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The Seabelle Captain - a Cherished Tradition.
The Seabelle Captain is more than a title; she is a living symbol of our club’s history, community, and enduring spirit. In the world of yacht clubs, many traditions are shared, but some are uniquely their own. At the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, a cherished and distinctive position is that of the Seabelle Captain. It's a role that has been an integral part of our community since 1955, and it’s a story rooted in the club’s earliest days. The Seabelle Captain's position began in a

KBYC History Committee


The Ceremonial Bell of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club - Honoring Leadership and Tradition
You will usually find the Ceremonial Bell beneath the Gallery of Commodores' on the Main Floor, the bell holds deep symbolic significance within the life of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. The bell is inscribed with the names of each past Commodore, marking the legacy of leadership that has guided the Club since its founding. There are actually two ceremonial bells, each a historical artifact in its own right. Together, they represent the continuity of service, stewardship, and

KBYC History Committee


The Gaston Family Youth Sailing Program Sportsmanship Award - Opti Rudder
Donated by the Enrique and Victoria Gaston Family in 2014. This award honors the sailor who embodies the Corinthian spirit during that year's Youth Sailing Program, whether it’s offering a helping hand to a fellow competitor, showing respect for coaches and officials, or demonstrating grace in both victory and defeat. In the world of competitive sailing, where the wind and waves are both ally and adversary, there exists a tradition that values character as well as skill. The

KBYC History Committee


The Battle of the Bay - Interclub Challenge Trophy
A "friendly" challenge between Biscayne Bay Yacht Clubs. The "Battle of the Bay INTERCLUB CHALLENGE" sailing competition, is a significant event within a larger series of races organized by the Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association (BBYRA). This series involves five major sailing clubs in the Miami, Florida area, specifically around Biscayne Bay: * Biscayne Bay Yacht Club (BBYC) * Coral Reef Yacht Club (CRYC) * Key Biscayne Yacht Club (KBYC) * Miami Yacht Club (MYC) * Coconut

KBYC History Committee


Fred W. Thomas Perpetual Trophy
Best Performance Overall Around the Island Race. Silverplated Sailboat on a dual-handle cup trophy. Location: Seabelle Room, Main Floor L.01.007

KBYC History Committee


U.S. Olympic Team Trials Plaque - Sailing
In memory of Commodore, John E Pearson, February 22, 2004, Donated by Past Commodore Ron Drucker. Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Principal officers: Hortensia Sampedro -Yngling, Gonzalo, Garcia-Ribeiro - 49er Location: Seabelle Room, Main Floor L.01.008

KBYC History Committee


1992 Olympic Silver Medal Plaque - Kevin Burnham & Morgan Reeser
Kevin Burnham and Morgan Reeser, triumphant and youthful, representing Team USA in the Mne's 470 Class at the Barcelona Olympic. The silver medal plaque reflects their teamwork and brilliance on the world stage. This plaque commemorates the silver medal victory of Kevin Burnham and Morgan Reeser at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, where they represented the United States in the Men's 470 Class. With fierce winds and fierce competition in the Mediterranean, the duo saile

KBYC History Committee


2004 Olympic Gold Medal Plaque - Kevin Burnham & Paul Foerster
Kevin Burnham, hand on heart during the U.S. national anthem, at the 2004 Athens Olympics alongside Paul Foerster. Victory at last! This plaque honors Kevin Burnham and Paul Foerster, gold medalists in the Men’s 470 Class at the 2004 Athens Olympics. After decades of dedication and prior Olympic heartbreak, Burnham realized his dream at age 47—becoming the oldest U.S. sailor ever to win gold. With Paul Foerster’s calm tactical brilliance and Burnham’s boundless passion, they

KBYC History Committee


Round the Island Race Trophies
Th e next Round the Island Race will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025. These trophies celebrate the Key Biscayne Yacht Club's Round the Island Race—a fun, competitive annual event tracing the shores of Key Biscayne. This race was conceived in 1966 by Past Commodore Edward "Ed" Willman and Ray Sullivan - its enduring legacy honors Ed Willman's passion for sailing and community. The display features the original Commodore Ed Willman Memorial Trophy, and four beautiful Re

KBYC History Committee


Commodore Ed Willman Memorial Round the Island Race Trophy
Th e next Round the Island Race will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025. This trophy was awarded from1966 to 2002. Other trophies and plaques for subsequent years are also on display. The Ed Willman Memorial Round the Island Race, held at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club in Miami, Florida, is a significant event with a rich history. The race was conceived in 1966 by Past Commodore Edward "Ed" Willman and fellow member Ray Sullivan. It was designed to be a fun, yet competitive

