History
OOYC was founded in 1938 and began operation at
the present site of the public boat launch on the east
side of Oak Orchard Creek, near the harbor mouth. The
club activities centered on cruising, both sail and
power, and an active one design racing program. A few of
our current members were active at that time and have
some "salty" tales to tell.
In the early seventies, New York State cast a
covetous eye on the old site and provided the push to our
present location on the west side, about a mile upstream.
During this time the members of that era faced
the herculean task of arranging funding, permits and the
construction of the current facilities. It was then that
the tradition of being a "working" club was
really cemented. Capital was secured not only by mortgage
but, also by members contracting for their docks for ten
years in the future. With funds in hand, the memberships
spent the winter of 1972 on the ice constructing the
docks. The clubhouse was also built entirely by volunteer
labor, only the main structural parts were contracted
out. Many thanks are given to those that worked so hard
to get us off the ground.
The period since has been one of gradual
improvement to the facilities and expansion of services
to the members. In the early eighties, additional land
was purchased on the west side of the road to provide a
buffer between the club and the increasing residential
surroundings.
We are now in the fortunate position of enjoying
a debt free facility in a beautiful location. Our vision
of the future is to continue to maintain and improve on
the physical structure and to stay true to the yachting
traditions of all who gave so much personal effort to
create what we enjoy today.
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