Terry Steinmacher

ViceCommodore@ncyconline.com

I found out about the North Channel Yacht Club through friends of mine. They constantly spoke about this place they would go to hang out on their parent’s boat. He was the up-and-coming Commodore and enjoyed this island type setting called the North Channel Yacht Club. I found it very intriguing and started asking questions since I was starting to get back into boating and was a single father looking for a place to go other than the bays. I have heard about all the friendships that were formed and the comradery at North Channel. So, in 2012, I filled out my application, was interviewed, I was very impressed with the process and the team that performed my interview. I was accepted shortly after and became a member. My son and I immediately started to enjoy this little piece of heaven called the North Channel Yacht Club.  With a fishing pole in hand, my son would cast out and catch pikes, a few walleye, and net an occasional turtle that linger in the depths around the club.  I was amazed when he returned that he said a member taught him to use this lure, that bait, and so it begin. I started to participate, offered up my services to cook corn at an event that they called Smoke on The Water. Little did they know I was going to turn it into a corn roast and was welcomed to do so. Prior to the event as I walked around the island as members started showing up on the fins with their BBQ’s/Smokers crated up so they could compete in the rib cook off. I was truly amazed that they went through all this trouble just to do some cooking on the island. It didn’t take long to figure out that these people meant business at this rib cook off event.  I was impressed by the club members and how collectively they come together to work either at a club event, or a work party. I have met so many lifelong friends from either being out on the dock cooking on my George Forman, or behind the 5’ grill with my partner in crime Kathy Fowler, dishing out corn, wings, legs, or tending bar. The comradery is second to none when working side by side with members at North Channel events.

I have been known for introducing new cocktails to people I probably shouldn’t have as well as the corn roast, soupy Sunday, matching outfits, shoes, and watches. The supplies Director knowing somehow that Steinmacher was on the island over the weekend by the stock in the liquor room, and another member introducing me to peanut butter and jelly with jalapenos, the first mates persuading me to cook 150 baked potatoes for their event. As I was thinking I was making my mark at North Channel Yacht Club, it was actually making a lifelong mark on me. 

I have served as Safety Officer and Harbor and Grounds Director since 2021. When I asked how I should go about this position, I was told to think of it as your own backyard, with a budget to boot. Well that’s all I needed to hear, then the transformation began. I was Elected Rear Commodore in 2023, and looking forward to serving the members. I promise to bring the same passion to the position as I did when serving as Director.

Each member is unique and brings their special talents to the club, so get involved as much as you can and start making your own mark at North Channel Yacht Club. Bring your family and your friends to enjoy this slice of heaven that we call North Channel Yacht Club.

2024 Rear Commodore Terry Steinmacher

Terry Steinmacher
Rear Commodore

RearCommodore@ncyconline.com

My wife Sharon and I grew up boating on Lake St Clair and surrounding waterways. I would spend most summer weekends boating with an uncle and aunt operating their 34 SeaRay Sedan Bridge before I could legally drive a car. Sharon boated with her family also, first with her father, and then with her brother. As a kid I remember cruising past our now NCYC wondering what is up over on that island and who were the members. I just figured it was some “rich” people. When Sharon and I met and started boating together 11 years ago our love of boating helped seal the deal. As we would cruise past NCYC together I still looked over and wondered what is up over there and who were the members. I still thought it must be “rich” people.

As years passed we joined a couple of yacht clubs. We became involved, served in various appointed positions, and even were elected to board positions. It was not until late in the summer of 2019 that we finally accepted an invitation and spent a few days on our boat at NCYC as guests. As we walked the grounds we were taken in by the sheer beauty of the island looking for the first time from the “inside looking out”. The beautiful historic well maintained clubhouse, the family friendly atmosphere, the welcoming membership all impressed us. We spoke to members learning and seeing how they worked together towards a common cause. They expressed pride in their island and club, working hard for it, yet having fun at the same time.

The following morning as we were docked in the East Harbor I was sitting at the helm having coffee and watching the sun come up over the vast expanse of the wetlands to the East. Fog was lifting as I watched the water flowing in one direction down the Sni Bora towards Strawberry Island and the North Channel flowing West towards its terminus into Lake St Clair. It was at that moment that I knew I had to be part of this. I quickly learned Sharon was already convinced.

We submitted our membership application and in January 2020 we were accepted as proud members of NCYC. As spring arrived so did Covid19 virus. The effects of this new virus and life style changes hit us as well as NCYC hard. We took advantage of every opportunity to get involved and do what we could for the Club following the Flag and Directors sound policies as the Club opened. We were asked and served as OD’s on a weekend even before working our summer weekend hours. We were again impressed with how the Flag, Directors, and Membership all stepped up and worked together helping us and NCYC out. It was a great experience learning how things work at our Club and we met many new friends. If you have never been an OD I would suggest you try it, you will like it. As the year progressed we continued to be impressed watching the efforts of all working together, caring for the club, and making sure those who could participate enjoyed their time and activities with the Club. Joining NCYC was reaffirmed as our best boating decision yet. It then hit me that I was correct years gone by cruising past NCYC. We are “rich”, Richly blessed to be able to be part of the NCYC family enjoying the Club, camaraderie, and boating.

Since our first year I have had the opportunity to serve as both your Chaplain and Secretary Director. Serving in these capacities I have been privileged to learn much more about NCYC and have been honored to get to know our membership even if during their hardships.

I look forward to my new roles serving on your NCYC Flag and promise to give my new duties the same attention and care.

Mark Javery

Rear Commodore

North Channel Yacht Club is truly the finest, Private, Member’s only Yacht Club on these Great Lakes, from the tip of the cupola on the historic Clubhouse to the unique boating community that makes up its membership. The “Spirit” of the North Channel Yacht Club is in fact characterized by strong Fellowship and Camaraderie of the people associated with this Club both in the past as well as the present.

Jill and I were married in late fall of 1994 where we receive a wedding card from long time member and my cousin Ed and Diane Romatz a name known to many from the NCYC Family. Inside that card was a check made out to North Channel Yacht Club for the amount of the initiation fee so we immediately turned in our application and were added to the waiting list and became members in March of 1995. We had many friends at NCYC we jumped right in with both feet getting involved in club events and the many theme parties and rendezvous and enjoying the camaraderie the club had to offer. In the fall of 1998 I was elected to the 1999 Board of Directors where I served as Membership Director until 2002 when I was elected to Rear Commodore and moved through the Flag seats until I was Commodore in 2004.

My mission is to support the continuation of this club’s respectful tradition, to promote health, safety, fun, and respect for all participants in its membership and most of all to maintain The North Channel ‘Spirit”. My motto is “People who play and work together . . . stay together” therefore my wish for this year is that we have some good, clean and heartfelt fun while relaxing on our “Island in the Sun!”

Here We Go Again! Jill and I along with our family would like to express our appreciation to the Flag, Board of Directors, and the Membership for their continued support Thank You for giving us the opportunity to serve on the Flag and Board of Directors for a 2^nd time. “Even more in 2024”.

I could not be prouder than to represent this Awesome Club as Vice Commodore in 2023.

We will Cherish the many Friendships that we have made and continue to make for the rest of our lives.

Respectfully

PC Rick Romatz