Building a Community at Bradley Creek Yacht Club

Nestled on the shores of Wilmington, North Carolina, Bradley Creek Yacht Club has a storied legacy stretching back to 1964. Today, it is a premier destination for boating enthusiasts, offering a blend of picturesque surroundings, a family atmosphere and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.

“We have been around for over half a century now,” said Jonathan Crews, general manager at Bradley Creek Yacht Club. “We have evolved from a full-service marine facility to a members-only yacht club. It takes major investments to keep a 60-year-old marina in tip-top shape.”

With those challenges in mind, Crews and members of the Bradley Creek Yacht Club board of directors forged a dynamic plan to move the marina into the future.

Rich History
Bradley Creek Yacht Club is located on the Intracoastal Waterway, offering easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, which makes it a prime spot for boating, fishing and cruising. The majority of their 480 slips are member-owned with about a three-year wait list. The remaining 60 slips are available for rent to the public and provide a steady stream of income for the marina. The marina caters to both power and sailboat owners.

The rich history began when Bradley Creek ‘66’ Marina opened as a full-service marina, including a restaurant and new and used boat sales. A change in ownership in the late 1970s primed the path for the future with a visionary idea.

“They decided to turn the facility into a membership-owned facility similar to a condominium — a novel idea at that time,” Crews said. “In 1980, Bradley Creek Boatominium was officially formed, and slips began to be sold.”

With this forward-thinking approach and a desire to set itself apart, Bradley Creek capitalized on the new direction. Over the years, the marina has undergone significant changes, investing heavily in infrastructure, facilities and intentional customer service. The marina has replaced a failing bulkhead and added new multi-level steel racks, which created 16 new dry stack slips.

Crews said aging dry storage sections are replaced each year. The launch lanes were also relocated for safety reasons, which allotted space for the construction of a new deck. Structural renovations of the marina’s Bellingham concrete docks were completed in 2023.

After Hurricane Florence in 2018, the marina applied for a North Carolina grant that covered 75% of the cost to install a new pumpout station.
Crews has played a pivotal role in bringing the marina to its current prominence. He began his career at Bradley Creek as a 19-year-old dock worker. His longevity with Bradley Creek, coupled with a deep passion for boating, was a perfect storm for a career in marina management.

“As a boater, I think most of us share a part of our soul that connects to the water,” Crews said. “Being on the water and raising my kids going on the boat and to the beach makes me truly happy.”

“I also want Bradley Creek to be the jewel that it is, not only one of the largest marinas in North Carolina, but the nicest marina in North Carolina,” he continued. “I always check out different marinas everywhere I go, and I look for little things that I can bring back to help improve the customer experience for my members.”

Events and Improvements
What truly sets Bradley Creek Yacht Club apart is its strong sense of community. The marina frequently hosts events, live music or holiday celebrations that bring people together and foster camaraderie among boat owners.

“Our staff has formed very tight bonds with our customers and created a very social atmosphere where our members will just stop by to talk with the guys without even going on their boats,” Crews said.

While these connections bring a hometown feel to Bradley Creek, Crews said the board knows it’s imperative to have a long-term vision for capital improvements and to make decisions important to the membership. While some hurricane-related damages prompt renovations, there are also plans for a broad modernization of the facility.

“Our overall goal is to upgrade our clubhouse,” Crews said. “With the rising cost of construction, we could not justify that project yet, but we were able to address our bathhouse building, and since it is the most used building, that also played a factor in where we decided to start with renovations.”

Because of its proximity to the water, permitting issues prevented demolishing the structure for a new build. With the help of architect Michael Kersting, Bradley Creek was able to retain the exterior walls.

“Adding solid wall coverings inside and a mortar/shell exterior really added a modern touch to the building,” Crews said. “All the interior walls are solid materials that can be flooded during hurricanes and not mold or mildew. We have touchless soap, sinks and hand dryers for sanitary reasons, and all lighting inside and out was upgraded to LED fixtures for power savings.”
Crews added that creating a modern design while still embracing classical nautical themes was key.

“Shiplap wall coverings inside give the nautical feel, and clean subway tile in the bathrooms brings the modern edge,” he said. “The tabby exterior paired with the clean lines and solid surfaces outside to create a nice blend of coastal modernism, too.”

“Overall, our membership loves the upgrades,” Crews continued. “The private bathrooms and showers offer members a relaxing area to freshen up when staying on their boats or returning from a day at the beach.”

Forward-Thinking
Long-range plans include creating a new event space for members to enjoy.
“One of the ideas that I really like is a three-story rendition of our clubhouse,” Crews added. “It would include an elevator, second-floor clubhouse room and a third story, mostly glass-wall event space that would overlook Bradley Creek all the way to Wrightsville Beach and the ocean.”

A massive undertaking totaling millions of dollars, Crews knows it would be a major investment. But creating a focal point would provide a major boost to the property and add to the value of membership in Bradley Creek Yacht Club, he said. It also would add visibility. With a major roadway crossing the creek, people driving over the bridge have a bird’s-eye view of the marina.

There are continued advancements necessary in the next decade to keep up with the needs of the future, including changes in the marine industry.

“Boats keep getting bigger, but our dry slips can’t grow with them,” Crews said. “I would like to do a complete redesign of our dry storage using modern building techniques. Doing so would give us room to create more social areas like a pool or tennis courts while expanding our clubhouse, too.”

Crews knows how vitally important long-term planning is for the satisfaction of his members, but he also understands the importance of providing a beloved experience for those members.

“Boaters are mostly kindred spirits and create a community of generosity and friendship,” he said. “Everybody waves at each other as you pass on the waterway, or helps you anchor at the beach. It makes you wish that everyone could share the same experience in their lives.” .

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