olympic yacht club

Established 1904

The Olympia Yacht Club

A summary of oyc's history.

( From the annuals, PC Larry Price and various other sources)

In the Beginning

From 1904 to 1915 Olympia Yacht Club was known as the Boat and Rowing Club of Olympia.  During this period the ‘commodore’ was W.J. “Billy” Foster, an eminent local sailor.  At the start there were approximately 25 members.  Olympia Yacht Club was officially incorporated in 1904, with W.A. Van Epps as the first Commodore and was one of the first 14 Yacht Clubs in the Puget Sound.

Only four members have served two terms as Commodore – R.L. Blankenship, 1923-1924; Walter Draham, 1930-1931; Ernest Mallory, 1932 and 1943; W.W Metter, 1946-1947.

The Twenties

Originally the mainstation clubhouse was a two-story house-boat, known as the Snuss House, moored at the north end of the current entry ramp.  Rowboats were stored on the bottom floor and the clubhouse was on the second floor.  At this time the monthly meetings were for men only and it is rumored that there were 6 ‘one-armed bandits’ in the clubhouse!  The Snuss House eventually left for a moorage in the Eastbay area, around 1940.

The Olympia American Legion Band was formed in 1925 and played their first civil event at the OYC Opening Day in 1925.  They have played every Opening Day since that time.

The first Capital to Capital Predicted Log Race, 908 miles from Olympia to Juneau, was held in 1928.  The 50th anniversary of the race, renamed the International Cruiser Race, was held in 1978.  John Pierce, of OYC, won the 1928 race and Adolph Schmidt, also of OYC and one of the Schmidt family who owned the Olympia Brewery, won his class as well (and his navigator was Charles Chapman, the man who wrote the Chapman Guide to Boating, still considered the bible of boating).  Adolph Schmidt won the race overall in 1931 and Dr. Frank Van Guilder won in 1947.

The Thirties

The first permanent mainstation clubhouse was built on pilings in 1932, in the area where we currently store carts.  This later became the first caretaker’s cottage, when the first land-based clubhouse was built, in 1938.  The lighthouse on this structure was built to house a signal light from the old wooden drawbridge that connected downtown Olympia to the Westside before the first permanent Fourth Avenue bridge was constructed.  This building is now the caretaker’s cottage.

The Fifties

In 1954 the initiation fee was $50 and there were fewer than 100 members.

In 1958 the club purchased 21 acres with 750 feet of no-bank beach on Hartstine Island for its first outstation, at Flamingo Cove.  The cove was named for member Roy Kimbel’s boat, Flamingo, in honor of his efforts to find, purchase and improve the property.  Buoys, floats and upland facilities were established.  This was used for 13 years, but its southerly exposure meant that it was very uncomfortable in the winter, severely limiting the outstation’s usefulness.

Originally the mainstation tide grids and a launching ramp were situated at the east end of the parking lot.  Many of the older boathouses at the club were built on the ramp and launched with fork lifts.

The Sixties

The current mainstation clubhouse was built in 1962, and paid for with member bonds.

On October 12, 1962 the infamous Columbus Day storm struck Olympia, with winds of up to 70 knots (in some parts of the Pacific Northwest speeds of 170 mph were believed to have occurred, although the wind speed gauges disintegrated at 130 mph)!  The 400 dock broke loose and was only saved due to the sinking of a boathouse that acted as an anchor.  Gale Wagner in Chipper Boy assisted by running his boat against the dock until it could be secured.  Another boathouse broke free from the 100 dock and slammed into the 300 dock, fortunately causing only minimal damage.  OYC actually faired well in the storm: the Westbay Marina was completely destroyed, with parts of it being blown out to Squaxin Island.

Boats were smaller, fuel was cheaper and the budget for 1963 was $17,880 with revenues of $20,495.  In 1964 there were only 135 members and the Commodore’s Ball cost $6 per couple.  And gasoline was only about 30 cents per gallon.

