Tomes Landing Yacht Club
TLYC News
October 1, 2026
Meeting 10.3.26 10:00 AM: A membership meeting will be held on October 3, 2026, to provide updates on the dock replacement, the end of the season, and other general matters. Demolition and replacement of the marina is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026. All contracts and financing are in place. If work proceeds as scheduled, the marina will be completed and ready for use at the start of the 2027 season. Weather is the only foreseeable factor that could delay completion.
Last Day of Season and Boat Removal 11.1.26 All boats must be out of the marina by Sunday, November 1, 2026, since demolition starts on Monday. November 2, 2026.
Dock Boxes – Removal by 10.19.26 Please remove your dock box by October 19, 2026. Note that once the docks are completed, the Yacht Club will reinstall your dock box. We have not determined the schedule or cost for reinstallation, but members will not be permitted to reinstall the boxes for obvious reasons.
If you are unable to remove your dock box by the deadline, or if you do not do so, the Yacht Club will remove and store it for a fee of $250. Members are responsible for removing all contents beforehand. The Yacht Club cannot guarantee the condition of, or protect against theft or damage to, any dock box. The best option is for each member to remove and store their own dock box. Please remove and store your dock box by the deadline.
Thank you for your continued support- Rob Sayre, Pres.
July 1, 2026
A Special Meeting of the Tomes Landing Yacht Club, Inc. will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tomes Landing Clubhouse. This meeting will present to slip owners the terms of the loan being secured by Rob Sayre. Rob has been working extremely hard to make this happen. Slip owners were sent a letter outlining the details of the loan and its timeline. Plan to attend the meeting with your questions. It looks like we are are the verge of getting everything in place to install new docks during the off season. Until then, enjoy the season... it is passing fast.
April 1, 2026
A Special Meeting of the Tomes Landing Yacht Club, Inc. will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tomes Landing Clubhouse.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the status of the marina replacement project, including financing options, obstacles, and anticipated timing. In addition, the Board will review necessary repairs for the upcoming season, schedule workdays, and conduct regular Board business.
March 21, 2026
Hoping everyone made it through the brutal winter. Spring is here now (sort of) and we'll be looking forward to the opening of the TLYC marina on April 1. Again this year we will be taking on maintenance issues that arise by getting work parties togethers to fix any major safety or functionality things that may arise. This will help us keep costs low, speed the build up our reserve, and put us in a better position to secure financing for new docks. The 1996 SBA loan will be completely retired in a few months and Rob Sayre has been working hard to find financing for the new infrastructure. He indicates that there may be some promising developments on this front and he will share what he finds when he gets a clearer picture on what is possible. Stay tuned. Happy boating.
June 28, 2025
Thanks to all the slip owners who came out today to do some work on the docks. Lots of power washing and clean up was accomplished. And, some dock work carpentry was done on the jet ski ports and one of the fingers on D-dock. The facility is looking pretty good right now. We'll keep it maintained on our own as best we can until next year when we hope to move ahead with total replacement.
June 14, 2025
On this Saturday morning in June, Rob Sayre convened a meeting of TLYC slip owners to report on the financial state of the organization and the urgent need to develop a workable plan for self-maintaining the present infrastructure until our financial situation allows us to pursue a total replacement of the docks.
Rob reported that TLYC is currently in a very good cash position as we have deferred costly repairs that had been being done by Beaver Marine. The money saved by not having to pay Beaver has allowed us to dramatically improve our cash position. We do still have some financial obligations to attend to as we have increasing insurance costs. Rob reports that this year's insurance premium, while not yet finalized, will be in the $45k-$50k range.
We still have the 1996 SBA loan to retire. That will happen in Q1 or Q2 of 2026. Once that is accomplished, given our cash position, we will be in much better shape to seek funding for new construction. Rob has done research into this. Our options will be limited and expensive, but options do exist.
