Sodus Bay Yacht Club- HISTORICAL EVENTS

Some Important Events
in the History of The Sodus Bay Yacht Club
1893, July 4	Earliest record of handicap racing by a group of Sodus Point cottage owners.
1893, Fall	Sodus Bay Yacht Club formally organized at a site where Krenzer's Marina now stands. A.C. Bartle was the first Commodore. Membership was not limited to owners of boats.
1895, August 9	The Sodus Bay Yacht Club is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with the primary objectives "to promote and encourage interests in yachts and yachting, to encourage the traditions of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and facilities for the use and recreation of its members..."
1900	Original clubhouse and docks were completed at the cost of $2,200, supervised by Commodore Meade and the trustees.
1904	Miss Rose Williams, racing a Lark, became the first woman in central New York to win a yacht race, crossing he finish line twice in first place, picking a silver cup in the James Holmes race, and tied for third prize overall for the season.
1905	"Ladies" over the age of 21 were allowed to join the Club as Associate Members upon paying $2.00 in dues.
1907	SBYC's application to join the Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was accepted.
1913	SBYC recognized by the local community as a major tourist attraction. A promotional piece provides the following quote "Visitors are cordially welcomed to the spacious club home of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club on the south shore of Sand Point. This organization is largely drawn from western New York. The club house is a rendezvous for the members and their families from all points of the Bay. A commodious dancing pavilion, greatly enjoyed by the members, has been a recent addition."
1920-1935	The ailing economy resulting from WWI leads to foreclosure on Clubhouse and property. While there were no facilities, the Club continued and the membership grew from 5 to 39. In 1935, a group of members formed the Sodus Bay Realty Corporation and purchased the Clubhouse and property back from the State. The Corporation then leased the facilities back to the Club.
1922	Club was forced to give up LYRA affiliation due to drop in membership.
1924	LYRA event held at SBYC under the flag of the Rochester Yacht Club. Over 100 boats participated.
1934	C.P.H. Vary, who served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1926-1942, was the first SBYC membership to be given an Honorary Life Membership.
1934	SBYC joined the Central New York Yacht Racing Association.
1935	The "Robin"; class was introduced. Designed by Benjamin Wood of Sodus, NY. The fleet grew to 19.
1935	SBYC joined the North American Yacht Racing Union.
1938	SBYC was accepted back into LYRA as a full member.
1958	Total membership (all categories) grows to 150.
1959	The 75^th LYRA event was held at SBYC; this was the third LYRA held on Sodus Bay. SBYC took on a carnival atmosphere for the event with at least 70 boats moored in the harbor.
1964 & 1969	SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.
1976	SBYC hosts the LYRA Regatta. The Freeman Cup Long Distance race finished at the entrance to the Bay and two days of course racing followed.
1981 & 1985	SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.
1986	Clubhouse undergoes a major renovation; enlarging the bar area and improving bathroom facilities.
1991	The Challenge Cup Regatta drew a record 45 boats, including 20 J/24s. Stuart Needel on FALCON became the first SBYC sailor to win the Freeman Cup Long Distance race.
1991-1992	The East Floating Dock System was constructed and installed using member labor. This addition provided 16 new docks for use by the membership.
1993	SBYC celebrated its Centennial Year. Events included a Winter Ball at Oak Hill Country Club, an Antique Boat Show, and a Centennial Match Race Regatta won by John Swartz on Sea Witch. An additional highlight was SBYC's hosting of the LYRA Regatta for the 8th time.
1994	District (7) J-24 Championships held at SBYC.
1994	The Club installs a small boat hoist to accommodate a growing number of small boat sailors.
1995	CNYYRA (Central New York Yacht Racing Association) held its annual regatta at SBYC. At the same time SBYC was host to the J/24 District Championship. In all over 110 boats participated.
1996, July	SBYC hosts the 8 Metre World Championship.
1997	Through the efforts of Past Commodores Bud Seymour and George Sibley, the Club purchased the boathouse and property directly to the north of the Club. This property was owned by Heidi & Eugene Van Voorhis members of both Rochester and Sodus Bay Yacht Clubs. Upon Heidi's death and Eugene's sale of their property on Newark Island, there was no longer a need for the property.
1998	At the Eastern Yachting Circuit (EYC) meeting in Kingston, Fleet Captain Mike Foley and Rear Commodore Tom Knapp bid to host the Annual EYC regatta at SBYC in 1999. The Regatta was held and included a long distance race from Oswego Yacht Club to Sodus Point and three course races.
1999	Eric Will and his crew aboard Bushwacker won the Soverel 33 North American Championship.
2000, Spring	Sixteen new floating docks were installed. The project under the direction of Past Commodore Jim Lyles and directed by Docks and Moorings Director, Jim Adolf, was begun in early 1999 and finished in early spring when several “work days” were scheduled to assembled the docks. All 16 slips had been rented during the previous winter so many in the work party were slip holders anxious for their new dock to be in the water.
2000, July	SBYC hosted the prestigious LYRA Regatta for the 9th time. Under the capable leadership of Ed St. George, Past Commodore Chuck Willette as Regatta Race Officer, and a group of dedicated volunteers, the event was a resounding success. From July 31st to August 6th over 125 boats from around the lake participated in this exciting event. For the first time, the Regatta was linked with the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event became known as the Leukemia Cup Regatta and approximately $15,000 was raised toward the life saving work of that organization.
2001	The Clubhouse kitchen underwent a major renovation. Workspace was more than doubled, hot water tanks were upgraded for the kitchen and the bathrooms and an office was created for the Club Manager.
2001	Erik Will and the crew of Bushwacker successfully defended their Soverel 33 North American Championship at Larchmont Yacht Club, placing first in four of the seven races.
2002	The Club purchased the Compson cottage and property directly north of the boathouse property.

