Our Membership Committee is a great group of members who volunteer their time to help new members become engaged in the club. This starts with the Orientation Session which occurs on the Honorable William Wall, our floating clubhouse in the harbor, or at the new Trophy Room at the docks. After the Orientation, if you ever need help navigating the club or figuring out how to meet people and go sailing, then just reach out to any of the Membership Committee members. Members helping members is one of the many things which makes Manhattan Yacht Club so great, friendly and welcoming.
Rear Commodore Deiane Abajos
Welcome to all the new members as well as those of you considering joining MYC! We have created a committee designed to help you immediately get to know members at the club and come join us sailing, hanging out at the Willy Wall or at the clubhouse. Many of the new members joining didn’t have any connections at the club, or even any pre-existing sailing experience. That’s what makes our sailing club diverse and interesting. Throughout 10 years of being a club member, I can say that I’ve made great friendships, enjoyed the great competition on our J-24 races, sat back and relaxed doing a barbecue at the clubhouse, and enjoyed beautiful sunsets from the Willy Wall. I think many would agree that being part of our community positively changes your NY experience. We are all looking forward to meeting you! If you’re a already a club member and would be willing to help introduce new members, come join this committee!
Josh Ness
Josh lives in Brooklyn and began sailing in 2021. He’s a regular sailor at the club and has participated in several functions and races, including the Caribbean Regatta, Monaco Classic Week, and the Figawi race from Cape Cod to Nantucket. He’s passionate about improving his own skills as a sailor, as well as helping others discover the joy of sailing.
Tracy Steele
Tracy Steele is originally from Virginia and has been a New Yorker for over 30 years. As a kid, Tracy sailed with her family in the Chesapeake and has been a member of MYC since 2014. She races at the club every Tuesday and Wednesday nights and when she’s not on the water, you may find her on the slopes, at the beach or busy running her own interior design and home staging business.
Eric Dawson
Eric joined the club in May 2021. Since joining, he has raced on a Tuesday night racing team, joined the club for the 2023 BVIs Regatta, had the pleasure of welcoming new members as part of the New Membership Committee, and participated in the Benefit Committee for the Sailor’s Ball since its return in 2023. Eric looks forward to meeting you out on the water and introducing you to the amazing community that is the Manhattan Yacht Club!
Kat Gamez
Kat Gamez, a dedicated scientist in biotech, has cherished fishing since childhood. Joining in 2023, her love for the sport drives her eagerness to learn, connect with fellow sailors, and experience the thrill of the open water. Committed to community involvement, she serves on the benefit committee for the Sailors Ball. Kat can often be found on the water, racing on Tuesday nights.
Taylor McLoughlin
Five years ago, I set sail with MYC and haven’t looked back. The club has been more than just a community—it’s been my portal to nature, growth, and globetrotting adventures. I enjoy the calm of cruising and the rush of teaching, but racing is where I truly thrive. Interested in racing? Let’s connect—I’m always eager to share my learnings/experiences!
Samantha Mendaros
Hi everyone! I joined MYC in 2023, and my experience so far has been incredibly rewarding, thanks largely to our vibrant community. From the start, I found plenty of ways to get involved and meet people, from fleet captain sails and race committee to social events and impromptu summer barbecues. A personal highlight was joining the club’s annual Caribbean trip, which introduced me to a totally different kind of sailing experience. It’s been a year full of adventures and new friendships. This season, I’m excited to be part of the Membership Committee and help new members navigate their way through the club’s many opportunities. If you have any questions or need some insider tips, I’m here to help!
Claire Davies
I have been a member of the club for 6 years and enjoy the weekend cruising and social life. I am also part of a Weds night J24 race team. In addition to actually sailing I photograph a number of the club events and stay involved over the winter organizing the sunfish race committee.
Neha Luthra
I started sailing in 2023 and although I am a beginner, I love being out on the water. I have been on the trip to BVI this year and had a great time! I live in Jersey City and originally am from NJ. I also like to scuba dive and travel.
Craig Denecke
Welcome to the MYC web site. I hope you will seriously consider joining this wonderful community of sailors and friends. I joined the club in the late fall of 2022 just in time to decommission the boats for the winter. That was so much fun (really) I signed up for the 2023 De Caribbean Regatta in the British Virgin Islands. Since that time, I have had countless exciting experiences sailing NY Harbor with so many interesting members of the club. Prior to joining the MYC I spent years sailing/racing in the Northeast, the Bahamas and Lake Michigan. Of all the clubs I have belonged to the MYC has been the most enjoyable. Our membership is made up of fascinating people from all over the world brought together by a love of sailing and making new friends. I look forward to meeting you, making a new friend and getting you out on the water.
Rena Sinha
Hi, everyone, welcome! I joined MYC (and started sailing) in fall 2021. I love all water sports, and sailing has made me appreciate the ocean and our local waterways even more. I enjoy the Sunfish/Frostbite program, have raced/served on race committee for the J24s, and have chartered around the globe. My favorite thing about sailing is that there is something for everyone. You will find me on the docks or Willy Wall (picture above) all season, so please ask any questions or say hi!
Hannah Hart
Hannah Hart lives in Manhattan and became a member of MYC in 2024, the same year she officially began sailing. Although new to the sport, she’s loved being on boats since she was young and is excited to deepen her skills on the water. She primarily sails on weekends, with the occasional late afternoon outing on summer Mondays and Fridays, and is a regular at Friday member events. Her goal is to become a skipper so she can charter boats and sail the islands around the world. When she’s not on the water, she can often be found exploring New York City with her dog, planning her next travel adventure, or (more realistically) chained to her desk.
Liz Higgins
I joined the MYC in 2016 after taking the ASA 101 course through the club’s sailing school. I had never sailed before, but, at the time, I lived right down the block, and I couldn’t resist the call of the water! This was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—the club has become an essential part of my life. Through the club’s fleet captain program, I was able to continue learning to sail and hone my skills, which has allowed me to become a skipper member of the club. I have also made incredible friends from all walks of life, all connected through their love of sailing, and have traveled the world sailing with them. You can usually find me sailing during the day on weekdays, on weekends sailing with my husband and son, and on race nights—come say hello! Sailing in New York Harbor is truly a unique experience, and I can tell you, from experience, that the view never gets old!