From The Historian
Past Commodore Howard Hucke

As the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club enters a new boating season, it seems fitting to recall some of our past achievements and consider our future goals. With this in mind, a brief and updated history of the Club is presented here for the benefit of all.

1953, the Long Beach Boat Basin was opened. Boat owners got together and talked of starting a Club. A list of boat owners, 45 in all, whose boats were in the Boat Basin, was obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office. One afternoon, the wives of Yachtsmen, Alice Anderson, Ruth O’Berry and Lillian Morris met and wrote out invitations to the interested parties to meet at the pavilion at Otto Schubert Town Park, in Smithtown ( formerly called Little Africa town park since the sand and vegetation resemble that found on the African Continent). The first meeting turned out to be a success, and it was decided to call an organized meeting at Norway Hall.

1954, three designs for a Club Flag were submitted to the membership. It was decided to accept the design of John Morris, which was a sketch of a porpoise in recognition of Porpoise Channel. Land was purchased by founders John Morris, Win Anderson and Norman O’Berry. At a November meeting, the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club were accepted as drawn by the Steering Committee.

1955, the Club had thirty-two members and property was leased from John Morris, Win Anderson and Norman O’Berry for the cost of taxes and insurance.

April 1956, the Club was authorized to purchase for $3,000, the land that they had previously leased.

1957, the Club bought the adjacent property from Leighton Coleman for $3,500. Dredging work was done for thirteen moorings.

May 1959, the ramp and floating docks for approximately eighteen boats were constructed for the sum of $350. Annual dues at this point were $30. The new Clubhouse was dedicated in June.

November 1959, the cement walk from the road to the Clubhouse was constructed.

June 1960, the patio was added to the Clubhouse; in November, bulkhead construction was begun.

April 1961, 390 feet of marina was bulkheaded. Dedication of the new Marina was made at the Memorial Day Ceremonies in May.

November 1961, a bubbler system was installed in the Marina.

June 1962, the boardwalk to the beach was built.

May 1963, a new float to take fifteen boats was built.

December 1965, a new bubbler system was installed.

April 1966, a new cesspool was added outside the kitchen.

October 1966, property adjacent to the Clubhouse was purchased.

May 1967, two bulkhead berths at the south end were dredged out and three floating dock berths were added.

November 1968, a permit was obtained to build a storage shed.

March 1970, the Marina was expanded to provide an additional eight large and twelve small berths.

February 1973, Marina poles from #16 northward were moved 15 feet north; two slips were eliminated.

September 1974, a walkway along the bulkhead was constructed.

October 1974, the Grounds beautification program was begun with the planting of black pine and numerous junipers.

June 1975, the east end of the Clubhouse was renovated and restrooms redecorated.

December 1975, the Boardroom interior was decorated and furnished.

March 1976, the fingers on the floats were strengthened and electric was installed on the floating docks.

May 1979, the south end bulkhead was completed.

April 1980, new floats built over the winter months were installed.

April 1982, a major renovation of the bulkhead was completed due to the bulge in the middle of the bulkhead. Deadmen and whaler were replaced and the road paved.

May 1983, a major renovation of the Main Room of the Clubhouse was accomplished over the winter and kitchen requirements were installed.

March 1985, new electric service was installed on the floating docks.

May 1985, a new roof was constructed on the Clubhouse extending over the existing patio. A staircase to the second floor storage area was constructed and a new coatroom added. A new cement walk from the existing path to the front entrance was built.

September 1993, the boardwalk to the beach was rebuilt and a new beach gazebo was built and dedicated.

1995, in the winter and early spring, work began on the construction of our completely new bulkhead with floating docks. This was completed in time for our Opening Day/Memorial Day ceremonies that year.

Over the winter months and early spring, another major renovation of the Club was accomplished with the help of many of the members and under the guidance of the Planning Committee and the Board of Governors. The front wall of the Clubhouse was extended outward to encompass the patio area creating a new frontal vista, and the interior of the Club was redecorated and refurbished extending the kitchen area and the main dining room.

In May 2000, our new floating dock slips were completed and installed. The new berths accommodate small boats having up to 8½ foot beams and include electric, water, and other amenities and requirements. A re-dedication ceremony of the new docks and Clubhouse took place on Opening Day, May 28, 2000.

2001, completely renovated kitchen with new professional grade appliances added.

2002, refurbishment of south mall with underground sprinkler system. Club establishes web site for the first time.

2006, East end of Clubhouse renovated over the winter months, including the reconstruction and expansion of the main foyer and the replacement of both restrooms.

2007, Replacement of outside storage shed completed on existing site northwest of Clubhouse.

March  2008,  Grand reopening of the Club with the complete renovation of the Club room including the fireplace and  extension of the existing bar.

Howard Hucke