R.I.P., Knickerbocker Yacht Club, Port Washington, NY

hellosailor · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009

An article in today's NYTimes announced the KYC is folding as the result of low membership and financial problems. Apparently, even on Long Island's little Gold Coast, times are tight and folks are no longer joining YCs. Since there are limited places to keep boats...I'd have to guess that also means the boats are also going away. (YC membership often is a bargain compared to the costs of commercial dockage or mooring.)

Perhaps it is a marketing/management issue, but this is an old established club, in a prime location.

mrwuffles · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009

Went there once very nice place, we are having trouble also, unfortunately we are not invincible. But it is definately not as bad as other regions of the country.

Jeff_H · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009

That is really sad. I grew up and learned to race as a member of Kinickerbocker Y.C.. It was one of the oldest yacht clubs in the country. At one time, it was also one of the few yacht clubs on Long Island Sound that accepted Jewish and African American members. In its day it was a great club.

Jeff

Valiente · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009

I expect Island Yacht Club and perhaps one other to fold here in Toronto this year, but with IYC, it's just poor management, not "the recession".

WouldaShoulda · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiente

I expect Island Yacht Club and perhaps one other to fold here in Toronto this year, but with IYC, it's just poor management, not "the recession".

That's the excuse they will use though...

patrickrea · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiente

I expect Island Yacht Club and perhaps one other to fold here in Toronto this year, but with IYC, it's just poor management, not "the recession".

What do you think this will mean in terms the actual club? Do you think someone will take it over? Will TIM add it onto to what they have seeing as they already handle the Hanlan's Point mooring? Would NYC or QCYC add it on? Otherwise where the hell are all those boats going to moored.

scottbr · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiente

I expect Island Yacht Club and perhaps one other to fold here in Toronto this year, but with IYC, it's just poor management, not "the recession".

It would have to be management if the market in Toronto is anything like Georgian Bay. Ours is 100% full with boats actually being stored in the lot waiting for slips. At the boat show they only had a couple spots for smaller boats and shallow draft.

SOUNDBOUNDER · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

Sorry to hear about Knickerbocker. I stayed there once.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are quite a few more heading towards a similar fate. There are four clubs in City Island, and it wouldn't surprise me to see some of them merge. Each place maintaining a building, travellift, restaurant, launches, etc, with a dwindling membership.
Some clubs are loaded with members, money, real estate etc. Others are running a deficit even during the good times.

tommays · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

If you look at there web sight which is still working its not hard to see a a LOT of recent money was spent

So there must be some pretty big bills due

SOUNDBOUNDER · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommays

If you look at there web sight which is still working its not hard to see a a LOT of recent money was spent

So there must be some pretty big bills due

I agree.

The Knickerbocker Yacht Club

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/nyregion/12towns.html