The Menantic Yacht Club, open to all Sunfish enthusiasts, completes its season weekly races in West Neck Harbor on Sunday, September 2.
The club, which has no dues and no clubhouse, has been sailing the waters off Silver Beach — on and off — since the early 1930s.
All are welcome to join. Races begin at 2 p.m. at the East Brander town landing. Extra Sunfish sailboats are available on a first-to-reserve basis.
Contact Commodore Bethge at 631-749-1297 for more information.
Commodore Bethge revived the club in 1966. It had been active into the 1950s with members meeting for races and social events.
Menantic Yacht Club races
Last season, the club had 51 different skippers participate in more than 50 races between July 1 and September 3. This year, it looks like the club is on track to have the most participants ever.
The club aims to get in as many races as possible during each day of sailing, weather permitting. The race limit is 30 minutes. To qualify for end-of-season awards, a skipper must participate in 50 percent of the races completed. Non-racers have opportunities to help out on shore or aboard the committee boat or stake boat.
Scores and awards
Menantic Yacht Club prides itself on being a welcoming group of people out to enjoy an afternoon of sailing. That said, results are carefully tallied and awards are given. Racers win points based on their placement in each race, starting with one point for the first place finisher.
Each skipper’s point total is divided by the number of races he or she participated in to calculate a season average. The three lowest scores win trophies. In 2017, Peter Beardsley was the top skipper with an average score of 3.63 points. John Modica was next with 5.0 points, followed by Paul Zinger with 5.7 points.
At a festive season-end gathering, the commodore also issues special awards for the sailor who wins the first race of the season and the last, as well as for other categories.
Post-race potlucks
In another delightful tradition, MYC members take turns hosting informal post-race potluck dinners about every other week. Guests bring their own beverages, and an appetizer or dessert to share. They may also chip in to cover any costs incurred by the host.
Other sailing events on Shelter Island
Shelter Island is also home to one of the region’s premier sailing establishments, the Shelter Island Yacht Club. The private club, one of the oldest in America, offers a schedule of races for various craft.
