About Us

The Del Mar Yacht Club (DMYC) was formed in 1993, during a time that the future Commodores (also
known as "commode doors" ) were frequently found clustered at Jake's Del Mar. Three deep across the
entire length of the bar (consisting of Commodores and friends - and an occasional interloper - with a
spillover to many surrounding tables) - was not an uncommon sight.

Our unofficial motto: "No matter what we do...we're fu**ed."
(This from DAL Captain David Carte - RIP - during the "July Hong Kong Death March." Commodore Jim
participated, and will tell you that story...If you can find him).

We are just abuncha of folks that gathered at Jake's throughout the years and imbibed in good times and
a beverage, lunch, or dinner. Mostly beverages.

The purpose of the yacht club? To have fun with friends!
Riders, anyone?

Special Note in a Bottle that was tossed overboard years ago: The DMYC may have a boat or two floating
or sailing throughout the Seven Seas. We are not sure - because we don't keep track of everyone - nor do
we want to. We don't have a marina, nor a flotilla of ya-chits. Not yet! But we do have three pirate
hideaways located in secret coves. The Northern fleet is in Washington State. The Central Fleet (DMYC
Fleet Headquarters) is in Del Mar / Solana Beach. The Southern Fleet is in Cabo San Lucas.

Here is how it happened (Part 1): Commodore Jim (before he even knew he would become a
Commodore) purchased a condo on a hillside overlooking the Del Mar Racetrack in July, 1979. The
community association is known as "Saratoga West." Ninety units located on three streets...aptly named
Arcaro, Longden, and Shoemake r (named in recognition of three of the great Hall of Fame jockeys).

(Part 2): Commodore Jim occasioned to meet new friends at Jake's in the late 80's...
And then, a cluster / gaggle of us deck-scrubbing, bilge-pumping, and barnacle-clad guys and gals (an
assortment of sailors, skippers, salesmen, surfers, captains, school teachers, school principals,
fishermen, fire fighters, business professionals, property managers, entrepreneurs, investors, and airline
pilots) - as unique as this formed the Del Mar Yacht Club at Jake's in June of '93.

Back to (Part 1): The view of the track and beach from a select few of the units at Saratoga West is
unsurpassed. Jim was a lucky buck winner when he bought his condo. He did not know the first thing
about horse racing. Lately, his bets prove him to be correct in that regard. But, he is able to watch each
race from darn near any room (and both patios) with his bare hands - without the aid of binoculars,
telescopes, microscopes, magnifying glasses, sunglasses, bifocals, spectacles, contact lenses, or
reading glasses. .

Watching the races happened live and in color...from start to finish, without obstruction of view (many
years before HRTV or tvg.com allowed for live viewing of races world-wide via the Internet and cable /
satellite T.V.). Can't make it to Del Mar during the season? Check out HRTV or TVG for TV / Internet
broadcasts! Wagering is not required. You may also be interested in xpressbet.com.

So, in 1980, Jim quietly spreads the word that he has a great view of the track...within ten minutes
distance at a slow trot of the closest wagering window. Plus, if you rotate your eyeballs a mere 10 to 30
degrees to the right, ya got a great white-water view of a good stretch of the Del Mar beach...from the
Powerhouse to the San Dieguito River mouth. You do not even have to move your head!

Do ya suppose that some folks might want to assemble at his place on the morning of Opening Day to
consume some omelets, crab, lobster, and shrimp, and then amble to the track to our "reserved" seats?
Duh?

He was correct! These "pre-post time parties" soon evolved into an annual tradition. Problem was...the
folks are not able, because of the facilities available at the time, to reserve seats for 100 to 200 people to
all sit together in the Clubhouse section. We were grouped in clusters of 10 or so...spread throughout the
Clubhouse section...some in sun, some in shade. Close enough to yell at each other, but we could not
touch unless we met between races at the wagering windows (not that we wanted to touch, or
anything...we just were not clustered in a group). That is how we did it from 1981 to 1992.

That all changed over a two year period in 1992 - 1993. The grandstands were completely demolished
and rebuilt in two phases. Commodore Jim says that he knows that to be a fact...'cause he saw and
listened to jack hammers, wrecking balls, pile-drivers, and dump trucks 24 hours per day for much of the
time. And he has photographs and videotapes to prove it.

(Part 2 - again): In mid 1993, on a whim...and being in the right place at the right time (one of the few
times in his life), he telephones the Group Sales Office at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Amazingly, the
director of Group Sales ( the gorgeous Jacquelyn King...assisted by the fabulous and equally lovely Cathy
Arneel) answers and says...hey...we gotta brand new SkyRoom here...and it is available on Opening Day.
Do you think you might want it?

