dolphin yacht club marblehead

Dolphin Yacht Club

Review Highlights

“ Sit on the deck with an amazing view of the Marblehead harbor and let Lill and Mike take care of you. ” in 3 reviews

“ The all new staff and new chef have brought this club to a whole new level. ” in 2 reviews

“ The food (biased pork and quinoa salad with salmon)was just yummy, our waiter Drew could not have been more efficient and the setting was exquisite. ” in 2 reviews

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17 Allerton Pl

Marblehead, MA 01945

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The food (biased pork and quinoa salad with salmon)was just yummy, our waiter Drew could not have been more efficient and the setting was exquisite. Positively nothing not to like!

The Dolphin YC just opened last week for the season and it was very busy last night. Most of the staff is new so the service was a little slow. There were four of us and everyone was very happy with their food. The food was hot and the plating was very attractive. The view is beautiful and we enjoyed our evening. Parking is definitely limited, but it's a bargain compared to the cost of other yacht clubs in town.

The Dolphin Yacht Club in Marblehead is a private member club with a spectacular view and the best food on Marblehead's waterfront! The all new staff and new chef have brought this club to a whole new level. The food varies from seafood to steak. I have to say they serve the best and largest fresh lobster roll on the North Shore. Every time I have tried to walk in the place is packed and reservations highly recommended! The only negative is this is a private yacht club and membership is now become a waiting list. If your lucky enough to get in, enjoy!! A true Gem!!

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Marblehead Weekly News

Dolphin Yacht Club keeps sailing on

March 1, 2023 by [email protected]

The saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” is one with which many readers will be familiar. I believe that this saying is exemplary of the building about which I am writing this week.

The Dolphin Yacht Club was formed out of shared experiences: a love of the ocean, a passion for boating, and discrimination. The 14 men who came together to found the Club had been denied fuel, mooring, and other necessary services by other yacht clubs– all because they were Jewish.

Rather than let bigotry get the best of them, these men came together in January of 1950 to start their own club. Having been subject to discrimination themselves, they sought to create a space where anyone could take part. 

On the original Articles of Organization dated December 1950, the purpose of the club is “To foster, encourage and promote yachting and related water sports; to develop thereby good fellowship and fair sportsmanship; and to furnish in connection therewith the opportunity for social intercourse without regard to race, creed, color or national origins.” 

The signatories on the Articles of Organization were Phenny Smidt, Arthur D. Rubino, and Harry A. Simon of Marblehead, David Kunian, abd Norris Jaynes of Swampscott, Leo Sonnabend of Salem, Harry Weinstein of Lynn, B. Frederick Yoffa of Beverly, and Theodore Shoolman of Brookline.

On March 30, 1951, the Dolphin Yacht Club was officially incorporated but was without its own clubhouse. Instead, they operated out of the Rockmere Hotel. In April of 1955, the next-door property went up for sale. 

This property was originally built in 1881 for Samuel T. Tucker,  a successful dry goods merchant with the Boston firm of Tucker, Hammond & Bartlett. The building was his and his family’s private residence, which stayed in the family for two generations.

Just before the Dolphin Yacht Club purchased the property, it was owned from 1946-1955 by Robert H. Miller and Philip Miller of Winchester.

Even as the Club expanded, it still faced roadblocks. At the time, Jews were discouraged and even prevented from purchasing property in Marblehead and on the Neck. As such, the property had to be acquired via a straw purchase. A man named Lewis Athanas purchased the property and within a week turned it over to the club members. 

The Dolphin Yacht Club remains on this property, though some things have changed. Beyond cosmetic improvements and additions, such as the construction of a commercial kitchen and a dock house and the rebuilding of the outdoor decks, the Club has also made some logistical changes. 

In the Club’s early days, there was no paid staff. Instead, members volunteered their own time and skills to maintain and improve the property. Furthermore, the Club was launched into the spotlight in 1964, when Marvin Frank and John Smidt raced the boat, Bat Yom in a 70-hour Marblehead to Halifax race. The Bat Yom was the first boat from the Dolphin Yacht Club to race, thus introducing the world to the Club. 

Some things stay the same, though. The Dolphin Yacht Club maintains their commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming yacht club to this day, so that all those who want to be members can enjoy the beauty of Marblehead, and more importantly, the camaraderie of the nautical community.

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A Blog by Shelley A. Sackett

Marblehead’s dolphin yacht club has survived stormy seas.

By Shelley A. Sackett

George Freedman of Marblehead reflected on the history of the Dolphin Yacht Club. Photo by Steven A. Rosenberg/Journal Staff

MARBLEHEAD – John Smidt was a kid from Marblehead who loved sailing and being around the harbor. His dad, Phenny, bought a boat in 1948 and John remembers they joined the Salem Willows Yacht Club, even though his hometown harbor was miles closer.

