Sunday, June 14, 2009

Inside the College Point Yacht Club

From the NY Times:

The yacht club lies behind an unmarked entrance off Powell’s Cove Boulevard at the northern end of 126th Street near La Guardia Airport and the city’s jail complex on Rikers Island. The club’s neighbor to the west is an unsightly expanse of craggy piers. To the east is the Tallman Island sewage plant; members live with the smell.

The clubhouse is an old barge that was run aground years ago. At the end of a gravel and asphalt yard is a tiki bar and a grill made from half an oil drum. The floating docks jutting out into the river provide 112 boat slips.

There are no fancy regattas, tennis courts or swimming pools. The club, which 12 men started in 1950 by erecting a shack, is more blue-collar than blue blazer.

Many of the 88 members are retired civil servants and tradesmen who fix up used motorboats and spend weekends chasing bluefish and drinking Budweiser. The bar is open to the public, but is usually filled with raucous members comparing pensions and overtime pay and making fall hunting dates.

10 comments:

-Joe said...

raucous members comparing pensions ?
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Bullsh*t I go there all the time.
Most the patrons are old fishermen, former ex cops, Firemen, Con Ed workers. Those guys wake around 4AM and are in bed by 8.
The only trouble makers are the Paki doctor that lives next door and the yuppies renters in the area

The place is the same as it were in 1960. That steel drum BBQ is actually a well made pit of made by pro welders.

The citys pissed because the local cops wont harrass the place (they drink there) thats the problem.

Anonymous said...

Joe, Raucous means boisterously disorderly.
I think the the word would fittingly describe a group of older guys sitting around having a few beers and having an animated discussion about this and that.

on your next field trip, you should have the short bus drop you by a library so you can look in a dictionary. Dont be afraid the big words.

Queens Crapper said...

Yes, and Joe said they weren't disorderly and are in bed by 8pm. Perhaps you are the one who should consult a dictionary.

Anonymous said...

Queens Crapper said...
Yes, and Joe said they weren't disorderly and are in bed by 8pm. Perhaps you are the one who should consult a dictionary.
===========

don't want to, can't make me

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Joe, Raucous means boisterously disorderly.
I think the the word would fittingly describe a group of older guys sitting around having a few beers and having an animated discussion about this and that.

on your next field trip, you should have the short bus drop you by a library so you can look in a dictionary. Dont be afraid the big words.
============

Sorry Joe, I was a bit harsh.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, these yacht clubs are disappearing one by one, gobbled up by land-hungry developers. Remember Cresthaven?

Unknown said...

This is a real marina with 100 slips and a large dry dock facility. They have extremely reasonable pricing for boat owners. A big advantage is security on the grounds including a newly installed state of the art CCTV system. They offer short and long hauls and will readily assist passing boaters in need of service or help.
The club house is quaint, with a bar and a meeting room for members, guests and party rentals. The hall can be rented for the day or evening for a low fee. The waters’ edge offers views of the marina and the Whitestone Bridge.
By boat, it is approximately 1/2 mile West of the Whitestone Bridge on the South side of the East River. They monitor VHF channel 18 or you can call the main number for docking assistance.

Cherokeesista said...

We dry dock at College Point Yacht Club during the winter:) and I must say " A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE" !!!! The "Sweet Anita" my boat, Loves all those Guys and Gals:)Thank you CPYC for that down home country HOSPITALITY!!!!! NOW THATS AS AMERICAN AS BASEBALL AND APPLE PIE!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

We also dry dock there in the winter. Probably the best marina in the tri-state area. As a newcomer to sailing and the CPYC, they didn't know us from a whole in the wall but we were (and continue to be) treated like family. Ask a question...they give you an answer AND advice. Most places will try and rip you off but these guys really and truly have your best interest at heart. Best rates, TREMENDOUS service and a fantastic group of very real and amazing people.

Anonymous said...

This place is excellent. The new management team that has recently come to lead the club are trusted members of the community. These guys are willing to go that extra nautical mile to help you out. Winter storage down there is conveinient if you want to work on your boat while its up. This place I give 4stars. Chuckie G.