Club Champions

When MBYC was founded in 1927, one of the first major events was the Club Championship in 1928. Since then it has been run annually, except for '33, '43, '53 and '58. The trophy has grown like a wedding cake, with extra tiers being added to the bottom as upper ones are filled with name plates.

Looking it over, one can see a number of names of sailors who are still active, including some, such as Ken Karnes, who won as teenagers.

But it's not just the trophy that racers covet - it's also the reserved parking space!

Multiple winners are Doug Hart (5 times), David Tillson & Keith Davids (4 times), John Jackman  & Kent Foster (3 times), and the following who have won twice: Eric Kownacki, Chris Snow, Craig Leweck, Scott Finkboner, Brian Thomas, & Keith Davids. There are three father/son combos that won. They are: Lew Bedford (1975) and Don Bedford (2001), George Sinks (1984) and Chuck Sinks (1991), David Wright (1963) and David Wright III (1974).

For most years, various fleets have provided boats, in postwar years, these have been boats such as Victories, Lightnings, Skimmers, Lidos, and one year, Sabots. One of the most interesting years was in 1989, when Skimmers were used. By that time, most of the Skimmers were pretty elderly. This resulted in a demolition derby as boats broke down all over the bay. The Skimmer folks, to their credit, scrambled hard to keep the boats patched up enough to finish the regatta. No one was bored, that's for sure.

In the early 70's, the event was run in rental boats at Vacation Village (now the Princess Resort). These were galvanized tubs, with heavy keels and blown-out sails. (Ugh!) Wiser heads prevailed and after a few years the regatta returned to club boats.

In 1990, the Capri 14.2 Fleet introduced match racing, using a double elimination format, eight fleets duked it out. The racing was held in March, and a nasty front was moving through. The winds were 17 knots, gusting to over 20, making for interesting racing. Amazingly enough, there were no capsizes and no breakdowns. We did have some very tired sailors, though. Chuck Sinks won.

Another innovation that the Capri 14.2 fleet started in 1990 was the concept of making the Club Championship a spectator event, with a short course very close to the clubhouse. This turned out to be very popular, and that idea stuck. The date, however, has been since changed to late August, which makes for a calmer, albeit not as thrilling event!

Since the Capri 14.2 was considered a well-behaved, "generic" boat, it was used again for three more years, in '91, '93, and '94. Lidos were used in '92, CFJs in '95, '07 and '09.

Remember, a gallery of cheering spectators helps to keep the fun in the effort, so come on down and enjoy the rare privilege of grandstand seating on deck, beach or lawn. No other yacht club in this area can offer such a view!

Mission Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) exists to perpetuate corinthian yacht racing, youth sailing, sportsmanship, nautical traditions, competitive sailing, fellowship of sailors, and honors Yachtsman, Yachtswoman.

Current MBYC 2021 Champion: Dave Leuck and Allie Shand