponsorship of the race to the California Yacht Club; however, CYC declined on the basis that it would not have complete jurisdiction over the race. Callis then met with Charles Camp and Norman Able (all three would become commodores of LBYC), and a decision was made to run the race under the auspices of a “Long Beach Yacht Club,” which reportedly might have existed at some prior time but no longer did so.

Despite problems with finding enough entries, the first race was run in April 1929 by a Long Beach Yacht Club, the burgee (flag) for which was made by the wife of prominent Long Beach attorney Jonah Jones, Jr. and flown in the race. The winner was Arthur Macrate (LBYC commodore in 1931) in his Zoa III.

This first race was viewed as a great success, future races were anticipated and it seemed that it might be time to form a real Long Beach Yacht Club.

A Real Long Beach Yacht Club

Callis, Macrate, Camp, Able and others met at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco to see if there was support for the concept of a real Long Beach Yacht Club. There was, and a subsequent meeting was called by Jonah Jones, Jr. on September 6, 1929 to present the concept to a group of Long Beach businessmen interested in yachting. They agreed to form a real Long Beach Yacht Club.

Widely acclaimed speedboat racer Richard Loynes was elected commodore, and on October 7, 1929 Jonah Jones, Jr. filed the Articles of Incorporation. Charter memberships were extended to 100 individuals. Despite collapse of the stock market, the new and real LBYC soon had 100 members paying dues of $5 per year; $2.50 for kids.

The Club Starts Rapid Growth

Less than a week after filing the Articles of Incorporation, the new LBYC began by organizing a speedboat race between Long Beach and Avalon for October 11-12, 1929. Boats were to be 16 to 30 feet in length with inboard engines (some expected to be 500 hp). Officials were from LBYC and the Catalina Island Yacht Club, and this race also began a long and close relationship between the two clubs, including overlapping memberships and flag officers.

By February 1930, only four months after incorporation, membership had increased to approximately 150, and arrangements for meeting space had been secured at the Pacific Coast Club. Planning was underway for the second Long Beach to San Francisco powerboat race, and “plans were being formulated for the finest yachting harbor on the Pacific Coast at Long Beach.”

On April 24, 1930, the “Second Annual All-California Power Cruiser Race to San Francisco” started off Belmont Pier, with 10 of the 21 entries flying the LBYC burgee. Not surprisingly, given the time of year, the boats encountered heavy weather and considerable damage was done to boats and participants.

Arthur Macrate (then vice commodore) did well in that second race in the vessel Hermana, but interest in future long-distance powerboat races started to be diluted as other races and events were organized.

Looking for a Marina and Clubhouse

The installation of D. M. Callis as commodore was held at the Pacific Coast Club with 125 in attendance. Special guests included the commodores of Catalina Island Yacht Club, California Yacht Club and Los Angeles Yacht Club. An important agenda item at the installation was a discussion on developing a yacht harbor in Long Beach followed by the construction of a clubhouse.

There was definite need for a yacht harbor. Forty yachts were reported temporarily moored in the outer harbor of Long Beach in “exceedingly unfavorable locations, generally where water is dirty and frequently covered with oil.”

Using the Pacific Coast Club as its headquarters, discussions began with the City of Long Beach and County of Los Angeles regarding development in Alamitos Bay and plans were formulated to “begin construction of a clubhouse as soon as a definite location for a yacht harbor has been determined by the city.” Key individuals in this effort included: Jonah Jones, Jr.; Frank Garbutt of the California Yacht Club, Pacific Coast Club and Los Angeles Athletic Club; Arthur Macrate; George L. Craig; Norman Able; Charles Camp; Sam Selover; and D. M. Callis.

Despite the influence of this group, the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach agreed in 1931 to build a bridge over the mouth of the San Gabriel River linking Seal Beach with Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach (which at that time ran down the Alamitos peninsula). This bridge, which would prevent access to all but small craft having less than 14 feet overhead clearance curtailed serious development of Alamitos Bay as an important yacht harbor for the next two decades.

The First Clubhouse

The formal approval of plans for the first LBYC clubhouse on June 30, 1936 reportedly started a flurry of fundraising and “sweat equity” on the part of members. By opening day of the regatta season, May 8, 1937, the facilities apparently were fully paid for.

The clubhouse was located west of downtown Long Beach a 2,000-foot “stroll to paradise” out a boardwalk from the shore (under what is now the Port of Long Beach). There were moorings, a Star Boat dock adjacent to the clubhouse and an anchorage area. There was no boardwalk beyond the clubhouse, but access to the L-shaped end of the moorage was accessible by walking over the rocks to the other side. There are unconfirmed but apparently valid reports that young ladies from the neighborhood enjoyed walking out beyond the clubhouse and skinny dipping inside the L-shaped end of the secluded anchorage.

After years of having to moor boats up and down the coast, or in less-than-favorable locations in Long Beach’s inner and outer harbors, members were understandably delighted with their new facilities. The clubhouse was described as having “a snug club-room, a snugger galley” and two heads.

