A Brief History of South Shore Cruising Club
In 1957, a group of boatmen and fishermen congregated in the rear of the Dura Craft
Marine store on Cleveland's west side. Incorporated with the regular salty yarns was
an earnest desire for safe boating. From these ideas for a club evolved the beginnings
of what is now SSCC. In November of 1957 the Dura Craft Cruising Club was
incorporated as a non–profit organization, and obtained a charter from the State of
Ohio.
In 1961 SSCC obtained membership in the Greater Cleveland Boating Association.
1961 was a very busy year as we established monthly Membership and Executive
Board Meetings and published our first official roster. Also in 1961, the club changed its
name to “South Shore Cruising Club.”
The year 1972 brought the “summer that almost wasn’t.” Club members will remember
the marine devastation inflicted by Hurricane Agnes. Bad weather canceled many of the
scheduled cruises and our own P/C C. Franklin Brown suffered the total loss of his boat.
On a lighter note, 1969 was the first year where SSCC had a booth at the Mid America
Boat Show. In 1971, SSCC hit the national scene with a write up in the January 1971
issue of Yachting Magazine. In 1972, SSCC was selected “The Best in Boating
Education” category by the Outboard Boating Club of America. Also in 1972, SSCC was
advised it had received the “Kiekhaefer – Mercury Gold Cup Award, Honorable Mention”
for Public Service for Boating Safety.
There were approximately 15 boats scheduled for each cruise and the members
covered roughly 700-1000 water miles, with almost double that in land miles.
Remember, they were more of a trailer club back in those days.
In 1976, SSCC made a constitutional change that permitted compatible boats without a
trailer to join as members.
In 1978, SSCC was officially accepted into the Inter-Lake Yachting Association and the
International Order of the Blue Gavel.
1978 was also the first year that SSCC finally cruised more hours on the water than on
land.
William J. Rondini (1983) was the first SSCC Commodore to include cruises in the
budget. He felt members should receive something back from their dues, which
were $40.00 per year at that time.
1983 saw a first for South Shore Cruising Club when we instituted the Commodore’s
Ball, a gala dinner dance. The new affair replaced the Change of Watch Ball that
was previously held in December. Also, 1983 was the first year the roster was
computerized, thanks to Bill Rondini.
Rich McKee, Sr. (1997) was very active fighting for the rights of boaters. Rich was the
1990 GCBA Commander and the 2004 Commodore of I-LYA.
1990 was one of the wettest boating seasons but SSCC had 100% club participation at
the ILYA Regatta as we had competitors in every competitive event. SSCC won a
record 23 flags that year.
In 1992, SSCC did well again this year at the I-LYA Regatta and won individual and club
awards and became known as the “RED SHIRTS.”
In 1993, Hoty Marine Group gave South Shore permission to call Venetian Marina its
home port.
Rich McKee, Jr. (2006) Rich was the first SSCC Commodore to follow in his father’s
footsteps! He was GCBA Commander in 2010, IOBG District 7 President in 2016
and the I-LYA Powerboat Chair for 2017.
In 2002, our club was the first to receive the newly instituted I-LYA Powerboat Regatta
Club Support Award.
In 2007, SSCC moved to its new port at Son Rise Marina.
In 2008, Bruce Sattler was a Trustee, but in April 2008 he became the Rear
Commodore and in July he became the SSCC Commodore!
Robert Chizmar (2009) Bob decided Steve Gombas (1966-1967) should not be the
only SSCC Commodore to serve twice.
Bruce Sattler (2010) Bruce decided Steve and Bob should not be the only SSCC
Commodores to serve twice.
Jim McKee (2012) His mother, Lady Gail, was the only SSCC Member to be the wife of
an SSCC Commodore and the mother of 2 SSCC Commodores
Since then, SSCC has had 3 more Commodores to serve twice: Rich McKee, Jr. (2018);
Bill Scheeff (2019); and Jim McKee (2021). In each case, these men took the job
because no one else would take it.
In 2019, Bill Scheeff decided to try something new. Instead of a Commodore’s Ball, he
planned an event at our home port of Midway Marina called Rock the Marina. It
was open to anyone who purchased a ticket which included food, door prizes and
a band. The idea was to recruit new members by having them see what we did
besides go on cruises. Unfortunately the hoped-for members didn’t materialize
and SSCC continued to struggle for members.
