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Westerly Yacht Club

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1 Watch Hill Rd

Westerly, RI 02891

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We recently attended a wedding at the Westerly Yacht Club and we both agreed that it was a very nice venue. While it's no Watch Hill dockyard, the Westerly Yacht Club holds it's own as one of the premier boating and sailing locations in the area. The marina is extremely clean and very well organized and the building's interior reflects just the same. While there are of course some ongoing issues with membership and other issues not needed to be addressed here, on its face, the Westerly Yacht Club is a beautiful part of the town.

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Westerly woman 'thrilled' to join yacht club after controversial rule is changed

Westerly — For more than four decades, the Westerly Yacht Club has been a part of Carol Coburn’s life.

Until last month, however, the 52-year-old was not an official member of the club.

That’s because until July, women could only join the club as associate members — and they could only get that distinction if they were married to a full member.

Coburn, a Westerly resident, didn’t fall into that category. But she has been going to events and gatherings at the 1 Watch Hill Road establishment for almost as long as she can remember. Her late father, Charles, was a heavily involved life member of the club, as were her grandparents before him. Her sister and brother-in-law are members, too.

“It’s a legacy in my family,” Coburn said. “You can’t even imagine. I’m so excited, so thrilled (to be a member). This was a huge part of my dad’s life. I’m just so happy they finally overturned that vote.”

The question of whether to admit women as full members is one that had been mulled for years, Coburn said. Her father had been a proponent of changing the “antiquated” rule, which barred lesbians, single women and divorced women from any type of membership.

As associate members, women could participate in events and didn’t have to pay dues, but they couldn’t vote.

Nearly yearly, Coburn would wait with her breath held as the male members of the 89-year-old club voted on the rule.

“And every year I would be so disappointed,” she said.

After last year’s June 15 vote totaled 207 for and 171 against admitting women — not enough to meet the two-thirds majority requirement — associate member Jane Barstow wrote a letter to the Westerly Sun . It set off a firestorm of local and national media coverage and garnered from the ACLU the threat of a lawsuit .

On July 16, the club’s full members reversed their course , voting 310 to 82 to allow women to become full members.

Shaun Tine, commodore of the club, didn’t know off the top of his head how many women have become full members so far. But he said the club has brought on “quite a few” women and is giving all women who apply the same consideration as men.

“We’re very delighted to be moving on to the next chapter of our lives here,” he said.

Upon learning she could join, Coburn excitedly filled out an application in July and gathered up the money she would need : $800 for an initiation fee, $75 for assessments and $580 in dues, the latter to be paid yearly.

During her interview on March 10, Coburn outlined to the Board of Directors and committee members why she wanted to join, telling of her desire to meet new people and carry on the work her dad did. She estimated about 10 other women showed up to the interview night, but she doesn't know how many of them ended up as members. Coburn became a member a week or so after her interview.

Although she plans to take some time to test the waters, Coburn is looking forward to her first voting night. She also wants to take on a larger role in organizing various events, including a fishing tournament hosted in her father’s honor.

“Women are a huge part of that club,” Coburn said. “They might not be voting members, but they’re on committees with their husbands, they’re doing everything the members are doing. The rule just needed to be updated. I’m glad someone finally made a big deal about it.”

So far, Coburn said, the club’s members have been nothing but welcoming toward her.

At dock day Saturday, she said, “everyone was just congratulating me: ‘Welcome to the club, can’t wait to work with you on different things.’ There has not been any animosity that I’ve found.”

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Westerly Yacht Club

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• One Watch Hill Road Westerly RI 02891
• (401) 596-7556
• (401) 596-8794
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• Westerly Yacht Club, Rhode Island, United States

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Rhode Island

Sailing / Yacht Club

Westerly Yacht Club

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Contact Person

Frank Woycik

Founded Year

Our Jr. Sailing program continues to thrive with an enrollment of twenty four youngsters all eager to learn sailing skills. The program supported by volunteers from our member ranks. The Commodore's Cup race was sailed in early October in twenty-five to thirty knot winds on Fisher's Island Sound. Everyone had a good time with the committee providing a great feed at the clubhouse for the presentations. The fiscal year ended successfully.

