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VIDEO: Superyacht Lovebug’s Salvage Underway, Complicated by Tropical Storm Debby

Since the high-profile sinking of the 122-foot-long yacht Lovebug at the mouth of the West River, everyone has been wondering how and when the yacht will be raised and moved.

Salvage activity is underway, later than expected due to logistical challenges and some delays related to Tropical Storm Debby.

Boaters in the area will have noticed a crane and barge, pumping bottom materials from around the Lovebug , along with water being pumped out. Donjon Marine Co. of New York and New Jersey is leading the salvage operation. The yacht has been slowly sinking into the river bottom, making it increasingly difficult to raise it. That’s why Donjon has had to do some digging before divers can position straps around the boat’s hull to raise it.

Bay photographer David Sites captured this video of the large operation underway:

A second, larger barge will do the actual lift of the yacht. Salvors had hoped to raise the Lovebug before Tropical Storm Debby’s remnants hit the Bay, but equipment couldn’t be moved into position in time. Unfortunately, the storm’s strong wind and tides shifted the yacht further into the bottom.

TowBoatUS Annapolis has been at the site of the wreck since moments after the yacht sunk on July 27. After Captain Aras Grinius rescued all five of the people on board one by one, TowBoatUS remained on the scene providing 24/7 security, stopping potential scavengers and working through the night for more than three weeks.

TowBoatUS has also handled environmental cleanup, establishing a boom around the yacht and replacing sorbent booms in the weeks that followed the sinking. The service has also been responsible for recovering debris, from a floating refrigerator to sofa cushions that washed up on Beverly Triton Beach.

Prior to its unfortunate sinking, the privately owned Lovebug was available for high-dollar luxury charters. According to a previous broker’s listing for the boat, the  Lovebug  is an Italian boat built by Sanlorenzo in 2010 and updated in 2017. It sleeps 11 guests in five staterooms and can accommodate seven or eight crewmembers. It boasts zero speed stabilizers, a flybridge sundeck with Jacuzzi, tender/jet ski garage, and a full-beam master stateroom with a full bean master bath and owner’s office.

Chesapeake Bay Magazine will continue to monitor progress in the yacht’s salvage.

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Local News | Second crane arrives at capsized LoveBug yacht…

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Local News | Second crane arrives at capsized LoveBug yacht site, salvage expected to begin this week

Aug. 20, 2024: A second crane barge, the 250-foot Columbia NY arrived on scene joining the Farrell 256 crane barge to attempt to recover the LoveBug, the 103-foot yacht that capsized at the mouth of the West River on July 27. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

The Columbia NY, a 250-foot crane barge with 140-foot boom, and the Thomas D Whitte, a coastal towing tug, arrived on Saturday, according to VesselFinder, a marine traffic site. Recovery efforts are expected to begin as early as Wednesday, according to Steven Newes,  senior vice president of Donjon Marine Co., the New Jersey-based firm contracted to salvage the LoveBug and deliver it to underwriters and its owner.

The tug boat’s arrival comes three weeks after the LoveBug overturned sailing south on the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis. The yacht currently rests in about 10 to 12 feet of water on its starboard, or right, side between Beverly Beach and Shady Side.

The Farrell 256, a 200-foot crane barge with a 120-foot boom, and the Meagan Ann, a coastal towing tug, were the first vessels to arrive last week. The Farrell 256 will be used to rig the LoveBug with slings, Newes said last week. The Columbia NY will then roll and lift it to an upright position. Water inside the yacht will need to be pumped out.

LOVEBUG update Wednesday | PHOTOS

The Italian-built yacht, which could be chartered at a weekly rate ranging from $110,000 to $125,000 , was not operating as a charter when it overturned, Hunter Dortenzo, spokesperson for the Maryland Natural Resources Police, said earlier this month. Following a mayday call, the Coast Guard found five people safe when they arrived.

Both the Natural Resources Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting separate investigations. When the results will be released is unclear, Dortenzo said. The NTSB’s investigation is underway, according to Keith Holloway, a spokesperson for the board.

In the days after the LoveBug capsized, a slight oil sheen was visible on the water around the vessel. Two oil booms were placed around the yacht. No additional pollution has been reported, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Bokum said on Aug. 9.

Capital Gazette reporter Natalie Jones contributed to this article. 

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Luxury yachts and other myths: How Republican lawmakers echo Russian propaganda

Two senior Republican lawmakers, the chairs of the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees, say their colleagues are echoing Russian state propaganda against Ukraine.

Researchers who study disinformation say Reps. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, are merely acknowledging what has been clear for some time: Russian propaganda aimed at undermining U.S. and European support for Ukraine has steadily seeped into America’s political conversation over the past decade, taking on a life of its own.

McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Puck News he thinks “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base.”

Turner, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told CNN that anti-Ukraine messages from Russia are “being uttered on the House floor.”

For the past decade, since Russia’s first military incursion into Ukraine in 2014, Moscow has spread propaganda and disinformation in a bid to undercut U.S. and European military support for Ukraine, according to U.S. and Western officials.

Some of the arguments, distortions and falsehoods spread by Russia have taken root, mostly among right-wing pro-Trump outlets and Republican politicians, researchers say, including that Ukraine’s government is too corrupt to benefit from Western aid and that the Biden family has alleged corrupt ties to Ukraine.

Russia, in keeping with traditional propaganda techniques, seeks to make its case and tarnish Ukraine through a mixture of outright falsehoods, half-truths, inferences or simply amplifying and promoting arguments already being made by American or European commentators and politicians, researchers say.

