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Spraybeach Yacht Club over the years
The Spray Beach Hotel was built in 1891 following the completion in 1887 of the railroad bridge over the bay, with a spur that stopped in Spray Beach. There was a dock at 23rd Street where a few catboats were moored for the use of the hotel's guests. This activity appeared to have led to the formation of Spray Beach Yacht Club in or around 1922, under the direction of the first commodore, Herman G. Schanche. In 1924, the first clubhouse was erected, about half the size of the current Junior Clubhouse, and two years later, screens were added. Sailing was the primary activity in those early years.
The year 1927 saw the incorporation of Spray Beach Yacht Club in the State of New Jersey and the formal purchase of the property where the clubhouse was then located. Additional land acquisitions were made in the years 1944-1948, 1965, 1992, and the latest purchase in 1996. The two most recent purchases were the center third of Marshelder Island in 1996 and the Furie Sailing Center at the extreme north end of our property in 1996 (now the sailing center).
The original burgee still hangs in the clubhouse. The current blue and white one with red fouled anchor was adopted in 1938.
In 1951, an SBYC Lightning sailor captured the Lightning World Championships held in Toledo, Ohio. The following season, SBYC hosted the International Lightning World Championships and the President’s Cup Regatta. Circus tents were rented to accommodate the many activities and there was a job for every member of the club. This was the beginning of many regattas to be held at Spray Beach Yacht Club over the next 50 plus years. There have been numerous class regattas, most notably the International “A” Catamaran World Championships in 1985. Over 25 annual Hobie Cat Division 11 regattas, numerous Sunfish regattas, and of course our own weekly point races. Spray Beach Yacht Club also names among its members an award winning sailor, one who has done much to encourage both women and children in sailing locally, nationally and on the international scene. We are extremely proud of our own Faye Bennet.
Over the years 1968-1969, the Senior, or main clubhouse was built. In 1983, the original clubhouse was moved to Sunfish Beach to serve as the Junior Clubhouse and a new building was erected to serve as office, kitchen, showers, lavatories and meeting room.
By 1984, women finally became accepted as members and allowed to vote and hold office and in 1988, Ruth Smith was the first woman elected to the Board of Governors. In 2004, SBYC named its first female Commodore, Patricia Herman. Patti worked her way through the Club as a Junior Member, then Junior Commodore and as an adult, Board of Governors and finally Flag Officer.
From its early days as a modest gathering house for bay sailors to the current modern facility serving a diverse variety of boating enthusiasts, Spray Beach Yacht Club has grown and prospered.
The Club's By-Laws state the purpose for which the club was formed:
“To promote yachting, teach sailing, foster athletic sports upon the water and promote social functions and friendship among yachtsmen".
Sally Koenig, Club Historian
Compiled form notes of Marge Potosnak, Past Historian
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