Optimist sailboats used for Morro Bay Yacht Club Junior sailors and for the Summer Sailing program. Photo courtesy of by Dana McClish
The Morro Bay Yacht Club celebrated its 70th anniversary on May 30, with a record number of members attending – charter, longstanding, former and some who had recently joined. The goal of the day was to reminisce, break-bread with new and old friends, and celebrate its 70 active years in Morro Bay. The fare was Luau MBYC-style. A bounty of BBQ chicken from the grill was augmented by abundant choices of potluck fixings and desserts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
MBYC Commodore John Wimer opened the memory-filled program with stories and photographs compiled by historian Andrea Surfleet with his greeting and an exciting announcement. “All members have made this club a success — those that built it, continue to maintain it and our boatyard, and participate in the races and programs. I have good news! We just received notice our grant to shore up the docks has been approved. We will need everyone’s support again to get this job done.”
And based on the club’s history volunteering and celebrating together has been MBYC’s strategy for survival and growth for 70 years. The following is a brief synopsis of that history sourced from the club website at www.mbyc.net.
MBYC was formed in 1964 by sailing and power boating enthusiasts. They spent their early years helping to improve Morro Bay’s harbor and boating conditions, including doing safety inspections for the Harbor Department. They helped organize the Morro Bay Harbor District and the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. Work, however, was always rewarded with time to play. Racing events and socials were common. Youth activities were always a priority for these young families. Summer sailing lessons were first sponsored through the city’s recreation department. MBYC is well known for its open-door hosting of worldwide visitors from other yacht clubs.
In 1960 the first clubhouse was a houseboat. It would tie-up to various business docks until it found a location near the south Embarcadero boat ramp. This made competition starts and finishes easier for sailboat and power boat racing. The “clubhouse” would sink in 1964, a casualty of the tsunami generated from the Great Alaskan Earthquake.
Activities resumed in 1966 when they secured a lease at 541 Embarcadero from SLO businessman Charles Berkemeyer. By 1971 the membership was able to purchase it and, after many improvements to the small dockside house, they had a permanent clubhouse. Dedicated on May 18, 1980, the new clubhouse filled all the needs of a thriving yacht club. Leadership retired any debt in 1981. Continuing to pay their way utilizing the volunteer talents within the membership, the boatyard across the street was acquired, docks repaired, bathrooms and the galley were remodeled between 1986 and 2018.
Membership and racing fleets continued to grow. Summer sailing programs for adults and youth continues to be popular. The Morro Bay Youth Sailing Foundation was formed in 2011. The Junior Yacht Club maintains independent meetings and programs. Active Cal Poly sailing students have increased their participation and responsibilities advising and teaching the youth programs.
Surfleet shared stories and photos from the past 70 years and recognized many of the attendees for their contributions. “It was our members who agreed we would serve by volunteering our time and skills to keep our club affordable, fun and friendly.” The original fees were $5 for initiation plus $1 monthly dues.”
She recognized the first charter member, Rosemary Jorgens, who joined in 1962 with her husband Buck. Even at age 101, Rosemary made it up the staircase at the event with the help of family members in attendance.
Andrea explained it was two men, Ken Jenkins and Barney Pikes, that pushed the original idea of a yacht club. “Ken owned the houseboat that had to be refloated each gathering and held in place with a flashlight. They created the “Power of the Potluck” concept to earn funds for a clubhouse on land.”
Picnics were held on the sandspit. Derby races were for fun and bragging rights. The introduction of the fast-racing Lidos expanded interest in bay sailing. Ed Carnegie and Dev Devlin earned most of the trophies. It was also Carnegie and Devlin who teamed up to lead the design and construction crew that rebuilt the current club house. Don Lockwood engineered the team’s successful risk to raise the frame of the new 5,000-sq.ft. clubhouse on site without a crane. Sighs of relief and cheers followed the feat.
Surfleet recognized Duncan (1937-2023) and Marlene McQueen, who launched their seven-year sail around the world in a 39-foot sailboat from Morro Bay Yacht Club on May 17, 1992. Duncan had won the first MBYC Founders’ Cup in the Laser division that year. After their world tour Marlene would publish, “Thistle/s Seven Year Odyssey,” from her diaries written during their adventure.
Bay sailing regattas began early in the club’s history. Ocean racing was added in 1971. Today the Zongo Cup organized by Paul Irving is a popular ocean race from Morro Bay to Avila Beach.
Surfleet assured, “Although the members took the time to play, yacht club traditions included some formal activities as well.” Opening Day in the Spring requires formal attire for members, particularly the new officers inducted during the celebratory event.
Kendall Welch, galley chief and social director, was honored for planning many new events, unique dinners, holiday activities and for her community involvement since her partner John Burgener was commodore in 2023. As founding members of the Morro Bay Maritime Museum, Commodore John and MBYC members sponsored and restored the Spindrift, an historic 1933 Monterey-style fishing boat, currently an onsite display at the museum. Kendall is the current MBMM President of the Board of Directors.
Dana and Theresa McClish’s family spent years developing and working with the Youth Sailing Programs. In 1980 there were 90 members in the Jr. Yacht Club. They created their own leadership team, bylaws, and events led by Chris Lockwood. Recently the fall Big Rock Regatta, which is open to any youth sailor member or non-member, was renamed the Chris Lockwood Regatta.
I asked a couple members how they found the MBYC. Nine-year member, John Edell said, “I would fly in from Santa Monica for visits in Morro Bay.” After he took the adult sailing classes, he would trade his airplane in for more time on the water with the boat he bought. “I realized it was better to live here.”
Rachelle Phillips said, “Jim and I had a trailer. We would drive over weekends from Visalia and visit the club as guests. Once we moved here, we joined. Jim would become the bar steward, then vice-commodore and commodore.” For years Rachelle was membership director and started the Ships Store so the club would make a little money on its personalized logo merch.
Since 1956 awarding winning wood carver Pat Rygh and his wife Dot, now in their 90s, are still attending weekly Happy Hour Friday evenings. Pat endearing humor said with a smile, “It gets us out of the house at least once a week.”
Full disclosure: This group welcomed and introduced Bob and I, landlubbers from Bakersfield, with open arms to the benefits of our new waterfront paradise soon after we moved here 25-years ago. Are you a sailor or interested in learning to sail? Maybe the MBYC is the group for you! Friday Happy Hour is the best time to visit. Simply, contact a member and he or she would be happy to host and introduce you to the membership.
