Who We Are
Sail NASJAX Club was formed in August of 2019 by a small group of sailing enthusiasts with a passion for sailing. The formation of a Sailing Club was the brain-child of Captain Jack Feeney, a nautical master of many years of sailing experience, a Coast Guard Captain & Master, and head instructor of Mulberry Cove Marina’s Sailing School. Capt. Jack, in conjunction with some recent graduates of the Skipper B Course organized and created the Club. Sail NASJax is based at Mulberry Cove Marina, at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax), located on the east side of the St. Johns River. The Mulberry Cove Marina, with support from the NAS Jax Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department, allows the Club to meet at the marina and work closely with the sailing staff to be part of the existing sailing activities and sailing courses offered.
From the beginning, it was decided the Club would be an instrument to promote sailing; for beginners as well as experienced sailors looking for an organization to share their passion. Specifically, the Club goal was to provide its members with the following opportunities:
Education and Training (both certified and non-certified classes)
Sailing Experience
Organized Activities to promote sailing
Coordinated sailing dates/crew opportunities
Assisting in maintenance and upgrades for sailboats and equipment
Exposing the next generation to the joy and fun of sailing
Comradeship of its members and perspective members
The Pandemic of 2020 (COVID 19) was a big set-back to the club and sailing at the marina all around. Limitations of the pandemic caused the Club to lose some of its momentum, members moved away, sailing classes were suspended. However, due to the resiliency of a few original members and the leadership of Capt. Jack, the Club is back and growing fast. The sailing course (i.e., Skipper B) is again being scheduled and has now incorporated training standards of the American Sailing Association into the training and certification. The horizon looks promising for the Club as it forges forward on a steady course!
Membership in Sail NASJAX Club has only a few limitations:
From the beginning, it was decided the Club would be an instrument to promote sailing; for beginners as well as experienced sailors looking for an organization to share their passion. Specifically, the Club goal was to provide its members with the following opportunities:
Education and Training (both certified and non-certified classes)
Sailing Experience
Organized Activities to promote sailing
Coordinated sailing dates/crew opportunities
Assisting in maintenance and upgrades for sailboats and equipment
Exposing the next generation to the joy and fun of sailing
Comradeship of its members and perspective members
The Pandemic of 2020 (COVID 19) was a big set-back to the club and sailing at the marina all around. Limitations of the pandemic caused the Club to lose some of its momentum, members moved away, sailing classes were suspended. However, due to the resiliency of a few original members and the leadership of Capt. Jack, the Club is back and growing fast. The sailing course (i.e., Skipper B) is again being scheduled and has now incorporated training standards of the American Sailing Association into the training and certification. The horizon looks promising for the Club as it forges forward on a steady course!
Membership in Sail NASJAX Club has only a few limitations:
- You must be 18 years old
- You must able to access the Navy base (since the club and its association with the Mulberry Cove Marina is located on the Navy Base - This typically includes active-duty military, National Guard, Reserves, and retirees and military & DoD service dependents).
- You do not need to be a uniformed service member to join the club – only access to the Navy Base
- Although there is currently no youth program, one of the goals to develop one in the future. When this happens, the membership rules will be adjusted to accommodate that new category.
Our Heritage
(Before the current Sail NASJAX Club (SNJC), Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, had a yacht club (NAS Yacht Club).
The Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club (NJYC) was already established and active when the current marina manager, Mr. Philip Collins, was hired; about 20 years ago. The NAS Yacht Club had a clubhouse where the Marina Pavilion now stands (see picture above). The actual start date of this original club is unknown (however, an old internet website for the NJYC shows that the club was begun in 1956), nor are known the founding members. However, the original purpose of the NJYC was to support the mission on NAS Jax for providing recreational opportunities (sailing mostly) to the Active-Duty members. Similar to our club today they would provide instructors to help teach sailing to its members. The NJYC was also a social entity with gatherings and events.
The Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club (NJYC) was already established and active when the current marina manager, Mr. Philip Collins, was hired; about 20 years ago. The NAS Yacht Club had a clubhouse where the Marina Pavilion now stands (see picture above). The actual start date of this original club is unknown (however, an old internet website for the NJYC shows that the club was begun in 1956), nor are known the founding members. However, the original purpose of the NJYC was to support the mission on NAS Jax for providing recreational opportunities (sailing mostly) to the Active-Duty members. Similar to our club today they would provide instructors to help teach sailing to its members. The NJYC was also a social entity with gatherings and events.
The (old) NAS Yacht Club clubhouse at Mulberry Cove Marina
(Note: This building was demolished by the Navy several years ago and is no longer at the marina)
(Note: This building was demolished by the Navy several years ago and is no longer at the marina)
Before the current Sail NASJAX Club (SNJC), Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, had a yacht club (NAS Yacht Club).
The Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club (NJYC) was already established and active when the current marina manager, Mr. Philip Collins, was hired; about 20 years ago. The NAS Yacht Club had a clubhouse where the Marina Pavilion now stands (see picture above). The actual start date of this original club is unknown, nor are known the founding members. However, the original purpose of the NJYC was to support the mission on NAS Jax for providing recreational opportunities (sailing mostly) to the Active-Duty members. Similar to our club today they would provide instructors to help teach sailing to its members. The NJYC was also a social entity with gatherings and events.
During the time of the JNYC, there used to be sanctioned regattas with outside yacht clubs; the Rudder Club, Julington Creek sailors, and even participation in the annual Mug Race on the St Johns River. Many years ago, an unfortunate incident in the San Diego area resulting in the damage of an expensive yacht, and the Navy was found liable, the Navy changed its policy and restricted activities and events involving non-Naval organizations. Those restrictions apply to our club today. The JNYC was still allowed to compete with other military branches, to include British Royal Navy ships that were visiting. The British sailing Reed Cup competition came to the JNYC many times in the past. When British ships came to NS Mayport, a sailing challenged was made to the JNYC. The pivotal year of the Reed Cup Competition/Challenge was 2010. Our very own Philip Collins participated in the regatta and the JNYC Sailing Team won against the British team from the HMS Ark Royal.
The Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club (NJYC) was already established and active when the current marina manager, Mr. Philip Collins, was hired; about 20 years ago. The NAS Yacht Club had a clubhouse where the Marina Pavilion now stands (see picture above). The actual start date of this original club is unknown, nor are known the founding members. However, the original purpose of the NJYC was to support the mission on NAS Jax for providing recreational opportunities (sailing mostly) to the Active-Duty members. Similar to our club today they would provide instructors to help teach sailing to its members. The NJYC was also a social entity with gatherings and events.
During the time of the JNYC, there used to be sanctioned regattas with outside yacht clubs; the Rudder Club, Julington Creek sailors, and even participation in the annual Mug Race on the St Johns River. Many years ago, an unfortunate incident in the San Diego area resulting in the damage of an expensive yacht, and the Navy was found liable, the Navy changed its policy and restricted activities and events involving non-Naval organizations. Those restrictions apply to our club today. The JNYC was still allowed to compete with other military branches, to include British Royal Navy ships that were visiting. The British sailing Reed Cup competition came to the JNYC many times in the past. When British ships came to NS Mayport, a sailing challenged was made to the JNYC. The pivotal year of the Reed Cup Competition/Challenge was 2010. Our very own Philip Collins participated in the regatta and the JNYC Sailing Team won against the British team from the HMS Ark Royal.
Reed Cup Trophies display on wall inside the Mulberry Cove Marina Office
After that highlighted accomplishment for the NJYC the club slowly went into a decline for many reasons, but ultimately disbanded; the clubhouse went into disrepair and finally demolished by the Navy Public Works.
