EYC History

A Short History of the Eugene Yacht Club

Some of the earliest social events have become traditions, such as the Memorial Day Regatta, which started in 1945.

For several years in the late 1930′s a number of boaters in the Eugene area had been getting together informally and traveling to various lakes in the area to boat together. In the spring of 1940, several of them got together, and discussed the formation of a club to further the sport of boating in the area. They drafted a Constitution and By-laws, and the Eugene Yacht Club was formed.

The membership totaled 25, and most of the boats then were power. For the first year, the activities consisted of traveling each weekend to a lake or coastal area.

In 1941, a floating boathouse was purchased and moved to West Lake on Siltcoos Lake, and was formally dedicated clubhouse for the Eugene Yacht Club.

In 1943 the members decided that Fern Ridge Reservoir would be a more likely location for a home base for the club, and the membership began using the point of land where Orchard Point Park is now. However, it soon became apparent that wind conditions made this a difficult area to sail from, and the group moved to Richardson Point, where the club is now located.

In 1944, efforts were made to lease a part of this point of land from the Corps of Engineers, which proved a difficult task. A lease was originally obtained in the name of the Boy Scouts of America, Oregon Trail Council, for a period of one year. The following year, a joint lease was obtained for the Scouts and EYC, and is still in effect today.

In 1945, a clubhouse was constructed on the land, which was a 30′ by 15′ lean-to structure with a dirt floor and a cooking top fireplace. Constructed on large logs, and a seawall was constructed and the bay dredged and the spoils used behind the sea wall to build up the land as it now exists. The first sea wall was constructed of an old truck-logging road which was torn up by the members and moved inland, quarry rock was poured over the face of this wood wall. The concrete was poured over the face of the rock, and the existing sea wall and sidewalk were formed.

The 1st Skippers’ Stag took place in 1948. This steak barbecue now includes the spouses and is called the Skipper’ and Mates’ Dinner and it is the kick-off event each spring.

In 1946, new docks were constructed on the north basin of the club area, which has since been enlarged towards the lake. The first moorage slips were driven by the members with a pile driver constructed by the members on an old log dock. Over several years construction has continued, and the result is the existing dock and moorage area. The same was true with the clubhouse. The first stage was enlarged with a roof towards the lake, doubling its size to 30′ by 30′. The sides were added and windows installed to close in the building. The next stage was to begin construction of the present clubhouse, which was done in two parts, the first being the kitchen half with the old clubhouse left for general use. Two years later, the old clubhouse was torn down, and the south portion enlarged to its present size.

Sometime around 1949 or 1950, Maxine Walder decided that it would be a good idea to have a directory of EYC member’s names. So, she compiled the first EYC directory, and Victor updated and added to it. It has evolved into the handbook we have today, with the membership directory, by-laws, articles, activity schedules, and other useful information that we have come to rely on.

In 1972, the present restroom facilities were built with volunteer labor by the members. The project was nicknamed the ‘Yot Pot” and continues to be known by that name.

In 1981, the “Emil Furrer Memorial Deck” was added to the east side of the clubhouse.

In 1992/93, the clubhouse underwent
a major remodeling, adding a pantry/storage room, a meeting room, new entryway, and modernizing of the kitchen.

Some of the earliest social events have become traditions, such as the Memorial Day Regatta, which started in 1945. The first Commodore’s Ball was held in 1947, and is still the annual social event of the club. The 1st Skippers’ Stag took place in 1948. This steak barbecue now includes the spouses and is called the Skipper’ and Mates’ Dinner and it is the kick-off event each spring.