keyport yacht club photos

Published on November 10th, 2019 | by Editor

Forgotten boats are now the rock stars

Published on November 10th, 2019 by Editor -->

Jess Gregory shares this success story in how his club is increasing interest in sailing and membership.

While healthy financially with a steady membership of about 230 individuals and families, and 120 boats in the anchorage, Keyport Yacht Club (Keyport, New Jersey) recognized that something was missing.

We had two categories of members — split about evenly. We had those who had boats and liked to sail and those without boats who are great supporters of the club’s social agenda and may race regularly on other members’ boats.

Like many clubs these days, the age of our members in both categories had been climbing for years and we wanted to attract younger members and more people interested in sailing. We had a membership opportunity gap — people who have a desire to sail, but not as a boat owner.

The challenge was to devise ways to attract this strategically important category of new members. Our target was people who are intrigued with sailing (including young singles and couples), but not ready to make the financial and maintenance commitments of ownership, or those who would like to sample the experience before making an investment in a boat – Sailing aspirants.

The Keyport Yacht Club spent about five years offering sailing lessons to the public on three club owned 17-foot O’Days. In addition to use for small boat adult sailing classes, they were also available to members, but rarely used because the boats are quite tender and challenging for inexperienced sailors, especially when wind and seas increase. Capsizes were common.

An overhaul of our program was required if we wanted to encourage new sailors without scaring or dunking them. The plan was changed to acquire larger keelboats more suitable for teaching, forgiving to novices, and easier to sail by our boat-less members.

Our first acquisition was Pygmalion, a J/24 donated in 2018 by a member after the boat had spent several years on the hard in a nearby local marina. Even though not in perfect condition, we did manage one successful adult sailing class for three students during the summer of 2018.

In late 2018, we applied for and received accreditation as an American Sailing Association School Affiliate. For 2019 we decided to offer five popular certification courses: ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, 111 Sailing Review, 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, 104 Bareboat Cruising and 105 Coastal Navigation.

At first, with just one certified instructor and 10 other KYC members ready to be trained as certified instructors, classes were scheduled with intentions to use Pygmalion for what we thought would be a modest response from the public. Well, we certainly underestimated demand.

Inquiries poured in and as of September 2019, we have ‘trained’ over 50 sailors. The American Sailing Association’s national website generated significant interest and provided most of our students while the Keyport Yacht Club Sailing School webpage supplied the rest. We did not spend any money for advertising.

The unexpected demand started us looking for more boats to have enough supply for the class demand. Fortunately, another member, and owner of the local marina, decided to help us with the donation of his former race boat, SKOL, a Hunter 25 with tiller and outboard.

Both SKOL and Pygmalion actually had impressive race records at KYC in years past. SKOL, having spent about nine years on the hard, needed a lot of cleaning, painting, lifelines, and minor repairs. Fortunately, all was accomplished by KYC members who donated their time in return for anticipated ‘free’ use of the boats.

Just as we were hoping to find a larger boat with wheel and diesel engine for use in more advanced classes, and for students wishing to start large, a former member agreed to sell us an Ericson 26 for exactly what his tax deduction would be if donated to a charity. Having already made a small profit from classes conducted, we agreed to purchase Uptown Girl after she just finished 10 years on the hard!

The engine was high and dry but the cabin had nearly two feet of slimy green water and tons of mold and growing mushrooms. Fortunately, a member’s profession included mold remediation. After a heavy duty clean up by a half dozen members, electrical checkout and repair by another member, work on through hulls, wiring, engine maintenance, paint, and a ton of minor repairs, what resulted was a fabulous addition to our ‘Abandoned Boat Fleet’.

Through the 2019 spring and summer, KYC club volunteers worked feverishly to renovate the boats and take them for sailing shakedowns in anticipation of getting sailing time.

With so much interest and support from the members, it was decided to expand the availability of our ‘Abandoned Boat Fleet’ to all members under a new program now called the Boat Share Program. These club-owned, maintained, and equipped sailboats are available to KYC members without the need to purchase, insure, or deal with all the many maintenance tasks associated with owning a sailboat.

As a registered Skipper in the program, members can bring friends and family guests along to share in the fun of sailing on Raritan Bay.

One of the most popular aspects of the Boat Share Program is that our Boat Share members, experienced club members, and paid professionals cooperatively maintain the boats. This combination is exactly the arrangement that appeals to our originally under-served target market as they get access to a boat, personal experience with maintaining it, and time on the water sailing.

