The Bellingham Yacht Club

The Bellingham Yacht Club is located at the premier position in Squalicum Harbor: overlooking the recently reconstructed portion of the harbor with views to the south and west of islands and sunsets. During its seventy-year history, the club has seen many changes, but none more traumatic than the events of the past two years.

The Bellingham Yacht Club was formed in 1927. From humble beginnings with fewer than 30 charter members, it grew to be one of the largest yacht clubs in the state, with more than 1700 members. Fundamental changes in the Bellingham economy, however, led to a decline in membership and a reconsideration of the club's mission. Currently, the club has about 300 members in all categories. The full story would make a fine case for business school students to study; here we give only a brief version.

Early on, BYC did those things that a yacht club would normally do - provide a moorage, hold races and other boating events, and throw in the occasional social affair. As time went on, the club added a bar, and then a restaurant. Eventually, some time after occupying its present structure in Squalicum Harbor, the club evolved into a "city club" - an organization that focused on its dining facility and social events. Boating events were not forgotten, however, during this period BYC inaugurated the PITCH Regatta and began a successful junior sailing program.

As Bellingham grew, so did its supply of fine restaurants. Where once BYC was known as one of Bellingham's best places to eat, competition from other establishments led to a decline in membership and cash flow problems that could be solved only by raising dues. Higher dues led to lower membership, less patronage and increasing deficits, which led to higher dues … BYC was in a death spiral.

In 1995, the BYC Board of Trustees recognized that continued operation of the dining facility would lead to the liquidation of the club. After several contentious meetings of the board and the general membership, the club decided to offer its restaurant facility for lease - hoping to attract a restaurateur who would be open to the general public. The club closed its dining facility at the end of March 1996 and operated through the summer of that year with only a bar.

After dealing with many prospects, some of whom seemed like "sure things" but later demurred, the Board was given a deadline by its bankers to restructure its debt. With less than a week to the deadline, a deal was reached. Bob Walston opened the Breakwater Restaurant in time for PITCH (Labor Day weekend) 1996. The restaurant lease provides a steady stream of income to retire the debt and covers much of the cost of maintaining the facility.

The BYC that has emerged from this process is a club that has a clear focus on what it does. The members who are building the BYC of the future have made it clear that the club should offer both boating and social programs. The club has traditional social events such as the Commodore's Ball, and has added a weekly "Fridays at Five" get together which often includes a program. Many social and boating events coincide; for instance, the Commodore's Picnic at BYC's Inati Bay outstation is a chance for those who don't own boats to ride with fellow members who are boat owners, and the sailors hold their Commodore's Cup race on the same day. The club organizes many other boating events for its members: races for the sailors and cruises for power and sail boats.

Within the city, the Bellingham Yacht Club is recognized as the sponsor of several community events. The club organizes Opening Day, the Lighted Boat Parade, and the Special Peoples' Cruise of Bellingham. Sailors in the Pacific Northwest know of BYC for the regattas it holds: PITCH/Hospice Cup, Bellingham Bay One-Design, and the Ski-to-Sea Junior Regatta. Hundreds of kids have learned to sail in BYC's summer sailing programs, many of whom have gone on to compete in the Northwest Youth Racing Circuit, of which BYC is a founding member.

Perhaps the most radical change for the club was the acquisition of leased moorage. The club had operated for many decades with no moorage of its own. When the Port of Bellingham reconstructed a portion of Squalicum Harbor, BYC was able to lease the dock that lies immediately in front of the clubhouse. This is used for member boats and for members of reciprocal yacht clubs.

As they look to the future, club officers and members are committed to continue those programs and activities that make BYC a leading yacht club. Volunteers are working to remodel the club's offices and meeting rooms. Other members are providing expertise and resources to establish a home page for BYC on the World Wide Web. Finally, the club will be much more careful about how it spends its money, looking forward to the day seven years hence when the debt will be retired.