Since the 1950’s, Wyncote Yacht Club has been a cornerstone of the Huntington Harbor boating community. Founded on member ownership, hands-on involvement, and continuous reinvestment in its facilities, Wyncote has grown into a resilient, full-service marina trusted by generations of boaters. Sprague has supported Wyncote Yacht Club by supplying high-quality ValvTect® gasoline and diesel to meet the needs of its marina and members. By delivering dependable marine fuels and consistent service, Sprague helps Wyncote provide the fueling experience and premium products their customers expect.
A Longstanding Partnership Built on Trust
Rich Van Stry, longtime dockmaster at Wyncote Yacht Club and a retired FDNY firefighter, has overseen the club’s fuel operations for more than two decades. Over the course of the longstanding partnership with Sprague, the club has upgraded tanks, added ValvTect® diesel and gasoline to their product offerings, and have made improvements to the marina.
“I’ve always purchased fuel from Sprague,” says Van Stry. “As far back as I can remember, my entire 25 years here, I’ve had a relationship with Sprague. When it mattered most, Sprague has delivered with reliability and responsiveness that have made them a partner we’ve trusted for a long time.”
Reliability When It Mattered Most
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the east coast of the United States, causing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to declare a state of emergency in New York. Residents and business owners were sharply impacted by fuel shortages across the region. However, because of Sprague’s fuel reliability, Wyncote was able to provide fuel to residents and businesses in the surrounding area. While many marinas were unable to operate, Wyncote remained a critical resource for the community because Sprague was able to provide them with the fuel they needed, when they needed it.
“You couldn’t find gas anywhere during Sandy,” Van Stry recalls. “But because Sprague has their own terminal, I was able to get fuel when no one else could. I had my tanks topped off before most people even had their power back.”
With large on-site fuel capacity, Wyncote was able to supply members and non-members in a time of need.
“People were lined up all the way down the dock with gas cans,” he says. “I never ran out of fuel, and I was able to help a lot of people because Sprague could deliver when others couldn’t.”
Premium Fuel for Modern and Legacy Boats
Fuel quality is just as important as fuel availability, especially at a marina serving a wide range of boats from classic outboards to high-performance vessels. That’s why Wyncote exclusively sells ValvTect Fuel supplied by Sprague.
ValvTect Fuel is a premium, advanced fuel treatment stabilized for up to one year that protects engines from moisture-related issues while actively cleaning fuel injectors and combustion chamber deposits. By reducing harmful exhaust emissions and improving power, performance, and fuel economy, ValvTect helps engines run cleaner, smoother, and more efficiently. “I’ve run it in my lawnmower,” Van Stry adds. “I’ve even put it in my BMW. That kind of consistency builds trust.”
ValvTect is specially designed for marine engines, giving customers a smart alternative to ethanol-blended gasoline, which is susceptible to phase separation and causes corrosion. “People like ValvTect because a lot of our members have older boats,” Van Stry explains. “Older outboards, especially Yamahas, run better on ValvTect because ethanol can really damage engine components. ValvTect counteracts those effects.”
As engines have evolved, Wyncote has adapted without having to compromise performance. “We’re pumping 91 octane now because the newer outboards require it,” says Van Stry. “Even without 93, the performance benefits of ValvTect with 91 octane are the same. We fuel high-performance boats and race boats every day, and we’ve never had an issue.”
A Reliable Partner Beyond Fuel Delivery
For Wyncote Yacht Club, Sprague isn’t just a fuel supplier; they’re a dependable partner who understands marina operations, peak boating weekends, and the importance of being available when it counts.
“Our Sprague sales rep is always just a phone call away,” Van Stry notes. “Even at tough hours, Sprague is there. That reliability makes my job easier and keeps our marina running smoothly.”
From historic storms to modern engines, Sprague has proven to be a reliable, high-quality fuel partner for Wyncote Yacht Club, helping power a marina built on resilience, community, and trust. Interested to see how Sprague can support your business? Reach out today.
