devon yacht club history

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New book celebrates 100 years of devon yacht club, the book was presented to a number of amagansett and east hampton town organizations this week..

Lisa Finn , Patch Staff

AMAGANSETT, NY — History was captured forever in Amagansett recently.

On Thursday, Lucy Sachs, Devon Yacht Club’s current Commodore, and Past Commodore John Hossenlopp were pleased to present the recently published book celebrating 100 Years of Devon Yacht Club to Amagansett Free Library, The Amagansett Historical Association, East Hampton Library and East Hampton Historical Society for their collections.

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, [email protected] .

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Devon yacht club launches new round-the-world race

The Royal Western Yacht Club in Plymouth has launched a new round-the-world race that will start and finish in the city.

The first 'WorldStar' race will get underway in 2026 and is a non-stop event for single or double-handed sailors looking to tick this achievement off of their bucket list.

Founded in 1827, the club was the very first to introduce this type of yacht racing with the Observer Single-Handed TransAtlantic Race (OSTAR) in 1960.

Commodore and Race Director Chris Arscott described this new event as the "Everest of the sailing world" and believes it is a great opportunity to showcase and promote the city of Plymouth.

He said: "We see this event (the Worldstar) as very much an opportunity of putting the club and Plymouth back on the map.

"A statistic I heard was there's something like 5,000 people who have climbed Mount Everest and only (something like) 200 who have sailed non-stop around the world."

Vessels between 35ft (10.6m) and 60ft (18.3m) are eligible to enter and the club is hoping to have about 30 yachts on the start line on 26 September 2026.

Single-handed sailor Guy Waites will be taking part and believes the Worldstar is "vital for British sailing and racing to actually have a round the world race start and finish from the UK."

He added: "Any club that facilitates that kind of opportunity, we should be shouting from the rooftops. I'm really pleased that it's the Royal Western [Yacht Club]."

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More on this story

• 'Vanished' boat returns after 13 years
• Classic yacht regatta takes place off south Devon
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• Royal Western Yacht Club

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Is This Wooded Enclave the Best-Kept Secret in the Hamptons?

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Tucked away from the opulent seafood towers at Le Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, The Surf Lodge’s famously raucous summer soirees in Montauk, and the designer boutiques in downtown East Hampton is a quiet, under-the-radar enclave in the Amagansett North area that is known to those in the know as Devon Colony. Among its laid-back charms are its tiny, no-frills downtown area and its 116-year-old yacht club, its swathes of preserved agricultural land, its authentic fish markets, and historic residences.

Devon Colony, between East Hampton and Amagansett, was founded in 1908 by four wealthy businessmen from Cincinnati: William Cooper Procter (of Procter & Gamble), Richmond Levering (of Lever Brothers), Joseph Rawn, and William Rowe. The men first came across the area during a hunting trip—back then, hunting was common on the East End of Long Island—and they eventually acquired 1,000 acres in the Amagansett Highlands, where they built a cluster of homes they used as their summer residences.

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The enclave was one of the first gated communities in the Hamptons, but because Procter & Gamble’s soap sales helped pay for the homes within Devon Colony, it initially garnered a contemptuous reputation among some of the more high-brow Hamptonites as “Soap Hill.” The foursome also founded the still-standing Devon Yacht Club, which includes a small private marina.

Mickey, Marilyn, McCartney

“Devon Colony is tucked between Napeague Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; it’s much less crowded than the lanes or dunes of Amagansett,” says Martha Gundersen, a listing agent with Douglas Elliman in the Hamptons. “What people love about it are big plots of land surrounded by the Peconic Land Trust, which is state-owned land. There are 500 acres of New York State land that will remain undeveloped that surround Cranberry Hole Road, which is where many of the homes are. Many successful people seeking an under-the-radar destination own here, including [Galaxy CEO] Michael Novogratz, businessman Mickey Drexler, and entrepreneur Fouad Chartouni, among others.”

Those “others” include Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Randy Lerner, and, on occasion, high-profile renters like Bill and Hillary Clinton; in the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller shacked up for a short time a charming cottage converted from a windmill. Still, despite its history of illustrious residents, Devon Colony has largely remained an unheralded hideaway, with neither a Chanel boutique nor a Sant Ambroeus cafe within miles.

