About Sagamore Yacht Club

Sagamore Yacht Club was founded in 1944. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, the Roosevelt Memorial Park (and marina), owned and maintained by the Roosevelt Memorial Association, was turned over to the Town of Oyster Bay. At the time, a few large boats occupied the marina. The “Maid”, which was owned by the Club’s first Commodore (C. Russel Haff), the tender for George Roosevelt’s schooner the “Mistress”, another boat owned by Harry Von Zell (a famous TV personality), and a 52′ schooner owned by Robert Todd of Syosset. All of these boats were commissioned by the government during World War II. It was just about at this time that a few boatmen got together at the dockmaster’s shack (Captain Young a retired tug boat captain).

The “Clubhouse”, located at about the site of the now-defunct Jakobson’s Shipyard (now the Waterfront Center), was housed in a beached concrete-hulled ex-Navy submarine tender, which was eventually re-floated and towed to Freeport where it became the Freeport Yacht Club. 

At this gathering, invitations were mailed to about 25 friends and acquaintances. They were asked to attend a meeting for the purpose of starting or acquiring a yacht club. Much to everyone’s surprise 20 people showed up, many of whom are listed as the Club’s charter members. It was decided at this gathering to contact Town Councilman Elmer Brooks to ask if it were possible to have the marina and a small building for the “Club”. It was agreed that the Club would operate the marina and that an attendant would provide gas, oil, ice, snacks and landing privileges to the general yachting public. 

The Town Board agreed to lease the property to the club for the amount of $500.00 per year. The Club’s name, Sagamore, was chosen in honor of Teddy Roosevelt, whose summer residence is located on Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay Cove. As a word, Sagamore is also the head of a tribe among the American Indians; a chief; — generally used as synonymous with sachem; a historic nod to Long Island’s original inhabitants. 

The Club’s burgee, designed by Schell Lewis, was adopted thereafter –a triangular flag with a blue background; red stripe bisecting the blue and a white five-point star with its uppermost point straight up. During the post-war year, the club grew rapidly and with it the demand for additional dock space. By far the most famous vessel to land at our facilities was the largest individually owned yacht in the world, “Sea Cloud”. Sea Cloud, owned by Joseph E. Davies (the ambassador to the Soviet Union during World War II), was a 300 plus foot bark with masts so tall that it could not clear the bridges in the East River.

Continued expansion, the sagamore clubhouse footprint was expanded to re-arrange and accommodate a new bar and exterior, along with many upgrades to our dockage and waterfront facilities, many of which are still in use today. 

The 70’s saw a boom in membership, especially families. These years, while trying beyond the clubhouse, formed some of the oldest and more well known traditions and frameworks used today.

Nearing almost 50 years of tradition, a membership growing, and the largest-ever sagamore raft up, so large it created a near-perfect circle in Oyster Bay Cove. 

A 50-year anniversary and continued renovations to the clubhouse including an expanded bar, new interior upgrades, and vast improvements to our waterfront. Membership steadily increasing with a healthy balance of house and boating members, families, and junior activities.

In early 2007, Sagamore Yacht Club completed several major renovations to its first and second levels. The clubhouse expanded its second level to include a full-service bar, kids room, expanded restrooms, panoramic windows, large outdoor deck, and lounge area equipped with a sweeping mantle and fireplace.

We gave our dining room and bar a much-needed facelift and expanded the first level restaurant area with large panoramic windows and sliding doors.

Our kitchen received much-needed equipment and working space upgrades, as well as the donation of a brand new dock house from the Overton family.

We celebrated our 75th anniversary in 2019 with a large ceremonial gala attended by over 175 club members and local dignitaries and special guests.

The 2000’s celebrates the largest most diverse membership in our 75 year history.