“The way the story has been passed down, there was no place in Marblehead Harbor for a Jew with a boat,” John said over coffee and a muffin at an outdoor café on a recent sunny morning. “I didn’t know the politics of what was going on, but I watched what was happening.”

Although there was no written ban, realtors steered Jewish buyers away from Marblehead. “‘You probably wouldn’t be comfortable here’ was the phrase most commonly used,” said retired psychiatrist George Freedman, who grew up in Marble­head.

That discrimination extended to Marblehead Harbor and its yacht clubs, which in 1950 denied fuel, mooring, or launch service to Jewish boaters. Like Phenny Smidt, they either joined clubs in nearby harbors or had to moor at a spot unaffiliated with any of the Marblehead clubs.

Fed up with the status quo, a group of Jewish boaters decided to take matters into their own hands. In January 1950, 14 men formed the Dolphin Yacht Club and sent letters soliciting charter members “with the main qualification being a desire to participate in nautical activity as an avocation.” The stated purpose and scope of the club was to “promote and foster the nautical spirit among its members regardless of color, race, or creed.” Initial membership would be limited to 60.

The founding members of Marblehead’s Dolphin Yacht Club in 1950.

The list of founding members and tentative officers who signed the letter included Harry Weinstein, B. Frederick Yoffa, Morris Jaynes, Ben Myers, Arthur Rubino, Phenny Smidt, Irving Mann, Leo Sonnabend, Dr. Adolph Sandberg, Harry Simon, Nathan Cohen, Dr. Nathan Silbert, Hy Jaffee, and John Rimer.

Nine attended the club’s first breakfast meeting on January 15 at Lynn’s Hotel Edison, according to a $12.65 bill that itemized breakfast charges at 85 cents each and room rental at $5.

Smidt remembers going with his father to the Dolphin Yacht Club’s first location, a space under the Rockmere Hotel (now Glover Landing condos) with a gravel floor and metal lockers. Boaters would grab their dinghies and row out to their moorings. In 1955, the Marble­head Harbor Yacht Club, adjacent to the Rockmere Hotel, merged with another club and its property became available. Lewis Athanas, brother of restauranteur Anthony Athanas, offered to act as a non-Jewish “straw” – or third party – to buy the Marblehead

Harbor Yacht Club and turn it over to the Dolphin Yacht Club. “He was just open-minded,” Smidt said. “Looking back, it took guts.”

Over the next six decades, the club fluctuated in its financial solvency, physical amenities, and members, but remained steadfast in its promise to be an inclusive presence on the previously exclusive Marblehead Harbor.

In 1964, 22-year-old John Smidt bought his first sailboat, a 16-foot Bullseye, and joined the Dolphin. By 1969, he and Marvin Frank put the club on the yachting map when they raced Frank’s boat, “Bat Yom,” in the 70-hour Marblehead to Halifax race, becoming the first Dolphin boat to compete in that prestigious event.

The Dolphin Yacht Club looks out onto Marblehead Harbor. Photo courtesy of dolphinyachtclub.com

By 1973, the club needed more income to remain solvent. Smidt tried to beef up membership numbers – and the club’s finances – by advertising the Dolphin as “a yacht club for all people.” He did the same thing in 1980 when membership had dwindled to 45. By the end of that season, the Dolphin had 75 members who represented a mixture of people and cultures.

“We took on a bunch of non-Jewish members,” Smidt said. But the club still struggled to make ends meet.

The situation was so dire that a 1986 article in the Jewish Journal was titled, “The Dolphin sends an S.O.S. to the Jewish community.” Marblehead pharmacist Elliot Strasnick, a member since 1975, dug in his heels, enlisted volunteers like Freedman, and “decided to go for it. We started to think outside the box,” he said. The club sold bonds, paid off its debts, and rebooted with more emphasis on social and kayak memberships and amenities.

Next, the club procured a liquor license, started offering food service, and offered social memberships. Today, social memberships far outnumber boaters, and non-Jews outnumber Jews. The club recently completed extensive renovations and hired Alan Knight, former executive chef at the Boston Yacht Club. On sunny weekends, dinner reservations on the deck are hard to get.

Despite the larger numbers and fancier digs, Freedman still feels the small club friendliness of the early years. But more than that, the 2017 Dolphin has come full circle, more closely fulfilling the original members’ intent.

“Although the club’s origins are Jewish, its original charter specifically stated that the club was open to all,” Freedman said. “Fortunately, we have lost the perception of being “the Jewish Club,” but the history is important, especially in these sensitive times.”

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2 thoughts on “ marblehead’s dolphin yacht club has survived stormy seas ”.