An added bonus is that current members, who never sailed the O’Days, are now out on the bay racing and daysailing our boat share yachts. We forecast this renewed enthusiasm will be great for membership retention and expansion.

Every Sailing class now includes an explanation of the Keyport Yacht Club Boat Share Program while aboard a Boat Share boat! This has resulted in a tremendous interest in joining our club because Boat Share is only available to KYC members. Even though Boat Share was only promoted since the end of July, so far this year, we have already added three new members who came from our Sailing School but joined because of Boat Share.

Almost a dozen more people have indicated they plan to join soon, so that they can be Boat Share participants in 2020. Enthusiasm is palpable. Only a few weeks after being elected aboard KYC, a new member and his wife could be seen at the club making repairs to Uptown Girl – the boat he has been racing with one of our instructors since she was splashed.

Our successful Sailing School is the financial support for our Boat Share program. This year we spent less than $5,000 acquiring, repairing, maintaining, and improving our Abandoned Boat Fleet, and that includes $2,000 for the purchase of Uptown Girl! Next year we hope to add an even larger boat, 31- to 35-feet, for advanced classes and to afford an even greater learning experience for the Boat Share participants.

If our experience is any example, clubs looking for ways to attract highly valued sailing aspirant members may not have to look any further than the nearest boat graveyard!

Background: The Keyport Yacht Club is located in historic Keyport, New Jersey on the southwest shore of Raritan Bay. The bay is a boater’s dream. Open to Atlantic Ocean breezes, but guarded by a natural breakwater, Sandy Hook National Park. Founded in 1908, the club has been providing memorable boating experiences and wonderful club amenities for over 100 years.

Tags: growing the sport , Jess Gregory , Keyport Yacht Club

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SEAS Monthly Meeting @ Keyport Yacht Club

You are invited to our monthly General Membership meeting this Tuesday March 26 at 7:30PM at Keyport Yacht Club.

The Keyport Yacht Club, is located at: 115 1st. St. Keyport.

Don't miss the SEAS Monthly Meeting at Keyport Yacht Club

Come out and get excited about the upcoming sailing season. We have a new boat, and new programs. Hang out and catch up with friends and make some new friends.

Also, 2024 has arrived as with it comes SEAS membership renewals.

Please consider renewing now before the season starts to help cover the costs of the slips that have been paid for in advance of the season. For instructions please go to https://sailseas.com/Monmouth/registration.htm

Our organization is a non-profit and depends on its members to volunteer to provide education and sailing to our members. Each person is asked to donate 4 hours of service over the year. Serving at the national meeting is one way, another is boat preparation, look for upcoming messages on how you can donate your time

Every week on Tuesday, Friday until March 27, 2024

Keyport Historical Society

Join Us at: “Through the years” Tea & Fashion Show

April 20, 2024 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Keyport Yacht Club 115 First Street, Keyport

Advance tickets are just $35.00 and may be purchased:

Keyport Public Library

Keyport Historical Society Museum

Please note that tickets will only be sold at the door if seats are still available.

• Find A School
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Whether you are new to sailing, need a refresher, or wish to expand your sailing skills, we have American Sailing Association (ASA) Certified Courses available that are perfect for you.

Although a recent addition to the ASA Sailing Affiliate Family, the Keyport Yacht Club (KYC) has promoted sailing and sailing instruction since its inception in 1908. Racing, cruising, adult learn to sail programs, and summer sailing camps for children have long been part of the on water activities enjoyed on one of New Jersey’s best sailing areas, the Raritan Bay. 

Raritan Bay and Keyport Harbor provide protected sailing areas for novices as well as open water challenges for advanced students. Learn to sail while taking in magnificent views of the Manhattan Skyline and soak in the beauty of our New Jersey sunsets. This area is ideally suited to learning the sport of sailing, from basic techniques to coastal cruising, navigation and chartering.

The Keyport Yacht Club Sailing School is conveniently located just off exit 117 of the Garden State Parkway.

KYC ASA certified instructors are experienced sailors who will teach you to sail confidently and safely while having fun learning a sport that you can enjoy for a lifetime.

At KYC Sailing School, as an ASA certified facility, you can experience the class and boat style to make you comfortable with sailing on the level you desire. For those who may want to start from the beginning, as so many young sailors have, or would like to become involved with racing sailboats, we offer sessions aboard a tiller boat with an outboard, a J24.

