At our Silver Jubilee Annual Dinner, with Dennis Conner, Gary Jobson, Giovanni Soldini and more than 230 members in attendance, Commodore Fortenbaugh stepped to the microphone. In the final act of our club’s Silver Jubilee Season, he introduced our new North Cove clubhouse, the 150-foot mega-yacht “Arabella.” The crowd rose to its feet with thunderous applause.
Arabella was originally built in 1983 by Palmer Johnson. In 2000, she underwent an extensive refit and lengthening which enabled her to achieve USCG certification. For the past 10 years, she has served as a distinguished cruise and charter boat, traveling around New England in summer and the Virgin Islands in winter.
Now Arabella will begin the next chapter in her storied career as the clubhouse of Manhattan Sailing Club. The plan is to dock Arabella in slip S5 on the south side of the marina. She will replace the Mermaid which has served as our clubhouse since 1996.
Arabella is an incredible step forward for our club, especially in terms of quality. After sailing next summer, you will be able to step aboard this 150-foot mega-yacht and relax and socialize with members and friends. Arabella will also be an unmatched platform for entertaining clients, business associates, family and friends. She will be your mega-yacht at North Cove.
Arabella is currently undergoing several months of refurbishment. Our goal is to open her for members beginning at the Commissioning Ceremony in May.
Commodore Fortenbaugh and Dennis Conner had been working on the Arabella project for over a year. Together, they believe this yacht will help take our club to the next level, giving us a world famous clubhouse. She will create a beautiful and commanding presence at North Cove, enhancing the marina and the surrounding community. The service and experience Arabella will provide for our members will be a tremendous step forward.
Our Silver Jubilee now comes to a fitting conclusion with the addition of our new clubhouse. For 25 years, our club, and all of us, have been changing New York Harbor for the better. Beginning in 1987 when we re-introduced sailing , and continuing through to today as we lead the harbor’s recreational renaissance, it has been a great voyage. We have had a great time and created great memories along the way!
