Bay Yacht Club

In 1971, a group of 45 young people from Corpus Christi interested in water related activities met to form The Bay Yacht Club in the Old Beach Club (next to the long gone, Landmark Condominiums on Ocean Drive). 

The first officers and directors were elected in January 1972, and a burgee was selected. A committee was set up to begin planning a new facility. In July of 1972, the membership voted to acquire a floating facility to be moored in the downtown marina that would serve as their new home. The first clubhouse was built by the members themselves, on weekends and after work. It was a 25x68 feet, with limited kitchen facilities, two bathrooms, one large air-conditioned room and an upper sun deck. It was moored at the end of "B" Pier. The facility was replaced in 1986 by the current clubhouse, which is built on a 30x100 feet barge, and has full kitchen facilities, bathrooms with showers, one large gathering room, an upper lounge and an upper sun deck. In November, 1994, the Club became debt free when the final bonds for the construction of the new clubhouse were paid off.

It has been a standing tradition for the year's events to be captured in a poem written by Tom Arnold. Click here to read the poems starting in 1997.

WHEREAS, the Bay Yacht Club undertook the building of a new club facility during the year 1986, and;

WHEREAS, said construction in the new club facility was completed on or about December 11, 1986, and;

WHEREAS, many members of the Bay Yacht Club volunteered hundred of hours to complete this building project, and;

WHEREAS, the guidance for the successful completion of the facility came from a very dedicated member, and;

WHEREAS, the Bay Yacht Club would like to recognize the outstanding leadership, vision and commitment of this member.

BE IT HEREBY RESOVED, that the portion of the new building, now known as the "upper lounge"  be dedicated for and known as the HAINLINE LOUNGE in recognition of the talent and service given by WALLY HAINLINE to the Bay Yacht Club.

This award was established to honor Terry T. Harkrider who gave his time, service and knowledge selflessly to The Bay Yacht Club as well as to individual members during his membership. Harkrider died much too young of cancer in May 1990. The recipient of the award, beginning in 1991, is a BYC member serving in the same vein as Harkrider's example. 

Terry T. Harkrider Award

"We lost a loyal BYC member last month, with the passing of Terry Harkrider. I was touched by the fact that his obituary listed his affiliation in the Bay Yacht Club among his many interests. Terry really did love the Bay Yacht Club and was active in it up until the time his health would permit no more." Pat Kelly Commodore - The Bowsprit - June 1990

"Terry was a great guy and volunteered to help on many projects. When he helped he did not look for recognition that he did so. Much of the time he worked behind the scenes and no one knew how much he was helping the club with projects. I worked with him many times. He was tall and slender and very pleasant to be with." - Tom Arnold, November 2009

"Much of the finish work you see inside the club is a result of Terry's hard work and dedication to completing the club in 1987." - Hal Peterson - November 2009

After the death of Bob McNeill in 2009, the Board of the Bay Yacht Club decided to create and display a memorial plaque in honor of Joanne and Bob's service to the club. During the 2010 Installation Banquet the plaque was presented by 2009 Commodore Walt Crawford to their son, Chris McNeill and daughter Kathleen McNeill Murch.

Membership Number 606 1990 - August 2009

Joanne - Director - 1997, 1998, 1999, Social Chair - 1998, 1999, 2000, Dinner Chair - 2001, 2002, 2006, Commodore's Trophy - 1998, Terry T. Harkrider Outstanding Service Award - 1999.

Bob - Rear Commodore, Docks and Facilities Chair - 1996, 2001, Commodore - 2002, Treasurer - 2004 thru 2009, Commodore's Trophy - 1996, Terry T. Harkrider Outstanding Service Award - 2004.

The Bay Yacht Club will forever be indebted to the honor and service these two individuals gave to the club. The Memorial Plaque hangs on the south wall of the club by the door.