Narrasketuck Yacht Club celebrates its 60th anniversary this year

Above, sailing in Amityville. At left a meeting of the Narrasketuck Yacht Club. Can you identify any of the members pictured here? Finding waterfront property proved to be a daunting task for the members of the newly formed Narrasketuck Yacht Club. Despite that, the club set sail on Aug. 17, 1938 with a meager membership and dues amounting to twenty-five cents a meeting. The first officers included Auther K. Robbins, the First Commodore, C. Gordon Baldwin, Vice Commodore and Marvin O. Hudson Jr., Rear Commodore.

It took some navigating, but the name of the club was finally arrived at by the second meeting. The members voted on a name that would represent both the club and the body of water that separates Amityville from Nassau County, the Narrasketuck stream. Thus, the Narrasketuck Yacht Club has arrived and had a name.

The only other problem was finding a place for the club to meet. Baldwin offered his boathouse, provided not only the location but the lights and a stove.

In 1938, the club membership swelled to 84. With the enrollment of additional members, meetings at the boathouse proved to be difficult, so the members looked around for property. Island One in Amityville, now gone, was the perfect location, but the club would have to build a new clubhouse. There were proposed plans to build a structure, but nothing materialized until 1939.

Island One, at the end of Grand Central Avenue, became an island when a channel was cut on the east side of the Amityville River to get fill for a new street.

Ed May donated his grandfather's house on Hide Hills Beach, which was slated for demolition. The club accepted, the house was relocated to Island One.

With the outbreak of World War II however, the club's activities diminished as Americans went off to war, and face rationing at home. The members also were having a difficult time getting to and from the island.

Following the war, the members decided it was time to relocate their club, and sold they their property on Island One for $1,900.

Meetings would then be held at Jerry's Restaurant on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa. In the early 1950s, dues were raised to $10,000 a year , and in 1955 the Berger Avenue property in Amityville was acquired for $9,000.

Special event at Narrasketuck Yacht Club. Can you identify the event and the participants? Let us know. Call us at 631-264-0077 or write to us at acjnews@ rcn.com or 85 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701. The club is filled with exciting stories that have enriched its heritage. Kay Baker's husband Pearce joined the club in 1963. At that time, it was an all-male club and Kay was only considered a person who could attend but not join the organization.

"Women were never recognized," she recalls. "I was allowed to participate, but I was never a member."

Finally, in the 1970s women were allowed to join as associate members, with full voting privileges. Bigger strides were made in the 1980s when women were considered for full membership. This opened the door for women to become commodores.

"We would be allowed to have women commodores and Pat Christy was the first commodore in 1982," Baker said.

Since then, there have been four other women commodores, Karen Bailey Van Wicklen, Catharine Towell and current commodore Pat McGullicuddy.

"We have many women who do many things," said Baker.

The Club has been an attraction to many people who have not only chosen to join but also relocate to Amityville. Such is the case with the Bakers.

"We bought a boat and joined the club and that is what brought us to Amityville," said Baker.

Membership is open to everyone and the club boasts members from New Jersey, Connecticut, Queens and all parts of Long Island. It takes great pride in its role in educating young people and adults about sailing. Many members compete in events and have brought home championships.

"We are totally a sailing club," Baker said.