Annual History 2001-2002 Fishing Bay Yacht Club Bev Crump, Historian
Completion of the new Clubhouse highlighted a successful 2002 season at Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Led by the superb and untiring efforts of Commodore Strother Scott during an unprecedented (in recent history) second term, the Club was able to commission its new Clubhouse overlooking Fishing Bay. Commodore Scott was assisted by a Building Committee chaired by Judy Buis and Connie Garrett and the efforts of Vice Commodore Dick Cole, Rear Commodore David Hazlehurst, Mike Karn and John Koedel. A Clubhouse Fundraising Committee chaired by Bev Crump and Jim Rogers, raised $458,000 in voluntary contributions specifically designated for the construction of the new Clubhouse which together with existing resources allowed the Clubhouse to be funded without a mortgage or general assessment of the members. The Finance Committee chaired by Commodore Scott and assisted by Treasurer, Mason Chapman and Waddy Garrett coordinated the financing of the new Clubhouse with the ongoing operations of the Club and the additional capital projects proposed for future years.
The result of all of these efforts was a magnificent new 7500 square foot Clubhouse designed by Bill Newman and constructed by Arthur Wiltons Northwind Construction Company on the site of the old Clubhouse. Unique design features include a commercial quality banquet kitchen, a members kitchen, spacious porch and public rooms, offices, an upstairs air conditioned and heated members lounge, screened porch and deck. Extensive landscaping coordinated by Bob Kates made efficient use of the exterior of the new facility and increased parking.
Commissioning ceremonies on April 13, 2002, included a blessing of the new Clubhouse and a service of asperges by Bishop F. Clayton Matthews, Pastoral Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, attendance by twenty-two former Commodores, well wishes by representatives from nine visiting yacht clubs and a performance by the Christchurch School Choir. The event was also marked by the inauguration of the new crossed burgees logo designed by Commodore Scott which celebrates the founding of the Urbanna Yacht Club in 1939 and the new Clubhouse in 2002. The ceremony was followed by a fabulous seated candlelight dinner for 350 prepared by Chef Alain Vincey which was served in tents surrounding the Clubhouse due to lack of an occupancy permit.
The new Clubhouse was completed at the beginning of May and thereafter received active and welcomed use each weekend throughout the sailing season. Mention should be made of the outstanding decorating job done by Jere Dennison with assistance from Mary Ann Hooker, especially in the members lounge and the furnishings coordinated by Judy Buis and Connie Garrett.
The sailing programs at the Club continued with an excellent year. While the Offshore Classes (PHRF, MORC and Cruising) were somewhat down in numbers this year, the racing was spirited and highly contested. Club events included the Opening Day Regatta, the Spring Series, the Rosegill Race, the Smith Point Race, the Moonlight Race, the Stingray Light Regatta, the Wolf Trap Race, the Fall Series and the Closing Regatta. While there was a minimum of new racing boats, the J-105 Fleet had several new entries and the J-24 Class saw an exciting rekindling of activity.
The largest growth in the offshore fleet occurred in the Cruising Division, and successful and well attended cruises were held to Mathews, Indian Creek, Mobjack Bay, Crisfield and Reedville. Special events included a Junior Cruise and a cruise down the waterway to Edenton, North Carolina with boats from Hampton Yacht Club and Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. The Offshore Division also sponsored a J-29 Invitational Regatta on April 19 and 20 and the highly successful Volvo Leukemia Cup in early July attended by over 50 boats.
The One Design Fleet continued its active racing program for the Flying Scot, Mobjack, Laser, Front Runner, and Optimist classes. It also saw the early signs of a growth spurt in the 420 Class for Juniors. Competition in most of the classes was intense at the Spring Series, the June Races, the Summer Seabreeze Regatta, the Fall Series, and the Indian Summer Regatta. The 63rd Annual One Design Regatta hosted by FBYC in August was attended by 93 boats in eight classes: Byte, Hampton, Flying Scot, Albacore, Mobjack, Front Runner and Optimist. Special One Design Events hosted by the Club included the Lightning District Championship in May and Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters in October.
The Junior Program under the direction of Jan Monnier was a great success with 126 kids attending Junior Week in 4 sailing classes. The Junior Racing program under Coaches Blake Kimbrough and Eric Bokinsky had an active campaign season with some success away from the Club and a good base to build on for future years. Late in the season the 420 programs for juniors received a shot in the arm with Club support and the promise of 6 additional Club boats for next season.
Other events of note include:
The Winter Programs under Alain Vincey had successful appearances from Tucker Thompson and Halsey Herreshoff.
The new Clubhouse fostered a growth of the Wednesday night member pot luck dinners which were enthusiastically attended throughout the Spring and Summer.
The Board of Trustees conducted a combined monthly board meeting and new members reception at the new Clubhouse in August.
The membership stood at 341 family members at the end of the year and the Jackson Creek slips were fully rented.
The Annual Meeting at the Country Club of Virginia was a great success.