Jim immediately digs into the bottom of his black velvet bag of tricks (located three levels deep in his olive
green U.S. Marine Corps issued footlocker) - looks at a few stale Tootsie Rolls (circa 1966) and a buncha
crumbs from Who Knows Where - dusts off a "How To" book by Zig Ziglar, peers inside, then says that he
will let her know for sure within 24 hours after consulting with soon to be Commodores, but in the
meantime, reserve the SkyRoom for us.

Jackie says..."you are penciled in, bubba!"

Jim said he has never been penciled before, but it sounds to him that it could work. (Question here...Jim
asks rhetorically: If he is only penciled in, does that mean he can get erased?
Answer: Hasn't happened yet).

The Result? Absolutely. Positively! Eleven of us said "Get the Starting Gates out of the way, we are
already running!" The Del Mar Yacht Club was formed, flagged, and launched that night. Flank Speed.

Here are the names of the original Commode Doors of the Del Mar Yacht Club.
( in no particular order of age, weight, or talent).

1. Bud White: Retired banking executive (and he was not a shyster like the Goldman Gang). Current
occupation unknown. Presumed to be residing in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Click this too.
2. Chet Thompson: United Sates Coast Guard (USCG) licensed Captain and a bill fishing tournament
champ off the shores of Mexico and Hawaii. His wife Susan did a lot of sailing stuff. She worked with
Dennis Conner of America's Cup fame during the Cup races in San Diego. Chet created Hot Chillys - a
favorite with ski dudes throughout the world. Chet is the owner of Del Mar Embroidery, dba Casa del Mar .
3. Simon Cottrail: From Liverpool, England. Current occupation unknown, but undoubtedly in sales.
Assisted Chet Thompson with Hot Chilly's. Smooth talker - natch. Bill fishing champ teamed with Chet
Thompson. Presumed to be residing in San Diego, California.
4. Matt Cottrail: From Liverpool, England. Last known to be a Locksmith. Once sailed the briny main from
California to Hawaii solo in his sloop. Presumed to be residing in San Diego.
5. Wiley Wisdom: Current occupation unknown, but presumed to be in sales (Bubba - he and Simon are
neck to neck as world-class salesmen). Smooth talker - check your shorts girls. You won't feel a thing -
now did you! He is probably residing Deep in the Heart of Texas - somewhere near the Yellow Rose of
Texas..
6. Don Irby: Previous Saratoga West homeowner. Current occupation unknown. Last known to have
business interests in Brazil, and is presumed to be residing there much of the year.
7. Charles "Chuck" Coune: Insurance Executive wizard - Currently based in Orange County, California
working for a Third Party Administrator. Thirty five years experience working for 4 major national and
international Insurance companies. Involved with all P&C "Lines" as well as surety. Resides in Encinita s
California with his lovely wife Nadine.
8. Whitney Todd: Real Estate wizard (together with his wife Elizabeth) at Todd Coastal Properties in
Rancho Santa Fe. A putt away (via their sliding glass door patio entrance) from Morgan Run. Elizabeth
was a golf pro / instructor at Torrey Pines. And she does not whack Escalade windows with a 9-iron.
9. Jim Armstrong: Call sign "Surfer." Retired airline captain (Delta Air Lines - 28 years - flew the big
bubba's to China, India, Russia, Turkey, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and his favorite - Hawaii).
Former U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Pilot (11 years): F-4 Phantom. F-4J driver with VMFA-212 at MCAS
Kaneohe Bay and F-4N jockey at VMFA -112 (NAS Dallas ) Also an Instructor Pilot (2 years): TA -4J (VT-7,
NAS Meridian); and a Top G un graduate (NAS Miramar ) - July, 1980 - (F-4N) - crewed with a top-notch RIO
( Radar Intercept Officer - aka NFO) - Jim Bob Segars - call sign "Jim Bob" - a record setting solo nacho
eating champion (at a Marine Corps "hangout" Mexican restaurant -1970's - Chretin's - in Yuma, Arizona).
Are you a "pepper flicker?" Great food and service when I visited...every time! Close to MCAS Yuma.
Surfer has been a Saratoga West homeowner in S olana Beach since July 1979. And he has seen
abuncha "stuff" at Saratoga West..
10. Steve Harris: Business owner - California Printing, Solana Beach California. He does not print
counterfeit currency. But he can counter your fit (girls) at any time.
11. Rick Deputy: Retired Insurance sales expert - Travelers. Presumed to be a vagabond in a motor
home, exploring the country with his wife Kerry and their vagabond dog . Residence address unknown.
Best bet: Rick Deputy - General Delivery, USA.