1 Watch Hill Rd

401-596-7556

401-596-8794

[email protected]

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http://www.westerlyyc.org/

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23 Spray Rock Road Westerly, RI 02891

401-322-7312

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© 2024 Weekapaug Yacht Club, All rights reserved.

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Junior Sailing Program

Westerly yacht club – junior sailing program, wyc jsp 2022 notice board.

Follow the link below to learn more about the Westerly Yacht Club (WYC) – Junior Sailing Program (JSP)

• General Information
• 2021 Program Overview
• Updated: Youth, adult, and school sports and indoor sports facilities guidelines

Registration

Registration for the 2022 Sailing Season beings 1 April 2022.

2022 JSP Dates

• Spring Work Parties Begin Saturday, 26 March
• Registration Begins Friday, 1 April 2022
• Spring Dock Day Saturday, 2 April 2022
• Instructor Meeting TBD
• Volunteer Meeting TBD
• Orientation Thursday, 28 April, 2022
• First Class on the Water Saturday, 7 May
• Last Class / Class Party Saturday, 25 June

Spring Work Parties

The Spring Work Parties begin Saturday, 26 March, 2022

Spring Work Party Information

Sailing Begins

JSP sailing begins Saturday, 7 May, 2022.

General Program Information

Orientation

JSP Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, 28 April, 2022, in the WYC Banquet Hall from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Orientation Information

JSP on Facebook

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Westerly Yacht Club Junior Sailing (public site)

WYC Junior Sailing Parents (closed group)

New Co-Chairs for the Program

Emily Tunila, Megan Tunila, and Tom Mott have offered to lead 3 of the 4 program divisions. Emily will be the Lead for Curriculum and Instruction. Megan will be the Lead for Administration. Tom Mott will be the Lead for Maintenance.

You will be hearing from them as we get closer to the sailing season. Please be sure to support them in their new roles.

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Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’

After outcry on no-women policy, yacht club reverses course

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WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — A yacht club in the Rhode Island town where Taylor Swift owns a beach house has put a men-only policy to rest.

Members of the Westerly Yacht Club voted 310 to 82 on Wednesday to admit women as full members after coming under scrutiny and losing business from groups who said they would not patronize the club until the policy was changed. The American Civil Liberties Union also had raised the possibility of a lawsuit.

The club’s male members voted in June to uphold the no-women policy and keep women only as associate members.

“We are just delighted. We were ready to resign if it didn’t pass,” said Jane Barstow, an associate member, whose letter to the editor of the Westerly Sun last month brought the policy to the attention of the media. “For the club, I think it’s brought it into the 21st century. Truly, I don’t think it will be a huge change.”

As associate members, women were allowed to serve on committees, plan parties and attend the club without men, but they could not vote. Only wives of members could join as associates. The policy had the effect of excluding single women and lesbians.

After the outcry, the club’s leadership called another vote, saying they would allow more time for a discussion among members.

Board member Louis Misto, who pushed for the change, said members “did the right thing” after hearing all the facts.

Steven Brown, executive director of the state chapter of the ACLU said he was pleased “that the yacht club has avoided the need for any further legal or other battles over this issue.”

Julie Cardinal, who was no longer allowed to be an associate member after she got divorced, and said she took a lot of heat for publicly criticizing the policy. She said she was happy by the outcome, although she was disappointed that 82 men still voted against the change.

“There’s some gentlemen down there that simply don’t get it,” she said. “This is another step towards changing the thinking around here. I think it’s a good step.”

The club said it received two member applications from women within hours of the vote, although there is a wait list to join.

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23 Spray Rock Road Westerly, RI 02891

401-322-7312

[email protected]

© 2024 Weekapaug Yacht Club, All rights reserved.