More Elbow Room, More Privacy

“For as long Devon Colony has existed, people have taken the environment into consideration,” Gunderson says. “People come out here to enjoy the bird life and slow-paced living. A certain caliber of people don’t just want a house, they want land, privacy, and to be a part of the community. You’ll see Paul McCartney on his boat driving past, you’ll see Randy Lerner downtown.”

Gunderson goes on to say that once people get a feel for the landscape of the Hamptons and discover Devon Colony, it appeals because “there’s more elbow room and a more laid-back, less-crowded atmosphere,” she explains. Situated within the elevated Amagansett Highlands, Devon Colony has far-reaching views of Gardiners Bay, the ocean, and the surrounding land. Situated within thickets of forest, horse farms, and farmland, the lack of development is thanks to the large amount of preserved land.

Over the years, Devon Colony has also become known to design- and architecture-loving locals for its historic homes and picturesque gardens. Indeed, homes in Devon Colony are regularly included on the East Hampton House and Garden Tour that’s put on annually by the East Hampton Historical Society.

Yesterday’s Traditions, Today

When the men from Cincinnati built their homes for their families, they crafted four grand stucco mansions and one shingle-style home, which were originally known as ‘the cottages.’ The families tapped Cincinnati-based architectural firm Tietig and Lee to create the Italianate villa-style homes with English-style perennial gardens. This stucco-over-concrete style was unusual for the Hamptons at the time. Not just that, but these homes rivaled the size of other famed mansions in Long Island’s blue-blooded Gold Coast, particularly those in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor.

All five of the original homes are still standing, though they’ve had extensive renovations and alterations. Many of the homes have remained in the same families since they were built. The Levering house was last sold in 2018 for $8.75 million to its current owner.

At the heart of the community is the Devon Yacht Club, which has remained largely unchanged since its founding in 1908, and that’s just the way members like it. Situated along Gardiner’s Bay, the club has long been popular as a family-friendly club that hosts kids’ sailing and tennis lessons. It’s also one of the few private members’ clubs that still holds old-school traditions true; a dress code is enforced throughout, from the beach to the dining room and the tennis courts. “They still shoot off a cannon at sundown,” says Paul Brennan, a listing agent with Douglas Elliman, who lives and works in the area.

Putting Down Roots

At a time when the Hamptons real estate prices are skyrocketing—and bidding wars have reached an all-time high—agents are seeing increased interest from buyers seeking close proximity to their favorite Hamptons hotspots and the beach, yet with more land, lower taxes, and additional privacy.

Among the current offerings is a brand-new, $5 million modern farmhouse-style estate that sits on three quarters of an acre directly across from a 30-acre preserve and an eight-bedroom residence on two acres that’s just five minutes from the beach and priced at $11.7 million . And just south of Montauk Highway, another new build, a 12,400-square-foot spread that borders the golf course of South Fork Country Club and isn’t too far from the popular Amber Waves Farm, Market, and Cafe, is on the market for $14.75 million .

“The thing that attracts me the most—and I think the thing that attracts people like the Randy Lerners and Mickey Drexlers of the world, is that they can step onto the public bay beaches and swim, kayak, and paddleboard without anyone bothering them,” Gunderson says. “It offers clean air and a quiet life.”

A world apart in many ways, Devon Colony is also convenient to the farm stands in Amagansett, downtown East Hampton and popular hot spots like the Stephen Talkhouse music venue. For many modern buyers, the solitude of the forested land and the working farms might not appeal. But once you get accustomed to the open spaces and slower pace of living, it’s pretty hard to leave.

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Devon Yacht Club Traditions

For many events and dinners, guests of members are welcome at the Devon Yacht Club.  Members are responsible for ensuring that their families and guests observe the following traditions:

Flag Ceremony

The daily raising and lowering of the American flag is a time-honored tradition at the Devon Yacht Club and we invite all members and their guests to join us in this ceremony each evening.  At the sound of the bell, please stand. Upon firing of the cannon all non-uniformed citizens should place their right hand over their heart and hold the salute until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard. Please remain at attention until dismissed.