In order to reduce the loan amount, we will probably have to impose upon ourselves a per slip assessment. The amount of that assessment is still not clear. It could be a single "one amount fits all" assessment. Or it could be a tiered assessment in which every slip would be assessed a base amount (possibly $5k) with an option to voluntarily contribute more ($10k-$15k) in return for some kind of financial "reward" (yet to be identified) down the road.
There is still a lot to be discovered and determined on the financial front. But there does appear to be a positive path forward. An important part of that path forward will be to keep our maintenance costs as low as possible. With this in mind, we have schedule workdays on June 28-29 to fix a few of our most pressing dock issues. An email will be sent to all slip owners with details about the workdays -- what to expect, what to bring along.
So that's it for now... lots happening. We have a long row to hoe, but we can do this. And in the end we'll have a marina that is new, modern, and VALUABLE.
April 1, 2025
Happy spring everyone. We're off to a cool, windy, and rainy start, but the marina has opened and is ready for your boat. Our rickety docks have made it through another winter relatively unscathed, but continue to age. This season we will again be very conservative in our maintenance activity. Of course, things that break and affect safety and basic function will be repaired. But the less we spend on repairs, the more we can save toward total replacement.
The SBA loan will be retired early next year. That will put us in a good position to do slip assessments and apply for financing to replace the entire dock system. There are a lot of unknowns about how and when this will happen. But Rob Sayre is keeping a close watch on our financial situation and opportunities to secure a loan. We'll keep you posted throughout the season as the picture becomes a bit less foggy. In the meantime, enjoy the 2025 season.
December 1, 2024
The Docks – Financing The Need for Replacement
Replacement of the docks is the critical issue facing the Yacht Club. We had several weather events this summer that stressed and damaged our aged and fragile docks. Unfortunately, due to the age and construction methods used, repairs are difficult and in many cases, impractical. Substantial sustained southern winds and waves typically cause the most stress and damage. We had at least three of these events.
Repairs for 2025 Season
The hope is that the same dedicated group of volunteers that worked on the attenuator can be enlisted to repair the docks for the 2025 season.
Timing on Replacement of the Docks
The goal is to obtain financing by 6.30.25, order the docks in mid-summer with delivery and installation after the 2025 season. Replacement is contingent on obtaining financing. Obtaining financing will be challenging. Only a small number of lenders finance these types of loans. The association structure, ownership and the operating agreement are further complicating factors.
Preliminary Discussions
We have reached out to several lenders and, to date, have received no favorable responses. One lender is looking into a potential USDA guaranty. This would be expensive, and the loan would likely have a floating rate of interest. Not ideal.
Need for 2024 Financials
In 2023 the Yacht Club had an operating deficit. This was largely due to the costs associated with replacement of the attenuator. 2024 will be substantially better with a positive operating margin. It is anticipated that the Yacht Club will end the year with approximately $300,000 in cash. The only substantial liability is the SBA loan with a remaining balance of $44,731. The Yacht Club also needs to adjust the balance sheet categorizations to better reflect the existing reserves. The 2024 financials will improve the chances of obtaining financing.
Potential Assessments
It is unknown what a lender will require as terms for financing. The membership may be required to fund a portion of the costs and this may require an assessment. The goal would be to avoid an assessment. It would be irresponsible not to raise the issue and advise the membership of the possibility. Again, until the Yacht Club receives a proposal this is speculation.
Budget and Dues
The Board will be working on finalizing a budget for 2025 in the next 2 weeks. Dues likely can remain unchanged but doing so will not improve the Yacht Club’s cash position or balance sheet. Input from the membership is encouraged during this process.
The Attenuator
Cost and Plan Replacement of Remaining Portion of Attenuator
It is believed, based on the purchase price of the 500’, that the remaining 167’ portion of the attenuator can be purchased for approximately $105,000. We have not ordered the remaining 167’ as it would result in an operating deficit for 2024 and weaken the balance sheet. The plan would be to incorporate this with the dock replacement or shortly thereafter in late 2025 early 2026.