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Men-only Westerly Yacht Club dealing with fallout

by ASSOCIATED PRESS

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island yacht club that allows only men as members is dealing with fallout of the policy, as at least one event there has been canceled and a local hospital says it won't book future events there.

The membership of the Westerly Yacht Club voted this month to uphold the policy . The club allows wives as associate members, but they can't vote. Women who are not married to a male member can't join, even as associate members, a policy that has the effect of barring lesbians.

Performer Dave Kane said Tuesday that he canceled his planned one-man comedy show booked for January at the club after he learned about the policy. He said his show includes a segment where he talks about how God loves everybody the same, regardless of their sexual preferences.

"I just cannot possibly do that," Kane said. "I just want to make some kind of difference. This is trying to pressure the club to come into the 21st century."

The Westerly Hospital auxiliary planned an event at the club for Thursday before they were aware of the policy, said Michael O'Farrell, a spokesman for Westerly Hospital. That event will go forward because it was too late to cancel, but others won't be booked there, he said.

"We won't hold any future events there unless and until the rules have changed to admit women as full members," O'Farrell said.

Celebrities including Taylor Swift and Conan O'Brien have homes in the seaside community. Several people affiliated with the club have pointed out that Swift, an unmarried woman whose home is in the same zip code as the club, would not be allowed to join it.

The club's commodore did not immediately comment. He has said he does not support the policy, but the vote failed to get a 2/3 majority of members to overturn it, as required by club bylaws. There are about 600 members of the club.

The Westerly

Celebrate in style at the waterfront venue of cottage park yacht club.

We are delighted to showcase our members-only rental hall, The Westerly, as a perfect venue for all your special events. Whether you’re planning a wedding reception, a corporate event, a family reunion or a child’s birthday, our rental hall is the ideal location with its waterfront location and stunning views of Boston Harbor and the sunset. The Westerly accommodates up to 150 guests and can be customized to meet your seating arrangements. Although we do not cater, we work with several catering professionals. Our modern audio-visual equipment ensures that your event’s entertainment runs smoothly.

Our members have had nothing but praise for our rental hall. They have commended our excellent services, our friendly and professional staff, and our ability to create a memorable experience for them and their guests. Here’s what one satisfied customer had to say:

“We hosted our wedding reception at Cottage Park Yacht Club, and it was a wonderful experience. The venue was breathtakingly beautiful, and the services were top-notch. The staff went above and beyond to make our day special, and we couldn’t have asked for more.”

Our member-only rates are affordable and include everything you need to create a memorable event for your guests. Contact us now to schedule a tour or to make a reservation. We look forward to working with you!

CPYC Member Hall Rental Fees 100 guests or less — $475.00 100 to 150 guests — $575.00 150 or more guests — $675.00 Wedding reception — $1,200.00 Kitchen use and cleaning fee — $350.00 ($100 refundable deposit) Additional staff — $100.00

Complete the form below if you are interested in renting the CPYC function hall or contact the Club Manager Janine Stanton by phone at 617-846-2792 or email [email protected] .

2024 Membership Rates

2024 membership dues, fees & assessments.

Marine tag sale at Westerly Yacht Club to benefit sailing program

WESTERLY — The Westerly Yacht Club is offering tag spaces and showcases for its upcoming Marine Tag Sale to benefit its junior sailing program. The sale will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on…

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Dues and Fees, 2024

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Application fees: click for amount to file with an application, privileges and costs vs. membership levels at a glance, * includes monthly building fund and property improvement fund payments estimated for the year (see below). slip, mooring, and storage charges and taxes are extra., initiation fees (one time fee upon first joining; this amount is included in the above schedule of application fees. if reclassifying up, pay the difference between the indicated amount and the amount for the highest previous held level of membership), annual dues detail (first year dues are discounted after august 1st.).