The propaganda is sometimes spread covertly, through fake online accounts, or openly by Russian officials and state media. As a result, the origin of some allegations or criticisms is often opaque, especially when a certain accusation or perception has gained wide acceptance, leaving no clear fingerprints.

Early in the war, a false story boosted by Russian propaganda — that the U.S. had helped Ukraine build biological weapons labs — gained traction on right-wing social media and was touted by then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Russia also is conducting a parallel propaganda campaign in Europe. Belgium’s prime minister said Thursday that his government is investigating alleged Russian bribes to members of the European Parliament as part of Moscow’s campaign to undermine support for Ukraine. Czech law enforcement officials last month alleged that a former pro-Russian member of Ukraine’s parliament, Viktor Medvedchuk, was behind a Prague-based Russian propaganda network designed to promote opposition to aiding Ukraine.

Here are some examples of Republican lawmakers using arguments often promoted by Russian propaganda:

Buying yachts

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with members of Congress behind closed doors in December to appeal for more U.S. help for his country’s troops, some lawmakers raised questions about Ukraine allegedly buying yachts with American aid money.

Zelenskyy made clear that was not the case, according to Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a strong supporter of arming Ukraine. “I think the notion of corruption came up because some have said we can’t do it, because people will buy yachts with the money,” Tillis told CNN. “[Zelenskyy] disabused people of those notions.”

Where did the yacht rumor come from?

Pro-Russian actors and websites promoted a narrative alleging Zelenskyy bought two superyachts with U.S. aid dollars. One Russia-based propaganda site, DC Weekly , published a story last November that included photos of two luxury yachts, called Lucky Me and My Legacy , which it alleged were bought for $75 million.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a vocal opponent of military aid to Ukraine, in November retweeted a post about the alleged yacht purchase from the Strategic Culture Foundation, a Russian-based propaganda outlet directed by Russia’s intelligence services, according to the Treasury Department. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the organization, accusing it of spreading disinformation and interfering in U.S. elections.

Another outspoken critic of aid to Ukraine, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, also made a similar claim.

In a December interview with former President Donald Trump’s White House adviser Steve Bannon, Vance claimed that members of Congress wanted to cut Social Security benefits to provide more aid to Ukraine, and that money would allegedly be used for Zelenskyy’s ministers to “buy a bigger yacht.”

“There are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty. Why? So that one of Zelenskyy’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht?” Vance said. “Kiss my ass, Steve. It’s not happening.”

The tale of Zelenskyy’s luxury yacht, however, turned out to be totally false . The yachts cited in the DC Weekly article remain up for sale , the owners told The Associated Press.

Two academics at Clemson University, disinformation researchers Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren, found that DC Weekly ran numerous stories copied from other sites that were rewritten by artificial intelligence engines. The articles had bylines with fake names along with headshots copied from other online sites. DC Weekly appeared to be a Russian effort to launder false information through a seemingly legitimate news site as part of an attempt to undermine U.S. support for Ukraine, according to the researchers .

Asked by reporters about Vance’s comments, Tillis said: “I think it’s bullshit. ...If you’re talking about giving money to Ukrainian ministers — total and unmitigated bullshit.”

Greene’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Vance’s spokesperson said the senator was making a rhetorical point about how he opposed sending U.S. assistance to what he sees as a corrupt country, but was not asserting the yacht stories online were accurate.

Vance’s office referred NBC News to an earlier response to the BBC on the same topic:

“For years, everyone in the West recognized that Ukraine was one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Somehow everyone forgot that just as we started sending them billions of dollars in foreign aid.”

Enabling ‘corruption’

Russian state media for years has painted Ukraine as deeply corrupt, and has argued that the U.S. and its allies are wasting money and military hardware by assisting such an allegedly corrupt government.

“This is absolutely a line that they have pushed, and then once it appears in the Western ecosystem, other [Russian] media picks it up and it gets recycled back,” said Bret Schafer, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy.

This line of argument has gained traction partly because Ukraine does face a genuine corruption problem.

Russia’s effort to focus attention on corruption in Ukraine reflects a long-established propaganda method of using facts or partial truths to anchor a broader assertion or accusation, sometimes making a leap in logic, Schafer and other researchers said. Russia’s message amounts to: Ukraine is corrupt, therefore U.S. and Western aid will be stolen and wasted.

Schafer said it was ironic for Russia, a country mired in corruption and kleptocracy, to be leveling accusations about corruption.

Republican Rep. Mary Miller has said she strongly opposes more assistance for Ukraine because it amounts to sending cash to “corrupt oligarchs.”

“With Zelensky coming to DC this week to ask for more money, I will continue to vote AGAINST sending your tax $$ to corrupt oligarchs in Ukraine for a proxy war that could have ended in ‘22,” Miller wrote in a post on X in December.

The Illinois lawmaker also echoed another assertion that often appears in Russian media, that the Biden administration allegedly undermined efforts by Russia to avoid war with Ukraine.

 “A peace deal was on the table that [Ukraine] and [Russia] were both ready to sign, but Biden said NO,” she wrote.

There was in fact no proposed peace agreement that Russia and Ukraine were prepared to sign before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to U.S. and European officials. As Russian troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Western governments urged Russia not to invade and warned there would be economic and diplomatic consequences.

Reuters has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a possible deal to avert a war that had been discussed with Kyiv by Russia’s envoy to Ukraine. The Kremlin said the report was inaccurate and has said Russia tried for years to arrive at an understanding with Ukraine.

