What Was The First Boat To Race At Mission Bay Yacht Club?
The first boat class to race at Mission Bay Yacht Club was the Flapper, a 12-foot catboat. This class was chosen due to its suitability for the shallow waters of Mission Bay, making it an ideal choice for the club’s early sailing competitions.
The Rich Tradition of the Club Championship at Mission Bay Yacht Club
Since its inception in 1927, the Mission Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) has been a beacon of competitive sailing and Corinthian spirit. One of the hallmark events at MBYC is the Club Championship, which debuted in 1928 and has been a yearly fixture except for a few interruptions in 1933, 1943, 1953, and 1958. The trophy for this event, much like a wedding cake, has grown over the years with new tiers added to accommodate the names of champions. The Championship has seen many repeat victors such as Doug Hart, who has claimed the title five times, and David Tillson & Keith Davids, each with four wins. Notably, the event also celebrates family legacies with three father-son duo champions: Lew Bedford and his son Don, George Sinks and his son Chuck, and David Wright alongside his son David Wright III. These stories add a personal and generational depth to the competition, highlighting the community’s strong ties.
Over the decades, the championship has utilized various fleets’ boats, reflecting changes in sailing technology and preferences. Post-war years featured boats like Victories, Lightnings, Skimmers, Lidos, and even Sabots. The 1989 championship was particularly memorable, using aging Skimmers which led to an unexpected “demolition derby” due to frequent breakdowns—a testament to the sailors’ resilience and ingenuity.
Innovation has also been a part of the event’s history. In 1990, the Capri 14.2 Fleet introduced match racing and broght the championship closer to spectators by setting a short course near the clubhouse. This change not only enhanced the spectator experience but also solidified the event’s status as a community highlight.
The Club Championship continues to evolve, with the event now held in late August to ensure more stable conditions, though sacrificing some of the high winds that made earlier races particularly thrilling. Regardless of the changes, the championship remains a core part of MBYC’s mission to foster competitive sailing, sportsmanship, and the fellowship of sailors.
MBYC encourages everyone to join in the excitement of the Club Championship, whether as competitors or as part of the gallery of spectators enjoying the race from the club’s prime viewing areas. This event is a celebration of not just sailing prowess but also of the community and traditions that make Mission Bay Yacht Club a special place in the world of yachting.
Current MBYC 2021 Champion: Dave Leuck and Allie Shand
2021- Dave Leuck & Allie Shand
2020- Steven Leuck
2019- Chris Wright & Megan Lansdale
2018 – Dave Tillson
2017 – David & Shane Tillson
2016 – David Tillson & Bill Hardesty
2015 – Keith Davids
2014 – Keith Davids
2013 – Kent Foster & Pam Fairley
2012 – Brandon Wallace & Marc Umemoto
2011 – Doug Hart & Ryan Hopps
2010 – Evan Hoffmann
2009 – Keith & Yvette Davids
2008 – Keith Davids & Kendal Wild
2007 – David Tillson & Skylar Lee
2006 – David Tillson, Nathaniel Fennell, Gus Wirth
2005 – Doug Hart
2004 – Doug Hart
2003 – Eric Kownacki
2002 – Eric Kownacki
2001 – Don Bedford
2000 – Doug Hart
1999 – Chris Snow
1998 – Chris Snow
1997 – Craig Leweck
1996 – Craig Leweck
1995 – Doug Hart
1994 – John Jackman
1993 – John Jackman
1992 – Scott Finkboner
1991 – Chuck Sinks
1990 – Kent Foster
1989 – Robin Gales
1988 – Scott Finkboner
1987 – Andy Elms
1986 – Kent Foster
1985 – John Jackman
1984 – George Sinks
1983 – Phil Smerdon
1982 – Rodger Janos
1981 – Harry Hecht
1980 – Bob Goggin
1979 – Dave Carroll
1978 – Bill Goldfarb
1977 – Carl Hultgren
1976 – Bob Goggin
1975 – Lew Bedford
1974 – David Wright III
1973 – Hal Brown, Sr.
1972 – Hal Brown, Sr.
1971 – Leonard Watkins
1970 – Debbie Brown
1969 – John Wilhoit
1968 – Paul Floyd
1967 – Brian Thomas
1966 – Kendal Wild
1965 – Brian Thomas
1964 – Brian Thomas
1963 – David Wright
1962 – Bill Atha
1961 – Van Vandegrift
1960 – Brian Chambers
1959 – Les Marshall
1952 – William Scott
1951 – David Carroll
1950 – C.C. Vandegrift
1949 – Tom Diamond
1948 – Alan Pirie
1947 – Prime Guerin
1946 – Carl Eichenlaub
1945 – Don Anderson
1944 – Dick Lough
1942 – F.Seth Brown
1941 – Billy Benton
1940 – John Biehl
1939 – Victor Benberg
1938 – Gene Rice
1937 – Gene Rice
1936 – Tom Scripps, Jr.
1934 – R.McLees
1933 – R.Sessions
1932 – J.Lumblade
1931 – R. Swartz
1930 – A.F.Landweer
1929 – J.P.Makoske
1928 – E.E.Robert