riverside yacht club staff

Riverside Yacht Club

Stories from the Riverside Yacht Club

102 Club Road Riverside, CT 06878

(203) 637.1706

Website: www.riversideyc.org

Located on Cos Cob Harbor in Riverside, Connecticut, RYC is one of the oldest yacht clubs in America, founded in 1888. Their racing heritage includes the Annual Stratford Shoal Race, which celebrated its 80th race in 2011.

RIVERSIDE YACHT CLUB BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

From the commodore:.

"Members of Riverside Yacht Club take pride in our sailing tradition dating to 1888 and are happy to be part of the National Sailing Hall of Fame's effort to bring recognition to those who have excelled at the sport and set markers that bring out the best in sailors today," said RYC Commodore.

Walton W. Alder, Commodore

On the evening of May 25, 1888 George I. Tyson, a prominent summer resident of Riverside and an enthusiastic yachtsman, invited 10 of his friends to meet with him at his home to consider and act upon his plan to establish a yacht club in the community. George Tyson provided an acre or so of waterfront land, and he offered to finance the construction and equipping of a clubhouse. In return for this, a token rental was charged. According to the Lloyd's Registry of American Yachts, Riverside Yacht Club (RYC) became the second yacht club to be established in the state of Connecticut and the eighth on Long Island Sound in order of seniority among those that have survived to the present day.

George Tyson served as Commodore for eight consecutive years. With his yacht, Nirvana , he led the cruising fleet on its annual runs to the eastern end of Long Island Sound.

Commodore Tyson was a self-made man, and a captain in New York's famed Seventh Regiment during the Civil War. It is Commodore Tyson's history with the Civil War and his regiment's flag, that led to the design of the RYC burgee.

During the winter of 1892-93, some of the members conceived the idea of establishing winter quarters in New York City. William Bagg, became an enthusiastic supporter of the idea and generously offered the use of his rooms at 39 West 31st Street for this purpose. The RYC annual meetings were held here up until 1895 after which they were then held back in Riverside.

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Riverside yacht club and hafsco team to recreate new kitchen for iconic club.

Today’s most successful country clubs understand that the food and beverage department is a vital component to the overall success and profitability.

By investing in a properly designed kitchen, clubs can optimize their food and beverage operations, streamline workflow, control costs, enhance menu flexibility, maintain food safety standards, and maximize revenue opportunities.

Ultimately, a well-designed kitchen ensures a delightful dining experience for members while solidifying the club’s financial stability and reputation as a premier destination.

Club members gather to unwind, socialize, and indulge in exquisite culinary delights.

From sumptuous meals to refreshing beverages, the food and beverage offerings play a pivotal role in the success of any country club.

Not only do they contribute significantly to the overall member experience, but they also serve as a crucial source of revenue.

That’s why a properly designed kitchen is paramount in maximizing those profits and ensuring the club’s financial success.

At the heart of every thriving country club lies a bustling kitchen, where skilled chefs concoct delectable creations that leave members craving for more.

This culinary haven is not just a space for cooking; it’s a strategic powerhouse that directly impacts the bottom line.

A well-designed kitchen sets the stage for efficient operations, seamless workflows, and ultimately, increased profits.

Visionary club manager Gary Ashley of Connecticut’s’ Riverside Yacht Club has long been a proponent of getting food and beverage right.

To better serve its wide-ranging community, the kitchen at Riverside Yacht Club has taken on the challenge of shifting from traditional club food to a menu that is more refined, but still able to please all members.

In recent years, club food across the country has seen a shift to more elevated options, “But you still get those people who want a quick burger or quesadilla—it just has to be the best one around,” noted Ashley.

Variety is key when it comes to offering a first-class food and beverage club program, and it’s what has allowed Riverside Yacht Club to stay relevant throughout its 135 years.

They offer themed dinners as well, such as wine nights and international food nights, in addition to your typical Fourth of July and Memorial Day dinners.

“It’s all about being creative and continually reinventing yourself,” Ashley said. No matter the event, Riverside Yacht Club’s goal is to offer first-class club food that appeals to everyone.

Recently, they decided to reinvent even further, expanding their kitchen by more than twice its original size. “The kitchen had not been renovated in 45 years,” said Ashley.

“When we looked at the volume coming out of that kitchen, it was crazy how small the space actually was. It was really a case of building a kitchen for the 21st century.”

This wasn’t a simple addition of new appliances, either; the kitchen needed a full reboot if it was to continue to serve the club’s growing community.