A brief (and possibly apocryphal) history of Foofaraw (from the Olympia Chamber of Commerce’s point of view):

Foofaraw, the club’s annual celebration for the local military, began in the ‘60s and continues to this day, having grown in both participation by club members and enjoyment by the military.  The stories behind the beginning of Foofaraw vary but include the late PC Dick Lewis working with the Olympia Chamber of Commerce to find some way to both honor the military and make Olympia more attractive to them at the same time.  It has evolved into a day long celebration, sporting event and salmon barbecue that attracts more than 200 military and Chamber participants.

John W. ‘Bill’ Johnson worked for the Thurston county Chamber of Commerce back in the sixties.  Some called him the ‘Executive Secretary’, others the ‘Chamber Manager’.  Although Bill has since passed away, when his spirit looks down on Olympia each September he must smile with the satisfaction of knowing that Foofaraw, his idea more than fifty years ago, has become one of the Chamber’s most enjoyable annual events and is remembered warmly by military men and women stationed around the world.

Bill’s idea surfaced one morning in the coffee shop at the Olympia Hotel, where so many conversations over coffee were about Chamber matters.  Johnson said ‘I have an idea on how the Chamber can make some good contacts with the military at Fort Lewis, Madigan Army Hospital, and McChord Air Force base’.  So on a sunny Friday morning in September of 1962, a small fleet of about 15 boats headed north on Budd Inlet.

One dictionary defines Foofaraw as ‘much ado about nothing’ and, at one point in history the official ‘purpose’ of the day, said a ‘Foorarite has earned the right to say ‘Foo’ to all duties and responsibilities for one day each year.’

Foofarites gather at the Olympia Yacht Club the morning of the first Friday after Labor Day each year.  Each skipper tells Foofaraw planners how many guests his or her boat can accommodate and they assign a mix of military and Chamber participants to their host’s boats.  Each Chamber member pays a hosting fee to attend Foofaraw.  Those fees assist in paying for the food and refreshments.

After a period of athletic events, watching those events and much socializing, Foofarites enjoy the traditional barbecued salmon, baked beans, salads and garlic bread.  A big favorite are the wonderful cookies provided by the Yacht Club Cookie Ladies.  There’s plenty for everyone and even the most diet-conscious Foofarite is tempted to try ‘just a little bit more’.

After some more casual athletics and a lot more socializing, the thoroughly fed and relaxed Foofarites wander back to their boats for the leisurely cruise back to Olympia.  Most get back to the Yacht Club about five that afternoon.  Everyone seems to linger, not wanting to see such a wonderful day end and not wanting to say goodbye to his or her newly found shipmates and friends.

The Chamber gives each military installation a quota of people they can bring.  The quota fills quickly.  One military commander said the easiest job he ever had was filling his quota for Foofaraw.

The Seventies

In the late ‘60s interest arose in finding a better outstation site and several properties were examined before one member happened to notice that the island across Pickering Passage from Flamingo Cove was for sale.  The house was of no known architectural style and appeared to have several ‘mystery’ rooms and the tiny dock attached to the bridge would go dry at low tide.  In 1971 this property, now known as Island Home, was purchased for $10,000 plus the old property on Hartstine Island.  At the time the vote was very close and many were convinced that the club had made a poor investment!

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Olympia Yacht Club

The Olympia Yacht Club was organized in 1889 as the Olympia Motor Boat Club and was reactivated in 1908 with 27 boats. By 1910, ninety members renamed the group the Olympia Yacht Club. By 1915, the club had moorings at the city dock and began leasing the boat basin from the Port of Olympia. OYC opened it’s first clubhouse in 1930, remodeled in 1952 and the present facility was built in 1957. The OYC lighthouse tower at the foot of Simmons street at the caretakers house is a remnant of the 1930's structure.

Olympia Yacht Club 201 Simmons Street NW Olympia, Washington 98501

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A look at the most expensive superyachts at the Palm Beach yacht show and their insane features, from basketball courts on deck to ice baths and saunas

The Palm Beach International Boat Show kicks off later this week.

Eight megayachts are expected to be on display for would-be buyers and charter customers.

