Rich in History South Haven Yacht club was established in October 1939 by three South Havenites who enjoyed a sail on the lake now and then and became the guiding lights in the formation of the yacht club. The three men, Norris Johnson, Dr. M.W. Buckborough and Curtis Parker, discussed boating and lack of suitable dock facilities with other townspeople and decided a yacht club would be an asset to the harbor.

In October of 1939 the initial organization meeting was held and the South Haven Yacht Club was formed. SHYC has grown to be one of the finest yacht clubs in west Michigan. The club’s first meetings were held in a fish shanty which stood near the site of the present clubhouse. By the end of 1940, however, the new home of the organization was in process of erection and the doors of the present log cabin style building opened in the spring of 1941, just before the season started.

 

Location! Location! Location! Today, we benefit from the foresight of our founders. The SHYC is South Haven's most picturesque waterfront setting. We have a beautiful, panoramic view of the Black River and harbor, two outside decks and a lovely, historic clubhouse. Our clubhouse is warm and inviting and reflects the relaxed attitude of our members.  Everyone loves to socialize, and members of the South Haven Yacht Club are no exception. Our Social Committee develops a social calendar of events each year for everyone to enjoy. 

 

Our club facilities, the “brick-and-mortar of the club” includes our property situated on the Black River with one of the best views South Haven has to offer. Our spacious clubhouse, with plenty of room for dining includes a full service bar. The property has 36 boat slips that surround the property, allowing members seasonal slip rental on one of the most desirable locations of the harbor. With our park like setting, including picnic tables and grills, the SHYC can be your very own back yard on the water! There is also a fish cleaning station available for our fishing enthusiasts.

 

Restaurant & Bar Dining in the restaurant is always an enjoyable experience with a fabulous view overlooking the harbor and the Black River. The restaurant is open for dinner four nights a week during the season as well as for Bloody Marys and burgers on Sundays. Extra care is given to social events, featuring many fabulous dinner menus, wine and beer tastings, and special events, such as Mother’s Day Brunch and Holiday parties

 

In addition, the club is available to members for private parties, which is a glorious way to celebrate a family wedding, birthday or any other special event in one’s lifetime. Our staff can create a masterful, customized menu to ensure your event is successful and memorable. Our professional, warm and friendly staff has but one goal- to make your event great! We offer a complete package of menus, including catering services in your private home or on your boat.

 

Membership Membership in the club consists of 3 types of members; a majority of Standard members, Life members, and Junior members (35 years of age and under).  You can contact our Membership Chair, Nancy Kayse,  by emailing southhavenyachtclub@gmail.com  for specific information on membership.

 

Our members strive for a feeling of community, and take pride in the club. SHYC encompasses a variety of boating enthusiasts. Boating activities range from regattas, casual day sailing, and sail boat races, to active power boating and fishing enthusiasts. South Haven Yacht Club has something for everyone!

 

Over the years, we have found that the camaraderie of the members is strengthened, when members work together. Our club is comprised of many volunteers from our Board of Governors to members who organize social activities and work to improve the club's facilities.

 

Reciprocity - A Benefit of Membership As a member of SHYC, not only are you able to enjoy SHYC but you can also enjoy many yacht clubs worldwide. SHYC is a member of The Yachting Club of America. This will allow you to visit participating clubs and dine at other yacht clubs throughout the United States. Your membership card will enable you to visit and enjoy of some the best and most interesting waterfront views in the country.

 

Slip Rentals and Gas Docks We are conveniently located below the Dyckman Bridge and 7 minutes from Lake Michigan by boat! We are the closest fuel dock to Lake Michigan within 60 miles. Our deep-water fuel dock is more than 100 feet long and well protected from wind and waves. Safe trouble free service from well-trained fuel dock attendants makes arrival and departures a breeze. An added member benefit is a fuel discount to members. Our 36 seasonal slips are available for rental to our members. Assignment of the slips is based on a point system. Plans are in the works in 2012 for rack storage of  hand launched watercraft.

 

Junior Sailing Program The South Haven Yacht Club is pleased to offer two exciting sailing programs in the summer. In our Intro to Sailing course, students learn the basic principles of boat handling and seamanship. In our Advanced Sailing course, students expand upon the skills learned in the introductory course and work on more advanced principles of sailing. Learning how to sail is a perfect way to take advantage of our beautiful Lake Michigan venue and is a fun filled activity that can last a lifetime! Qualified instructors teach all levels of techniques and skills, so any young person can begin a lifetime of nautical enjoyment. One of the best ways for your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces and their friends to learn and enjoy some summer time fun! 

 

SHYC Rendezvous In keeping with our spirit of boating and friendship the Club's power boaters and sailors alike enjoy a club rendezvous each summer. The rendezvous has become known for well an organized weekend trip to another port that is scheduled in the summer.

 

The Race is On! South Haven Yacht Club has a tradition of sponsoring and encouraging sailboat racing.  In addition to our regularly scheduled Thursday night races, we also host an Invitational every June that attracts sailboats from all around Lake Michigan. Our race program includes a full range of activities, all scheduled, promoted and supervised by the South Haven Yacht Club Senior Sailing Committee.

 

The Queen's Cup is one of the oldest, most coveted trophies in sailboat racing, and is traditionally held every year at the end of June.  The race begins in Milwaukee from the South Shore Yacht Club on June 29, 2012 and for the first time in the cup’s history the finish of the race will in South Haven! SHYC will be hosting the finish of this very special event. Since the race is held at night, it is always thrilling. The only predictable part of the race is how unpredictable it will be. Ever changing conditions on Lake Michigan, and the nighttime factor make this race the most interesting event in all of racing. For more than seventy years. The Queen's Cup race and Queen's Cup trophy have symbolized the spirit of fine yachtsmen and competition. South Haven Yacht Club is proud to be participating in this very special event. We invite you to become part of this grand tradition in sailing, and continue the fine yachting spirit that began over seventy years ago.

 

Joining South Haven Yacht Club is Easy! Fill out a Membership Application and submit it to our club manager Cheri Rehfeld. Upon receipt of your application, our Membership Committee will contact you and conduct an interview. Once the interview is completed your application will be sent to our Board of Governor’s for review and approval.

 

 

                                                                   Standard Member              Junior Member 
                                                                                                                (35 &under)

 

Pre-Paid Dining                                                    $300 *

 

 

* Pre-paid dining fees are credited to your account for your use in the bar and restaurant. This fee is non-refundable if you do not use it before the club fiscal year ends on September 30.

 

**The party fee is credited back to your account if you participate on a party committee or on a scheduled club work party day, otherwise it is non-refundable.