The War Years Were Approaching

Despite some records stating LBYC either sold or donated its first clubhouse to the Sea Scouts in 1939, newspaper articles indicate that the facility was still in the hands of the club during much of 1940 and perhaps even part of 1941. Opening day 1940 reportedly was celebrated at the clubhouse, but by November 1941, the facility was in the hands of the Sea Scouts.

LBYC was once again a “paper club” with no clubhouse, but the yachting and social activities continued for a while despite the growing influence of world events.

World War II would change the lives of many club members, and markedly affect boating for several years. It would also mark the real beginning of Alamitos Bay as a marina and, ultimately, home for the club’s second clubhouse.

Alamitos Bay and the Second Clubhouse

Beginning as early as the 1920s, individuals who subsequently became prominent members of LBYC were instrumental in the development of Alamitos Bay and the marina. The second, and current, clubhouse simply could not be sited and constructed until the bay was protected from disastrous floods and the marina constructed.

After major efforts by members, an initial lease for the clubhouse site was obtained in March 1959. The lease was expanded in January 1960 to include the clubhouse building as well as the access to Basin 4 slips adjacent to the clubhouse. In September 1969 the lease was extended to 2020.

Groundbreaking for the current clubhouse on Appian Way was held on June 1, 1960, and dedication ceremonies were December 16, 1960. The club was now positioned to expand rapidly and gain the recognition and stature it now enjoys within the worldwide yachting community.

Long Beach Yacht Club Today

LBYC membership stands at 1,000 regular members. It thrives on the constant activities provided for the members that include racing, yachting, fishing, diving, swimming, social programs and youth activities.

The club is actively engaged in community outreach programs using the same Catalina 37s used in Congressional Cup.   Activities include: the Marcedes Lewis Regatta with six Boys and Girls Club teams participating this year. Jordan High Schools students sailed in The Panthers at Sea program and another group of Boys and Girls Club kids raced in the Wet Wednesday races. The Patriot Regatta, our premier community event, also attracted a record participation level with five  branches of the armed forces racing; Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy teams aggressively competed against each other.  New this year in May, the club has planned a Heroes regatta with teams from our local Police and Fire Departments competing.

Of all the activities available to members, the youth programming is perhaps the most popular. Sailing and swimming lessons for little ones, swim team meets and regattas for competitive children all provide solid learning and teambuilding experiences in the aquatic environment.

As LBYC moves forward, current and future leaders will balance tradition and value with change to meet the needs of its members. In addition to the 50th anniversary of Congressional Cup, this year LBYC celebrate its 85th anniversary and is positioning itself for continued success.

Quick Links

Getting Here

The Sailing Museum & Hall of Fame

365 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

401.324.5761

[email protected]

The Long Bay Sailing Association was founded  in 1986 to promote fellowship among sail boaters.  To that end the Association hosts: Club races, fun sails, cruises, raft ups, beach parties, and other events. See our Calendar   to view upcoming activities.

We are located in Little River, SC, just north of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, SC, and hold our  on water activities meetings at the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club by the pool. The Club has a diverse membership of experienced sailors and beginners who enjoy each others company, whether racing, cruising, or socializing.

The LBSA welcomes new participants, you can come along as a crew member or bring your boat and we will help you with crew. For updates on activities on a daily basis,   Like  us on our  FACEBOOK  page   at Long Bay Sailing Association . Join our mailing list to keep up with the latest happenings. If you have any questions please contact one of our club officers or members for more information.

Club Officials

Jamie Pando [email protected] 843-602-4669

Commodore as the chief executive officer of the Club:

1. Shall preside at all meetings of the Club:

2. Shall  be an ex-officio member of all committees.

3. Shall Manage and conduct the finances and affairs of the club

4. Shall delegate such duties as required to the Vice Commodore, Fleet Captain, PERF Officer, Secretary/Social Coordinator, Media Tech, and other members as required

Vice Commodore & PHRF Officer

Jeff Defalco [email protected] 843-229-1050

Vice Commodore as the second executive officer of the Club:

1. Shall assume the duties of the commodore in the commodore's absence.

2. Shall  perform those duties as requested by the Commodore.

3. Shall publish the bi-monthly newsletter.

Secretary & Social Events Coordinator

Renee Defalco [email protected] 843-902-9193

Secretary/Social Coordinator duties:

1. Shall assist the Commodore in timely e-mailing of notices and posts of upcoming events.

2. Shall find and develop locations for get togethers, and publish their locations.

3. Shall perform other duties related to social events as requested by the Commodore.

Annick LeGoff

Fleet Commander

Patrick Le Goff [email protected] 843-447-9747

Social Media

Karl Jordan

Organizes online activities related to the Club's social media accounts.

Jeff Ballard [email protected] 540-819-0030

Manages the the Club's website page, email and instagram accounts.

Quick Links

Racing Cruising Social

Calendar Membership About

Commodore Jamie Pando 843-602-4669

Secretary Renee DeFalco 843-902-9193