As for corruption in Ukraine, Zelenskyy has vowed to tackle the problem, sacking senior officials in some recent cases. But some civil society groups have criticized his approach and Ukrainians say corruption is the country’s second-most serious problem, after the Russian invasion, according to a poll conducted last year.

In an annual survey, Transparency International said Ukraine made progress toward addressing the issue and now ranks 104th out of 180 countries on its Corruption Perceptions Index , climbing 12 places up from its previous ranking.

Ukraine is not alone among countries that receive U.S. and other foreign aid but struggle with corruption. Supporters of assisting Ukraine argue it would undermine America’s influence in the world and its humanitarian efforts if Washington withheld foreign aid from every country where there were reports of corruption.

Miller’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Biden family and Ukraine

Republicans have repeatedly alleged that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter have corrupt ties to Ukraine, and that they sought $5 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma to protect the firm from an investigation by Ukraine’s prosecutor general.

There is no credible evidence for the allegations. A key source for the accusations against the Bidens is a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who was arrested in February on federal charges of fabricating the bribery claims. Smirnov says he was fed information by Russian intelligence.

Republicans had heavily promoted Smirnov’s allegations against the Bidens, seeing them as crucial to a planned impeachment effort against the president that has since fizzled .

“In my estimation, that is probably the clearest example of Russian propaganda working its way into the American political system,” said Emerson Brooking, a resident senior fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council.

GOP Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona cited the false bribery allegations in expressing his opposition to providing assistance to Ukraine.

“In exchange for … bribe money from Ukraine, Joe Biden has dished out over $100 billion in taxpayer money to fund the war in Ukraine. I will not assist this corruption by sending more money to the authoritarian Ukrainian regime,” Gosar said in a statement in October.

Gosar’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

Syedah Asghar is a Capitol Hill researcher for NBC News and is based in Washington, D.C.

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A superyacht captain shares 3 things people who want to charter a luxury vessel should know

• Vacationing on a superyacht may sound like it's all Champagne and sunbathing.
• But before boarding a luxury vessel, superyacht captain Kelly Gordon advises keeping certain things in mind.
• Yachting is a summer pastime with risks and nuances for clients and crew.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez soaking up the sun. Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian's wedding . Beyoncé's carefree jump into the ocean.

One of these images is likely what comes to mind when you hear the word "superyacht," a phrase generally used to describe a yacht over 80 feet in length.

While ultra-luxurious vessels are associated with all things carefree, tragic events such as the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off the coast of Sicily on Monday is a reminder that yachting is a pastime with unique risks and nuances. It's unclear what the protocols were on the Bayesian.

For those keen on the idea of chartering a superyacht, captain Kelly Gordon, 42, told Business Insider there are a number of important factors to consider before hopping on board.

Gordon fell in love with yachting after she stepped aboard a yacht for the first time in her mid-20s.

Hellbent on reaching captain level, Gordon quickly worked her way up the chain of command. She's spent most of her time sailing the Bahamas and the Caribbean and is now based in Florida, where she works as a captain on a 108-foot-long privately owned vessel.

Gordon, who has over 12,600 followers on Instagram , shares three factors to keep in mind before boarding a chartered superyacht.

Think of the process of chartering a superyacht as buying a house

One of the most important things to do when chartering a superyacht is to work with a charter broker, Gordon says.

"The charter manager's job is to No. 1: find you a safe boat," Gordon said, adding that in her experience, "Not all programs put safety as high up on the list as it should be."

She also likes to equate charter brokers to Realtors in that they take on the role of finding you the best option for your taste.

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"You find one that you gel with really well and has a good reputation, and then you discuss with them what your budget is, where you want to go, what your activity levels are, what your personalities are like," Gordon said.

Pairing clients with a crew that aligns with their characteristics is a huge part of a charter broker's job, Gordon said.

"If you think about it, you're living with that crew for 24/7, around the clock," she said. "You're not going put someone that just wants to sit and read books all day with a crew that's extremely active."

Find a crew that is competent and prioritizes safety

Charter brokers also help match clients with a competent crew that prioritizes safety.

"I don't know that many people realize just how much their life is in our hands when we cast those lines and we go to sea," Gordon said.

Part of that is having a safety briefing, which Gordon carries out every time she welcomes clients onto a chartered vessel before leaving a dock.

A thorough safety briefing includes informing clients about the location of safety equipment and lifejackets and the procedures for events such as a fire, a person falling overboard, or the boat sinking.

"You should have a safety briefing, and if you don't get one, you should ask for one," Gordon said.

The process, she added, can be different on privately owned yachts, where passengers may be familiar with the vessel.

The Bayesian is a private yacht owned by tech tycoon Mike Lynch; it's not yet known what kind of safety protocols staff and guests were trained on.

Make sure there's a member of the crew on watch 24/7

"A lot of charter guests think when they go to sleep, the crew goes to sleep," Gordon said.

But that shouldn't be the case, she added. "You want to be on a boat knowing that someone's up, because if the weather changes or the anchor starts to drag, you need somebody that's up and ready to go and get everybody else to handle it."

Among the biggest weather risks are tornados, which can be extremely difficult to predict and prepare for whether you're on land or at sea.

"I'm from the Midwest, where tornados pop up," Gordon said. "It's hard to see a tornado coming, and if you do see it coming, the tornado goes where it wants to go."

Most often, that leaves people near the weather event with just minutes to ready themselves, which is even trickier "in the middle of the night."

While rapid changes in weather are tough to contend with, Gordon recommends researching the areas you are sailing in beforehand, like you would when visiting a new country.

