About Us:

The Ocean Gate Yacht Club was founded in 1909 by a group of summer residents from Philadelphia “to promote yachting and rowing and to
foster athletic sports upon the water and to promote the interests and welfare of Ocean Gate.” The club’s purpose was later expanded to include an active social program for members and their guests.

In July 1910 the club was incorporated and purchased a parcel of land on the southwest corner of Ocean Gate and Riviera Avenues. In that same year the club received a riparian grant from the state for the adjoining waterfront parcel and plans were completed to build a clubhouse. For unknown reasons, perhaps financial, the members decided to build their clubhouse on pilings in the center of the riparian grant with access either by a long catwalk or by boat. The original building lot was later sold to the Robinson family and is now occupied by Diana Ottenberg’s home.

Today the club remains true to its original purpose of fostering sailing and athletic competition on the water by offering a summer sailing school for both children and adults and by participating in various sailboat races and events. The club also sponsors and supports many U.S. Sailing events and is a charter member of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association since 1914. The Beck Crabbe Trophy, for the “A Cat” Class is one of the premier races of the BBYRA season, and has traditionally started from anchor in front of the club on the OGYC bay day since 1941.

Even with such a strong sailing tradition, many members are not boaters and join simply to enjoy the active social calendar offering a full range of activities from informal dinners in the clubhouse to the popular
Land and Sea Auction held each summer. Membership in the Ocean Gate Yacht Club is open to everyone.