annapolis yacht club foundation

Annapolis Yacht Club

Stories from the Annapolis Yacht Club

Annapolis Yacht Club 2 Compromise Street Annapolis, MD 21401-1866 (410) 263-9279

Website: http://www.annapolisyc.com/

VISIT AYC'S VIDEOS PAGE

Founded as an informal canoe club in 1883, the Annapolis Yacht Club has built a tradition of excellence.  Our mission is to encourage and support a wide range of boating activities, and to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and associated facilities for the recreational and social use of its members.

ANNAPOLIS YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

From the AYC Foundation President:

The Annapolis Yacht Club Foundation is pleased to announce its decision to be a Founder of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis. Our foundation looks forward to the National Sailing Hall of Fame enjoying much succes in the near future. We are pleased to be involved with your effort.

Michael R. Krissoff

Video: Bridging Three Centuries: A Contemporary History of Annapolis Yacht Club.

Take a look at the people, the tradition and the camraderie that make up the community of Annapolis Yacht Club.

About 1 hour.

125 Years on the Water

Humble Beginnings

In 1904, the first records of meetings indicate a membership of 30. In 1910, the first wharfs were built, and the first club manager was hired in 1911 at a salary of $15 a month. Members began to acquire small sail boats and organize club regattas. These were uncomplicated affairs held on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Shell and canoe races started up Spa Creek at Old Woman Cove and ended at the Eastport Bridge. There were also swimming races and diving competitions. The club owned several single and double shells, two four-oared shells, and was given an eight-oared shell in 1911 by the US Naval Academy.

A Post-War Renewal

World War I and the depression slowed boating activities until the mid-30s. A hurricane damaged the clubhouse and the wharf was reduced to pilings in 1933 and it was difficult to keep the club’s quota of 100 resident members. By 1936, there seemed to be little interest by members in the club and changes were needed. With renewal in mind, in 1937 the Annapolis Yacht Club was incorporated and the first formal regatta (Annual) was held that year. The Fall Series first year was in 1940 with five boats competing. World War II interrupted organized racing, but in 1946 the Spring Series was started with three classes – 30 Square Meters, Stars and Chesapeake 20s. By 1948, Moths, Comets and Hamptons were also taking part. The Annapolis to Newport Race (Newport to Annapolis back then) started in 1947 and has been run every two years since. A dining room was added to the club in the late 1940s and in 1948, the first Smoking Lamp newsletter appeared as a single page mimeographed sheet.

The Junior Fleet

The junior fleet started in 1948, and the first junior trophy was presented in 1953. The first junior boat, Dolphins, were replaced by Penguins, which were next followed by 420s which the junior fleet still races.

Wednesday Night Races: An Annapolis Tradition

Wednesday Night Races were the brainchild of P/C Gaither Scott. After seeing the Wednesday Night Races at East Greenwich YC in Rhode Island in 1958, Scott inaugurated midweek racing at AYC in 1959. No race committee, no prizes, no scoring but there was a picnic supper after sailing. “S” boats, H-23s, 5.5 meters, Bermuda One Design and Rainbows raced, but interest waned in the mid-60s. To correct this, smaller classes of boats were invited and in 1965 35 boats entered the series. By 1967 112 boats were taking part.

Frostbite Racing

Frostbite racing began in the winter of 1962-1963. Seven Rainbows were the inaugural class with five short races a day, starting and finishing at the club. Gladiators joined Frostbite racing in the fall of 1963 and MORC made the third class in 1964. The first Hangover Bowl (New Year’s Day) was on Jan. 1, 1966.

A Need for Growth

By 1959, membership had risen to 1000 and a new club building was badly needed. This was opened in 1963, with the first deck left unfinished due to lack of funds. Frostbite and Wednesday Night Racing soon demanded more club social space, and the Skipjack Lounge was finished in 1969.

More than a Club...

