Author/Editor’s note. The following "history/timeline" was derived from old documents, recorded conversations with early and present club members, newspaper and magazine articles and issues of the Spyglass. Its presentation is in the present tense to give the reader the sense of moving through time as it happened. Member’s names, for the most part, withheld because if you list one you miss others. In the events and items chosen, I have attempted to reflect, as much as possible, the emphasis of the club at the time. Thus, there are a few more sailing and racing items in the early years, and more fishing, power and cruising items as time passes. Major focus is on activities, club composition, social life, the evolution of the By - Laws and the physical plant. Some items may be in contradiction with other historical renditions. Where there were conflicting accounts, I went with the date or amount that seemed most likely to be correct. Junius Brown III, Wilton, Connecticut 7 December 2008.
1690
William and Mary, reigning monarchs of England, bestow a royal grant for the
tidal basin known as Great Salt Marsh (now SHYC). This grant allows for private
ownership of the land under the water.
1893
The State of Connecticut, through Governor Luzon B. Morris and approved by the
General Assembly March 23, 1893 transfers all land lying beneath the waters
of "Old Duck Pond" from mean high water down to Henry C. Eno.
1914 - 1946
Through a series of sales and transfers the "Great Marsh Estate" property
ownership went from Eno to Rice/French (1914) to M. Minard (1920) to Fred Minard
(1937) to Frances & J. Anthony Probst (1946).
1958
The Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club, Inc. is created under Articles of
Association signed and registered November 18, 1958 and approved by the State
of Connecticut on December 31, 1958.
1959
Richard Beck (father of Rick Beck and grandfather of Shawn Beck - both current
members) is named as the first Commodore. Seniority numbers are issued to the
membership starting at #25. Lud Gru (subsequently he becomes Commodore – 1966,
1967) is assigned seniority # 50. Club meetings are held at the YMCA, as there
is no heat in the old carriage house on the Club site. The building is red and
had no porch. The entrance to "Duck Pond" is blocked; the water is
pumped out of the pond into the sound, and bulldozers push the muddy bottom
up the sides of the pond to create a new basin.
1960
A bond drive is held to fund the installation of pilings, the construction of
the first floating docks in the area, and the creation of a unique bubbler system
to stave off the formation of ice in the water. As new members are admitted,
docks are built for them with funds from their dues and initiation fees. Initiation
fees are $250 to $350. The real "high tech" of these early years was
the miracle of the bubbler system to stave off the formation of ice (in-water
winter storage was a rarity at the time). 35 H.P. motors were used to drive
low-pressure compressors to supply the bubbler system. One of the original compressors
remains in service today. We now use more efficient axial-flow blowers for the
system. Insurance companies were skeptical at first and required a visit to
the club before being convinced this new process was insurable. Some of the
tough winters of the 60’s and 70’s often produced six inches of ice in the basin
even with the bubbler system in full operation.
1961
Mrs. Probst, the wife of SHYC’s founder, goes to New York to a professional
flag designer and has a rectangular burgee designed. The colors are blue for
the water, green for the foliage on the banks and white for the Saugatuck current
sweeping out to the sound. The early versions are silk screened on canvas without
hemming. Quality is poor. Research of Lloyd’s registry fails to produce a single
instance of rectangular colors, so the flag is re-cut to today’s shape.
1962
A lease for the water area, the lift area, the gas dock and one square acre
of land, is signed between the "Club" and J. A. Probst (DBA as Harbor
Properties). Terms are $40,000 annually for years one and two, $45,000 for the
next three years, and $50,000 -- cost of living indexed -- thereafter. 89 members
open the season. The first Clam Bake is held. Admission is $6.50 per member.
The Junior Sailing Program is established.
1963
The first Spyglass is published. All members are invited to be the "guests
of the Commodore" for holiday eggnogs at the "Newly Created Clubhouse".
The Club’s phone number is CA 7-3607. The first New Year’s Eve party is held.
The price is $12 per couple with "favors for the ladies and canned music."
Year-end membership is 82. By - Law amendments are made establishing the position
of Fleet Captain and changing the term of office for officers to coincide with
the calendar year.