Smoking is not permitted on Club premises.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

While on Club grounds, cell phones, iPads, tablets and laptops are required to be on silent or vibrate at ALL times. Telephone conversations or electronic messaging are prohibited on club property other than in the parking areas.

No pets are permitted in or on any Club property.

Except as specifically stated on invitations for special events, the dress code in the Club House/Dining Room/Bar is as follows:

• On all days until 6:30 PM and on Tuesdays after 6:30 PM informal attire is acceptable. Shoes are required at all times. Blue denim jeans, overly casual attire, swimming or beach attire are not permitted at any time.  
• After 6:30 PM, on Thursdays, coats and ties are required for men and boys over 5 years of age.  
• After 6:30 PM, on all other evenings, coats and dress shirts are required for men and boys over 5 years of age. Ties are recommended on these evenings.

Overly revealing swimsuits such as string bikinis are prohibited. Children should wear bathing suits at all times regardless of age. Changing of diapers is not permitted.

Informal dress and bathing suits are acceptable until 6:30 p.m.

Players dress in tennis attire with 80% of their costume white. Gentlemen are required to wear shirts with collars. Players and non-players should dress in good taste.

Map & Directions

• Take Long Island Expressway (Rt. 495) East to Exit 70/Manorville, Rt. 111.
• Follow to the end and proceed East on Rt. 27 toward Montauk.
• Take the Montauk Highway (Rt. 27) East, traveling through Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and then entering Amagansett.
• After the flagpole in town, there is a railroad station behind a tall hedge on the left.
• Go left on Abrahams Landing Road and continue across the railroad tracks.
• After passing the tracks, continue straight (not left) and proceed two miles to the end of the road. The Club entrance is on the right.
• Once in Port Jefferson follow Route 25A out of town to junction Route 112.
• Take Route 112 South to Long Island Expressway (Route 495) East.
• See directions From New York City above. 
• Once in Orient Point follow Route 25 to Greenport.
• In Greenport look for signs for Shelter Island Ferry.
• On Shelter Island follow Route 114 South to the South Ferry to North Haven.
• Both the North and South Ferries run approximately every 15 minutes and do not require reservations. Once in North Haven follow Route 114 South through North Haven and Sag Harbor to East Hampton. In East Hampton turn left on Route 27 East (Montauk Highway).
• See direction From New York City above. 

All inquiries concerning membership must be made through a current member of the Club. If you are an avid sailor, please contact our Fleet Captain to learn about opportunities to crew.  

Reciprocity

Devon welcomes guests accompanied by our members as well as members of reciprocal clubs. For members of reciprocal clubs, please contact our office in advance for reservations and any questions. If you are a member of a yacht club that does not currently have reciprocity, please contract our General Manager for further information.

SHELTER ISLAND YC

Westhampton yacht squadron, seawanhaka corinthian yc, manhattan yc, larchmont yc, indian harbor yc, belle haven yc, stamford yc, manhasset bay yc, watch hill yc, fishers island yc, wadawanuck club, port jefferson yc, edgartown yc, palm beach yc (fl), lauderdale yc (fl), sarasota yc (fl), naples yc (fl), eau gallie yc (fl)  , corinthian yc (ca), santa barbara yc (ca), carolina yc (sc), southern yc (la), annapolis yc (md), norfolk yc (va).

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Devon Yacht Club Wants to Demolish and Draw Back

The Devon Yacht Club, which hopes to proceed with a large-scale redevelopment of its 120-year-old facility, came before the East Hampton Town Planning Board last week.

The club is proposing to demolish all the buildings on its 13.82-acre site, which pre-exist adoption of the town’s zoning code, and to rebuild elsewhere, farther from Gardiner’s Bay. Many variances will be needed, as well as a special permit.

The cost of the project will exceed 50 percent of the current market value of the existing buildings. “This is going to cost tens of millions of dollars,” said Richard Warren of Inter-Science Research Associates, speaking for the yacht club. “It’s been designed in a way that is consistent with the town’s CARP [Coastal Assessment Resiliency Plan]. We met with the supervisor early on; he said this is a model project. There is a point where if it gets too onerous for them, they’re going to walk away. What they’ve asked for the planning board to do is give them a confirmation that you’re still on board with the concepts of what they’re trying to do here.”