"It's no different than if you're going on vacation on land," she said. "You want to know where you're going. Don't put that just all on the crew."

While the research doesn't have to be as extensive as the crew should be doing, it's important to still be "responsible for your own self as well as your family and your guests."

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

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SBYC Founded 1893

Some Important Events

in the History of The Sodus Bay Yacht Club

1893, July 4

Earliest record of handicap racing by a group of Sodus Point cottage owners.

Sodus Bay Yacht Club formally organized at a site where Krenzer’s Marina now stands.

A.C. Bartle was the first Commodore. Membership was not limited to owners of boats.

1895, August 9

The Sodus Bay Yacht Club is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with the primary objectives “to promote and encourage interests in yachts and yachting, to encourage the traditions of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and facilities for the use and recreation of its members…”

Original clubhouse and docks were completed at the cost of $2,200, supervised by Commodore Meade and the trustees.

Miss Rose Williams, racing a Lark, became the first woman in central New York to win a yacht race, crossing he finish line twice in first place, picking a silver cup in the James Holmes race, and tied for third prize overall for the season.

“Ladies” over the age of 21 were allowed to join the Club as Associate Members upon paying $2.00 in dues.

SBYC’s application to join the Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was accepted.

SBYC recognized by the local community as a major tourist attraction. A promotional piece provides the following quote “Visitors are cordially welcomed to the spacious club home of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club on the south shore of Sand Point. This organization is largely drawn from western New York. The club house is a rendezvous for the members and their families from all points of the Bay. A commodious dancing pavilion, greatly enjoyed by the members, has been a recent addition.”

The ailing economy resulting from WWI leads to foreclosure on Clubhouse and property. While there were no facilities, the Club continued and the membership grew from 5 to 39. In 1935, a group of members formed the Sodus Bay Realty Corporation and purchased the Clubhouse and property back from the State. The Corporation then leased the facilities back to the Club.

Club was forced to give up LYRA affiliation due to drop in membership.

LYRA event held at SBYC under the flag of the Rochester Yacht Club. Over 100 boats participated.

C.P.H. Vary, who served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1926-1942, was the first SBYC membership to be given an Honorary Life Membership.

SBYC joined the Central New York Yacht Racing Association.

The “Robin”; class was introduced. Designed by Benjamin Wood of Sodus, NY. The fleet grew to 19.

SBYC joined the North American Yacht Racing Union.

SBYC was accepted back into LYRA as a full member.

Total membership (all categories) grows to 150.

The 75th LYRA event was held at SBYC; this was the third LYRA held on Sodus Bay. SBYC took on a carnival atmosphere for the event with at least 70 boats moored in the harbor.

1964 & 1969

SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.

SBYC hosts the LYRA Regatta. The Freeman Cup Long Distance race finished at the entrance to the Bay and two days of course racing followed.

1981 & 1985

Clubhouse undergoes a major renovation; enlarging the bar area and improving bathroom facilities.

The Challenge Cup Regatta drew a record 45 boats, including 20 J/24s. Stuart Needel on FALCON became the first SBYC sailor to win the Freeman Cup Long Distance race.

The East Floating Dock System was constructed and installed using member labor. This addition provided 16 new docks for use by the membership.

SBYC celebrated its Centennial Year. Events included a Winter Ball at Oak Hill Country Club, an Antique Boat Show, and a Centennial Match Race Regatta won by John Swartz on Sea Witch. An additional highlight was SBYC’s hosting of the LYRA Regatta for the 8th time.

District (7)  J-24 Championships held at SBYC.

The Club installs a small boat hoist to accommodate a growing number of small boat sailors.

CNYYRA (Central New York Yacht Racing Association) held its annual regatta at SBYC. At the same time SBYC was host to the J/24 District Championship. In all over 110 boats participated.

SBYC hosts the 8 Metre World Championship

Through the efforts of Past Commodores Bud Seymour and George Sibley, the Club purchased the boathouse and property directly to the north of the Club. This property was owned by Heidi & Eugene Van Voorhis members of both Rochester and Sodus Bay Yacht Clubs. Upon Heidi’s death and Eugene’s sale of their property on Newark Island, there was no longer a need for the property.

At the Eastern Yachting Circuit (EYC) meeting in Kingston, Fleet Captain Mike Foley and Rear Commodore Tom Knapp bid to host the Annual EYC regatta at SBYC in 1999. The Regatta was held and included a long distance race from Oswego Yacht Club to Sodus Point and three course races.

Eric Will and his crew aboard Bushwacker won the Soverel 33 North American Championship.

2000, Spring

Sixteen new floating docks were installed. The project under the direction of Past Commodore Jim Lyles and directed by Docks and Moorings Director, Jim Adolf, was begun in early 1999 and finished in early spring when several “work days” were scheduled to assembled the docks. All 16 slips had been rented during the previous winter so many in the work party were slip holders anxious for their new dock to be in the water.

SBYC hosted the prestigious LYRA Regatta for the 9th time. Under the capable leadership of Ed St. George, Past Commodore Chuck Willette as Regatta Race Officer, and a group of dedicated volunteers, the event was a resounding success. From July 31st to August 6th over 125 boats from around the lake participated in this exciting event. For the first time, the Regatta was linked with the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event became known as the Leukemia Cup Regatta and approximately $15,000 was raised toward the life saving work of that organization.

The Clubhouse kitchen underwent a major renovation. Workspace was more than doubled, hot water tanks were upgraded for the kitchen and the bathrooms and an office was created for the Club Manager.