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• Shattemuc Yacht Club Westerly Road P.O. Box 29 Ossining, NY 10562 Telephone 914-941-8777 Lat 41’09’45″N, Long 073’52’15″W

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• May 11, 2022

Yacht Club's New Summer Menu Now Available

The Yacht Club has captured the essence of summer with new lunch, dinner and drinks menus that showcase the best flavors of the season.

The new menus feature a variety of soups, appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees, including gluten-free and vegan items. They include new offerings as well as fan favorites such as fish and chips, jumbo soft pretzel with crab dip, the Cowboy burger, Crab Cobb salad and the Yacht Club Club sandwich.

New menu items include:

Fried Calamari - Flash-fried with yellow peppers, parmesan cheese and garlic aioli

Buffalo Brussels - Flash-fried with red onion, blue cheese crumbles, and tossed in a house-made Buffalo sauce

Crispy Pork Belly - Sweet and spicy crispy pork belly over a pineapple and broccoli slaw

Mussels - French-style in a garlic, shallot and Dijon white wine broth with parsley and baguettes

Salad Sampler - House-made tuna salad, shrimp salad and chicken salad served with celery and crackers

Lollipop Lamp Chop Charmoula - Four lollipop lamb chops with artichokes, olives, capers, red onion and roasted red peppers

Roasted Veggie Flatbread - Roasted red peppers, roasted broccoli, onions, cremini mushrooms and garlic with mozzarella cheese

Salmon BLT - Salmon, bacon, lettuce and tomato with avocado mayo on a brioche bun

The Powerhouse - Sprouts, hummus spread, spinach, avocado, red peppers, red onion and tomato on a spinach wrap

Bourbon Dip - Shaved prime rib, horseradish aioli, caramelized onions, provolone cheese on a baguette with bourbon au jus

The Parm - Breaded chicken breast, marinara, provolone cheese on a baguette

The Po Boy - Fried oysters, lettuce, pickles, spicy remoulade

The Melt - Tuna salad, bacon, smoked gouda baked open-faced

The San Diego - Carne asada, fries, corn, peppers and onions, cheddar jack cheese with ancho cream in a burrito

Pork Chop - 14oz porterhouse-cut pork chop with chipotle BB! over broccolini and mac n' cheese

Shrimp & Grits - Jumbo shrimp, onions and peppers in a creole sauce over cheddar grits

Roasted Salmon - Roasted salmon over polenta and spinach, oven-roasted tomatoes topped with beurre blanc sauce

Filet Pizzaioli - Grilled 80z filet over mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with pizzaioli sauce

Lobster Ravioli - Lobster ravioli in a sage butter with spinach and prosciutto

Adobo Chicken - Half chicken braised adobo-style over spinach and jasmine rice

Vegan Meatballs & Sausage - Vegan meatballs and sausage in marinara over gluten-free pasta

The Yacht Club is open Thursday-Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. and daily beginning May 19. Lunch is available until 4 p.m.; dinner is served beginning at 4 p.m.

To view the complete lunch, dinner and drink menus, visit https://www.opyachtclub.com//restaurant-menu.

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It's time to NOMINATE THE BEST!

Spring Lunch and Dinner Specials at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club are Back!

During the early years of this century, small boat sailing became a popular sport at Watch Hill.  A letter from Mr. William E. Battey, a life member of the Club and the son of the Club's first Commodore, well describes the activities of those who enjoyed the pleasures of the sea:

"Fifty years ago the young crowd at Watch Hill had a wonderful time; we spent our days swimming, playing tennis or golf, crabbing in Foster's Cove or in the prolific inlet west of Osbrook Point, clamming on Sandy Point, canoeing, getting up big parties for afternoon or all-day sails, cruising, sanding, painting, and tuning up our boats in the spring and racing them when the season opened, dancing Saturday nights at the Ocean House, the Watch Hill House, and the Atlantic House. Then, all too soon, fall would be upon us with school and the long winter to be faced before we could all get together again at Watch Hill in the spring."   