2020 had Pat Valliere serving as Commodore, but the Covid-19 pandemic with personal
contact prohibited presented a new set of problems. Meetings were held via
Zoom, which was a learning experience for many. This year was probably the
beginning of the end for South Shore as we knew it.
2022 - Rob Willison became Commodore. But he also served a Fleet Captain. Cruises
were planned but attendance wasn’t that great.
2023 - Ed Cantu, a new member, volunteered to be Commodore. He had experience
from another boat club and had some good ideas for activities, but again, the
support wasn’t there. As the year progressed, it became more evident that South
Shore’s days were numbered.
South Shore has been unique as a boating club in that both husband and wife were
voting members and could serve as officers and on committees. In many other clubs,
the men were members while the women were the “auxiliary” but probably did lots of
work without much recognition.
In its 66 years, South Shore has had 6 Lady Commodores. In each case, they have
shared the honor with their husbands.The list includes these ladies:
1982 - Marilyn J. Galus
1992 - Jill Heath
1994 - Barb Fish
2014 - Doreen Badaczewski - Joe and Doreen became the first married
couple to serve consecutively as Commodores
2015 – Kathy Valliere - For the first time in club history, the gavel was
passed down from a woman commodore to a woman commodore. Kathy was also
the first Lady Commodore to precede her husband Pat (2020) as Commodore!
2017 – Jan Watson - She and Jim are the second married couple to serve
consecutively
In closing, South Shore’s aim has always been the promotion of safe boating through education,
and active participation in the Greater Cleveland Boating Association, Inter-Lake Yachting
Association, Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Likewise, a top goal has always been to encourage family participation in boating activities.
SSCC truly represents itself in outside organizations, as we have had
• 2 members that were I-LYA Commodores
• 5 members that were I-LYA Trustees
• 7 members that were GCBA Commanders
• 4 members that were I-LYA Powerboat Regatta Chairs
• 2 members that were Presidents of International Order of the Blue Gavel
• 1 member that was President of the IOBG Auxiliary,
1 member that was Secretary of the IOBG Auxiliary
In 1957, a group of boatmen and fishermen congregated in the rear of the Dura Craft
Marine store on Cleveland's west side. Incorporated with the regular salty yarns was
an earnest desire for safe boating. From these ideas for a club evolved the beginnings
of what is now SSCC. In November of 1957 the Dura Craft Cruising Club was
incorporated as a non–profit organization, and obtained a charter from the State of
Ohio.
In 1961 SSCC obtained membership in the Greater Cleveland Boating Association.
1961 was a very busy year as we established monthly Membership and Executive
Board Meetings and published our first official roster. Also in 1961, the club changed its
name to “South Shore Cruising Club.”
The year 1972 brought the “summer that almost wasn’t.” Club members will remember
the marine devastation inflicted by Hurricane Agnes. Bad weather canceled many of the
scheduled cruises and our own P/C C. Franklin Brown suffered the total loss of his boat.
On a lighter note, 1969 was the first year where SSCC had a booth at the Mid America
Boat Show. In 1971, SSCC hit the national scene with a write up in the January 1971
issue of Yachting Magazine. In 1972, SSCC was selected “The Best in Boating
Education” category by the Outboard Boating Club of America. Also in 1972, SSCC was
advised it had received the “Kiekhaefer – Mercury Gold Cup Award, Honorable Mention”
for Public Service for Boating Safety.
There were approximately 15 boats scheduled for each cruise and the members
covered roughly 700-1000 water miles, with almost double that in land miles.
Remember, they were more of a trailer club back in those days.
In 1976, SSCC made a constitutional change that permitted compatible boats without a
trailer to join as members.
In 1978, SSCC was officially accepted into the Inter-Lake Yachting Association and the
International Order of the Blue Gavel.
1978 was also the first year that SSCC finally cruised more hours on the water than on
land.
William J. Rondini (1983) was the first SSCC Commodore to include cruises in the
budget. He felt members should receive something back from their dues, which
were $40.00 per year at that time.
1983 saw a first for South Shore Cruising Club when we instituted the Commodore’s
Ball, a gala dinner dance. The new affair replaced the Change of Watch Ball that
was previously held in December. Also, 1983 was the first year the roster was
computerized, thanks to Bill Rondini.
