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ABOUT US
The One and Only American Legion Post with a Yacht Club
New members and visitors are often intrigued with the combination of a yacht club with Post 291. The interesting history of this association dates back to the late 60’s before any of us were members. The leadership at that time thought it a good idea to form a Yacht Club at the Post in order to offer members an affordable way to get involved in boating and sailing. The club steadily grew over the years and became widely known as not only one of the most active yacht clubs in Southern California, but also one of the most involved with civic events and veteran causes. The ALYC membership mirrors that of the Post, with active members from the Legion, Auxiliary, and SAL’s. Nearly 15% of the total Post membership is also a member of the ALYC.
Post 291’s on-water location in a premier harbor on the west coast makes this the perfect place to host a yacht club. What ALYC offers for members is a compelling part of the mix of opportunities available to members at Post 291, and certainly distinct from any other Post in the country. ALYC prides itself on offering multiple activities for veterans and their families who all share a love of the sea. Core to its overall mission is to provide relaxation and connection opportunities for veterans and their families. With dozens of planned events, cruises, and races each year, there are multiple opportunities for members to interact and enjoy new friendships and also some friendly competition.
These connection and fellowship opportunities are vital to many veterans, who are often most comfortable around other veterans. Sharing stories on a boat or around a campfire achieves one of the goals for ALYC. When combined with Veteran Outreach initiatives, such as Wounded Warrior Boating events or Sail for the Visually Impaired, members are able to extend these connection opportunities and experiences into our community and directly to our veterans that yearn to feel the comradery and esprit de corps they once felt in the service.
ALYC offers programs that appeal to every interest on, in, or under the water. Activities range from social and relaxing to physically and mentally challenging, so there is something for everybody. One membership fee to ALYC opens a member to traditional activities such as boating, sailing, and racing, and now even diving and snorkeling and model boat racing. The club owns several vessels, including sailboats available for member use. Details on all activities are on the club website at alyc.com.
The proud heritage of ALYC and Post 291 is connected over the last 54 years, and part of the fabric of Newport Beach. There’s always more to tell with this colorful history, so next time you’re at the Post, look for a member with an ALYC logo and ask to hear a favorite memory. Even better, join ALYC and begin making your own memories with your friends of the sea.
THE HISTORYOF ALYC
Since its humble beginnings in 1966, the ALYC has indeed grown and flourished to become an outstanding and recognized member of the Southern California yachting community.
On the evening of April 23, 1966, certain members of The American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 held an organizational meeting. The purpose to the meeting was to establish a Corinthian Yacht Club.
During this meeting the following officers were elected: Commodore-Ken Cohn, Vice Commodore-Wally Stephens, Fleet Captain-Charles Trapp, and Port Captain-John McHugh. The name of the new yacht club was The American Legion Yacht Club (ALYC). Bylaws and standing rules were written and established, using the Bylaws of The New York Yacht Club as a guide. The ALYC burgee, a red, white, and blue tri-cornered pennant with “sniper scope” crosshairs at the center, was designed by Mel Noack and fabricated by Nikki’s Flag Shop of Newport Beach.
The American Legion Yacht Club was incorporated in the state of California on January 23, 1967.
In 1987 the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 granted the ALYC the use of a heritage building (known as the “Hut”) located on their property. That same year a full restoration of the “Hut” was completed by the ALYC. All materials and fixtures were donated by a combination of sponsors from Post 291, ALYC members, and various community businesses.
Also in 1987, the American Legion Yacht Club (with a membership of 140) applied for, and became, a Regular Member of the Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA).
Today the ALYC has grown to more than a 1000 members. The current membership includes, in addition to its local membership, members from all over the United States and many foreign countries. In addition to reciprocity with yacht clubs throughout the U.S., the ALYC enjoys reciprocal privileges with over 50 other Southern California yacht clubs.
Each year the American Legion Yacht Club sponsors many community-oriented programs including the WSA-OC’s “Sail for the Visually Impaired.” Perhaps the best known ALYC-sponsored activity is the annual “Old Glory Boat Parade” on the Fourth of July. This has become one of the premier and largest spectator events of the summer in Newport Harbor.
In 1994 the Southern California Yachting Association inaugurated its “Club of the Year” awards program. The purpose of this award program is to promote Corinthian Spirit in yachting, foster the exchange of information among yacht clubs, encourage civic involvement and reward participation in SCYA activities. In 1994 the American Legion Yacht Club was named “SCYA Club of the Year”. The ALYC won this award a total of nine times; again in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2010 and 2014.
There are two classes of memberships available in the ALYC, Flag and Regular memberships. Voting and office-holding privileges are restricted to Flag members. To qualify for a Flag membership the candidate must be a member in good standing of The American Legion, Newport Harbor Post 291. To qualify for Regular membership candidates must be affiliated with Post 291, or any other American Legion Post, either by Legion membership or by membership in the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.