Today, AYC is at full membership (1600 regular members) with very active social, racing, and cruising programs.  Large international events such as the Star Class World Championship, Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, and many North American championships are hosted every year at AYC. Harborside is filled with one design boats (J/22s, J/24s, Etchells, Stars, Melges 24) while the in-the-water boat slips are in high demand. AYC is known worldwide thanks to the members who are prominent in participating in, promoting, and organizing the sport of sailboat racing, as well as those who opt to leisurely cruise the waters of the Chesapeake and beyond.

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Who is EYC Foundation?

As the charitable arm of the Eastport Yacht Club, we are committed to preserving the maritime character of Annapolis and inspiring appreciation, conservation and education of our treasured Chesapeake Bay by today’s youth.

The Foundation works with local 5th grade through college students by way of annual events like 5th Grade STEM on the Water and the High School Marine & Maritime Career Expo, as well as Junior Sailing and Marine & Maritime scholarship programs. Each year EYCF supports hundreds of students and works to award over $40,000 in scholarships.

Learn more about these initiatives by visiting our PROGRAMS section.

EYC Foundation is led by a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors composed of Eastport Yacht Club and community members.  The foundation is additionally made up of four committees: Executive, Development, Promotion and Fundraising.

Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at 6 pm in the clubhouse lower level conference room (317 First Street, Annapolis 21403).  We welcome new energy and involvement!  Let us know if you would like to attend a meeting [email protected]

Mission Statement

“To enable diverse groups of young people to explore, learn about, and value opportunities on the water and in marine and maritime careers while protecting the environment”

EYC Foundation Board

- officers -.

Becky Ranzenbach , Chair

Wendy Madden , Vice Chair

Sarah Trees , Treasurer

Rahel Rosner , Secretary

- Directors -

Jennifer Ellefson , EYC Rear Commodore

Nadine Chien

Kimberly Cox

Larry Gaetano

Thornell Jones

Kathy Mannes

Michael C. Morris

Vicki Moyer

Carroll McGillin-Greve

Deanna Sansbury

Marcia Verploegen

- Committees -

• DEVELOPMENT  – Becky Ranzenbach , Chair The Development Committee seeks big-picture ways to expand the Foundation’s outreach to local youth and supporters, and pursue new resource and revenue opportunities.

• PROMOTION –  Heather Gaetano , Chair The Promotion Committee tells the EYCF story in order to promote each EYCF program as well as general outreach and fundraising campaigns. • FUNDRAISING –  Carroll McGillin , Chair The Fundraising Committee creates revenue raising opportunities throughout the year including new small scale endeavors like Super Bowl and March Madness challenges as well as the annual fundraiser event and virtual auction.

View our 2023 Annual Report

EYC Foundation is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization in Maryland organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.

317 First Street, Annapolis, MD 21403

[email protected]

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© 2024 Eastport Yacht Club Foundation, Inc.

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MarciaVerploegen

Board member.

Marcia retired from her career in public policy but remains involved in many community matters. Her employment history includes 12 years of service in the office of Senator Chris Van Hollen, Director of Partners for Open Space, Deputy Director of 1000 Friends of Maryland, and as a Government Relations Consultant with Gally Public Affairs, specializing in the environment, health and education issues.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, she has served on many organizational boards including Eastport Yacht Club Foundation, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, St. Mary’s Parish Environmental Stewardship, St. Mary’s School Board of Trustees, Oak Hill Academy Board of Trustees, MIT’s D-Lab, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Remote Area Medical Volunteers – Canada, Maryland Association of Nonprofits, Patuxent Riverkeeper Board, Hospice Cup, Inc., Anne Arundel County Commission for Women, and the Junior League of Annapolis. Marcia is the recipient of the Junior League’s Tilghman Bowl for Outstanding Community Service and the YWCA TWIN Award (Tribute to Women in Industry).

deanna sansbury

Deanna is an ex-corporate girl turned cruiser when she and her husband sold their house and bought a catamaran with a dream of learning to sail. After two years of living aboard in Annapolis they left their jobs and took a sabbatical, sailing the East Coast, Florida Keys and Bahamas. When they returned, they started selling boats to help others achieve their dreams of being on the water.