Rich McKee, Sr. (1997) was very active fighting for the rights of boaters. Rich was the
1990 GCBA Commander and the 2004 Commodore of I-LYA.
1990 was one of the wettest boating seasons but SSCC had 100% club participation at
the ILYA Regatta as we had competitors in every competitive event. SSCC won a
record 23 flags that year.
In 1992, SSCC did well again this year at the I-LYA Regatta and won individual and club
awards and became known as the “RED SHIRTS.”
In 1993, Hoty Marine Group gave South Shore permission to call Venetian Marina its
home port.
Rich McKee, Jr. (2006) Rich was the first SSCC Commodore to follow in his father’s
footsteps! He was GCBA Commander in 2010, IOBG District 7 President in 2016
and the I-LYA Powerboat Chair for 2017.
In 2002, our club was the first to receive the newly instituted I-LYA Powerboat Regatta
Club Support Award.
In 2007, SSCC moved to its new port at Son Rise Marina.
In 2008, Bruce Sattler was a Trustee, but in April 2008 he became the Rear
Commodore and in July he became the SSCC Commodore!
Robert Chizmar (2009) Bob decided Steve Gombas (1966-1967) should not be the
only SSCC Commodore to serve twice.
Bruce Sattler (2010) Bruce decided Steve and Bob should not be the only SSCC
Commodores to serve twice.
Jim McKee (2012) His mother, Lady Gail, was the only SSCC Member to be the wife of
an SSCC Commodore and the mother of 2 SSCC Commodores
Since then, SSCC has had 3 more Commodores to serve twice: Rich McKee, Jr. (2018);
Bill Scheeff (2019); and Jim McKee (2021). In each case, these men took the job
because no one else would take it.
In 2019, Bill Scheeff decided to try something new. Instead of a Commodore’s Ball, he
planned an event at our home port of Midway Marina called Rock the Marina. It
was open to anyone who purchased a ticket which included food, door prizes and
a band. The idea was to recruit new members by having them see what we did
besides go on cruises. Unfortunately the hoped-for members didn’t materialize
and SSCC continued to struggle for members.
2020 had Pat Valliere serving as Commodore, but the Covid-19 pandemic with personal
contact prohibited presented a new set of problems. Meetings were held via
Zoom, which was a learning experience for many. This year was probably the
beginning of the end for South Shore as we knew it.
2022 - Rob Willison became Commodore. But he also served a Fleet Captain. Cruises
were planned but attendance wasn’t that great.
2023 - Ed Cantu, a new member, volunteered to be Commodore. He had experience
from another boat club and had some good ideas for activities, but again, the
support wasn’t there. As the year progressed, it became more evident that South
Shore’s days were numbered.
South Shore has been unique as a boating club in that both husband and wife were
voting members and could serve as officers and on committees. In many other clubs,
the men were members while the women were the “auxiliary” but probably did lots of
work without much recognition.
In its 66 years, South Shore has had 6 Lady Commodores. In each case, they have
shared the honor with their husbands.The list includes these ladies:
1982 - Marilyn J. Galus
1992 - Jill Heath
1994 - Barb Fish
2014 - Doreen Badaczewski - Joe and Doreen became the first married
couple to serve consecutively as Commodores
2015 – Kathy Valliere - For the first time in club history, the gavel was
passed down from a woman commodore to a woman commodore. Kathy was also
the first Lady Commodore to precede her husband Pat (2020) as Commodore!
2017 – Jan Watson - She and Jim are the second married couple to serve
consecutively
In closing, South Shore’s aim has always been the promotion of safe boating through education,
and active participation in the Greater Cleveland Boating Association, Inter-Lake Yachting
Association, Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Likewise, a top goal has always been to encourage family participation in boating activities.
SSCC truly represents itself in outside organizations, as we have had
• 2 members that were I-LYA Commodores
• 5 members that were I-LYA Trustees
• 7 members that were GCBA Commanders
• 4 members that were I-LYA Powerboat Regatta Chairs
• 2 members that were Presidents of International Order of the Blue Gavel
• 1 member that was President of the IOBG Auxiliary,
1 member that was Secretary of the IOBG Auxiliary