For those who want to get into a cruising boat faster, you can experience a boat 30’ or larger with wheel steering and inboard diesel engine. This option provides a very stable platform for those seeking a certain level of comfort.

We offer choices that not only will teach you how to sail but give boat options that suit your future plans.    Our small group classes are taught on weekends and include classroom instruction and on the water participation. The average day involves around five hours of hands on sailing.

“ The best way of learning about anything is by doing ” ~ Richard Branson

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ASA Veterans Sailing Education Program - Sign Up Now >>

At ASA we recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served or are serving in our country's armed forces. As a token of our appreciation, and our way of saying thank you, we are inviting veterans and active military personnel to share our passion for sailing by offering a discount on our ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course. Keyport Yacht Club Sailing School is offering a minimum of $50.00 or 10% off their ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course.

Sailing School Reviews / Testimonials

M.B. - ASA 101, Keelboat Sailing 1

S.A. - ASA 101, Keelboat Sailing 1

L.G. - ASA 101, Keelboat Sailing 1

P.T. - ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising

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Member Clubs

Our Clubs are located from Keyport Yacht Club in Keyport, NJ on Raritan Bay, along both shores of the Hudson River, north to Hidden Harbor in Port Ewan, NY just south of Kingston.

For more visitor information go to our 2023 Hudson River Boating Guide (Journal) or directly to the club websites linked here.

Chelsea Yacht Club PO Box 180 Chelsea, NY 12512 www.chelseayacht.org 845-831-7245

Contact: Rear Commodore Ed Wolfe [email protected] 845-831-7245 or VHF 68

Cold Spring Boat Club 5 New Street Cold Spring, NY 10516 www.coldspringboatclub.com 845-265-2465

Contact: Commodore Mark Patinella

Cornwall Yacht Club 175 Shore Road / P.O. Box 314 Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 www.cornwallyachtclub.com Contact: Fleet Captain Skip Storer 914-456-1708 [email protected]  

Cortlandt Yacht Club 238 Kings Ferry Rd PO Box 119 Montrose, NY 10548 www.cortlandtyachtclub.com 914-739-3011

Ron Dolce 914-308-6402 or [email protected]

Croton Yacht Club 6 Elliot Way Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 www.crotonyachtclub.org 914-271-6548

Carolyn Campbell

(914) 719-5608

[email protected]

Fort Comfort Yacht Club 26 Ranger Road Dumont, NJ 07628 201-385-0656

Contact : Commodore Arvin Erd

Garrison Yacht Club P.O. Box 176 Garrison, NY 10524 garrisonyachtclub.com 845-803-6785

Contact: Commodore Brian Behan

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Hook Mountain Yacht Club 1 Ackerman Place, Nyack, NY 10960 www.HMYC.org

Contact: mooring committee Ralph Devitto

Hudson Cove Yacht Club 600 Beach Road West Haverstraw, NY 10993 www.hudsoncove.com 845-429-2001

Contact: Safe Harbor Haverstraw Marina 845 429 2001

Keyport Yacht Club 115 First Street Keyport, NJ 07735 www.keyportyachtclub.com 732 739-0727

Contact: Launch on VHF 09 [email protected]

Irvington Boat and Beach Club Bridge Street / P.O. Box 164 / Irvington, NY 10533 www.irvingtonboatclub.com 914-591-6801

Contact: Matt Mishkin [email protected]

Marlboro Yacht Club 144 Dock Road / PO Box 372 Marlboro, NY 12524 www.marlboroyachtclubny.org 845-236-3932

Contact: [email protected]

Minisceongo Yacht Club 83 Grassy Point Rd / PO Box 572 / Stony Point, NY 10980 www.MinisceongoYC.org [email protected]

Contact: John Kime [email protected] or www.DOCKWA.com

New Hamburg Yacht Club 5 Water St., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 www.nhyc1869.com 845-298-1707

Contact : Dock Captain Tom Kelly

Newburgh Yacht Club 1 Park Place Suite 1, Newburgh, NY 12550 www.NewburghYC.com 845-565-3920

Contact: Fleet Captain Dan Galage

Nyack Boat Club Gedney Street Nyack, NY 10960 www.nyackboatclub.org 845-353-0395

Contact : www.Dockwa.com [email protected]

Ossining Boat & Canoe Club 1 Westerly Road / PO Box 743 Ossining, NY 10562 www.obcc.org 914-762-9724

Contact: Commodore Michael Pavelchek 914-762-9724 [email protected]

Ossining Community Sailing Club c/o Ossining Community Center, 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562

Contact: Steering Committee: Victor Drapala OSCS does not have its own facilities.

