Catalina Island Yacht Club - Avalon, CA
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 33° 20.805 W 118° 19.647
11S E 376478 N 3690515
Dating from 1893, the Catalina Island Yacht Club has been home to rich and famou sfrom Olympian and movie star Johnny Weismuller to renowned violinist Jascha Heifetz. A base for the US Merchant Marines in WWII, Still picturesque fixture in Avalon Bay
Waymark Code: WM6Z3F
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 08/08/2009
Views: 20
CATALINA ISLAND YACHT CLUB
FOUNDED 1924
"The Catalina Island Yacht Club has been a welcoming landmark in Avalon Bay since the building was completed in 1924. One of the oldest and most unique yacht clubs in southern California, it has a proud history rich in the lore and tradition of Catalina Island. Community groups and members from throughout the western United States enjoy its enduring hospitality and fellowship while sharing a common love of Catalina Island and the city of Avalon. The clubhouse, built and maintained by its members, has been in coninuous operation since its completion except for during the war years of 1942-1945 when it was used by the Merchant Marine as a training center. It was returned to the membership in late 1945."
From the Yacht Club's official web site:
"Catalina Island Yacht Club is one of the oldest clubs on the West Coast. In 1893, a Catalina Yacht Club was formed by the Banning Brothers, then owners of Santa Catalina Island. In 1903, the boating residents of Avalon placed pilings for a yacht club in the approximate location of the present Catalina Island Yacht Club. The club was quite active until the great fire of Avalon in 1915, which burned the town of Avalon and bayside facilities. Fortunately, the pilings were spared.
In the early part of 1924, Art Sanger and James Jump, while fishing, decided that Catalina Island needed an "official" yacht club for boating enthusiasts. Mr. Jump secured the facility from the Catalina Island Company, and found thirty yachtsmen willing to pay the $100 initiation fee and dues, plus $400 on a promissory note, so the Catalina Island Yacht Club could build a club facility. Eighteen of the original members of the Catalina Island Yacht Club were members of the Tuna Club, who desired an organized yachting and social club in addition to their fishing club. James Jump served as the first Commodore.
Early club members included a number of well known Hollywood personalities including Tom Mix, Jack Warner, Rudolph Valentino, King Vidor, James Cagney, Jascha Heifetz, and Darryl F. Zanuck. During the war years, from 1942 to 1945, Catalina was largely closed to the public and the Club was used by the U.S. Merchant Marines.
Avalon has become a favorite yachting destination on the West Coast. Due to location and size,
Catalina Island Yacht Club does not provide reciprocal privileges for visiting yachtsmen."
Visit Instructions:To log a waymark, please take a picture with or without a GPSr in the shot at the location. Pictures with sailboats get you "extra credit!"
Please add descriptions to your log that would be helpful to sailors hoping to visit the location. Any "salty dog" stories are also encouraged!