Essex Corinthian Yacht Club: 25 Years of Family-Friendly Sailing on the Connecticut River

On a chilly March afternoon at the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club in Essex, Conn., three founding members—Dan Daniells, A.J. Wasley and Dennis Walker—sit around a well-worn wooden table on the dining room’s second floor, each with a cold drink in hand. The table’s scarred surface and the warm sea breeze from the Connecticut River create a familiar, comforting atmosphere that hints at the promise of spring.

Twenty-five years earlier, these men and five others gathered in much the same way and launched a different kind of yacht club—one intended to be affordable, comfortable and accessible to people from all walks of life. The building, erected in 1937 as a yacht club, sat empty for three years after the original Essex Yacht Club moved next door. The founders saw a ready-made home and a chance to build a more casual, family-oriented sailing community.

The clubhouse carries echoes of local history. Above the fireplace hangs a mantle with a piece of the Osage, a ship built in 1814 that was never launched, rigged or registered and was burned during a British attack on the Essex shoreline in the War of 1812. “We looked at this building and saw the fireplace, a great view — it was all right here,” says Wasley, a regular club visitor.

The club’s distinctive burgee—a large blue C containing an art-deco red E—was drawn on a paper napkin by founding member John Fields during one of those early meetings. On July 14, 1984, the founders announced the new club to the neighborhood with a letter headed by that burgee. One hundred people responded that first season, eager to join the new organization. Membership that inaugural year cost $100 for the remainder of the season, with dues set at $200 the following year. The name “Corinthian” was chosen to reflect the spirit of amateur yachting.

Among the early members was Soundings founder Jack Turner, remembered fondly for his refusal to wear socks even in winter. The founders made a deliberate choice to welcome people who loved boating regardless of whether they owned a boat. “We wanted to attract people who were interested in boating, but they didn’t necessarily have to own a boat,” Walker explains. That inclusive vision helped the club grow rapidly.

To maintain its relaxed, welcoming vibe, the Corinthian established a fully functional galley that serves lunch and dinner during much of the year, with a BYOB policy. Club life includes live music from the club’s jazz band, regular river races, family activities and volunteer-run improvements. Early members—many with young children—prioritized family-friendly programming and frequent racing on the Connecticut River.

By 1987 the club’s membership growth allowed its lease to be extended to the lower floor as well. Volunteers renovated the downstairs, which had previously been a sign carver’s shop. More recent additions include a chair lift installed to assist those with mobility challenges, and a change in ownership when Brewer Marina purchased the property.

Membership is capped at 250 by zoning regulations; current membership sits in the mid-230s, including roughly 25 out-of-state members from Florida, New York and Massachusetts. While economic pressures have led some members to leave, the club has seen steady growth overall. “We’re very lucky to have seen steady growth, especially now,” says longtime member Jeff Going.

The Corinthian takes pride in its democratic, member-driven approach. Members volunteer for work parties, choose whether to participate, and help fund and execute club projects. The lower level of the clubhouse opened as the “River Pub” after a member donated an HDTV for event viewings. Members also produce “Bell 8 Seaworthy News,” a monthly online newsletter.

Community and shared experiences are central. Two Ideal 18 sailboats were purchased after a members’ fundraiser and are available for members’ use free of charge. The club planned to use these boats to launch an adult sailing program in the spring as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. For boat owners, regular gatherings such as the Armchair Cruise let members share travel stories, photos and advice. Walker, who owns the Mainship 400 trawler Schemer, enjoys these exchanges and hopes to take a Thousand Islands cruise he first heard about from other members.

Social life at the Corinthian is lively and memorable. Anecdotes abound—from a galley stove fire during Wasley’s 40th birthday party that prompted a calm call to “order pizza for 100 people,” to the spring 1985 cannon blast that shattered every window of the neighboring paint and marine shop. Those stories reflect the club’s mix of spirited celebration and practical problem-solving.

Membership requires nomination by an existing member and completion of an application, along with an annual fee. The club keeps a mix of ages and backgrounds, from young families to long-standing members who travel from Florida for an annual lunch they jokingly call their “$800 hamburger.”

Upcoming events mentioned by members include a three-mile harbor race with the Essex Yacht Club and a major anniversary celebration. “We filled a need; people really feel they can belong here,” says Walker, capturing the club’s enduring appeal as a welcoming, family-oriented center for sailing on the Connecticut River.

For more information about the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, contact the club directly or consult local resources. This article originally appeared in the Connecticut & New York Home Waters section of the July 2009 issue.