Palisade Boat Club 1203 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701 www.ThePalisadeBoatClub.com 914-969-6649

Contact: Roel Kunst

Peekskill Yacht Club 1 Travis Point Peekskill, NY 10566 www.peekskillyachtclub.net 914-737-9515

Contact : Commodore Tim Halecki

Philipse Manor Beach Club 1 Riverside Drive / PO Box 8458 Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 www.pmbcsleepyhollow.org 914-332-9815

Contact : Commodore Matthew Yox [email protected]

Pirate Canoe Club 140 Rivercrest Road PO Box 2090 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 www.piratecanoeclub.org 845-486-9878

Contact: Fleet Captain Ray Briody

Rockland Bergen Boat Club 9 Hudson Dr. Stony Point, NY 10980, www.RocklandBergenBoatClub.org

Contact: Commodore [email protected]

Shattemuc Yacht Club 46 Westerly Road, PO Box 29 Ossining, NY 10562 www.ShattemucYC.org 914-941-8777

Contact: Dockmaster De DeSousa 914-941-8777 [email protected]

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Tower Ridge Yacht Club 1 River Street / PO Box 211 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 914-478-9729

Contact : Commodore George Farrell

Washington Irving Boat Club 238 Green Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591 www.wiboatclub.com Bar: 914-332-0517

Contact : Fleet Captain Seth DeKoven [email protected]

The Yacht Club at West Point South Dock Terminal PO Box 164 West Point, NY 10996 www.westpointyachtclub.org 845-938-4670

Army regulations prohibit public access to Yacht Club @ West Point facilities.

Yonkers Corinthian Yacht Club 771 Warburton Ave., Yonkers, NY 10701

Contact: Commodore Kim Gillespie No docking Available

Yonkers Yacht Club 1203 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, NY 10701 www.yonkersyachtclub.com 914-969-9325

Contact: Fleet Captain, Dave Trezza, for guest dock availability.

Society for the Education of American Sailors P.O. Box 1996, White Plains, NY 10602 www.SailHudson.org 845-832-1920

Contact: Commodore Janice Munson [email protected]

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What to do in Matawan-Aberdeen , NJ

Thursday, march 21, local event, joe fernandes comedy night dinner & a show at the goat by david burke.

Thursday, 6:30 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Friday, March 22

Featured event, wills & trusts (elder law webinar).

Friday, 2:30 pm Paramus, NJ

Saturday, March 23

Outdoor spring flea market.

Saturday, 9:00 am East Brunswick, NJ

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, 10:30 am Middletown, NJ

Midnight Bingo

Saturday, 9:00 am Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Office Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale

AAUW Used Book Sale

Saturday, 10:00 am Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Sunday, March 24

Purim carnival.

Sunday, 12:00 pm Holmdel-Hazlet, NJ

Beat Chef Burke Cooking Competition 3-Course Dinner with Casey Webb

Sunday, 4:00 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Tuesday, March 26

Dinner & a comedy show at red horse by david burke in rumson.

Tuesday, 6:00 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Wednesday, March 27

Karaoke every wednesday at mj*s matawan.

Wednesday, 7:00 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Thursday, March 28

Mba information session.

Thursday, 7:00 pm Wayne, NJ

$65pp 3-course Jefferson Bourbon Dinner at THE GOAT by David Burke

Thursday, 6:00 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Tuesday, April 2

Spring break "camp smarties" by huntington learning center - middletown.

Tuesday, 10:00 am Middletown, NJ

Saturday, April 6

Crossing over with psychic medium john edward live.

Saturday, 7:00 pm Woodbridge, NJ

Sunday, April 7

Beat chef burke cooking competition 3-course dinner with chef alex donnadio.

Wednesday, April 10

April luncheon & games.

Wednesday, 11:00 am Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Thursday, April 11

“lord of the rings” trivia night dinner at the goat by david burke.

Thursday, 7:00 pm Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ

Monday, April 15

The spa at the villas holmdel spring specials.

Monday, 9:00 am Holmdel-Hazlet, NJ

Thursday, April 18

Julia scotti comedy night dinner & a show at the goat by david burke.

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