1964
The first bond program is established. Each member is required to purchase six
bonds for a total of $1,500 bearing 8% interest per year. The 100th member is
welcomed with a 21-gun salute at the July fourth celebrations. Twenty-three
"new members" swell the membership to full capacity at 102. Membership
is frozen and a waiting list for entry is created. Eighty-seven boats are in
the club. Dues are $150. The annual slip fee is $320. A major club cruise involving
most of the members -- 27 yachts -- goes to the World’s Fair at Flushing Meadow,
Long Island.
1965
A "Volunteer Work Committee" is formed which meets every Saturday
from 0900 until 1300 to fix up the house and grounds prior to Commissioning
Day. 15 new slips are added creating space for new members. The minimum on-season
slip charge for boats under 20 feet is $240. $12 a foot for longer boats. Winter
wet storage is $6 per foot.
1966
A decision is made to build a swimming pool, build a bar, blacktop the road
and parking area and improve the toilet facilities of the clubhouse. Two acres,
contiguous to the club property, plus the lift area, will be purchased from
Harbor Properties. A bond drive, entitled "Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club
Expansion Program", is held and generates $120,000 which is the goal.
1967
Construction of the pool and bathhouse is completed by summer. The pool is built
by Wagner pools at a cost of $23,678. There are more than 110 boats in the club...over
3500 boat feet.
1968
Membership is up to 136. A 10 gauge cannon is acquired as the starting gun for
the sailboat-racing program. Twenty-two sailboats participate in this year’s
series. Twelve boats qualify for awards.
1969
Negotiations begin with Harbor Properties to purchase the club – the existing
buildings, 2 ½ acres of land, the boat basin and three residential lots. A bond
drive is completed at year-end generating the necessary $250,000. (Ed. Note:
in 1999 dollars this would be $1,250,000)
1970
A first mortgage of $158,000 is acquired from Greenwich Savings Bank. Closing
on the purchase is held on February 15. A lease burning party is held on March
14 at the Club in celebration of the purchase. Two hundred members and guests
witness the burning of the lease. A committee is formed and the By-Laws are
rewritten to exclude many operating and governing stipulations in the original
document, including Harbor Properties’ designated right to have two seats on
the Board of Governors. The club’s roster has swelled to 154 members with slippage
for up to 160 yachts. The "Queen of the Fleet" is Mrs. Florence Gifford’s
75-foot diesel yacht Florencia. A new annual three-race series is announced
by Cedar Point Yacht Club and SHYC. The name of the series will be determined
by who wins the first race of the series. We win – by a score of 1903 points
to 1837. So it is formally called: the "Saugatuck Harbor/Cedar Point Challenge
Trophy Series".
1971
TOSCANA II, an Allied 42’ XL-2 sloop finishes First in Class in the 37th Vineyard
Race. WE TOO wins the Club Championship predicted log competition series, and
COQUETTE wins the 12-race cruising class series. Thirteen SHYC yachts participate
in a rendezvous cruise over Memorial Day weekend to Essex, Connecticut.
1972
Thirty-two SHYC Juniors participate in the Junior sailing program. Staffed by
two young adults, the program meets three to four times a week, sailing in nine
club Blue Jays. Badminton and volleyball provide diversion between sailing assignments.
Seniority number 325 (member number 300) is assigned. A new member, seniority
number 328, lands a 250 - pound shark forty miles off Montauk. Ray Gardner,
a member since 1968, suffers a stroke while his boat, BEE JAY, is serving as
the race committee finish boat and dies in Norwalk hospital three days later.
Seventeen club boats including BEE JAY join in Mr. Gardner’s burial at sea.
1973
Seventeen Happy Hours are held along with eight catered parties. In response
to an Entertainment Committee survey most responding members feel the number
of functions and the price per function is "just right". The price
range for the catered parties is between $6 and $9 with $2 to $3 of that going
for the rental of silver service, plates, cups, tables and other equipment.
The average adult attendance at parties is about 35 couples. The summer dock
staff size, other than the two junior activities staff, is four.
