Welcome to 2023! Hope you had a great New Year’s Eve. I plan on posting a Commander's Corner every 4-6 weeks, so keep checking the website for this and other news and updates.
Winter Rendezvous
We would like to see you all at the Winter Rendezvous on January 14th to be held at Sawmill Creek Lodge. We will have speakers from I-LYA and AYC on Saturday AM and the Change of Watch and 80's Prom Party Saturday night. If you have not signed up yet and wish to attend, please contact Brenda Marcks ASAP.
Don't miss the unveiling of our tentative 2023 social, entertainment, cruise, and racing schedule announced during the Rendezvous. Yay!
Membership
Technically, our dues are due on Dec 31st, but if you have not renewed yet, you have until March 31st before a late fee is accessed. As a past landlord this is a long grace period, please take advantage of it. We have a lot to offer, and we value all of our members.
AYC
We have applied to the Associated Yacht Club. AYC, is very active in the western basin of Lake Erie, and promotes interaction among its 32 + member clubs. AYC clubs Reciprocal benefits much Like I-LYC We have been approved by the executive board, and next step is to the general membership vote, this will happen shortly after the Winter Rendezvous.
https://www.associatedyachtclubs.com/
Commodore's Brunch
SAVE THE DATE! The 2023 Commodore's Brunch will be held on April 15 at Sandusky Yacht Club. Watch for details.
Thank you to the Bridge and Officers of 2022 and 2023
Commodore: Janell Lundgren
Vice Commodore: Rick Billheimer
Rear Commodore: Brenda Marcks
Past Commodore: Tim Kemerley
Trustee: Chuck Rauch
Trustee: Nick Lewis
Trustee: Don Gross
Trustee: Tom Ketchum
Trustee: Safe Harbor Marinas, Jared Pavlik
Secretary: Janice Hearst
Treasurer: Peter Rao
At the start of 2022
Social: Jessie Homer
Cruise Directors: Janet and John Hukill
Racing Director: Larry Hurst
Building Chair: Russell Marcks
Membership Chair: Brenda Marcks
Webmaster: Sue Henry
I-LYA Liaison: Don Petsch
Ship’s Stores Coordinator: Marge Gross
Blue Gavel: George Harizal
Sunshine: Kim Hannig
Welcome the Bridge and Officers of 2023
Commodore: Rick Billheimer
Vice Commodore: Brenda Marcks
Rear Commodore: Art Harden
Past Commodore: Janell Lundgren
Trustee: Chuck Rauch
Trustee: Brian Homer
Trustee: John Liederbach
Trustee: Kurt Hannig
Secretary: Janice Hearst
Treasurer: Peter Rao
Social: Jessie Homer
Cruise Director: Marianne Eggett
Racing Director: TBD
Building Chair: Russell Marcks
Membership Chair: Brenda Marcks
Webmaster: Chris Malott
I-LYA Liaison: Larry Hurst
Ship’s Stores Coordinator: Carla Smith
Blue Gavel: George Harizal
And of course thank you to all members and their contributions to the club.
NOTE:
We need a Racing Director, or someone to run an individual race. If interested in getting more involved please contact me.
Sept Socials / Race Note
We are hopeful that long term members Bob and Jeannie (Past Commodore) Brandt will continue their membership with HBYC, but they have encouraged the Club to support other local charities. So, beginning this racing year Robbie's Regatta/Robbie's Voice charity will no longer be part of our September social. If you wish to continue to give to this charity, the website is https://robbysvoice.com/.
We have selected the Boys and Girls Club of Sandusky to be our 2023 September charity. It’s local to Sandusky and it involves youth, that is why it was selected. We will as a group decide if this or another charity will continue to be our ongoing charity. If you have any suggestions for future charities, please let us know.
Looking at “Girls and Boys Let’s Race” for the race battle cry, This is still a work in progress.
Power Boat Poker Runs
This year we are going to have a power boat poker run that may or may not be dinghy friendly. Details to be announced once we figure them out. We will also see if other Clubs in the bay would like to join in.
Lease
The lease is set for 2023. SHM has told us that the club is an important part of the marina and wants us to stay and we are working with SHM to secure a new lease for future years.
The landscape of SHM has changed over the last year: new office, committee room, exercise room. new storage building and the old storage building removed, and HBYC is going to benefit from all this. Not only do we now have a view of the bay but our green space in front of the Clubhouse is increasing. We will have more details at the Winter Rendezvous. We need to brainstorm on how we are going to use this space and what amenities we would like to see in this space (examples: a Bocce Ball court, a pergola, insert your suggestion here). HBYC’s investment in these green space amenities will be factored into the new lease.
FOB’s - Marina Access
We realize this is a passionate subject for our club and concerns have not been taken lightly. The changes have been in effect for about a year now. We have discussed this subject at length with marina management and the following information is to provide a clear and concise communication.
First, regardless of your FOB access or if you forgot/lost your FOB You can call the marina 419-627-1201 (ring the gate once it’s hooked up to the new office), or phone a friend to access the club house. Every member still has access to the club house.
If a HBYC member docks and winter stores at SHM, they have full access to the property during the Summer and access to the property during the winter hours. (see below for Winter / Hours of operation)
If a HBYC member uses SHM to dock during the Summer, but stores elsewhere during the Winter, they have access to the property during the Summer. Access to the clubhouse during Winter months could be attained by contacting the office to open the gate during marina office hours.
If a HBYC member uses SHM to store their boat during the Winter, but docks elsewhere during the Summer, they have full access to the property during the Winter Hours. Access to the clubhouse during Summer months could be attained by contacting the marina office to open the gate.
The Winter (November 1 - April 1) FOB hours of the marina are 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM on Monday - Friday and 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM on weekends. FOBs will not open the gate past the designated times.
NOTE : FOB hours and marina office hours are slightly different. After these specified hours during the winter, the marina is closed. All should be off the property at that time. unless pre arrangements have been made.
Access to all will be provided for HBYC club sanctioned events.
And again HBYC members can (ring the gate once it’s hooked up to the new office), or call the marina or phone a friend to access the club house. Every member still has access to the Club house.
NOTE: We shared this information to provide communication, The clubhouse of HBYC is located on the premises of Sandusky Harbor Marina. The operation of the gate is the sole responsibility of Sandusky Harbor Marina.
We do realize that this may affect our membership numbers. If this is the reason you are not renewing your membership let us know.
Final Note
30 years ago In 1993, SHM Marina Manager Pete Pftzenmayer had an idea. Why not create an ILYA recognized Yacht Club as part of the Sandusky Harbor Marina? Harbor Bay Yacht Club’s first official meeting was in 1995. We have stood the test of time with many different managers and owners and we are here to stay. HBYC has a lot to offer, Cruising, Racing, Socials, and a great club house. I-LYA, long term lasting friendships, shared wisdom, helping each other and soon AYC benefit’s. I believe that HBYC is the glue that creates long term SHM Dockers and that SHM realizes HBYC’s importance to the marina and is very supportive.
Thank you, It's going to be a great year !!
Rick Billheimer, HBYC Commodore 2023
“Believe in 23!”
If you wish to contact me directly, texting works the best. 419-606-0499