Interesting untold history. Stan

My Grandfather was friendly with most of those guys. In fact Leo Sonnabend was their insurance agent. ( We still use the same firm today. The Sonnabend family also started Sonesta hotel. It was named after their mother Ester. My Grandparents built a home in Swampscott. In 1948 approx. Lots of Jewish families on the same street. I did have a 1960’s incident at the one of the other Clubs because I was Jewish. Proud to be a member of Dolphin. A great place.

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Marblehead – Yacht Clubing

A visit to Marblehead’s sailing society

With more boats per capita than anywhere on the planet, Marblehead has long been known as “the sailing capital of the world.”

For those who wish to join the sailing set, Marblehead has a variety of clubs to choose from.

Two of the town’s clubs are found on Marblehead Neck, an exclusive community separated by the mainland by a long causeway that is perfect for jogging or biking.

Founded in 1885, the Corinthian Yacht Club on Nahant Street ( www.corinthianyc.org ) offers a beautiful clubhouse as well as swimming and tennis facilities.

“There’s many things yacht clubs can offer,” says Dave Titus, Corinthian’s clubhouse general manager, “but the view of the harbor we have here is spectacular!”

In addition to their frequent social events and tennis tournaments, Corinthian also hosts special yachting events, including the Trans-At Challenge in September, which brings a squadron of 60-foot boats from as far away as England.

“They’re quite a [thing] to view,” Titus says.

At present, Corinthian has 520 members.

“We have an extremely active membership, which is happy with what the club offers them,” says Titus. “It’s a very friendly community.”

According to membership committee member Jack Frankel, however, the club doesn’t take unsolicited applications.

“It’s a private club and new members are sponsored in a multiyear process,” he says.

Nearby on Foster Street is the Eastern Yacht Club ( www.easternyc.org ) with its six tennis courts and pool.

According to club lore, EYC was started in 1870 by “12 hardy men.” Its halls are packed with trophies, including one that was once carried on the flagship of famed British sailor Admiral Nelson! No wonder, then, that the Eastern has often been chosen to host Olympic sailing trials and many vanguard regattas.

“We consider ourselves a yacht club and try to encourage it at all levels,” says a member who wished to remain anonymous (the Eastern places a premium on privacy).

Across the harbor are the Boston, Dolphin, and Marblehead yacht clubs.

Organized in 1866, the Boston Yacht Club ( www.bostonyachtclub.net ) offers a dining room and bar, commodore’s lounge, and other facilities. And as it is located on Front Street, which runs along the harbor, the BYC also offers an amenity that the Neck clubs don’t.

“You can get dropped off here and walk around downtown Marblehead,” says general manager Mark McMahon, citing his club’s proximity to mainland shops and restaurants.

According to membership chair Martha Quigley, the BYC also requires sponsorship for new members. Even so, McMahon noted, around 20 slots tend to open at the end of each sailing season.

Though it may be difficult for people to gain immediate entrance to some clubs, there are other ways to get into the sailing scene. Among these are getting started early as a member of Marblehead’s youth yacht club, Pleon ( www.pleon.org ), or taking memberships at clubs that do not require sponsorship, meeting others at multi-club events (such as Marblehead’s world-famous Race Week) and then having them sponsor you down the road.

Though the 55-year-old Dolphin Yacht Club on Allerton Place ( www.dolphinyachtclub.com ) has no tennis courts or pool, the view of the harbor is beautiful, the kids’ room is a great place for younger sailors to hang out, and the food (provided by Sylvan Street Grill) is rather tasty. As for membership, it is inexpensive and does not require sponsorship.

“You don’t need to wait 10 years to get in,” says commodore/treasurer Patti Cohen of the club that, for many years, was the only place for Jewish sailors to congregate. And, as the club’s website states, “We are actively seeking new members!”

One caveat: If you want a full boating membership, you need to have a mooring in Marblehead Harbor. There are 1,400 of these and the waiting list is about 15 years. However, you can still be an out-of-harbor member for $350 or a social member for $225. The Dolphin also offers a kayaking membership for small-craft fans.

Lastly we come to the club that takes its name from its hometown. Built in 1878, the Marblehead Yacht Club on Cliff Street ( www.marbleheadyc.org ) is the most down-home of all.

“This is by far the most inexpensive club,” says club manager Steve Karger, who has been a member for 25 years.

With food service Friday through Sunday (the MYC is BYOB), the club offers its 356 members three launches that cover 60 percent of the harbor and a fleet of rowboats you can take to your yacht.

“We’re the mirror image of the Corinthian,” Karger says, pointing across the harbor, “only in this way.”

In philosophy, the club mirrors the Dolphin more closely, as it was the first place Irish-Catholic sailors could join. In 1935, the MYC instituted a policy requiring that  “anybody joining be considered as an individual, not part of a group.”

These days, however, the only “group” that most members want to be counted among is Marblehead’s large group of sailors.