1976
In 1976 a high tide hurricane hit the area and considerable damage resulted
at SHYC. A Small Business Administration distress loan ($112,000) was obtained
at favorable interest rates to repair storm damage to the hauling site bulkhead.
In today’s dollars it would be the equivalent of $400,000. The SBA loan still
has seven years to run. John Fogel is the first winner of the Paul Bray Award
for years of outstanding service and contribution to the club.
1977
ASTRAEUS participates in the first bi - annual Marion, Massachusetts to Bermuda
race. She finished 85th out of 120 yachts. The first Water Ballet is performed
by "fifteen bathing beauties, dressed in shimmering sequined costumes"
before an audience of 150.
1978
The first of a long series of winter slide shows is held as a well attended
social function.
1979
The original docks start to lose flotation and begin to sink causing a potentially
severe hazardous situation for both boats and members. The first "dock
knockers" are formed. TOSCANA participates in the infamous Fastnet race
(The author of Fastnet, Force 10, John Rousmaniere, was a crew member).
1980
An "Internal Affairs" Committee is formed to enhance communications
between the membership, the Board of Governors and the various other committee
organizations. After losing the Trophy in 1978 and ’79, SHYC wins back the SH/CP
Challenge Trophy. New, circulating fans for the clubhouse are purchased from
funds collected by passing the hat at several happy hours.
1981
The LUCKY L, a sixty-three foot SHYC power yacht, is lost 115 miles off the
Florida coast. An ocean - going tug rescues the skipper and his crew of five.
Smoking in the clubhouse is confined to the ground floor. Dock Knocking becomes
an official winter activity at the club. New docks are designed and a continuing
cycle of construction, maintenance, enhancement and replacement begins. Sixty
members attend the first SHYC Super Bowl Sunday party.
1984
There are 171 members in the club. 108 attend at least one social function.
The most popular event is Commissioning Day (74 member families) followed by
the Clambake (69 member families.) The least supported event is the annual Water
Ballet which will be discontinued in 1985. Name tags and live music become part
of the social scene. The first SHYC Single-handed race is held.
1985
Hurricane Gloria blows through the club with 68 mile an hour winds at C Dock.
Damage is minimal due to the prior preparations of many club members and staff.
The first SHYC Deep Sea Fishing tournament is held in August at Block Island
and Montauk Point.
1986
Not to be out-done by the "Dock Knockers", the "Wall Bangers"
replace the men’s and women’s showers in the pool house. A record turnout of
176 attends Commissioning Day. The Certificate Program replaces membership bonds.
Rehabilitation of the fuel and hauling site begins. The clubhouse interior gets
new furniture and a copper bar. SHYC loses the SH/CP Challenge Trophy Regatta
for the fifth straight year.
1987
A new "Marine Travelift" is acquired. The Spyglass reports
a turnout of 171 at Commissioning Day ceremonies. Two SHYC boats, SEA SHANTY
and SERENADE, cross the Atlantic Ocean.
1988
The club acquires an original "Square" Burgee. It is given a place
of honor on the North wall of the clubhouse.
1990
The club settles out of court a "legal issue" with one of its neighbors
involving the use and abuse of the hauling site. New rules are imposed regarding
hours of operation and the use of power equipment. The SHYC Fish Committee is
officially formed and its chairman becomes a member of the Board of Governors.
Little "Can One" becomes big "Georges Rock Buoy 1" thanks
to the dedicated efforts of an SHYC member.
1991
Westport’s Zoning Board of Appeals approves SHYC’s plans to renovate the clubhouse.
The "Entertainment Minimum" is raised to $200 per member. A new club
mooring is placed in Zeigler’s Cove. A memorial to SHYC members buried at sea
is established in the Club gardens near the gate. Club members who choose to
be buried at sea are eligible to have a bronze plaque inserted in a Belgian
Block, which will become a permanent part of the memorial setting.
1992
The completely remodeled clubhouse is commissioned on Commissioning Day. A record
215 club family members turn out for the ribbon cutting. Mike Plant, single-handed
circumnavigator and skipper of the BOC boat COYOTE, gives a talk to club members.
