About Us

Mathews Yacht Club is located on Stutts Creek's north shore in Mathews County, Virginia. Stutts Creek accesses the Chesapeake Bay through the "Hole-in-the-Wall" at the southern tip of Gwynn's island.

The Club is on Yacht Club Road in Mathews County. Click here for driving directions. 

The Club is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors elected each year at the Annual Meeting. Meet our Board...

HISTORY

With the end of World War II formal and informal wartime sanctions against recreational boating were lifted. Many began to again enjoy outings on the local waters and during this period the Mathews Sail and Power Boat Racing Association was formed. In 1947 the Mathews Yacht Club was organized with approximately fifty "members" meeting at the Mathews High School.

While racing was the Club's first priority, the officers and directors began a search for a permanent home. They chose Stutts Creek for its depth and easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and purchased property on the Creek.

The  Mathews Yacht Club was chartered on June 2, 1949. Sixty members subscribed to stock for a clubhouse. Many early Club members became the construction force and the clubhouse site was laid out and a temporary pier was built. On May 13, 1950, the Mathews Yacht Club was dedicated at a ceremony featuring special guests State Senator W. Marvin Minter and Virginia House Speaker William A. Wright. An oyster roast followed  and the celebration continued well into the night.

By 1952 the Club had installed gasoline tanks and pumps and had added a waterside screened porch and a second pier. Sail and power boat events continued every summer and in the fall and winter when weather permitted. The membership grew as summer residents from Richmond and Hampton Roads joined.

As the membership grew, the Club added a pool in 1963 and added jalousie windows to enclose the porch. By the mid-1960s regular summer Saturday night dinners were routine. As social events grew in popularity, the kitchen was remodeled in 1966.

By 1975 Club membership was approximately one-third Mathews residents, one-third Richmond area residents and one-third Hampton Roads area residents. The membership cap was increased several times and as the number of boats at the Club or belonging to members grew, a third pier was built in the early 1980s. Ramp use increased and a storage building was added.

Increased membership, more families, more functions and an expanding annual event calendar necessitated a capital expansion in the late 1980s. In 1991 the Club expanded the manager's duties and hired year-round management. Two piers were rebuilt and expanded and the pool area was enlarged. The outdoor storage facility became an enclosed snack bar.

In 1994 a deck was built on the Club's waterside, a play area was added for small children and the pier facilities were modernized and expanded. The parking lot was resurfaced and expanded. The Club's facilities were now the finest locally. Refurbishment and reconstruction throughout the late 1990s have maintained the Club's prominence in the area.

The Mathews Yacht Club was created by and for its members. Those members have brought the Club from an informal "boating club" with no facilities to its present position as one of the premier clubs on the Southern Chesapeake Bay.  

This history is a brief excerpt from the official history published to commemorate the Club's 50th anniversary in 1999. The committee included CAPT William F. Story, Earl Soles, Jr., RADM Donald P. Roane and Ms. Betty Wrenn Day. Many current and former members contributed to the project.

2012 board of directors

reciprocal clubs

Clubs listed to the right offer full reciprocity for MYC members, generally meaning use of facilities and often discounts on dockage. Please note that these privileges are often limited and are often offered on a space available basis. Most clubs require advance reservations (which are always appreciated, even if not required) and some proof of your membership in MYC.

Mathews Yacht Club is a member in good standing with both the Yachting Club of America (YCA), publisher of the Register of American Yacht Clubs (The Reciprocity Guide) and the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association (CBYCA).

The Annual CBYCA publication does not specifically address reciprocity. However, many CBYCA clubs offer reduced rates for dockage and free use of facilities on a space available basis. (CBYCA membership cards are available from the MYC Secretary in case proof of membership is required.)

YCA clubs offer different levels of reciprocity as outlined in the Register of American Yacht Clubs. Members should check that publication when planning a trip on the Bay or beyond.

MYC Signs New Reciprocity Agreement

Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) is located on Spa Creek in Annapolis Harbor. Their normal reciprocity arrangement with other yacht clubs is limited to two visits per year for a maximum of four days each. For MYC however, we have been granted unlimited visiting privileges so our members can go as often as they would like and stay as long as they would like. MYC will pay the normal transient dockage and electric fee. Since those fees change from time to time, members planning to go should make reservations no more than seven days prior to their arrival and inquire about the fees when they call for reservations. 

Their website is annapolisyc.com and the dock master is Jim Hyde, 410-517-4864. 

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