Insurance
Insurance costs increased dramatically in 2024. In 2023 the Yacht Club paid $29,102. In 2024 the initial quote was for $58,460. Policy amounts and terms for the docks were reduced bringing the premium down to $33,710. The docks are now insured for actual value and the policy limit is
$800,000. It should be noted that new docks will require a policy at a cost of $60,000 based on 2024 rates.
The SBA Loan
The remaining balance on the SBA loan is approximately $44,731. The loan will be paid in full in March of 2026.
Conclusion
The Board continues to work to position the Yacht Club to best allow replacement of the aging docks. Efforts are underway to obtain financing proposals and a viable plan going forward. We will have a meeting January 4, 2025. Members are encouraged to attend. Among other things, the 2025 budget will be discussed and approved.
November 1, 2024
It has been a quiet, peaceful season, but it’s coming to an end. We didn’t have to spend too much on repairs this summer which allowed us to build up the reserve funds for future improvements to our facility.
The water system will be winterized on Monday, November 18, No water service will be available after that. Also, all boats need to be out of the marina by November 30.
Have a good off-season and we’ll see you in the spring.
August 24, 2024
Tomes Landing Yacht Club Website:
Brady Stroh has created a website for the Yacht Club and it is now live. The plan is to utilize this site for future communication and information. Each of you should sign up so you can look at the non-public portions of the site. In the future this will be the primary mode for communication among the membership. The site contains links for MRA’s site, tides, weather, sunrise/sunset, wind, the Conowingo Dam etc. Thank you Brady.
tomeslandingyachtclub.com
MRA Website:
MRI has also established a website for the membership. This allows members to check account balances, make payments and obtain various information. This is a substantial improvement and benefit to the membership.
The Docks:
The docks have taken a couple of hits this summer and the substantial southern winds and waves typically cause the most stress and damage. We had two of these events and have lost water on several occasions. We continue to work to keep the place going while recognizing that we are dealing with aged infrastructure that needs to be replaced. Hopefully we will be in a position to do this in the next couple of years. Our weak balance sheet and the current interest rate environment are significant obstacles.
Installation of 500’ of Attenuator:
A core group of dedicated members and several non-members,rose to the occasion and removed and disposed of the old attenuator at a cost of less than $17,000 inclusive of disposal costs.
Thank you to Daryl and Michelle Jackson, Steve Wex and the rest of the Volunteers Without the equipment, expertise, knowledge and labor provided by the Jackson’s the removal of the old attenuator and the installation of the new attenuator would not have occurred. Steve Wex attended every work session throughout the process and was instrumental in completion of the project. Because of the efforts of the volunteers, the Yacht Club saved in excess of $800,000. Thank you everyone.
Cost of Remaining Portion of Attenuator to be Replaced -- It is believed, based on the purchase price of the 500 feet, that the remaining 167’ portion of the attenuator can be purchased for approximately $105,000 provided cost remain relatively flat.
Plan on Replacement of the Remaining 167’ feet -- Currently the Yacht Club has exhausted all funds in the attenuator fund. One alternative for consideration is to borrow from the general fund to complete the purchase of the remaining portion. If this purchase is completed the hope would be to install in the spring of 2025. The drawback associated with this approach is it weakens our cash position and balance sheet making it more difficult to obtain financing for the dock project. The other alternative is to preserve cash and undertake the remaining 167’ of the attenuator at the time the docks are replaced.
The SBA Loan:
The remaining balance on the SBA loan is approximately $80,000. The loan will be paid in full in March of 2026.
The Board continues to work to finish capital projects and position the Yacht Club to best allow replacement of the aging docks. Please consider helping your Yacht Club as you are able. Enjoy the remainder of the boating season.
August 1, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we must report the passing of our friend Gene Beer this afternoon. We don't know all the details yet, but apparently he had just returned from his favorite run down to Turkey Point. He had finished docking and tying up his new Parker and was doing some odds and ends to button up the boat when something terrible happened -- we don't yet know exactly what. Steve Wex was on the dock and discovered Gene in the water. We'll update you as we learn more. Please keep Gene's sons in your thoughts as they mourn their father's passing.