(Mike is subsequently lost at sea crossing the Atlantic). Seniority numbers
583 through 592 are issued to the new member class of ‘92. A "Young Adult"
membership program is initiated to encourage adult children of members to join
SHYC.
1993
The Board of Governors requests that there be no cigar smoking in the clubhouse
at any time. New membership initiation fees are increased from $2500 to $3000,
and annual dues and CIF (Capital Improvements Fund) are increased by 4.5%.
1994
Spousal Equality amendments to the SHYC By - Laws are passed providing equal
rights to both men and women in the club. A record 140 members and guests turn
out for Awards Night. The By - Laws are modified to reflect formally the creation
of the "Young Adult Member" Category. At the time of the amendment
there were six young adults who had been members for several years.
1995
The club is granted permission to place a mooring in Block Island’s Great Salt
Pond. A "woman’s organization’ -- CATCH THE SPIRIT -- is created within
the club to provide support, education and training towards better seamanship
for women.
1996
After several years of planning and bureaucracy the US Army Corps of Engineers
and the Connecticut DEP approve a proposed SHYC Dredging plan. Dredging starts
on Christmas Eve. By - Law changes are proposed to modify the process by which
Club Officers are nominated and elected.
1997
The dredge leaves in January after removing 15,800 cubic yards of material but
is scheduled to return in December to complete the job. The poolhouse gets a
major renovation. A yacht burns at the dock from a faulty electrical fixture.
TARA participates in the Marion to Bermuda race with an all-SHYC crew. The Commodore’s
Ball is held at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.
1998
Dredging is completed in January. The Commodore’s Cup Series is reinstated.
The board votes to end the refundable certificate program for new members starting
in 1999 and replace it with a nonrefundable capital improvement contribution.
The "Debtknockers" program is initiated to allow members to anonymously
forgive their $3000 certifcates. A new class of membership, the "Senior
Social Member" is established. WATER MUSIC wins the 1998 Commodore's Cup.
SON VIDA takes first place in the John Lind Memorial Offshore Fishing Tournament.
1999
The Dock Knockers build and install seven main dock sections with new white
metal towers. The pool gets its first major renovation in 32 years. The Club
designs and builds its own web site. The 40th anniversary is celebrated
at several events.
2000
The area around the bar was rebuilt and the bar repositioned to provide more
space. New aluminum ramps began to be put in place beginning with C ramp. A
junior Optimist sailing program was initiated with a regatta in October.
2001
An excessively large assessment valuation was successfully negotiated with the
town saving a large part of the increase in property taxes. SHYC wins the Block
Island Race team trophy. A and B ramps are replaced. A committee is charged
with examining the feasibility of expanding usability of the clubhouse and workshop.The
Publicity Committee is renamed the Communications Committee incorporating a
major facelift to the two year old web site.
2002
Spyglass, the club newsletter, goes on line – in color in addition to the printed
edition. The Dock Knockers complete the replacement of all 80 electric towers
on the docks – a multi-year project. The Dock Knockers and House Knockers replace
the shop roof, renovate the men’s pool house, re-deck the A-extension docks
and refurbish the fuel dock. The job of automating the basin’s bubbler system
gets underway with the digging of a 900-foot trench to accommodate more than
3,000 feet of electrical conduit. The project will also provide for a
more sophisticated security system and high-speed wireless internet service
to the docks. SIMBA wins its class in the Block Island Race; CABADY wins the
Greenwich Cup. The Heritage category of membership is established to encourage
senior members to remain in the club family.
2003
The winter is one of the longest and coldest since '95-'96. Our kitchen gets a major overhaul with new cabinets and granite counters - all work done by the House Knockers. The four year old web site gets its second major redesign. The club builds a 172-foot steel bulkhead, replacing the existing wooden one that failed. The new bulkhead is designed to last at least 50 years. The fuel, electrical and environmental infrastructure is also upgraded. New fuel dispensers are installed. Total cost: $270,000. The club refinances at historically-low interest rates and regular member dues are increased by $90 per year to service the debt. Electric meters are installed on dock towers to bill members for winter electric use. The $13,500 investment is expected to pay for itself in the first year. A new keycard security system provides all members access to the clubhouse as well as the gate. Using donated equipment members install a state-of-the-art high-speed wireless network allowing members to browse the internet and use e-mail on their boats and in the clubhouse. The service is free of charge. The club purchases a life-saving defibrillator. The entire staff and some 20 members are trained in CPR and the use of the new device. More than one hundred members attend the Commodore’s Ball at Riverside Yacht Club.