She’s been with the Foundation since 2019 – the same year the joined EYC.  She really loves seeing how it has evolved over the past few years. Her wish for the Foundation is that it continue to evolve programs to positively inspire and support the lives of local youth. The Virtual Auction and the new format of the Career Expo have been great examples of how we can put a new spin on an existing program and make it even better and more impactful.

Carroll and her husband, Rob moved to Annapolis over 20 years ago because of their shared passion for sailing.  They joined EYC and became early volunteers with EYCF’s STEM program.  

After starting her career as a high school history teacher, Carroll spent the rest of her professional career in the education technology industries at Apple Computer and Cisco Systems. She says she had the best job in the world because she got to see how technology can really help revolutionize education, empowering teachers as they work with their students.  

With Cisco‘s philanthropy program, the Cisco Networking Academy, Carroll worked nationally with State Departments of Education and community colleges IT STEM programs, helping states build programs to encourage girls and young women to pursue STEM careers. 

Carroll is excited to be part of the EYCF Foundation and enjoy seeing how it truly helps young people see a future for themselves in the marine industry.

vicki moyer

Vicki is so excited to be part of the EYC Foundation and work together to further the mission. Her introduction to EYCF was through volunteering at the 2023 Career Expo and STEM on the Water. As she tells it, she was hooked immediately.

Having served as a Girl Scout troop leader, church youth group leader, and parent volunteer for school PTAs and Boosters for many years, she enjoys mentoring students of all ages.

For over 30 years her day job has been in the medical device and laboratory diagnostic field in a variety of areas including product research and development, manufacturing, regulation, and health communication.

Vicki loves science, protecting our environment, hiking, traveling, and, of course, spending time with family and friends cruising around the Chesapeake Bay on our Sabre 386.

Mike Morris

Mike joined EYC in 2022 after moving to Annapolis from Virginia Beach. He is passionate about promoting and supporting education and career opportunities in the marine and maritime industries. Accordingly, he chairs the foundation’s Marine & Maritime Scholarship program and supports the Marine & Maritime Career Expo. He additionally serves on EYC’s Race Committee. Mike has sailed since age 5, and raced competitively in high school, college, and through the early 2000s. In college he earned a USCG deck officer’s license, unlimited tonnage, upon oceans.  Commissioned through Navy ROTC, as a junior naval officer he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer, retiring from the Navy Reserve as a Commander in 2002. 

As a civilian he joined the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command in 1991, spending 29 years in positions ashore.  He was appointed to the federal Senior Executive Service in 2014.  He retired at the end of 2020 as Director of Total Force Management, having led a team responsible for managing a 5,400-mariner workforce deployed worldwide, three maritime training centers, and all people programs for personnel afloat and shore.  He owned a 35’ performance cruising sailboat and is currently on the lookout for his next boat. 

Looking forward he plans to continue supporting EYCF and EYC, do more actual sailing, keep learning, and continue traveling!

kathy mannes

Kathy is excited about how to expand the impact and reach of the EYC Foundation. She brings her experience working with industry, education, community partners, government, and philanthropy to increase workforce and economic opportunity for all. Currently, Kathy is a Senior Advisor at Jobs for the Future. She is a dot-connector, with a wide range of corporate, education, government, funder, and community contacts. Before joining JFF, Kathy was an appointee in the Obama administration and  launched the Center for Workforce and Industry Partnerships.

Previously, she served as senior vice president for workforce and economic development at the American Association of Community Colleges and as the managing director of workforce development at the National Retail Federation Foundation.

Kathy and her husband, Mark Moskovitz, joined EYC after moving to Edgewater where they built a house. Lifelong sailors in the area, they appreciate being part of the EYC community and the chance to become more involved.

thornell jones

larry gaetano

Larry joined EYC in 2016 and discovered the good work and lovely people of EYC Foundation in 2023. He serves on the foundation’s Marketing/Promotion team and on EYC’s IT Committee. A 30+ year sailor, his early water days were spent off the Atlantic coast of Florida and the Bahamas, before finding his way to the Chesapeake Bay in the early 2000’s.