These are the show's biggest yachts — and how many millions of dollars they are going for.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show — the yacht world's flashiest event stateside — is returning this year with over 800 boats for both deep-pocked potential owners and window shoppers to peruse.

While it's impossible to know what exactly will be on display until the show begins on Thursday, it's expected that eight megayachts — generally defined as ships over 60 meters long — will be docked at the show and at nearby marinas like the Rybovich Marina in the ritzy Florida town.

Some of these are for sale at eye-popping prices, but others are available to if in case you fancy living like a billionaire for a week or two this summer (and if you have six figures to spare on a vacation).

These are the eight biggest yachts that will be at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and nearby marinas, in size order.

Nero: 90.1 meters

Price: From $497,000 a week (charter) Standout features: Pizza ovens, beauty salon, massage room, resistance pool

Reportedly owned by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien, Nero is modeled after J.P. Morgan's 1930s ship , and was built in 2007 and updated in 2021.

She now boasts a gym on her sundeck with multiple cardio machines and a beauty salon, and has an on-board beautician for manicure, pedicure, hair, and massage needs. There's also an upgraded movie theater, two new pizza ovens, and both a pool and a jacuzzi.

For those who want to go overboard, she has more than a dozen toys, including a waterslide, Jet Ski, and flyboard.

Victorious: 85 meters

Price: From $876,600 a week in the summer and $950,000 a week in the winter Standout features: Hammam (Turkish bath), wine cellar, wood-burning fireplace, children's playroom

Victorious brings a party vibe to the yacht show. With a beach club on board, a wine cellar, a cigar clubroom , multiple bars, and a lounge with a piano, the vessel is made for entertaining. Plus, there's a playroom and movie theater to entertain the kids.

For tamer charter clients, Victorious has a suite of wellness features such as a gym, massage room, beauty salon and hammam, or Turkish bath — perhaps a custom request of her owner, Turkish businessman Vural Ak.

She also boasts a treasure trove of water toys, including Jet Skis, jetsurfs, inflatable kayaks, and scuba equipment.

Casino Royale: 72 meters

Price: TBD Special Features: Infinity pool, helipad, private jacuzzi

Purchased and refitted by car dealer magnate John Staluppi last year, Casino Royale is the latest of his James Bond-inspired yachts (he's also owned an Octopussy and a Skyfall, among others).

Casino Royale has a helipad that turns into a dancefloor, an infinity pool, and a wellness center with a gym and sauna. The owner's cabin has its own deck, which features a private bar and jacuzzi.

However, the boat's price isn't listed, and while she's not necessarily officially for sale, that might change depending on who's prepared to buy, Mr. Bond.

Talisman C: 70.6 meters

Price: $60 million (or from $567,000 a week to charter) Special features: Massage and beauty room, private library

Likely the largest yacht for sale (not just charter) at the show, the Talisman C is a 2011 six-bedroom boat. The owner's cabin comes with an en suite bathroom, dressing room, private library, and crystal chandeliers.

Amenities include a gym, a beauty room, oversized jacuzzi, and a fully equipped bar. Her crew of 19 includes a trained masseuse, and the toy room comes equipped with a wakeboard, eFoil , and WaveRunners.

Joy: 70 meters

Price: From $650,000 a week Special features: Disco club, basketball court, onboard fitness instructor

Superyacht Joy testifies to the fact that owners want as many on-board experiences as they can get.

There's an expansive suite of fitness features, including a basketball court (don't shoot that hoop too hard!), a personal trainer on staff, boxing equipment, and a handful of machines. For post-workout winddowns, there's a spa with a steam room and onboard masseuse. And for entertainment, there's both an outdoor and indoor cinema, and a disco club.

Triumph: 65.4 meters

Price: From $707,600 a week in the summer and $650,000 a week in the winter Special features: Sauna, helipad, banana boat

This 2021 superyacht is named after Triumph motorcycles — a reported favorite of her rumored owner, British businessman Chris Dawson — and even has one on display as an art piece in the upper deck's lounge. The primary suite is 1,400 square feet and has its own study , and there's a sauna, an indoor-outdoor gym, a helipad, and a massage room spread among her six decks.