Rather than completely rebuilding, they decided to expand on the space they already had, which allowed them to keep the original kitchen space.

“The most important thing we did was to go out and look at two clubs that had recently renovated their kitchens,” Ashley said.

The team went to two locations in the area that had also redone their kitchens—one that had expanded on their original kitchen, and one that had started from scratch.

They asked the management at both clubs what they would do differently if they were to do the renovation again.

This allowed the staff at Riverside Yacht Club to make the most informed decisions they could on how to improve their own kitchen.

Ashley talked about a sort of camaraderie between clubs in the area: “No one is trying to completely reinvent anything, so we aren’t worried about stealing each other’s ideas. We all just want to have efficient kitchens.”

Ashley and his Riverside Yacht team have had a 20 plus year relationship with HAFSCO and its visionary leader Tom Capobianco.

The West Haven, CT, based kitchen and supply dealer has forged a reputation as one of the nation’s leading designers of country club kitchens.

“Riverside Yacht Club has been an account of ours for many years,” Capobianco explained.

“What makes their club so interesting is that they probably generate more F&B revenue per square foot than any club in the Tri-State region.”

“I remember having a discussion 15-20 years ago years ago about the future of Gary’s kitchen,” the veteran design executive noted.

“I said you should really consider blowing that back wall out, raise the loading dock and extend the building. Just before the pandemic, he got the go ahead. Of course, like with many of these club projects some member knows someone anda set of drawing were created. In the meantime, Gary called me to show me what had been proposed. I told him, Gary this doesn’t work.”

Once again as they have accomplished at notable clubs from Westchester’s Winged Foot to Baltusrol in New Jersey, Riverside Yacht features clean lines.

It has all the hallmarks of a Capobianco/HAFSCO design with a clearly defined a la carte line and a catering line with plating for banquets.

“Keep in mind, this space could only be elongated. It couldn’t go any wider with so space to expand forwards only backwards into the parking lot,” Capobianco noted. 

Riverside’s Ashley is proud of the new kitchen he designed in concert with HAFSCO.

“I just attended the Connecticut Club Manager dinner last month. Gary told me that 17 club managers did a walk through at Riverside to get ideas on how to update their kitchens. He told me every one of them talked about how streamlined the design was. To me it’s all about: cold, hot fry, pick up here, lunch room in back, dry storage over there, simple and perfect.”

One of the key’s to HAFSCO’s success is the company’s ability to use its on-going relationship with its club customers to help them see into the future.

“Five years ago, before the full design, Riverside needed some new ovens. I knew it was a great opportunity to start adding Jade Ranges into Riverside’s kitchens. We installed several pieces with an eye to when we got to complete the full project that we would build it out with the dependability and durability that Jade gives us. I know that Gary and his team will get a good 15 years out of the Jade lineup we installed. I was able to take the same approach with the dish machine and some cook and hold equipment knowing that it would be part of the bigger plan. I’ll bet that pre-planning saved 200k on a $1mill plus kitchen.” 

That on-going understanding of the kitchens they are working also enables Capobianco and his team to maximize the efficiency of a club’s staff.

“At Riverside, we were able to create two separate waitress stations. That included using double doors and even two separate ice machines to serve each of the lines. I understand that when you have a tight 6’1” to work with that you have to get the design right because that’s the hub of all of the activity for your waitstaff.

If you work there on the a la carte line, you can grab the garde manger to your left and with hand grab the hot food and you are out the door. It works and Gary is happy because you can do 500 to 600 covers.”

One of the keys to HAFSCO being consistently sought out by Metro New York’s leading clubs to upgrade their kitchens, is the commitment to continue accessing the latest technology. 

“One of the interesting innovations we used at Riverside is a DOAS System to tie into Captive-Air’s hoods. It enables a 100% fresh air feed without any recirculation of air. It combines beautifully with our design approach which is to place the compressors on the roof. These rack systems are literally cool because it takes all of the that out of the kitchen.” 

Once again by listening carefully to needs of their club customer and taking their experience of designing many of the Northeast’s top club kitchen’s HAFSCO was able to create something special at Riverside Yacht. 

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• Riverside Yacht Club, Connecticut, United States

United States

Connecticut

Sailing / Yacht Club

Riverside Yacht Club

View on map

Contact Person

Gary B. Ashley

Founded Year

The Riverside Yacht Club is, in all its years and in every way, indeed a grand club. According to the Lloyd's Registry of American Yachts, Riverside Yacht Club (RYC) became the second yacht club to be established in the state of Connecticut and the eighth on Long Island Sound in order of seniority among those that have survived to the present day.