For the purpose of conducting races and having a meeting place for kindred souls, a Watch Hill Yacht Club became desirable. On July 19, 1913, a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted and the Club organized with the following officers:

• Commodore, W. J. Battey
• Vice Commodore, F. J. Kingsbury, Jr.
• Rear Commodore, Francis Dunham
• Fleet Surgeon, Dr. W. R. Lewis
• Secretary, F. S. Turnbull
• Treasurer, C. Robinson

The racing fleet of 1913 consisted of a one design class of 12 slooprigged Swampscott Dories, 21 feet long, also a handicap class of five sloops of various lengths.

During the summer season, Commodore Battey was instrumental in raising a fund among the Watch Hill residents which was used to remove 250 tons of rocks from Watch Hill Cove - a job for which all sailors may be most thankful.

In July 1912, Commodore John watts received permission from the Watch Hill Fire District to remove from the Watch Hill dock the building formerly used as a ticket and express office. The steamer Watch Hill, which for many years had run between Stonington and Watch Hill, had discontinued service and the Adams Express Company had moved to a location on Bay Street.

In August of 1921 the House Committee, of which Daniel F. Larkin was a member, was directed to recommend a suitable site for a dock on which the structure to be used as a Club House could be located. Daniel F. Larkin and Albert C. Larkin, owners of the shore front, gave the Yacht Club the right of way. The T. A. Scott Co. of New London built the dock and moved the old building by floating crane and lighter in September, 1922, and installed it on the dock in the same position as the present Club House.  The building was remodeled to plans drawn by the Architect Norman Hall, (Mrs. C. Bai Lihme donating the cost of this service) and was opened as a Club House on June 10, 1923. The first club meeting was held in the new quarters on July 16, 1923.

In the early twenties the Yacht Club added to its racing fleet. The Alden sloops replaced the Swampscott Dories.

In 1923, the Club added eleven jib-headed mainsail Herreshoff sloops to its racing fleet. These were a modification of the Buzzards Bay 15-footer called the Watch Hill Class.

In 1934, the Club purchased a 40-foot cabin power cruiser to conduct the races as a general purpose club launch. It was well maintained and had a skipper and mate in uniform.  In order to reduce the club cost of operation it was offered for charter to club members. However, it proved too expensive and was sold (fortunately before the hurricane).

In the 1930s our junior sailors racked up particularly fine records, led by the Larkin family. Dan represented the WHYC as skipper in the Sears Bowl Junior National Championship three times, finishing as runner-up in 1936 with S. Higgenbotham as crew.  Incidentally, Dan was RI Junior Sailing Champion during the same three years (representing Westerly Yacht Club). In 1937, we were represented in the finals of the Sears National with Roger Conant as skipper, and in 1938 by Emma Dean Larkin (Dan's sister) as skipper. The Club was also represented in the finals for the Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Cup (Woman's National Championship) in 1937 and 1938 by Emma Dean as skipper.

On September 21, 1938, Watch Hill was hit by the Great Hurricane. One of the many casualties was the Club House, which was washed off the dock into the Bay. The docks and the flagpole remained. Early in 1939, the officers approached the membership for donations for the erection of a new building.

February 1, 1939 One of the most serious losses to the community in the September hurricane was the destruction of the Yacht Club.  This unit has filled an increasingly important part in the late years in providing an outlet for the juniors in clean, healthy, competitive sport. The Yacht Club should be rebuilt, to be more usable and more attractive, not only for the younger people,  - but through careful planning, provide better facilities for you and your guests who come by water. Naturally, we must ask for funds.  The estimated cost of dock repairs, construction of a clubhouse (shown by the enclosed architect's sketch) and furnishings is $15,000.00.  One hundred pledges of contributions of $150 each will replace our loss.  Larger or smaller amounts, according to your interest will be welcome. We enclose a pledge card with a stamped return envelope.  There is no time to spare if we are going to have our club in readiness for the coming season.  The committee is ready to go to work as soon as you give your answers of support.  We should not let our young people down!! By order of the Board Of Directors

The response was prompt and generous and the present Club House was completed and ready for the summer season of 1939.  The architect for the new Club House was Rockwell, King, and Dumolin. Plans were drawn by a member, Eden Knowlton.  W.C. Hiscox Co. of Westerly was the builder.  Precautions were taken to securely bolt the sill plates to the dock piles and stringers.  The effectiveness of this procedure was proved by the Club House weathering the hurricane of 1954 in spite of five feet of water surging through the first floor.

