There are just a few more flag raises left this year at the Harlem Yacht Club. The members-only marina and clubhouse moved to City Island in the Bronx in 1915. It has a rich history, but it's experienced nothing like this summer.

“Because of COVID-19, it was a really weird season. We had to make adjustments every month,” said Anthony Rosco, the membership chairman.

What You Need To Know

  • City Island in the Bronx has several marinas and yacht clubs

  • Clubhouses were not exempt from indoor facility restrictions

  • Some yacht clubs and marinas report a surge in membership interest

Rosco said the pandemic had a big impact on club traditions.

“It mostly impacted the indoor activities—the restaurant and events we have. We have theme nights. We have a big party at the beginning and end of the year to start and end the season, with a big flag ceremony. Everybody gets dressed up. We haven’t been able to do that,” he added.

Like other boating facilities in this waterfront community, the City Island Yacht Club started it's season six weeks late. A club official said they scrambled to adapt to changing regulations, but it wasn’t all bad.
 
“Our membership has been fully served. We still have our restaurant, racing, sailing, and cruising. Our program for children, we managed to do that also,” said Ira Bigeleisen, the club's commodore.

While indoor entertainment venues suffered great losses because of the pandemic, yacht clubs on City Island faired much better.

“I think it got a huge boost, really. People were dying to get outside and not be cooped up in their apartments. We had a lot of interest in people buying boats and becoming part of our club boat program,” said Bigeleisen.

Both clubs report that they they were able to keep their existing members and inquiries for new memberships have not stopped, even as the season winds down. The clubhouses are being prepped to accommodate indoor visitors starting September 30.

“Working together and making friendships around boats. Those are still all in place. Still the strongest thing anyone can do. No, Covid-19 has not changed that, except people are a bit more edgy,” joked Bigeleisen.

He hopes the renewed interest in sailing will continue next year because there’s more than enough space in the water.