Some Important Events
in the History of The Sodus Bay Yacht Club

1893, July 4

Earliest record of handicap racing by a group of Sodus Point cottage owners.

1893, Fall

Sodus Bay Yacht Club formally organized at a site where Krenzer's Marina now stands.

A.C. Bartle was the first Commodore. Membership was not limited to owners of boats.

1895, August 9

The Sodus Bay Yacht Club is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with the primary objectives "to promote and encourage interests in yachts and yachting, to encourage the traditions of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and facilities for the use and recreation of its members..."

1900

Original clubhouse and docks were completed at the cost of $2,200, supervised by Commodore Meade and the trustees.

1904

Miss Rose Williams, racing a Lark, became the first woman in central New York to win a yacht race, crossing he finish line twice in first place, picking a silver cup in the James Holmes race, and tied for third prize overall for the season.

1905

"Ladies" over the age of 21 were allowed to join the Club as Associate Members upon paying $2.00 in dues.

1907

SBYC's application to join the Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was accepted.

1913

SBYC recognized by the local community as a major tourist attraction. A promotional piece provides the following quote "Visitors are cordially welcomed to the spacious club home of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club on the south shore of Sand Point. This organization is largely drawn from western New York. The club house is a rendezvous for the members and their families from all points of the Bay. A commodious dancing pavilion, greatly enjoyed by the members, has been a recent addition."

1920-1935

The ailing economy resulting from WWI leads to foreclosure on Clubhouse and property. While there were no facilities, the Club continued and the membership grew from 5 to 39. In 1935, a group of members formed the Sodus Bay Realty Corporation and purchased the Clubhouse and property back from the State. The Corporation then leased the facilities back to the Club.

1922

Club was forced to give up LYRA affiliation due to drop in membership.

1924

LYRA event held at SBYC under the flag of the Rochester Yacht Club. Over 100 boats participated.

1934

C.P.H. Vary, who served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1926-1942, was the first SBYC membership to be given an Honorary Life Membership.

1934

SBYC joined the Central New York Yacht Racing Association.

1935

The "Robin"; class was introduced. Designed by Benjamin Wood of Sodus, NY. The fleet grew to 19.

1935

SBYC joined the North American Yacht Racing Union.

1938

SBYC was accepted back into LYRA as a full member.

1958

Total membership (all categories) grows to 150.

1959

The 75^th LYRA event was held at SBYC; this was the third LYRA held on Sodus Bay. SBYC took on a carnival atmosphere for the event with at least 70 boats moored in the harbor.

1964 & 1969

SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.

1976

SBYC hosts the LYRA Regatta. The Freeman Cup Long Distance race finished at the entrance to the Bay and two days of course racing followed.

1981 & 1985

SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.

1986

Clubhouse undergoes a major renovation; enlarging the bar area and improving bathroom facilities.

1991

The Challenge Cup Regatta drew a record 45 boats, including 20 J/24s. Stuart Needel on FALCON became the first SBYC sailor to win the Freeman Cup Long Distance race.

1991-1992

The East Floating Dock System was constructed and installed using member labor. This addition provided 16 new docks for use by the membership.

1993

SBYC celebrated its Centennial Year. Events included a Winter Ball at Oak Hill Country Club, an Antique Boat Show, and a Centennial Match Race Regatta won by John Swartz on Sea Witch. An additional highlight was SBYC's hosting of the LYRA Regatta for the 8th time.

1994

District (7) J-24 Championships held at SBYC.

1994

The Club installs a small boat hoist to accommodate a growing number of small boat sailors.

1995

CNYYRA (Central New York Yacht Racing Association) held its annual regatta at SBYC. At the same time SBYC was host to the J/24 District Championship. In all over 110 boats participated.

1996, July

SBYC hosts the 8 Metre World Championship.

1997

Through the efforts of Past Commodores Bud Seymour and George Sibley, the Club purchased the boathouse and property directly to the north of the Club. This property was owned by Heidi & Eugene Van Voorhis members of both Rochester and Sodus Bay Yacht Clubs. Upon Heidi's death and Eugene's sale of their property on Newark Island, there was no longer a need for the property.

1998

At the Eastern Yachting Circuit (EYC) meeting in Kingston, Fleet Captain Mike Foley and Rear Commodore Tom Knapp bid to host the Annual EYC regatta at SBYC in 1999. The Regatta was held and included a long distance race from Oswego Yacht Club to Sodus Point and three course races.

1999

Eric Will and his crew aboard Bushwacker won the Soverel 33 North American Championship.

2000, Spring

Sixteen new floating docks were installed. The project under the direction of Past Commodore Jim Lyles and directed by Docks and Moorings Director, Jim Adolf, was begun in early 1999 and finished in early spring when several “work days” were scheduled to assembled the docks. All 16 slips had been rented during the previous winter so many in the work party were slip holders anxious for their new dock to be in the water.

2000, July

SBYC hosted the prestigious LYRA Regatta for the 9th time. Under the capable leadership of Ed St. George, Past Commodore Chuck Willette as Regatta Race Officer, and a group of dedicated volunteers, the event was a resounding success. From July 31st to August 6th over 125 boats from around the lake participated in this exciting event. For the first time, the Regatta was linked with the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event became known as the Leukemia Cup Regatta and approximately $15,000 was raised toward the life saving work of that organization.

2001

The Clubhouse kitchen underwent a major renovation. Workspace was more than doubled, hot water tanks were upgraded for the kitchen and the bathrooms and an office was created for the Club Manager.

2001

Erik Will and the crew of Bushwacker successfully defended their Soverel 33 North American Championship at Larchmont Yacht Club, placing first in four of the seven races.

2002

The Club purchased the Compson cottage and property directly north of the boathouse property.