A Brief History...
In 1961, a group of enthusiastic cruising Yachtsmen decided to form a club. These five men sent out letters to fifteen perspective members. Twenty-five showed up for the initial meeting! The dues were set at $25.00 per year, including the burgee, and we were underway. “Atlantis” seemed a fitting name because the Club, like the mythical city, was only a dream, a possibility, and its very existence seemed unlikely.
The letter “A”, tipped over on its side, made a natural design for the burgee The colors? Red, white and blue, of course! With no physical facility, and with the home ports of the boats scattered along the jersey shore from Barnegat Bay to Englewood, the members managed to cruise together by meeting at prearranged rendezvous points. Active cruising was a must. From the stat, a basic requirement for membership was ownership of a boat. The minimum size boat required was set at 16ft., as this was the size of the smallest boat in the new “fleet”. This number remains in the By-Laws.
After three years, with many good friendships have developed, it was time to acquire a facility. Sandy Hook seemed to be a central area. The initial capital contribution by each member was set at $300.
The first Atlantis Yacht Club marina was established on the Shrewsbury River, in Sea Bright, with dockage for 24 boats and a clubhouse that was part of a large Victorian home that had been converted into many separate apartments.
The “Club House” was one apartment, and Steward’s quarters another. The remaining apartments continued to be rented out, and this made the whole project viable.
By 1996, the club had grown so that almost 50% of the membership was on the waiting list for slips. The boat sizes also had grown, so that when a boat was entering or leaving its slip, there were only 1 to 3 feet to spare, and there was a five-knot current moving through the basin. It was time to expand: time to move.
With great trepidation, the present real estate was purchased in Monmouth Beach. It was a flooded marsh, populated with snakes, crabs, and eelgrass, but the membership was excited about the possibilities.
Over the next two years, the marina was dredged and the bulkhead and docks were constructed. The clubhouse, swimming pool, and parking areas were built, and a few years later, the tennis courts and landscaping were added. The clubhouse was rebuilt and remodeled in 2012, after Hurricane Sandy.
Since its foundation, the goal of the AYC has been to provide the finest family-oriented yacht club in the area a place that would be an extension of each member’s home. Year by year, since then, the AYC has continued to improve and evolve, with the ongoing dedication of its officers, Board of Governors, and members.