Erik Will and the crew of Bushwacker successfully defended their Soverel 33 North American Championship at Larchmont Yacht Club, placing first in four of the seven races.

The Club purchased the Compson cottage and property directly north of the boathouse property. Past Commodore Ed St. George is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent. 

All of the property north of the Clubhouse including the garage, the boathouse and the Compson cottage were torn down making the area available for future club expansion.

Through collaboration with Skip Shumway, the club acquired four IDEAL 18 sailboats for member use.  The property north of the club was modified with a dock for the boats and a work shed to act as a base for the new “SBYC Small Boat Program”.  Tom Knapp ran the program, which included one design club racing as well as open sailing, to rave reviews from club members.  Through the efforts of Bob Wood and a dedicated group of volunteers, a working Officer of the Day program was established and successfully operated over the entire summer.  The highlight of the social scene took place on Labor Day Weekend when Rochester Yacht Club joined us in a three-day Pirate’s Weekend complete with costumes, great food, music, a pirate’s invasion and movies on the lawn in the evening.

The Small Boat Program continued to be popular with the membership with David Drushler and his wife Nathalie LaRochelle at the helm.  After 20 years of Rochester YC wins, the SBYC racers were finally able to bring home the Challenge Cup to the clubhouse, winning it back by a slim 1 point margin.  Pete and Leigh Quackenbush and the crew on Moongator won the Best in Fleet trophy at the LYRA Regatta in Youngstown.  The season was blessed with good weather and, along with the Lighthouse Race, we saw the return of another favorite “fun race” – the “Bang and Go”.  Water balloons and cannons, along with buckets abounded!  At the Annual Meeting, Ed St George was recognized with Life membership for his many years of service to the club and yachting in general on Lake Ontario.

SBYC hosted both LYRA and the North American 8 Meter Regatta.  SBYC also hosted Sodus Bay Junior Sailing Association’s 50th Anniversary.  And SBYC had 10 new members in 2006.

The Ideal 18’s were purchased and continue to club assets, making the club more attractive to new members.  SBYC hosted the EYC as well as the Challenge Cup, while SBYC and SBJSA partnered to host a Laser/Optima regatta.  SBYC member and LYRA President MIke Foley is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent. 

SBYC hosted a very successful Centrals Regatta and Challenge Cup. We resolved our property tax assessment issue with the town saving us money. The SBJSA completed their new Educational Building which includes handicapped showers and restrooms that can be used by SBYC

In addition to our normal racing and social events, SBYC hosted the North American Lightning Championship Regatta for ten days in August. It was an amazing event to host with excellent participation from our membership and to watch as the Women’s, Junior’s and Master’s Lightning racers from all over North America raced on Lake Ontario. A special thank you goes to Tom Knapp, Alys Klingenberg and Ed St. George for Co-Chairing this event. With the purchase of the south end of Irwin Street, and after much planning, the north side of our property under went a much needed facelift with a new walkway and landscaping. The house roof was finally repaired after many years of dripping rainwater in the bar and kitchen. Thank you to Dave Parker and his committee for these two major projects.

The renovation to the front wall and East Basin saw all of the old concrete removed and new rock filler added before new concrete was poured.  The new water and electrical lines were embedded into the new concrete and new power and light towers are being installed which will complete the project.  A great turnout of volunteers made this project a success.  The Annual Challenge Cup Regatta saw 31 boats of all sizes participating in the two-day event.  A round of applause goes to Fleet Captain Mike Thurley with help from Rear Commodore Pete Quackenbush for planning such a successful regatta.  SBYC and SBJSA also hosted the Centrals Regatta for small boats with 68 boats competing during the regatta.

A good year for the House financially and in participation, as private parties and member special events (Lobster Fest, Pig Roast, Clambake, Cuban Night) boosted attendance. SBYC Challenge Cup racers were successful in winning back the Challenge Cup trophy for SBYC.Ideal 18 participation was high, culminating in a well-attended and spirited Ideal 18 “Poker-Run” Fun Race. The adjacent Pier Point property was purchased by SBJSA. An easement will be given to SBYC to construct a much needed wave break system on the newly purchased property. Plans for an Adult Learn to Sail Program beginning in 2012 were initiated.

COMMODORES OF SBYC

1893-1895 A.C. Bartle

1896-1900S. Meade

1901            A.L. Foote

1902            C.P.H. Vary

1903            J.S. Sheffield

1904-1905F.J.B. Lefebvre

1906            H.B. Rogers

1907-1909F.L. Wilson

1910            C.T. Bloomer

1911            H.M. Doubleday

1912            R.A.S. Bloomer

1913            S.E. Comstock

1914             C.F. Garfield

1915            F.L. Wilson

1916-1922E.F. Brewster Jr.