Mr. Warren was speaking after Lisa Liquori, a former director of the East Hampton Town Planning Department, had presented a 29-page memo to the board, walking it through the positive impacts of the project but not shying away from its problems either.

Ms. Liquori was recently hired by the department to take over review of the project. “We were a bit surprised to learn three weeks ago that Ms. Liquori was brought in,” said Mr. Warren. “There is narrative in the report that talks about scaling back the project.”

Tina Vavilis LaGarenne, the assistant planning director, said the department had been consistent. “I don’t think concerns about the scale of the project are new,” she said. “One of the original suggestions was that a tennis court be removed and revegetated.”

“That’ll be the end of the project,” said Mr. Warren.

“One tennis court?” asked Samuel Kramer, the board chairman.

“One tennis court,” answered Mr. Warren.

“There’s a lot going on,” Ms. Liquori told the board. “Whether the lot area is sufficient for a yacht club — the code says 10 acres is needed — when you subtract wetlands and the dune area, this is a six-and-a-half-acre site. There will be more than five acres of disturbance, more than 17,000 square feet of building removal, another 27,000 square feet of new buildings being constructed and a lot of new fill brought in.” Town planners have calculated it will take 274 truck trips for a triple-axle dump truck with a 20-cubic-yard capacity to bring in all the fill. Then, of course, the trucks have to leave. “We’re concerned. This is a big project in a residential area.”

Ms. Liquori questioned the adequacy of the parking plan (226 spaces are required; Devon proposes 78) among other issues, and reiterated that the Planning Department wants more information about the club’s membership numbers. Devon has agreed to covenant the maximum membership at 400. “Are there 400 members right now? Does that cap allow for an expansion? We’re still trying to understand why there’s a 46-percent expansion in the buildings.”

“We question,” she continued, “whether the yacht club is a ‘reciprocal club,’ and whether that means, with the reciprocal club members, if that allows for an increase in intensity on the site, which would be facilitated by the increase in the buildings’ square footage.”

“The regrading of the primary dune north of the clubhouse remains a concern,” she went on, “and the narrative submitted does not clearly support the need for this work.” She emphasized that despite the parcel’s pre-existing non-conforming status, “all structures that don’t meet the dune crest setback will require variances.”

Mr. Warren reframed the proposal as a modernization of the site, rather than an expansion.

“We recognize this is a challenging site, and I’d like to think, the past 18 months we’ve been working with the town, that they’d recognize we’ve been honest and open with the information we provided,” he said. “There’s now a little bit of worry among Devon membership and the board of governors that this report may be steering this board away from the prior support it offered to us.”

He ticked off benefits to the town if the parcel is redeveloped: a new wastewater treatment system, drainage control, a landward retreat, FEMA compliance, doubling the amount of parking currently in place, removing non-native vegetation and adding over an acre of native plants. “We’re not bulldozing a dune,” he stressed.

“Devon has agreed to a covenant to cap the membership, something you don’t have at present. Devon can walk away from this and now you don’t have a cap,” Mr. Warren said. “It does have a certificate of occupancy and can stay operating as it is, warts and all, with the sanitary system in the wetlands and current grading. But they’re committed to making the facility better for the town.”

After that, the board seemed eager to assure the applicant that it was okay with the project.

“To the extent that you came here to take our temperature, I think you’re finding it’s 98.6 degrees. Steady and healthy,” said Samuel Kramer, board chairman. He did emphasize that the pile driving at the site would be a serious issue that could cause damage to neighbors’ homes. “Give us a serious construction protocol, to give neighbors the knowledge that it’s not going to be a winter of hell.”

“My best friend got married there in 1992 and we couldn’t fit into the bathrooms then,” said Jen Fowkes, a board member. “It’s a net gain for the town.”

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Club racing is every Saturday & Sunday with committee boat racing or tower starts.  Results are delivered through sailing club manager from 1st Jan 2024 and can be found HERE

Depending on conditions we race round the navigation marks in the estuary with cup races for old favourites like the Barnstaple, Bideford or Bell Buoy races.  All race details can be found by clicking on the Calendar.  

Log into your portal to check your duties  or look at the duty roster .  You will be notified by email of duties and you must follow the link to accept or request a swap.