2004
The dock knockers start their season in stiff winds and 4 degrees Fahrenheit weather. The annual SHYC Bowling challenge is initiated. Early in the year, boaters in our area face a challenge from Mariculture LLC , a company that wants to start a commercial oyster farm between the bug light and G1/R24. The club joins with state and local politicians and other boaters to fight this threat. By October, Mariculture gives up the fight and the oyster farm becomes a clam bed. Major renovations are started on the junior club house and the youth sailing program starts acquiring lasers to provide a growth option for those moving beyond the optimists. SIMBA joins the elite group of SHYC yachts to have crossed the Atlantic . The admissions/membership process is modified to place more responsibility on sponsors, and Issue number 223 of the Spyglass is published. With most members having an internet connection, all flyers are switched to email and the web, while three quarters of the membership volunteer to receive the Spyglass online. Photos are no longer included in the print or pdf versions while links to event photos are provided in the web version.
2005
A new automated bubbler system is installed. Building committee replaces windows, installs recessed lights, and baseboard heaters in the Junior Clubhouse. New C dock mains/electric towers are installed. Spyglass goes E-Mail. 18 taller pilings are replaced throughout basin. We start developing our legal defense against the developer 15 Duck Pond Road. Wi-Fi introduced at the Club. The first SHYC Charity Night raises $40,000 for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in honor of Former Commodore 1992-1993 Stephen M. DeLay. Ben Townsend is elected the 25th Commodore of SHYC for 2006.
2006
The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is established. Commodore Townsend dies suddenly in March. Steve Knapp becomes the Club's 26th Commodore. The Broadwater LNG project advances. CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal visits the club to describe the state's opposition to the project. The Hurricane Planning Committee is established. The Town of Westport expresses interest in installing a sewer pump house on SHYC property. The legal process over the development of 15 Duck Pond Road (The Vetruvian Case) continues. Legal expenses are becoming significant. Ten SHYC Boats participate in the “Swim Across the Sound” cancer fund raiser. Dock Knockers' projects include new roofs on the junior and main clubhouses, a new Belgian Block border by the front gate, three new finger docks and two on-land storage systems.
2007
The Fred Miller workshop is restored and converted into a Dockmaster's Office. Five new finger docks are built. As a result of an LRPC project the Capital Asset Reserve Fund is established.
The Board of Governors approves a plan to meter the remaining slips and charge individual members for their summer electric consumption. Newly installed compressors are up and running on B Dock and C Dock. SHYC starts receiving regular Friday visits from the Sound keeper “Pump Out” boat. Walt and Evelyn Paul return to Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club aboard Nefertari, from a 13-year tour of the Atlantic Ocean and its adjoining seas and ports. Legal fees surge well beyond our budget, which puts the club into a deficit situation for the year. Richard Noonan is elected as the Club's 27th Commodore.
2008
The “House Knockers” remodel the clubhouse office and the “Dock Knockers” complete 7 new dock fingers. A “Slip Assignment Committee” is established under the Marine Committee. Rules changes are put in place to control the number of yachts with LOA greater than 53 feet, and a waiting list system is established for assigning large slips when and if they become available. Some break-ins and thefts force the club to become more vigilant.
Dan Conron (Member #233) is granted “Special Membership” in recognition of his 41 years of service to SHYC. Eighteen male members of the club have their heads shaved to support Lenny Merullo in his battle with cancer. CABADY wins her class in the 2008 Newport to Bermuda Race and also takes first overall in the New York Yacht Club's “Onion Patch Regatta.” The Club starts planning for the celebration of SHYC's fiftieth year Jubilee. The Club challenges its Westport Town Real Estate Tax assessment and goes to court. The Judge reduces the assessment by nearly fifty percent and Westport threatens to appeal. The Vetruvian Case goes to trial.