1923            R.A.S. Bloomer

1924            S.E. Comstock

1925-1926P.E. Emerson

1927            L.K. Stuart

1928            P.D. Newton

1929            W.C. Bloomer

1930            T.S. Knight

1931            P.V. Fortmiller

1932            H.C. Bloomer

1933            C.R. Clark

1934            R.W. Comstock

1935            G.B. Parsons

1936-1937L.A. Gilbert

1938            H.V. Swartz

1939-1940L.K. Stuart

1941-1942W.G. Croucher

1943            P.E. Emerson

1944-1945J.D. Welch

1946-1947H.C.Bloomer

1948            R.C. Rupert

1949            K.C. Collier and T. Paton

1950-1951E.E. Marsh

1952-1953E.J. Pammenter

1954-1955J.G. Donaldson

1956            G.P. Smith

1957            L.J. Short

1958            H.W. Fogarty

1959            C.W. Stuart

1960-1961H.E. Bush

1962            E.W. Sohmer

1963            E.P. Seymour

1964            H.B.Nesbitt

1965-1966K.L. Robie

1967-1968A.B. Hosford

1969-1970G.P. Sibley

1971-1972A.C. Hagen

1973-1974J. Laird

1975            G. Alley

1976-1977B.D. Ives

1978-1979E.H. Wheeler

1980            K.H. Eaton

1981            J.S. Dennis

1982            H.L. Willard

1983-1984M.A. Polster

1985            J.M. Lyles

1986-1987C.F. Willette

1988-1989C.E. Wentworth

1990-1991E.L. St. George

1992            J.W. Whipple

1993-1994A.K. Pizer

1995-1996B. A. Dahl

1997-1998R. B. Jones

1999-2000T.R. Knapp

2001-2002E. Leroux

2003-2004A. Klingenberg

2005-1006R. J. White

2007-2008J. Hayslip

2009-2010J. Wickett

2011-2012D. Parker

SBYC History

The Commodores Reminisce

In case you missed it at the Commodore's Ball, here is a video put together by Charleen Hubbell asking each commodore to tell us about what they remember most when they were commodore at SBYC. Enjoy!

1893, July 4 - Earliest record of handicap racing by a group of Sodus Point cottage owners.

1893, Fall - Sodus Bay Yacht Club formally organized at a site where Krenzer’s Marina now stands.  A.C. Bartle was the first Commodore. Membership was not limited to owners of boats.

1895, August 9 - The Sodus Bay Yacht Club is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with the primary objectives “to promote and encourage interests in yachts and yachting, to encourage the traditions of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and facilities for the use and recreation of its members…”

1900 - Original clubhouse and docks were completed at the cost of $2,200, supervised by Commodore Meade and the trustees.

1904 - Miss Rose Williams, racing a Lark, became the first woman in central New York to win a yacht race, crossing he finish line twice in first place, picking a silver cup in the James Holmes race, and tied for third prize overall for the season.

1905 - “Ladies” over the age of 21 were allowed to join the Club as Associate Members upon paying $2.00 in dues.

1907 - SBYC’s application to join the Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was accepted.

1913 - SBYC recognized by the local community as a major tourist attraction. A promotional piece provides the following quote “Visitors are cordially welcomed to the spacious club home of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club on the south shore of Sand Point. This organization is largely drawn from western New York. The club house is a rendezvous for the members and their families from all points of the Bay.

A commodious dancing pavilion, greatly enjoyed by the members, has been a recent addition.”

1920-1935 - The ailing economy resulting from WWI leads to foreclosure on Clubhouse and property.  While there were no facilities, the Club continued and the membership grew from 5 to 39. In 1935, a group of members formed the Sodus Bay Realty Corporation and purchased the Clubhouse and property back from the State. The Corporation then leased the facilities back to the Club.

1922 - Club was forced to give up LYRA affiliation due to drop in membership.

1924 - LYRA event held at SBYC under the flag of the Rochester Yacht Club. Over 100 boats participated.

1934 - C.P.H. Vary, who served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1926-1942, was the first SBYC membership to be given an Honorary Life Membership.

1934 - SBYC joined the Central New York Yacht Racing Association.

1935 - The “Robin”; class was introduced. Designed by Benjamin Wood of Sodus, NY. The fleet grew to 19.  SBYC joined the North American Yacht Racing Union.

1938 - SBYC was accepted back into LYRA as a full member.

1958 - Total membership (all categories) grows to 150.

1959 - The 75th LYRA event was held at SBYC; this was the third LYRA held on Sodus Bay. SBYC took on a carnival atmosphere for the event with at least 70 boats moored in the harbor.

1964 &1969 - SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.

1976 - SBYC hosts the LYRA Regatta. The Freeman Cup Long Distance race finished at the entrance to the Bay and two days of course racing followed.

1981 & 1985 - SBYC hosts the start of the Freeman Cup Long Distance Race which is prelude to LYRA course racing.

1986 - Clubhouse undergoes a major renovation; enlarging the bar area and improving bathroom facilities.

1991 - The Challenge Cup Regatta drew a record 45 boats, including 20 J/24s. Stuart Needel on FALCON became the first SBYC sailor to win the Freeman Cup Long Distance race.

1991-1992 - The East Floating Dock System was constructed and installed using member labor. This addition provided 16 new docks for use by the membership.

1993 - SBYC celebrated its Centennial Year. Events included a Winter Ball at Oak Hill Country Club, an Antique Boat Show, and a Centennial Match Race Regatta won by John Swartz on Sea Witch. An additional highlight was SBYC’s hosting of the LYRA Regatta for the 8th time.

1994 - District (7)  J-24 Championships held at SBYC.  The Club installs a small boat hoist to accommodate a growing number of small boat sailors.

1995 - CNYYRA (Central New York Yacht Racing Association) held its annual regatta at SBYC. At the same time SBYC was host to the J/24 District Championship. In all over 110 boats participated.

1996, July - SBYC hosts the 8 Metre World Championship

1997 - Through the efforts of Past Commodores Bud Seymour and George Sibley, the Club purchased the boathouse and property directly to the north of the Club. This property was owned by Heidi & Eugene Van Voorhis members of both Rochester and Sodus Bay Yacht Clubs. Upon Heidi’s death and Eugene’s sale of their property on Newark Island, there was no longer a need for the property.