She boasts an "armada of water toys," including two kinds of Jet Skis, electric water bikes, and a banana boat.

Seanna: 64.5 meters

Price: $54,000,000 (or from $462,000 a week to charter) Special features: marble foyer, movie room, sundeck pool

The recently refurbished Seanna is available for sale and charter.

Her indoor-outdoor gym is on sea level so that passengers can take a dip after a session with the onboard personal trainer. There's also a sundeck pool, a helipad, a two-room massage facility, and, for the more cerebral guests, a library with an electric fireplace.

There are a number of toys on board, including a popular water trampoline and two WaveRunners.

Come Together: 60 meters

Price: $65,000,000 Special Features: DJ and videographer on board, ice bath, sauna

Next-to-new yacht Come Together is looking for a new owner after doing charters during the 2023 season.

The Beatles' influence is evident beyond the yacht's name, with guitars dotting the sky lounge and a crewmember who doubles as a DJ. There's also an outdoor cinema and bar for entertainment and an ice bath and sauna for the day after the party. The owner's suite has a private study and lounge, and each guest cabin has its own ensuite.

The sale includes a number of toys, like Jet Skis, kayaks, and Seabobs.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Olympia Yacht Club 2021 Grants Make a Difference in Exciting Community Projects

D uring the pandemic, there has been a series of impacts that have forced many nonprofit organizations to postpone or even cancel some of their community projects. Through external funding, these organizations have been able to resurge some exciting ways to provide for the community and preserve the wonders of Olympia. The Olympia Yacht Club (OYC) provided $6,000 grants to multiple nonprofit organizations in Thurston County, including the Hands On Children’s Museum , the Puget Sound Estuarium , and the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA).

Hands On Children’s Museum

The Hands On Children’s Museum was awarded a grant for their Curiosity Kits. These marine-themed kits were designed to help students in the Olympia School District learn about various types of jellyfish and the oyster filtration process in a fun and creative way. “The marine kits were in response to teachers asking for ocean-related lessons based on some popular activities from our Nature Play Program,” shares Senior Visitor Engagement Manager Amanda Wilkening. “We picked these two lessons because we thought they would be the most exciting and engaging.”

The Hands On Children’s Museum provided Sea Jellies and Oyster Filtration Curiosity Kits to nearly 170 elementary school students in the summer school program. Through the OYC funding, they were able to supplement the cost of materials and saved the staff time by preparing the kits in advance. “When we started this in May 2020, we had no idea how big the kit program would get,” says Amanda. “We would have never been able to achieve such amazing results without the generosity of funders like the Olympia Yacht Club.” You can experience the fun of the sea jellies activity for yourself at the Hands On Children’s Museum.

Puget Sound Estuarium

The Estuarium has been hosting the community program Pier Peer since 2016, which benefitted from grant funding from the OYC this year. “Pier Peer presented a unique opportunity for the public to see intertidal species that are active at night and broadens their understanding of these species,” says Executive Director Paris McClusky. “The more we know about the incredible biodiversity of intertidal life in the South Sound, the more inspired we will be to protect this estuary and ecosystem that we and so many plant and animal communities call home.”

With OYC funding, the Estuarium was able to replace some of the nets and lights used in the Pier Peer program. This grant also helped fund essential staff supporting the program, including the Estuarium’s graphic designer Elisa McGee and Program and Volunteer Coordinator Clarissa Felling. This funding allowed Elisa to create both physical and digital media for outreach in the community and supported Clarissa in the implementation of the Pier Peer programs and the recruitment and training of Pier Peer volunteers. Community members can register online to experience the exciting nighttime wildlife of the South Sound.

