Club

Linda conducted her office with adroitness and, as a special accomplishment, saved our summer house (gazebo) by directing the pouring of a new concrete base and bulkhead. The Club had discussed the need for this project for years, but Linda and a hard working crew under the leadership of Sal Cerniglia got the job done. As described in the following section on "Bulkheads," this was the start of a multi-year project.

Linda has continued to help the club in many ways. Among them was the writing of a list of recommended equipment and supplies for members who were planning to go on a Club cruise. She also conducted several successful courses for the training of women sailors.

In 1983 Commodore Al Califano saw to the completion of a new roof on the clubhouse.

Complementing the Club's efforts to improve its physical plant were efforts to update its administrative structure and to expand its social activities. For example, Commodore Matt Bingham (1980) updated the Club's constitution and created the office of Historian, with Norman Tardiff the first Historian. Commodore Frank Newman (1974) revived the Hallowe'en Party and had the first Hawaiian Luau. Commodore Bob Wubbenhorst (1975) did much to stimulate the use of photography to record Club activities.

Another characteristic of the Club's growth during the period 1971-1983 was its continued prowess on the racing circuits. As a member of the Hudson River Yacht Racing Association (HRYRA), we won the coveted HYRYA Trophy for seven consecutive years. Boats have competed in HRYRA events from Staatsburg to Nyack. In 1979, one of our relatively new members participated in the New York Governor's Cup Race in New York harbor. The excitement of his experience generated keen interest in this event, and each year from 1980 to 1983 some 20 of our top sailors converged on the starting line off Battery Park to pit their skills against the 150 plus boats from the metropolitan area. Even though the fleet includes some of the biggest IOR gold platers on the East Coast, Chelsea Yacht Club brought home more than its share of the silver. Developing in the wings were two newer classes: the Laser and the J24. As of 1983, there were eight Lasers and four J24s. Meanwhile, our famous Lightning fleet has been diminishing, with only a handful still racing .

Our cruising fleet, too, has increased both in numbers and in activities. As of 1983, the Club limited the mooring area to 120 boats with a maximum size of 35 feet or 15,000 pounds.

Nowhere, perhaps, is the quality of the Club's membership been more evident than in the hospitality it has shown over the years. Our facilities have been used by church groups, Boy Scouts, Sea Explorers, as a polling place for national elections, and even for baseball practice. During World War II, we entertained Servicemen through the USO. We have been thoughtful enough to have a guest mooring for visitors, and our launch has rescued many mariners in distress. During the installation of underwater power cables to the north of the Club, a work-barge overturned and released numerous fifty-five-gallon drums floating on the river. The CYC work boat rounded them up and returned them. The barge company responded with free ice cream for a Club party. Remuneration by visitors and non-club-members has always been politely refused. Often Club members have driven visiting sailors to restaurants and markets. All of these reflect the sociability and the sportsmanship that are so characteristic of us as individuals and as an organization. Our deeds reflect our pride and our Corinthian spirit.

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