Mr. Philip Collins, not only manages the Mulberry Cove Marina, but has had many other base responsibilities assigned to him, to include the Auto Skills Center, Long Term Storage, Deployed Storage, Car Wash (before it was shut down), Abandoned Vehicle Program, RV Park, Cottages, and Commercial Recreation Vehicle Rentals. The title on his name tag reads “Lord of the Vast Lands” and he proudly informs new Base Commanders during their tour of the base’s programs, “I am the second largest land owner on NAS Jax, Sir.” Even with extensive responsibilities such as these, Mr. Collins is our biggest supporter of the Sail NASJAX Club and its members.
In Mr. Collins’ words, “The NEW AND IMPROVED sail club is amazing. It is EXACTLY what I imagined a sailing organization should be. Actively participating in all areas to promote and generate excitement about sailing. The leadership and participation are very nice to see, and we (MWR) are 100% in support of their effort. I think the Sail Club plays a very important role in providing activities outside of normal MWR events, which may include off-sight field trips and giving people a chance to “try out” sailing without a huge investment of time or money.” It is his hope that the SNJC will be able to partner with other non-marina MWR events in order to get the word out about the club.
Mr. Collins is an experienced sailor himself and we are very fortunate to have him as a supporter of our club. As marina manager for over 20 years, Mr. Collins is originally a Vermont native and also a veteran with service in the US Coast Guard. Always trying to stay close to the water but also a desire for the warmer weather in the south, Mr. Collins made his final move with his family from Beauford, SC, to Jacksonville. He has been on the water in some capacity since he was 8-years old: sailing his family’s little AMC Force 5 sailboat, and other various larger sailboats to include a Tanzer 22, Sabre 28, Borresen BB-10 sailboat, a F27 trimaran, and others. Mr. Collins operated ferries on Lake Champlain (he was a member of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club), and even founded a commercial dive company with his childhood friends, to help pay for college. Needless to say, Mr. Collins is an experienced sailor and knows his way around sailboats.
Mr. Philip Collins, not only manages the Mulberry Cove Marina, but has had many other base responsibilities assigned to him, to include the Auto Skills Center, Long Term Storage, Deployed Storage, Car Wash (before it was shut down), Abandoned Vehicle Program, RV Park, Cottages, and Commercial Recreation Vehicle Rentals. The title on his name tag reads “Lord of the Vast Lands” and he proudly informs new Base Commanders during their tour of the base’s programs, “I am the second largest land owner on NAS Jax, Sir.” Even with extensive responsibilities such as these, Mr. Collins is our biggest supporter of the Sail NASJAX Club and its members.
In Mr. Collins’ words, “The NEW AND IMPROVED sail club is amazing. It is EXACTLY what I imagined a sailing organization should be. Actively participating in all areas to promote and generate excitement about sailing. The leadership and participation are very nice to see, and we (MWR) are 100% in support of their effort. I think the Sail Club plays a very important role in providing activities outside of normal MWR events, which may include off-sight field trips and giving people a chance to “try out” sailing without a huge investment of time or money.” It is his hope that the SNJC will be able to partner with other non-marina MWR events in order to get the word out about the club.
Mr. Collins is an experienced sailor himself and we are very fortunate to have him as a supporter of our club. As marina manager for over 20 years, Mr. Collins is originally a Vermont native and also a veteran with service in the US Coast Guard. Always trying to stay close to the water but also a desire for the warmer weather in the south, Mr. Collins made his final move with his family from Beauford, SC, to Jacksonville. He has been on the water in some capacity since he was 8-years old: sailing his family’s little AMC Force 5 sailboat, and other various larger sailboats to include a Tanzer 22, Sabre 28, Borresen BB-10 sailboat, a F27 trimaran, and others. Mr. Collins operated ferries on Lake Champlain (he was a member of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club), and even founded a commercial dive company with his childhood friends, to help pay for college. Needless to say, Mr. Collins is an experienced sailor and knows his way around sailboats.