You can find racing marks  here .    

Forth coming major events include:

Winter race series starting Oct '24- details through the calendar

The Wrecker 2024 - entries are now Open through the calendar

Open Week 2024  will be 10th - 17th August 2024

Cadets weeks either side of open week and details are in calendar

• NDYC Results Sheet[87].docx
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Last updated 1:22pm on 11 April 2024

Dearly-loved son died after 20ft fall at party in Devon

Ben Jefferson, 21, tragically died after losing his balancing on railings

• 16:00, 24 JUN 2024

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A university student and 'all round sportsman' tragically suffered a fatal fall at a party in Devon after 'impulsively' balancing on railings before toppling forward and plunging around 20ft down into an alleyway below. Ben Jefferson was with his family for a weekend away of socialising and celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2022, an inquest heard.

In a statement, his dad Duncan Jefferson told how the 21-year-old, who was born and raised in Leicester, had enjoyed a gap year in the USA before studying sports science at the University of Derbyshire and was coming towards the end of his third year.

On April 16, he and his family drove to a holiday home in Salcombe, having stayed the previous night in a hotel in Exeter , to attend a 60th anniversary party. The weekend coincided with rugby event Salcombe Rugby Club's Easter 7's.

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That afternoon, his dad told how he and his son had gone to The Fortescue Inn and The Victoria Inn in Salcombe for a rugby event meeting and to watch the rugby from 4.30pm and had been drinking. They went to the party at Salcombe Yacht Club on Cliff Road at 7.30pm which was attended by around 40 people where they carried on drinking.

The inquest held at Exeter Coroner’s Court today, June 24, heard evidence from bar staff who described Ben as having been slurring his words, 'staggering', leaning on to items to steady himself, had smashed a glass when he accidentally dropped it, and appeared to have 'peaked'. He was refused to be served any more alcohol but it was said it was not known if he carried on drinking.

At 10.15pm, Ben went outside onto the patio area of the yacht club which had metal railings along almost the entire length of the perimeter wall, apart from a small gap at one end. At the railings close to the gap, CCTV footage lasting 10 seconds showed Ben dancing with his back against the railings, which were chest height.

He then faced them and put his hands on top of the railings to push himself and swing one leg over them. After lifting his other leg off the ground, a member of the party was heard shouting at him asking what he was doing.

Ben was seen looking down over the edge of the railings and lost his balance causing him to topple forward and fall down onto concrete below. An ambulance arrived 20 minutes later and he was taken to Derriford Hospital where he was operated on after being diagnosed with a s evere traumatic head injury.

Despite the best efforts of doctors, his injuries were not survivable and he passed away on April 20, 2022. Consent was given for organ donation. The medical cause of his death was traumatic brain injury due to a fall from height.

The inquest heard that although Ben had not fallen through the small gap in the metal railings, since his death Salcombe Yacht Club 'urgently' installed additional safety railings so that they now run along the entire edge of the perimeter wall to prevent any further accidents.

Assistant coroner Mike Bird said that the amount of alcohol Ben had consumed within a six-hour period was 'clearly a factor' in his death and 'may have' affected his judgement.

Describing the moment when Ben balanced on the railings, he said: "There is no evidence why he did this. It was probably a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous, unplanned thing consistent with high-spirited behaviour in the evening.

"It was a party and plenty of alcohol had been drunk."

Recording a conclusion of misadventure and offering his condolences to his family, Mr Bird said: "It was an intentional act. It was Ben's decision to push himself on top of the railings.

"It was a choice made, whether unwise or influenced by alcohol. It is not for us to judge but it was a reckless thing to do, dangerous and it went wrong. Clearly, he did not intend for the outcome."

Following Ben's death, an obituary notice was posted online by his family stating he had passed away following a 'tragic accident'.

It read: "Dearly loved son of Duncan and Angela. Irreplaceable brother to Emily and Sophie and their partners. Beloved and much-missed nephew, cousin and grandson.

"All round sportsman, especially his lifelong passion for rugby. Ben lived life to the full, touching everyone who met him with his vivacious and gregarious approach to life. Rest in peace darling. Always loved and never forgotten."

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