KBYC History Committee


Round the Island Race Ed Willman Best Performance by KBYC Yacht - Bombing Banshees Medallion Trophy
The next 'round the Island Race will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025 This plaque was established in 2012 and recognizes the overall Best Performance by a Key Biscayne Yacht Club yacht in the Round the Island Race. The Bombing Banshees Medallion - a long lost treasure from Past Comodore Ed Willman's boat. This article was originally published in the Islander News, written by Bill Durham and Catherine Malinin Dunn on January 25, 2025. It sounds like something out of a sp

KBYC History Committee


Thomas J. Stickney Memorial Trophy - Revere Bowl.
A gift from the Stickney Family. Since 1971, this annual trophy is given to the winner of the KBYC Southeast Dinghy Championship. In 1971 the Key Biscayne Yacht Club hosted its first Annual Southeast Dinghy Championship. Created as one of the first US National Championships in the Optimist class, the event has hosted over 4,000 sailors and their families from across the nation and further afield. Sailors ranging from 7 to 18 years of age (and some adults) compete in Club 420s

KBYC History Committee


The Corinthian Trophy
In Trust from the Hacker Family. This trophy symbolizes the Corinthian values of sailing and stands for the highest principles of the sport: seamanship, sportsmanship, integrity, fairness, loyalty, and self sacrifice. At the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, a trophy of profound significance stands not as a prize, but as a testament to our core values. We're honored to be the custodians of The Corinthian Trophy, a magnificent sterling silver piece lent to us "in trust" by the Hacker f

KBYC History Committee


Larimore Trophy
"To encourage the sport of Youth Sailing in the United States". In trust from the Larimore Family, the US1 is a scale model of the original Optimist Pram designed by Clark Mills in1947. The Key Biscayne Yacht Club has sponsored the Youth Regatta since1971. The Key Biscayne Yacht Club has a storied history of supporting youth sailing, and this commitment is epitomized by the Larimore Trophy. Donated in trust by the Larimore family, this perpetual trophy was established with th

KBYC History Committee


Southeast Dinghy Championship 2025
53rd Annual Southeast Dinghy Championship, Key Biscayne Yacht Club

KBYC History Committee


King Sailfish – Caught by Harcourt Vernon II, Main Dining Room Display
The sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) is the undisputed icon of South Florida sport fishing—renowned for its speed, acrobatics, and the striking beauty of its sail-like dorsal fin. South of Miami, the Gulf Stream flows closest to the Florida coast, creating one of the most productive and thrilling sailfish habitats in the world. Local anglers use live bait and kite-fishing techniques to entice these apex predators, often hooking into fish that leap and tail-walk across the surf

KBYC History Committee


Ha Ha's Working Man's Tarpon Tournament
In 2011, Craig Hardie and Billy Pesch came up with the idea of holding a fishing tournament that takes place after work. This article was originally published in the Islander News, written by Bill Durham and Catherine Malinin Dunn / Special to Islander News April 19, 2025. In the 1950s, many of Key Biscayne’s pioneer residents were attracted to the island for its easy access to the water. At that time, there were certainly disadvantages to living here – swarms of mosquitoes

KBYC History Committee


Opti Centerboard Trophy
Youth Sailing Program Top Female Award - Donated by P/C Hortensia Sampedro Hacker Family in 2014. Location: Seabelle Room, Main Floor L.01.021

KBYC History Committee


Model of "Primal Scream" owned by Member Steven M. Stollman
"Primal Scream" (USA 52458) is a C&C 115, a high-performance cruiser-racer sailboat with a notable racing history, based out of Key Biscayne. The Boat: C&C 115 The C&C 115 is a modern, recreational keelboat designed by Tim Jackett. The "115" in its name refers to its length overall in decimeters, which is 11.51 meters (37.75 feet). Key Specifications: Builder : C&C Yachts (United States) Year Built : "Primal Scream" was built in 2005. The model itself was first introduced in

KBYC History Committee


The "Living Gallery"
Key Biscayne Yacht Club 71st Anniversary Welcome to the 71st Anniversary of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club! For years, the trophies and plaques that line our halls have been a cherished part of our décor—but they are so much more than that. They are a lasting record of our members' expertise, passion, and sportsmanship. As a member of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club History Committee, my mission was to inventory and catalog every award, plaque, and photograph in the building to ensu

KBYC History Committee
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