We will miss Gene --- his stories, his good humor, and his solid friendship.
June 13, 2024
TLYC members including, Rob Sayre, Steve Wex, Mark Morrison, Daryl and Michelle Jackson, and a few others have completed installation of the new sections of attenuator. Many thanks to each of them.
The summer has begun and things around TLYC are in pretty good shape. We will continue to patch and repair the docks until we can afford to replace them over the next few years.
We encourage you to use the new TLYC website. We have included a number of useful tools on the home page and have created a members only area for comments, ideas, and boat conversation. Members may also use this feature to offer slips for rent or for sale. We will continue to improve the site and add new features over the next few months. The site is responsive and should be usable on your phone, your tablets, and laptop/desktop PCs. Have fun on the water... be safe!
March 27, 2024
TLYC members including, Rob Sayre, Steve Wex, Mark Morrison, Daryl and Michelle Jackson, and a few others have been busy installing the new sections of attenuator. They've been doing a great job. Their efforts have saved us tens of thousands of dollars of installation costs. Many, Many thanks to them. They still have a small section of the old attenuator to remove before installing the remaining sections of new structure. Weather has not been particularly cooperative.
The marina will open for your use on April 1. Routine maintenance of the existing dock infrastructure will continue until we can afford to get financing to replace it. We'll get there. We are also looking for one or two new board members -- please consider stepping up! Next meeting will be on Saturday, April 5 at 0800.
December 31, 2023
Most of the old attenuator has been removed. The remainder will be taken out later this winter. All sections (500') of the new attenuator structure have been delivered and are being stored in slips on B-dock until installation later this winter. The attenuator sections will be installed later this winter. This leaves about 100' that will need to be purchased and installed, probably next fall. Many thanks to all of the slip owners who came out to dispose of the old structure and receive the new.
We are looking for new board members. After 10 years on the board, 8 of them as president, Brady Stroh will be stepping down from the board as will Jeffrey Alperin. We need some new faces to step up and serve the TLYC community.
October 15, 2023
As noted previously, we have placed an order for 500' of dock structure to replace the attenuator. It is the same design as the new section that was installed two years ago. With this order, we will have replaced 620' of the roughly 800' long attenuator. The new structure will arrive in sections in November and December and will be installed by our own crews. Directly purchasing the pieces and assembling them ourselves is saving us thousands of dollars. Everything will be in place for next season.
Beaver Marine has completed its 2023 work on the docks. They went over all four piers and replaced a lot of wood -- both structural members and decking. They also cleared the 4 jetty hydro tubes of debris and removed woody vegetation from the jetty structure.
August 30, 2023
A quick update... we have placed an order for 500' of dock structure to replace the attenuator. It is the same design as the new section that was installed two years ago. With this order, we will have replaced 620' of the roughly 800' long attenuator. The new structure will arrive in sections in November and December and will be installed by our own crews. Directly purchasing the pieces and assembling them ourselves is saving us thousands of dollars. Everything will be in place for next season. Then we can begin to attack replacement of our actual docks. We're getting there... slowly but surely, and hopefully in the most cost effective way for all of us.
August 20, 2023
We continue to maintain the docks... patching and repairing as best we can until we are in a position to get financing for new docks. Once we get the attenuator done and the existing SBA loan paid off in a year or so, we'll be able to pursue financing and new docks.
As for the attenuator, we received an insurance settlement of $172,000 for the damaged section. That puts around $350k in the fund for attenuator replacement, enough to finish the job if we can manage the install ourselves. Removal of the remaining sections is scheduled for this fall and installation of the new sections is tentatively scheduled for late fall and early winter. We should have a definite schedule by the time of our next meeting on October 7. Things are looking up. Enjoy the rest of the boating season.