So whether you want cotillions and pool parties or just a way to get to your boat, join the club!

• Marblehead, Massachusetts /
• Dolphin Yacht Club /
• Dolphin Yacht Club menu

Dolphin Yacht Club Menu

Menu added by the restaurant owner october 17, 2022, dinner menu.

• Nachos 1 review 12.00 blend of cheddar & jack cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, jalapenos, cotija, sour cream
• Fried Calamari 13.00 Traditional fried calamari with banana peppers, fresh parsley, marinara sauce and lemon aioli
• Chicken Bites 12.00 Crispy chicken tossed with your choice of buffalo, bbq or thai chili sauce, served with carrots, celery & blue cheese dressing
• Tacos 11.00 Two or three tortillas stuffed with your choice of blackened haddock, fried shrimp, pulled pork, or vegetarian with pickled green cabbage, pico de gallo & chipotle mayo
• Tempura Green Beans 10.00 crispy fried green beans served with sweet chili citrus dipping sauce
• New England Clam Chowder 5.00 oyster crackers, smoked bacon, Ipswich clams
• Soup du Jour 5.00 Ask your server for the soup of the day
• Beet and Quinoa Salad** 14.00 Red and gold beets, Goat Cheese, Quinoa, Mandarin Segments, Cajun Walnuts, Orange Vinaigrette
• Fall Harvest Salad** 9.00 Artisan Mix, Granny Smith, Cranberries, Goat Cheese, Toasted Pepitas, Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
• D.Y.C. Classic Caesar** 7.00 Romaine Hearts, House Focaccia Croutons, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Optional Marinated White Anchovies
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich 14.00 Apple Barbeque, Jicama and Brussel Slaw, Brioche Bun, Pickles
• Haddock Sandwich 15.00 Battered and Fried or broiled haddock, brioche bun, tartar sauce, pickle
• DYC Burger* 16.00 8oz. Prime Burger, LTO with your choice of Swiss, bleu cheese, cheddar, or American cheese on a toasted brioche bun
• Lobster Roll 10 reviews Fresh lobster, New England style roll, lettuce, celery, lemon aioli
• Pulled Pork Sandwich 13.00 House smoked pulled pork, spicy BBQ sauce, coleslaw on a brioche bun
• Pan Seared Five Spice Seared Tuna * 29.00 Chinese five spice tuna yuzu and ginger carrot puree, toasted sesame green beans, maple dijon aioli
• Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese 24.00 Gobetti, Creamy Gouda Cheese Sauce, Pancetta, Ritz, Bread Stick
• Fresh Haddock with a Ritz Cracker Crust 29.00 Served with mashed potatoes, haricot vert & a herb de Provence lemon butter sauce
• Cider Glazed Salmon 29.00 Roast Sweet Potato Planks, Hot Honey Glazed Brussel Sprouts, Maple Garlic Creama
• Beef Tenderloin * 34.00 8oz center cut, Grilled Asparagus, Herb and Creme Friache Potato, Bleu Cheese Compound
• Spicy Roll * 14.00 choice of salmon, tuna or crab with cucumber and spicy aioli
• Commodore's Roll * 20.00 lobster, spicy tuna, asparagus, yuzu aioli, siracha & topped with tempura flakes & scallions
• Tempura Shrimp Roll 15.00 tempura shrimp, tobiko, avocado, cucumber topped with sesame seeds sweet soy sauce
• Vegetable Roll** 13.00 cucumber, carrot, asparagus, avocado, seaweed salad & mango siracha topped with tempura flakes
• D.Y.C. Roll* 17.00 shrimp & green bean tempura, topped with togarashi tuna, salmon, avocado, Thai chili glaze & spicy aioli
• Sashimi * 6.00 wasabi, pickled ginger & choice of salmon, tuna, unagi eel three to a order
• Nigiri * 9.00 sushi rice, wasabi, pickled ginger & choice of salmon, tuna, unagi eel, three to a order
• Classic Caesar Salad 6.00 dyc signature caesar dressing, parmigiana, focaccia croutons, romaine hearts
• Fall Harvest Salad 9.00 Artisan Mix, Granny Smith, Cranberries, Goat Cheese, Toasted Pepitas, Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Beet and Quinoa Salad 14.00 Red and gold beets, Goat Cheese, Quinoa, Mandarin Segments, Cajun Walnuts, Orange Vinaigrette
• Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burger 16.00 baby arugula, caramelized onion, poblano & feta spread, brioche bun

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Dolphin Yacht Club-PRIVATE

+1 (781) 631-8000

[email protected]

http://www.dolphinyachtclub.com

Monitored: 68

Marblehead, MA | N 42° 29.900' / W 070° 51.030'

17 Allerton Place

Marblehead, MA 01945

Director-Boating

Alan Wolcott

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