You might think it’s odd that I’m starting out my monthly web column with a few notes about a fly-fishing store that went bankrupt. Read on. There’s a parallel between Kaufmann’s Streamborn, which had stores outside Portland and in Seattle and Bellevue, and our Corinthian Yacht Club.

Kaufmann’s had been in business for 42 years, and was world-famous among fly fishermen. Brothers Randall and Lance Kaufmann launched the business from their parents’ garage, and their expert fly tying and catalog savvy put their business into the elite of the international sport fishing scene.

Who would believe that this beloved institution wouldn’t last forever? There was shock in the fly-fishing community when the stores closed their doors and when it was subsequently revealed that the company had filed for bankruptcy reorganization.

I don’t know details of the circumstances that led to the demise of Kaufmann’s, but I’m sure that a trend among fishermen (and most people) to buy their gear as cheaply as possible on the internet was a contributor. They loved Kaufmann’s, but . . .

CYC is no less of an institution in Northwest Sailing than Kaufmann’s was among fishermen in this region. Our club has a worldwide reputation both for the number and quality of races we put on. We have a fleet of race management boats, an able staff, and a terrific facility at Shilshole.

But make no mistake. If we don’t turn the tide, our club could go the way of Kaufmann’s.

We have been losing about 30 members a year, a trend which, if it continues, will not allow us to sustain our current operations and membership service levels. We have already cut from our budget and have increased our use of volunteers. But the truth is that our club could go away unless we retain and grow our membership or find other sources of revenue.

We are planning a membership drive this year, but if there is a magic way we could turn this situation around, we haven’t discovered it. We are considering tinkering with our membership categories, which will require our members to change our bylaws. That might help.

But what we really need is for you, our members to be our recruiters. Have your crewmembers become associate members, talk about membership to boat owners who are not now in our club. And if you haven’t renewed your membership, do it now.

Our clubhouse is something of a community center for the local sailing community. If you use our clubhouse, consider membership in CYC.

Part of the Seattle sailing community takes our sailing program and our Shilshole based clubhouse for granted and never seriously questions how the bills are getting paid. With the gradual decline in membership, we have fewer people supporting the cost of our asset base (clubhouse, race committee boats and whalers) and the cost of our racing program. In essence, our current business model requires a minimum number of Senior 2 members and we are in the process of dropping below that threshold without new and renewing members.

Unlike Kaufmann’s demise, you will not suddenly see an announcement in the paper that CYC has closed its doors. As members, you are owners and you will be part of the discussion on whatever happens. We are asking our membership to start acting as owners and become active in finding a solution before we reach a point of no return.    We cannot be profitable solely by cutting expenses and eliminating programs that made our club what it is today.

As suggested we are looking at modifying our business model and the Board needs your help and ideas.  Send me your thoughts and ideas at web53@comcast.net.

•   •  •

 

Summer Cruising

Under the leadership of Mike and Pati Irish, our cruising program is picking up momentum. Seven boats participated in the “Third of July Cruise” to see the fireworks in Poulsbo, and there also was a good turnout (six boats) for the pizza cruise to Kingston and one to Quartermaster Harbor.

The next event for the cruisers is the Commodore Gibson trophy race August 6-7, which includes a “reverse start” informal race to Port Ludlow Saturday, a picnic dinner there on Saturday night at the marina, and another relaxed race back to Shilshole Sunday. This is always a fun event. Try it. You’ll like it.

 

•   •  •

US Sailor of the week is CYC member Haley Lhamon for June 23-29.

Haley Lhamon has been a driving force in the development of women’s sailing in the Pacific Northwest.   She and others, especially Laura Bolin, Jen Wisemore and Doug Stumberger planned the second woman’s sailing/racing clinic.  Philip Hubbell and Rusty Lhamon drove whalers.

Haley said “Our second clinic was co-sponsored by the Thistle Fleet and Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle which provided whalers, publicity on their website, and other support. This time we had 35 women register with five on the waiting list. We sailed in nine Thistles, two Flying Scotts and a Laser (which came in handy for capsizing practice).”  Woman from western and Eastern Washington and B.C. took part.   “I do not deserve this attention from US Sailing, but our fleet does!  This was a team effort with very successful results!”  Click here to see full article.

 

•   •  •

 

Don’t forget to come enjoy the sunsets at the clubhouse on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evenings.  Bring your friends, enjoy good food and beverages.

Also come to Monday lunch to hear stories of what is happening on the race and cruising courses.