Larry hails originally from Pittsburgh, PA where he began his career in television production, first as a camera operator then as a broadcast engineer. He was hired by his wife Heather and together they worked live sports and entertainment production in the early days of MTV, HBO, and ESPN, as well as the major networks. They moved to Florida to work for another client, Walt Disney World as they embarked on studio tv and film production. He shifted to cable and network news in 1997 designing and building studios and managing major events like inaugurations until he happily retired in 2017.

Larry and Heather live in Ellicott City’s historic district where they’ve volunteered tirelessly through two flood recoveries, over a dozen music festivals and helping with friend’s IT and marketing needs. He loves to cook, makes fabulous pasta and knows his way around a wine store.

kimberly cox

Kimberly has over 20 years of experience teaching Preschool – High School. She has taught a variety of subjects and especially enjoys working with her STEM students. Kimberly is currently a Work-Based Learning Facilitator based out of South River High School in Edgewater. She works with students and businesses to set up internships and apprenticeships. The most enjoyable part of her job is preparing high school students with the skills necessary to be successful in college and in the workforce.

Kimberly looks forward to serving as an EYCF Board Member and working on the Marine & Maritime Career Expo. She loves to network and hopes to connect and build new relationships with local businesses interested in providing opportunities for high school internships and/or apprenticeships.

nadine chien

Nadine has enjoyed a career in the sciences, spanning academic research, government service and corporate executive level work. She has long been committed to promoting education in the sciences. She proudly serves on the EYCF Board, promoting its mission and co-chairing the STEM program. This program provides a unique opportunity for every 5th grader in the Annapolis Eastport community to learn marine sciences and experience boating.

Following her retirement, Nadine established a charitable fund to help students pursue a career in STEM at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). Her donations have helped fund the RISE program and other scholarships at AACC.  In 2022, she was appointed to the AACC Board of Trustees by Senator Elfreth and is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board. She is the Trustee Board’s representative on the AACC Foundation Board and serves on its Strategic Fundraising Committee.

Nadine also gives back to the community by serving on the Annapolis Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals. She and her beloved Golden Retriever are a nationally certified pet therapy team, providing emotional support in hospitals, schools, libraries and the Anne Arundel Circuit Court helping support children who need to testify.

jennifer ellefson

Rear commodore.

Jennifer is the Rear Commodore at Eastport Yacht Club and serves as the Board Liaison to the EYC Foundation. In addition to her responsibilities as RC, she is also a Club Racing Officer. She moved to Annapolis in 2018 and previously served on the Board of Directors for Hospice Cup. 

Professionally, her career has focused on international trade compliance, working across a wide array of industries, including maritime and NASA. She has a B.S. in Economics from SUNY Fredonia and a certificate in World Art History from the Smithsonian.

rahel rosner

Rahel currently serves as the CFOO of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Rahel has served in similar capacities at Leffell School, Georgetown Day School, Washington College and The St. Paul’s Schools. She has focused on financial sustainability leading non-profits through transformational reorganization. Prior to her service with non-profits, Rahel was with PwC for 10 years. In addition to serving as board secretary for EYC, Rahel serves on the board of EBS, as treasurer of CSEE, on the Finance Committee of Kent School and the accreditation commission for AIMS. 

Rahel and her husband, Jordan moved full time to Edgewater five years ago where they live on the Rhode River. You will find them out and about on their powerboat, On the Rhode Again or crewing on OPB. They are proud parents of Tovia and Ari, sponsor parents to a middie (or two) at any given time, and caregivers to thousands of oyster spat who they nurture at the end of their dock. 

sarah trees

Since 2012, Sarah has served as the Executive Director of the Woodland Beach SCBD (a special taxing district in AA County).  She manages the budget and finances and is the project manager for maintenance contracts and capital improvements for the waterfront community.  Before that, she was the events manager for Union Station in Washington, D.C.  From press events for fifty people to inaugural balls for six thousand guests, she had the opportunity to coordinate fun and challenging events and work with creative and interesting clients. 