1998 - At the Eastern Yachting Circuit (EYC) meeting in Kingston, Fleet Captain Mike Foley and Rear Commodore Tom Knapp bid to host the Annual EYC regatta at SBYC in 1999.

1999 - The Eastern Yachting Circuit Regatta was held and included a long distance race from Oswego Yacht Club to Sodus Point and three course races.  Eric Will and his crew aboard Bushwacker won the Soverel 33 North American Championship.

2000-Present

2000, Spring - Sixteen new floating docks were installed. The project under the direction of Past Commodore Jim Lyles and directed by Docks and Moorings Director, Jim Adolf, was begun in early 1999 and finished in early spring when several “work days” were scheduled to assembled the docks. All 16 slips had been rented during the previous winter so many in the work party were slip holders anxious for their new dock to be in the water.

2000, July - SBYC hosted the prestigious LYRA Regatta for the 9th time. Under the capable leadership of Ed St. George, Past Commodore Chuck Willette as Regatta Race Officer, and a group of dedicated volunteers, the event was a resounding success. From July 31st to August 6th over 125 boats from around the lake participated in this exciting event. For the first time, the Regatta was linked with the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event became known as the Leukemia Cup Regatta and approximately $15,000 was raised toward the life saving work of that organization.

2001 - The Clubhouse kitchen underwent a major renovation. Workspace was more than doubled, hot water tanks were upgraded for the kitchen and the bathrooms and an office was created for the Club Manager.  Erik Will and the crew of Bushwacker successfully defended their Soverel 33 North American Championship at Larchmont Yacht Club, placing first in four of the seven races.

2002 - The Club purchased the Compson cottage and property directly north of the boathouse property. Past Commodore Ed St. George is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent.  

2003 - All of the property north of the Clubhouse including the garage, the boathouse and the Compson cottage were torn down making the area available for future club expansion.

2004 - Through collaboration with Skip Shumway, the club acquired four IDEAL 18 sailboats for member use.  The property north of the club was modified with a dock for the boats and a work shed to act as a base for the new “SBYC Small Boat Program”.  Tom Knapp ran the program, which included one design club racing as well as open sailing, to rave reviews from club members.  Through the efforts of Bob Wood and a dedicated group of volunteers, a working Officer of the Day program was established and successfully operated over the entire summer.  The highlight of the social scene took place on Labor Day Weekend when Rochester Yacht Club joined us in a three-day Pirate’s Weekend complete with costumes, great food, music, a pirate’s invasion and movies on the lawn in the evening.

2005 - The Small Boat Program continued to be popular with the membership with David Drushler and his wife Nathalie LaRochelle at the helm.  After 20 years of Rochester YC wins, the SBYC racers were finally able to bring home the Challenge Cup to the clubhouse, winning it back by a slim 1 point margin.  Pete and Leigh Quackenbush and the crew on Moongator won the Best in Fleet trophy at the LYRA Regatta in Youngstown.  The season was blessed with good weather and, along with the Lighthouse Race, we saw the return of another favorite “fun race” – the “Bang and Go”.  Water balloons and cannons, along with buckets abounded!  At the Annual Meeting, Ed St George was recognized with Life membership for his many years of service to the club and yachting in general on Lake Ontario.

2006 - SBYC hosted both LYRA and the North American 8 Meter Regatta.  SBYC also hosted Sodus Bay Junior Sailing Association’s 50th Anniversary.  And SBYC had 10 new members in 2006.

2007 - The Ideal 18’s were purchased and continue to club assets, making the club more attractive to new members.  SBYC hosted the EYC as well as the Challenge Cup, while SBYC and SBJSA partnered to host a Laser/Optima regatta.  SBYC member and LYRA President MIke Foley is awarded the Lake Yacht Racing Association’s highest award “THE Blake Van Winckle Memorial Award” for service to the more than 50 yacht clubs in the association. LYRA founded in 1893 is the oldest association of racing yacht clubs on the continent. 

2008 - SBYC hosted a very successful Centrals Regatta and Challenge Cup. We resolved our property tax assessment issue with the town saving us money. The SBJSA completed their new Educational Building which includes handicapped showers and restrooms that can be used by SBYC

2009 - In addition to our normal racing and social events, SBYC hosted the North American Lightning Championship Regatta for ten days in August. It was an amazing event to host with excellent participation from our membership and to watch as the Women’s, Junior’s and Master’s Lightning racers from all over North America raced on Lake Ontario. A special thank you goes to Tom Knapp, Alys Klingenberg and Ed St. George for Co-Chairing this event. With the purchase of the south end of Irwin Street, and after much planning, the north side of our property under went a much needed facelift with a new walkway and landscaping. The house roof was finally repaired after many years of dripping rainwater in the bar and kitchen. Thank you to Dave Parker and his committee for these two major renovations.

2010 - The renovation to the front wall and East Basin saw all of the old concrete removed and new rock filler added before new concrete was poured.  The new water and electrical lines were embedded into the new concrete and new power and light towers are being installed which will complete the project.  A great turnout of volunteers made this project a success.  The Annual Challenge Cup Regatta saw 31 boats of all sizes participating in the two-day event.  A round of applause goes to Fleet Captain Mike Thurley with help from Rear Commodore Pete Quackenbush for planning such a successful regatta.  SBYC and SBJSA also hosted the Centrals Regatta for small boats with 68 boats competing during the regatta.