June 8, 2023
WATER SERVICE HAS BEEN RESTORED
June 3, 2023
The main water supply line into the marina developed a serious leak this past week. We immediately called for the plumber who came out on Thursday. We were hoping they could solve the problem that day. But they tell us that they have to order a new coupling -- none in stock. The result... water service cannot be restored until this coming Tuesday or Wednesday, Not happy!!!!
May 31, 2023
The clean up of the remaining sections of the attenuator has been postponed until later in the summer to avoid disruption of marina use over the summer. Stay tuned for further updates this summer.
May 15, 2023
The clean up session for the remainder of the attenuator will be postponed until the weekend of 6/3 or 6/10. Mark Morrison will keep everyone posted as we narrow the date down.
1. We will be cleaning up sections of the dock on the selected Sunday starting at 7:45am
2. Daryl and Michele will bring their machine and large dump trailer for the debris. They will also have an additional machine and dumpsters to load the floats in.
3. We will continue the demo process as we previously went about it. In addition we will add the Marina boat to help move sections. I’m hoping Steve can operate it.
4. We will need some additional hands to remove the floats down at the park and help clean up debris.
April 10, 2023 ( 10:00am)
Many thanks to Mark, Randa, Steve, Rob, Daryl and Michelle, Hans, Jeffrey, Joe, and others for completing the clean-up of the breached portion of the attenuator over the weekend. The equipment supplied by Daryl was extremely helpful as were Randa's, Rob's, and Mark's boats. We now need to schedule the clean-up of the severely compromised remaining sections of attenuator. This will be done in the coming weeks -- we'll keep you posted. We also need to continue our plans for replacing the broken sections. This will take lots of money, so we are exploring the most cost effective options. We're also still waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Stay tuned.
April 8, 2023 (8:00am)
The final cleanup of the breached portion of the attenuator will be done on Sunday, April 9 at 8:00am. Board member, Mark Morrison, has assembled a crew of TLYC members to bring equipment and their muscles to finish the job. All who are able and available are encouraged to come down to the marina to pitch in. Once the damaged section is cleaned up we will be working on getting it replaced. We are still waiting to hear from the insurance company on what settlement they will grant us. The board is also determining the best course of action for the remaining sections of the attenuator. We'll keep you posted on those plans.
March 18, 2023 (10:00am)
The damage done to the attenuator by last week's storm has been stabilized and demolition/cleanup is well underway. On Friday a group of TLYC slip owners and board members used boats, some light equipment, and lots of muscle to retrieve attenuator floats that broke loose and ended up downstream. The retrieved debris was towed back to Marina Park and loaded into dumpsters for removal. The crew then began the demolition of the section of the attenuator that was breached. Sections were towed to Marina Park for disposal. The demolition was pretty easy since there is not much holding the pieces together. Completion of the breached section removal will wrap up over the next few weeks. There is still debris in some of the slips -- that will be removed for the April 1 marina opening which is still on schedule.
We also had a meeting with an adjustor from our insurance carrier. He came out to inspect, ask a lot of questions, and gather information. The meeting went well and we are optimistic that at least some portion of our loss will be covered by insurance. We'll keep you posted on that.
So for now, things are stable, and the remainder of the cleanup is on track. The next step is to get quotes to replace the breached section with a design similar to the new section that was installed two years ago -- although the remaining sections will likely be somewhat narrower.
March 15, 2023 (9:30am)
This week's Nor'easter has created a breach of the attenuator. A section from the end of the new part down two-three pilings, broke loose and is now swiveling on the center piling of the breached section. We’ll see what happens as the higher of today’s (3/15) high tides begins to come in around 10:30 am. The winds are still 20-30 out of the NW-NNW. We called Beaver Marine. They will be down Friday (3/17) morning to assess how the swiveling section can be stabilized.
Right now everyone just needs to stay out of the marina. We don’t want anybody getting rammed by a piece of the floating attenuator section. We’ll just have to wait till the wind dies down to go out and assess the damage. Stay tuned.