102 Club Rd

203-637-1706

203-698-1431

Contact Person Email

[email protected]

http://www.riversideyc.org

• Yacht Clubs

Riverside Yacht Club

riversideyc.org

102 Club Road

Riverside , CT 06878

(203) 637-1706

Located on Cos Cob Harbor in Riverside, Connecticut, RYC is one of the oldest yacht clubs in America, founded in 1888. Their racing heritage includes the Annual Stratford Shoal Race, which celebrated its 80th race in 2011.

From the Commodore:

“Members of Riverside Yacht Club take pride in our sailing tradition dating to 1888 and are happy to be part of the National Sailing Hall of Fame’s effort to bring recognition to those who have excelled at the sport and set markers that bring out the best in sailors today,” said RYC Commodore.

Walton W. Alder, Commodore

On the evening of May 25, 1888 George I. Tyson, a prominent summer resident of Riverside and an enthusiastic yachtsman, invited 10 of his friends to meet with him at his home to consider and act upon his plan to establish a yacht club in the community. George Tyson provided an acre or so of waterfront land, and he offered to finance the construction and equipping of a clubhouse. In return for this, a token rental was charged. According to the Lloyd’s Registry of American Yachts, Riverside Yacht Club (RYC) became the second yacht club to be established in the state of Connecticut and the eighth on Long Island Sound in order of seniority among those that have survived to the present day.

George Tyson served as Commodore for eight consecutive years. With his yacht,  Nirvana  , he led the cruising fleet on its annual runs to the eastern end of Long Island Sound.

Commodore Tyson was a self-made man, and a captain in New York’s famed Seventh Regiment during the Civil War. It is Commodore Tyson’s history with the Civil War and his regiment’s flag, that led to the design of the RYC burgee.

During the winter of 1892-93, some of the members conceived the idea of establishing winter quarters in New York City. William Bagg, became an enthusiastic supporter of the idea and generously offered the use of his rooms at 39 West 31st Street for this purpose. The RYC annual meetings were held here up until 1895 after which they were then held back in Riverside.

Around 1927, the RYC membership bought the property from the Tyson estate. The Club’s membership had grown and the harbor was filling with yachts. Inter-club racing on Long Island Sound was well underway. In 1 929 a new clubhouse was completed, being improved and expanded over the years.

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Newport, RI 02840

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Welcome To Riverside Yacht Club Your Gateway to Serenity & Elegance

Clubhouse, bar & tallman room, riverside y.c. welcomes all yachtsmen. we have brand new floating docks with water, and electricity.

Our club monitors Channel 69

Clubhouse, Bar and Rental Areas are now open and available.

We hope to see you soon! 

Let's be safe out there!

We now offer food Thursday thru Sunday and Live music every Friday night.

Follow us on facebook.

Here is a LINK to our FaceBook Page  - RYC FaceBook

Our Banquet Hall (Tallman Room), Board Room, and Back Courtyard are available for Private Parties.

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Better yet, see us in person!

We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.

Riverside Yacht Club

Wanamaker Avenue, Essington, Pennsylvania 19029, United States

(610) 521-9855

Passing of a cherished Member

On December 27th the RYC family lost a long time friend with the passing of John "Jack" Mcdonough. Jack was loved and respected by all of his associates at the club, he will  be dearly missed. Jack was always supportive, helpful and friendly, he will be sorely missed. We wish him and his family the best moving forward. 

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Riverside Yacht Club at the Landings

Riverside Yacht Club at the Landings includes single-family homes built around the late 1990’s.  This is a gated community with views of the landscaped areas surrounding the golf course and waterfront community.  The estates of Riverside Yacht Club include landscape maintenance and privately owned boat slips.

Amenities of living within Riverside Yacht Club include the full marina plus the 18-hole golf course.  There is also a driving range, plus practice greens and a full pro shop.  In addition, The Landings offers a clubhouse with several dining options, from informal to formal.  There are 13 tennis courts on the property with full-time tennis pros on staff.  There is also a tennis pro shop at The Landings.  As well, the club features a number of different clubs and social activities for members and residents.

Riverside Yacht Club is located in Fort Myers, Florida.  The community is west of McGregor Boulevard and south of Cape Coral Bridge Road.

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