The SYC is "exclusive" in its membership, which requires that applicants submit names of current members as references.

John Ellis Roosevelt, a cousin of two United States Presidents during his life, was a co-founder of The Sayville Yacht Club, and served as its inaugural Commodore from 1901 to 1907.

Land was acquired and the club's first clubhouse, a Victorian bath house, was floated from Cherry Grove, New York.

Paul Jon Patin, representing the club, came in second by 1/2 point in the 1985 national Sunfish class race.

[4] The SYC, as of 2021, one of the leading yacht racing clubs on the Great South Bay, winning the "Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association JR Doublehanded Championship for the Patin Trophy.