2011 - A good year for the House financially and in participation, as private parties and member special events (Lobster Fest, Pig Roast, Clambake, Cuban Night) boosted attendance. SBYC Challenge Cup racers were successful in winning back the Challenge Cup trophy for SBYC.Ideal 18 participation was high, culminating in a well-attended and spirited Ideal 18 “Poker-Run” Fun Race. The adjacent Pier Point property was purchased by SBJSA. An easement will be given to SBYC to construct a much needed wave break system on the newly purchased property.  Plans for an Adult Learn to Sail Program beginning in 2012 were initiated. 

2013 - It was another good year at the club. Financially it was a little tough with membership down a little and a few open docks. SBYC again hosted the Centrals small boat regatta with SBJSA. We again hosted the Cup and brought the trophy back to SBYC. A great day of successful racing. Major repairs were completed on the cooler/freezer refrigeration system thanks to Tom Thurston. SBYC had a presence at the Syracuse boat show pursuing future members. The adult learn to sail program initiated in 2012 was again a huge success in 2013. 

2014 ​ - The year was a home run with the implementation of the New Member Program authored by Larry Monheim and Dave Parker, with 82 new members signed onto the plan. SBYC bid for, and was awarded, the 2015 LYRA Annual Regatta and the 2016 Eastern Yacht Circuit Regatta. We hosted, and defended, our annual Challenge Cup Regatta, and hosted the Shark’s Multi Hull National Regatta. Close cooperation with the Sodus Bay Junior Sailing Association has begun long term planning on synergies between the two organizations and adjacent properties to become a strategic location for competitive sailing on the south shore of Lake Ontario. This cooperation also saw the beginning of a program with Rochester Institute of Technology’s Collegiate Sailing Program and we again co-hosted the Centrals Regatta with SBJSA. An improved financial outlook allowed the club to implement a new point-of-sale system in the clubhouse, dining room and bar, and allowed us to purchase the first sections of a new wave suppression system as part of our long range planning.

2015 ​- The attraction of competitive racing at the club has paid some dividends with a successful and profitable LYRA Annual Regatta. Additionally, we attracted the attention of Canada and have been named Challenger of Record, for the US Trials, for a Modern 8 Meter to compete for the Canada’s Cup at Royal Canadian Yacht Club in 2016.  The first section of the Wave Attenuator was launched for testing this fall by the Long Range Planning Committee. The new member program continues to provide the expected boost to membership in its second year as well as providing the excess activity and support to the financials.  The facility footprint with SBJSA continues to make for a location that may be unparalleled on Lake Ontario as a regatta and racing event venue. 

2016 ​ - Another exciting year for the club.  In addition to our regular racing schedule, we successfully hosted the Annual EYC Regatta, as well as the Challenger Series for the 2016 Canada’s Cup. We had many wonderful social events, and business at the bar and Dining room was up. The new member program has continued its success, bringing many new faces to the club.  On the docks, we replaced the light towers on the west floaters with towers to match those on the front wall, replaced the worn-out swim ladders and saw the positive effects of the new wave attenuator.  In the clubhouse, the Men’s room remodel was completed, and we bought a new oven for the kitchen.  Our most prominent project was the new roof that was put on the dining room, as well as putting new windows and siding on the second floor of the clubhouse.  

2017 ​ - A year to remember.  High water and flooding dominated much of our season.  Several early season events had to be cancelled or rescheduled, including Sail Pass (cancelled), the Annual Challenge Cup Regatta (cancelled)  and the Commodores’ Ball (pushed back to July).  The entire spring racing series was washed out.  Through the efforts of many imaginative folks, we were able to finally get the docks launched by late June, and started to see boats occupying them by the Fourth of July.  Moreover, the can-do spirit of our members was evident throughout, and we were able to salvage much of the season.  Revenue was down for the year, but expenses were kept in check and we were able to get through the year without a deficit.  We are looking forward to 2018 and our 125th Anniversary!

2020 - Just when you thought high water was the worst thing to happen, then Covid-19 comes along.

Memory Lane 

Sail For Hospice Regatta 2022

This summer, our Sail for Hospice Regatta also counted as the first day of racing for the annual SBYC Challenge Cup two day club regatta. It was a hot light breezy day and everyone had a great time on Lake Ontario! Two of the 8 metres were on the line and they were distractingly beautiful to watch.

Learn More about this event here .

Challenge Cup 2022

Sodus Bay Yacht Club hosted the 2022 Challenge Cup Regatta.   It was a weekend of lighter winds and flat water. The regatta included 27 boats in four divisions. Everyone got a lot of sun, enjoyed great music by the Baby Boomers, and feasted on great food. 

LYRA 2022 / 8 Metre North Americans

A huge congratulations to Bob Carey and his committee for organizing a very successful LYRA Regatta.   52 boats registered with approximately 260 or more racers. Add race committee, support people, volunteers, non-racing members enjoying the club and the activities, we saw about 350-400 people at the Club! We'd also like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors for this year's LYRA regatta.

J/24 Regatta 2022

Sodus Bay Yacht Club hosted the 2022 J/24 Regatta.   It was a weekend of variable winds winds. The racers saw it all. The regatta included a total of seven races over the two days. All in attendance got a lot of sun, and enjoyed great food and company. Thank you to Pat and Shelli Fitzsimmons for hosting the bagel breakfast before each start of the day of racing.  

Antique Boat Show 2022

A wonderful event open to the public included more than 20 antique boats both in the water and on the hard. Thanks to Dave Williamson and all the volunteers who made this event a great success, not only for SBYC but also for the community. Despite the quick downpour mid-event, the sun came out and spectators could view the boats along with a card indicating information about the boat year, model and owner.