“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.”
Once again, the popular and beloved Benicia Yacht Club will celebrate Opening Day on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, from 10am until 10pm. The Club promises more than twelve hours of music, water activities, vendor booths, and food and drink as well. BYC’s Opening Day never fails as one of the best parties of the year, according to club members and Natalie Boltz Keller, Vice Commodore. This is a great opportunity to explore all the amenities the club has to offer, as the usually private facilities are open to the public all day.
BYC History
Founded in 1977 by Russ Blanchard, the first Commodore, Benicia Yacht Club sits in the Carquinez Strait, midway between San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Blanchard wanted to support sailing, yachting, and all types of water sports. He helped to create a platform for sea otters with the help of the Sea Bees, who were part of the Navy construction crew sent to Benicia. At first BYC’s meetings were held in members’ living rooms, in barracks in the Industrial Park, and at the Clock Tower. In the early 1980s, their building, a Civil War era army office structure, was purchased from the military and moved to its current location at 400 East 2nd St. In 1985, the clubhouse was formally dedicated. Forty-four years ago, founding members Veronica and Dick Tipton organized the Benicia Yacht Club’s first Opening Day with dingy/rowboat races in the marina. This is a far cry from the jam packed agenda promised for April 26th.
The Benicia Yacht Club, along with many other yacht clubs in the Bay Area, maintain a Cruising Program where BYC hosts visiting yacht clubs and, in turn, BYC is hosted by other yacht clubs as well. The Cruising Program allows members to enjoy different clubs’ facilities while practicing the fine art of seamanship. This popular BYC custom affords members the chance to visit other seaside locations and meet like-minded and fun-loving individuals who enjoy boating as well.
History of Opening Day
Opening Day is a time-honored tradition in many boating communities. It harkens back to the 1800s, when boats were finally allowed back onto the open seas in the spring. Benicia Yacht Club is a member of PICYA, the Pacific Interclub Yacht Association, that launched an annual celebration called Opening Day in 1917. The Benicia Yacht Club is on the Carquinez Strait, hence the name, Opening Day on the Strait.
As always, the Benicia Yacht Club welcomes and encourages everyone in the community to celebrate Opening Day on the Strait as the event that not only embraces sailing and boating traditions, but also celebrates our beautiful waterfront, its stunning views, and everything BYC has to offer.
Opening Day 2025
Saturday
April 26
10am -10pm.
BYC Opening Day
As mentioned before, Opening Day on the Strait is open to the public, and a full day is planned as follows:
10:00am: Vendor booths and kids’ activities open for business. The Benicia Fire Department will have equipment on display as well.
11:30am: Welcome by BYC Vice Commodore Natalie Boltz Keller, Flag Raising Ceremony & National Anthem, Guest speaker: Lionel Largaespada, Interim Council Member
12:00pm: Lunch service starts
1:30pm: Blessing of the Fleet, decorated Boat parade
(Prizes for first, second and third place decorated boat)
2:00pm: Lunch service ends, live music continues on the back deck featuring Paper Kayaks
4:00pm: Vendor Booths close
5:00pm: Dinner service starts
7:00pm: Dinner service ends, live music continues upstairs in the Norton Lounge featuring dancing with Salvage Tide
10:00pm: Opening Day Festivities conclude
Additionally, the Nautical Group and US Coast Guard will have booths offering boat related merchandise.
Yacht club members will be available to answer questions about the club regarding membership, the cruising program, volunteer opportunities, and entertainment activities. Membership is open to both boaters and non-boaters of good character. Rear Commodore Natalie Boltz Keller stresses that Benicia Yacht Club is a great way to meet new people and have fun. Trivia Night , Karaoke Night, Talent Night and other seasonal celebrations round out the monthly events. Benicia Yacht Club functions throughout the year, and its facilities are open seven days per week. Additionally, BYC is one of the few clubs in the Bay Area with a full staff and restaurant for members. What more could one ask for?
BYC – 400 East Second Street, Benicia, CA 94510 – 707.746.0739 for more information