The new Club House was opened on July 15, 1939, with appropriate celebration, including races of all classes and ending with a parade of yachts.  The Seaside Topics of July 21, 1939 reports,

"Flags were flying, the loud speaker announcing, boys and girls were busily milling around, all on one of Watch Hill's prize beauty days.  There was the spirit of comradeship which mutual interest in sports bring to all people, young and old.  The Yacht Club is back in its place and everyone was happy."

After the sailing races the program was completed with a parade of fifteen yachts.  John F. Sullivan was in charge of this pageant; again quoting from Seaside Topics,

"The afternoon program featured the parade of yachts.  Commodore Geoffrey Moore's handsome craft, Mageanca II, led the column.  The trim white ketch Nacyna owned by Captain Nelson Pickering of Avondale was outstanding in the parade line.  Her lines of gaily colored flags stretched from the bow and stern to the mast heads made a colorful picture and the judges made no hesitation in awarding first prize to the ketch. Rated only second to Nacyna in attractiveness was Dan Larkin's Blue Sea.  Geff Moore's fifty foot whaler was given third honors."

In 1945, at the end of World Was II, the membership of the Club had dropped to approximately sixty. Activities had been curtailed by was restrictions,  and it was natural that interest was lost.  However, races were resumed and gradually activities increased and membership grew. As a means of making the Club attractive as a meeting place, and increasing income to cover the promotion of yachting, a bar was opened in 1950 on the second floor and the first floor given over to the juniors.  The bar operation with Happy Hour Wednesdays, Club buffet dinners, and enlargement of the second floor porch, etc., resulted in an increase in applications, causing the Board of Directors twice to raise the membership limit.  now there are over 400 senior and junior members.

In 1954 Hurricane Carol did severe damage in Watch Hill, but the Yacht Club remained in place and required only moderate repairs.  However, the floats were carried well into the woods on Osbrook Point and were retrieved with great difficulty.  They were repaired and are still doing duty in back of the Club. The dock was about thirty years old and some strengthening was needed. A campaign for members to "buy a pile" at $50 was successful and all the outer row of piles were replaced.

In 1955 the Yacht Club acted on behalf of a group of its members to lease from the Watch Hill Fire District a strip of beach about 400 feet long, on which would be built Cabanas. The cost of building, land rental, and all other expenses would be met by members of the Cabana Group. Originally 20 members were interested in building in spite  of the possible loss from future hurricanes. Now 56 Cabana, all owned by Yacht Club members, have been built and all beach options taken up.

In 1967, extensive Club renovations doubling the effective area on the upper level were done. An addition of shower facilities for visiting yachtsmen and an enlarged galley proved to be quite necessary.

To the present members, 1973 marked the revelation of another serious problem.  After a thorough investigation of the substructure by Elliot and Watrous Marine Contractors, it was found that over seventy percent of the supporting piles were either unserviceable or non-existent.  A committee was formed with Clarence Horton as Chairman to investigate re-supporting the Club House prior to opening in the spring.  This job proved quite a task as the existing piles were in place prior to the erection of the Club House and were located directly under the building.  It was decided that special high-nickel-content marine steel beams could be used to span the width of the dock and building, with perimeter piles carrying the load.

Financing of the construction was alleviated by the Yacht Club capital improvement fund which has been established with great forethought some years back for an emergency of this magnitude.  The remaining funds were borrowed over a 5-year period.

