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SBYC Clubhouse
updated: Oct 17, 2012, 5:41 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Is the clubhouse of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club on public land or do they own it?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 332602	2012-10-17 05:53 PM
I don't know for a fact, but I'd suspect it is a long term lease.
COMMENT 332618	2012-10-17 06:24 PM
Long term lease from the city. 20 years, I believe.
COMMENT 332622	2012-10-17 06:29 PM
Why are you asking?
COMMENT 332649	2012-10-17 07:34 PM
Asking because I cut through their gate as a shortcut to the beach or parking lot, that's why.
COMMENT 332651P	2012-10-17 07:44 PM
The land is public, the structure is private!
COMMENT 332655P	2012-10-17 07:56 PM
So it's okay that the Club took over that piece of beach to use as sand volleyball for the Club members? Not complaining, just curious.
COMMENT 332664	2012-10-17 08:17 PM
The property is leased as well. The v-ball court is on the property. They pay a sick amount of money for that lease, plus they do an awful lot of things for the community. There is plenty of beach left for you to use. Are we done yet?
COMMENT 332665	2012-10-17 08:19 PM
no! that's my land! haha
COMMENT 332711	2012-10-18 06:43 AM
from the city council's ordinace dated june 15 2010 SBYC leases approximately 67,500 square feet of land space under a ground lease, including the Yacht Club building, a parking lot, a boat storage yard, and section of beach area between the building and Breakwater seawall. The Club is responsible for maintaining their building and property and the City incurs no expense from SBYC. The current rent is $3,495 per month ($0.05 per square foot/month). Staff believes $0.05 per square foot is below market rent based on other Waterfront and Airport ground leases. so yeah - they have the lot and the beach...would be like if your neighbors walk through your yard to get to their house..
COMMENT 332712	2012-10-18 06:49 AM
It's not on land per se. It's on sand that should have been flowing down the coast that was blocked by the building of the marina wall. You can see from old maps that the sand shouldn't even be there. Because it is, beaches to the east of it are much smaller than they historically were and are starved of sand. Not expecting that to change but it is just an interesting historical fact.
COMMENT 332741	2012-10-18 08:10 AM
Class envy sails into this harbor once again.
COMMENT 332749	2012-10-18 08:22 AM
Initially, I thought the poster was trying to stir up unnecessary controversy. I walk through there all the time and no one says anything which I thought was kind of cool of them (I don't linger) but the $3,495 seems awfully inexpensive for the $$'s rolling around there. I sure hope they do a lot for the community. I am not aware of anything that they do that I would benefit from but I sure would like a house on the beach for $3,495 a month.
COMMENT 332752	2012-10-18 08:55 AM
Last time I was @ the breakwater, they were having a party... I got some cocktails wedding crashers style; and suggest you do the same. Good drinks and super milfs
COMMENT 332762P	2012-10-18 09:02 AM
Membership to the yacht club is by invitation only. Publicly owned, prime beach front real estate is leased to an exclusive club that is off limits to 99.9% of the local population. I'd rather see a more accessible use of the land. The club could maintain an office but why do they need a private dining facility and their own private beach? A nice ocean view restaurant or some other non-restrictive enterprise would better serve the community and perhaps generate more rent and sale tax revenue.
RHS	2012-10-18 10:54 AM
Nothing much new about this. The city leases sidewalks to restaurants for private use at extremely cheap rates as well. This is not a class war issue, it is a fairness issue. Any revenue foregone is an increase in the revenue needed from others. What do you think the square foot cost of parking a car at a beach front lot would be compared to this lease? Those in positions of power are fond of complaining about envy from the masses but have little compunction in taking more than their fair share whenever they can. If there is any class warfare ongoing in this country it is the rich fighting for an increased share of the wealth from the middle class and even less fortunate.
COMMENT 332835	2012-10-18 11:30 AM
I thought a post-partisan society had been ushered in in 2008. I guess we were mistaken. Class warfare remains alive and well as now the SBYC is the new class envy whipping boy. How about mandated inclusionary affordable yachts eh city council? It is not fair I can't afford one.
EARO65	2012-10-18 12:07 PM
Many of the members also have ships and boats in slips. They pay fair rent on those slips. The club also supports children and youth who are interested in sailing. Many groups in the area lease from the public, and also contribute to the community. My daughter belonged to the Sea Shells, sailed on Wet Wednesdays, and helped teach sailing at the Foundation. We are not members of the club, but she was, and loved it. They were generous to all young people, no matter their social/economic status. Thank you, members of the sailing community for your support of my daughter, and the joy she felt while in your company.
RHS	2012-10-18 02:34 PM
I wonder if those callers for tolerance and understanding of the subsidy for the (mostly affluent) Yacht Club members are as supportive of the subsidy for after school and summer classes for the children of the poor. Would these folks also defend giving public space (such as Casa de la Raza) for cheap to folks who are teaching their children to dance traditional Mexican steps and to sing in Spanish and to understand their cultural heritage? Look, this is a double standard and that should be acknowledged. There are probably very good things that come from the work of the SBYC but they are getting a real break on this beach access.
COMMENT 332949	2012-10-18 02:56 PM
WOW I don't even know what to say, you do know the harbor was built with private money? right? The Yachties have been here almost as long as the Portuguese You people are to much, someone is doing better, quick bring them down
COMMENT 332969	2012-10-18 03:33 PM
Wow, only $3495 in rent for that huge building, beachfront property and a parking lot? Yes, we are definitely subsidizing their rent. Good to know. I will have zero qualms about cutting through their property in the future.
SHORELINER	2012-10-18 04:09 PM
The harbor was paid for by a combination of public funds and a large donation from yeast magnate Max Fleischmann (so he'd have a place fo his yacht). Fleischamnn's philanthropy does not mean the public was obligated to eternally subsidize a private club for local yacht owners.
SCEPTIC	2012-10-18 05:39 PM
I don't think the Yacht Club has ever interfered with public beach use. If it ever became an issue, I'm sure access would be considered a prescriptive right, based on this long-term policy. http://www.coastal.ca.gov/access/prc-access.html
COMMENT 333048	2012-10-18 05:43 PM
What are the Yacht club dues? And about that beach, it's a crummy little stretch of beach anyway, and no one I know of has ever been chased off of it. Except the seagulls by people throwing rocks from the breakwater. Besides, yachties only cruise from barstool to barstool. The real sailors are on the boat and out at sea. So don't be happy, worry.
COMMENT 333055	2012-10-18 06:16 PM
Since the sea levels started lowering 8 years ago, there must be plenty of new public access beach now in front of the Yacht Club.
COMMENT 333691	2012-10-20 04:00 PM
Like a few others, all I can say is WOW. Clearly uninformed libs trying to stir up crap. You should educate yourselves on the issue before making comments. You want to be a member? Do something about it, learn to know someone and pay the high dues and fees we pay to get in. Want a boat down here? Buy one like we did and pay rent, fuel, property tax, insurance and parking fees like we all pay. If you don't like the fact that we won't give you everything for free, go back to Bakersfield or whatever cesspool you came from. If you really want to continue this stupid commentary, post your names so we know who you are. Un-flippin-believable.

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