Sarah and her husband Greg Pitser enjoy living and playing on the Chesapeake Bay.  Currently, they sail a Hunter 28 or snoop around nearby creeks and coves in a Boston Whaler or on paddle boards or canoe.  When not on the water, they like to follow sports, dine out and travel. Sarah always finds time to volunteer.  Currently, she handles the finances for the non-profit wing of her community, serves as chair of EYC’s Finance Committee and is a member of EYC’s Race and Nominating Committees.  Sarah has a BA in History from Maryland so there’s no telling where her tendency towards managing finances comes from.  Sarah is a strong believer in positive reinforcement for happy volunteers and enjoys supporting the Foundation members that have vision and drive. 

wendy madden

Wendy combined her passions while traveling and teaching English all over the world until 2004 when she moved to Annapolis from Casablanca, Morocco, to teach at the United States Naval Academy. She taught there until September 2018 when she retired from full-time teaching to work as Human Resources Manager for M Yacht Services, her husband Steve’s company.

Attracting young people to the vibrant marine industry is one of Wendy’s favorite EYCF goals. She serves as Chair for the foundation’s annual Marine & Maritime Career Expo. She also serves on the board of MTAM and has mentored several On the Job Trainees with MTAM’s Marine Trade partnership.

becky ranzenbach

Becky first sailed while growing up in Ohio.  Racing really took hold in 2006 when she moved to Delaware. She spent many seasons driving to Annapolis to sail on Wednesday nights and weekends before moving here in 2015.  Becky has also raced in the Heineken Regatta, Marblehead to Halifax, and Newport to Bermuda races, and found deep friendships all along the way.  With her husband Robert they race their Viper 640 that docks at EYC.

As a student, Becky was introduced to STEM by a chemistry teacher so long ago that it wasn’t even called STEM yet.  That led her to choose engineering as a college major and working in the recycling industry. Her first job was turning soda bottles into carpet and clothing fiber. She moved on to work in Quality Engineering and Leadership rolls creating GORE-TEX® products, printed circuit boards, radar systems and ocean wind farms. 

Throughout her career, Becky experienced a shortage of people working in the skilled trades and had difficulty filling job openings.  She sees tremendous value in cultivating people and job opportunities, especially marine trades.  Thanks to scholarships and paid co-op sessions she put herself through school and graduated debt free. She’s passionate about the foundation’s efforts as she’s seen first hand how they impact lives. 

2022 Keels and Wheels

Maryland Maritime Heritage Foundation

Club members participated in the 2022 Annapolis Keels & Wheels event held on September 17 th  at the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC). It was a picture perfect day and the event was well attended,  with wooden boats displayed both on land and in the water for all participants and guests to admire. The Yacht Club parking lot was full of beautiful classic cars on display for up-close viewing, and owners were on hand to field questions about their pride and joy! One such display was a 1929 Ford Model A originally owned by  Arthur Fawcett , founder of Fawcett Boat Supplies, formerly located on Compromise Strret, Annapolis. He used the vehicle from 1948 – 1958 delivering boat supplies to working marinas in the area.  This Rumble Seat Roadster was presented by the Minerva Collection along with the 1931 Chris Craft 20’ Model 200 boat that was hooked up to it.

People’s Choice Award votes were cast based on overall appearance and level of preparation from bumper-to-bumper and bow-to-stern. The awards were presented to the winners at the conclusion of the day’s event. Congratulations to Don Schaff, as his 1982 Staudacher runabout won Best in Show.  

                                                      A great time was had by all!

Our thanks to all AYC membership, management, and staff for permitting us to enjoy a day at the Yacht Club.  Special thanks to Josh Mazer, Rod Jabin, and Hank Reiser, for their hard work in making the event happen. Making Waves, MMHF,  www.MDMHF.org