The work on the Club House started in late April of the year and was completed on May 24th. The Club opening had to be delayed two weeks, but was opened officially on May 26, 1973 with a dinner-dance attended by 130 people, who gave the new steel beams and piles a true test.

About the same time we were concerned about the substructure we became interested in cleaning up the matter of sanitary waste disposal. A committee was also formed to rectify the problem. At this point, we had engaged the services of a professional engineer and had arrived at a preliminary design that satisfied the Department of sanitation and Pollution Control of the State of Rhode Island. Final plans and specifications were drafted for bidding and we saw this project completed before the end of the summer.

In 1976, it was decided by the Board of Directors that a new Committee Boat was needed, and on July 4th, 1977, Watch Dog II was christened by Mrs. Clarence A. Horton before an overwhelming turnout of members.

Also in 1977, our Juniors won the Atlantic Coast Midget Championship in a Blue Jay skippered by Daren Chew, with Tim Hotchkiss and Andrew Livingston as crew. That summer our Blue Jay fleet, skippered by Juniors, won eighty-five-percent of all races they entered. 

In 1978, we saw the election of our first woman Flag Officer, Rita Ahearn, who has subsequently served as Commodore.

1984 saw the passing of Clarence A. Horton. Horty served for many years as Race Committee Chairman and was made an Honorary Commodore by acclamation of the membership in 1980.  He spent many hours working for club and will be greatly missed.

In 1984 renovations were made on the second floor of the Club House. The bar was moved to the street side and the windows facing the harbor were altered to provide a spectacular view. Also in 1984, a new 22' launch was purchased from F. L. Tripp in Westport, MA.

Our Watch Hill 15 fleet continues to grow, and now includes sixteen molded and three wooden hulls.

1990 and 1991 were especially active years around the Club.  Plenty of sailing, socials, and ceremonies kept the place lively, with a few storms and high tides thrown in to get our attention.  The changes and improvements which were made to the physical plant, although extensive, were minimally inconvenient thanks to the efforts of the committees involved.  Scheduling around the normal club activities by these wizards was very well-realized and appreciated.

Hurricane Bob of August, 1991, could have been worse - a lot worse; again, thanks to a lot of hustle from staff and members, the storm's damage was lessened.  Even so, the Club sustained the worst damage since the season of 1954.  When the eye passed the Club, practically no damage was evident; the norwester that followed was a knockout punch, though, and it raised havoc with the galley and the fleet in the mooring.  Some vessels were totaled, while some were rebuilt; the three Watch Hill 15s which sank that day (one in the harbor, 2 up the river) were all raised shortly after the storm and put back in action.

By Labor Day Weekend, the Club House was back up and running so well that a ceremony could be held there which honored our two Honorary Commodores, Avard Fuller and Hubbard Phelps.  Through decades of service to the Club, these men have been selfless and inspiring in promoting the best which the Club can offer.  The tribute to the men, their legacies of leadership, and to their contributions to the Club's robust good health was unforgettable.  Incidentally, Avard's nurturing of the Watch Hill 15 Class throughout the years (he owned six of them!) continues to bear fruit as the fleet continues to grow.

The next two years were typically energetic ones at the Club; renovations and upgrading were visible throughout the facility, while the programs (particularly the Junior Sailing program) were revitalized and strengthened.  Regrettably, the Club mourned the loss of many people who contributed so much to its well-being through the decades; most notably, Avard Fuller, Herman Muenchinger, and Dan Larkin, Jr.

Club improvements included new rest rooms and shower facilities upstairs and down, new porch and office upgrades, a new boardwalk entrance, new galley, and a new alarm system. On the waterfront, dredging made our lives much easier.

The first annual Club-wide cruise was held in 1994; thanks to the efforts of committee chair Claus Rossin and his tireless assistant Almedia Livingston, the event is sure to be endorsed annually by our membership (which is currently at full strength).