Olympia Harbor Days

Olympia Harbor Days was originally founded in 1973 by the SSMHA and has been a community favorite for many years. The festival typically attracts 55,000 over the Labor Day weekend and is completely free to the community. Due to concerns for safety due to COVID, the SSMHA opted to host Olympia Harbor Days Lite in 2021, which was a one-day, scaled-back version of the annual event. “We had many positive compliments about the health and safety protocols that we put in place,” shares Executive Director Carol Riley.

The event normally takes a full year to produce, and even Olympia Harbor Days Lite required a great deal of resources and manpower to bring to life. Through the OYC and other community support, the event was a success and has been the only live maritime festival in all of Washington in 2021. “We are thankful for the OYC members who put this grant program into place and providing the funds to allow us to market to and reach a larger audience,” says Carol. They are hopeful that they can resume their full event in the coming year.

The SSMHA has also been in the process of restoring an Olympia tug that sank in the Hood Canal in August of 2017 and was offered to the nonprofit. “We didn’t want to lose the Parthia’s 40-year-long Olympia working waterfront history, so we went to work to acquire and fund her rescue and permanent restoration,” explains Chuck Fowler, who has been involved in the Parthia Project ever since. The OYC has awarded grants for the Parthia Project two years in a row to help fund the overall project. So far they have raised $250,000 and need another $300,000 to complete the restoration To contribute, you can donate online today. Once finished, the Parthia will be displayed on Percival Landing as part of Olympia’s Tugboat Heritage Walk attraction coming in 2022.

Thanks to the OYC, many Thurston County nonprofit organizations have been able to further fund their projects to bring more to our community. If your local nonprofit has a maritime project or event in mind, you can learn more about applying for grants by contacting Don at [email protected] .

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California's Boating & Fishing News

Two Southern California yacht clubs recognized on Top 50 list

Platinum Clubs organization names Newport Harbor YC and San Diego YC to worldwide compilation.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—Newport Harbor and San Diego yacht clubs both earned a spot on the Top 50 Platinum Yacht Clubs for 2020-2021, it was recently announced. The worldwide list is compiled by Platinum Clubs of the World.

Placing on the list means a yacht club is presented with the title of “Five Star Clubs of Excellence.”

San Diego YC was founded in 1886 and has recently hosted sailing events such as Women’s Winter Invitational, Yachting Cup, the CA500, the SoCal 300, Dutch Shoe Marathon, International Masters Regatta and Lipton Cup.

Newport Harbor YC first opened its doors in 1916 and hosts the Newport to Cabo Race every two years, among other regattas.

Other yacht clubs making the Top 50 list included: Annapolis Yacht Club, Beach Point Club, Chicago Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Nassau Yacht Club (Bahamas), Raffles Marina (Singapore), Real Club Nautico de Vigo (Spain), Royal Bombay Yacht Club (India), Royal Cork Yacht Club (Ireland), The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (Australia), Société des Régates du Havre (France), Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Santo Amaro (Brazil).

Two Southern California yacht clubs earned an Honorable Mention, scoring within three points of the Top 50 list: Balboa Yacht Club (Newport Beach) and California Yacht Club (Marina del Rey).

Fifty yacht clubs are selected based upon points awarded by a selected panel. A yacht club must score at least 8 points to qualify for the Top 50 list. Scoring is awarded as follows: 100 points for a top three club, 80 points for a ranking between four and 10, 60 points for 11 to 25 ranking, 40 points for 26-60 ranking, 20 points for 51-75 ranking and 10 points for 76-100 ranking.

Voting was conducted by 116 panelists from all around the world; panelists hailed from the United States, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates. Panelists vote every two years (odd years). Finalists are selected based upon submitted recommendations from panelists and applications from yacht clubs from around the world. A final ballot is eventually created and sent out to panelists. There is a 30-day voting period, with the election conducted electronically (via a third party).

“Points are awarded by the position and ranking that the panelist assigns to each club. The total number of points is calculated and divided by the total number of panelists who have visited a club to determine the final points score,” a Platinum Clubs of the World statement about the voting process said.

The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board of the Platinum Clubs of the World compiled the Top 50 list. Platinum Clubs of America have been recognizing top yacht clubs for more than 20 years.

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