Eastport Yacht Club

Stories from the Eastport Yacht Club

Eastport Yacht Club
PO Box 3205

317 First Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 216-9263

Website: http://eastportyc.org/


Not your traditional blue blazer club, EYC is built on activity, on the water and ashore. Our members are involved in a diverse range of boating activities, supported by social events and strong camaraderie. Known for our million-dollar view of the Severn River and Annapolis, EYC also is recognized in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond as a club capable of managing major championship regattas, Friday night Beer Can races, and everything in between, as well as providing great social networking for cruising, parties, and charity events. It’s all about life on the water, and all about fun.


EASTPORT YACHT CLUB  BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER


History

During the year 2009, the membership of the Eastport Yacht Club will celebrate the twenty-ninth anniversary of its birth. Although the idea of an Eastport Yacht Club had been discussed since at least the early 1970’s, the actual organization was the result of the informal Friday night social gatherings at the offices of Kaufman & Ladd, Naval Architects on Severn Avenue in the Eastport section of Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.A. During the spring of 1980, eleven of the regulars at these gatherings formed a steering committee with the intention of forming the Eastport Yacht Club.

This steering committee consisting of Robert L. Allen, Eugene Ambo, Thomas Bell-Wright, John Crummey, T. Ross Glover, Jeffrey S. Goldring, Frederick Hecklinger, F. Michael Kaufman, Glenn D. Klakring, Robert A. Ladd, And Ivon Paulin met weekly at the offices of Kaufman & Ladd under the chairmanship of Mike Kaufman to go through the formal process of creating the yacht club.

By October, two hundred persons had been selected who were considered as appropriate for the charter membership and invitations were sent out. No restrictions concerning race, creed, or sex were considered in the selection of these charter members. The number of invitations was limited by the number of persons who perhaps could fit into the upstairs of Marmaduke’s Pub where the first meeting of the charter members convened on October 13, 1980.

The idea of the club was received with true enthusiasm. It was determined by vote that a permanent clubhouse was to be sought after, although there were some persons who, understandably, suggested caution because of the cost of such a venture. The burgee that had been created by the steering committee was accepted.

The burgee pattern was intended to represent the Eastport Bridge in an open position. While continuing to seek a permanent clubhouse, the EYC found temporary quarters on the fourth floor of a building at Annapolis City Marina on Severn Avenue in Eastport that opened on November 6, 1983.

The search for a suitable property continued and on April 23, 1989 the membership approved the purchase of the present site, and after much creative financing, the new clubhouse was opened for use on October 3, 1992. An additional section adjoining the present site was acquired during June, 1999 and in 2004 arrangements were made to acquire the Paape property which is next beyond that towards Severn Avenue. During the spring of 2006, the program of expanding and rebuilding the marina was completed. Various committees are active at planning the continuing development of our expanding properties.

All members are encouraged to volunteer and serve on committees so that EYC will continue to develop by the membership and for membership. The Eastport Yacht Club has accomplished a great deal since its creation twenty-nine years ago and is now responsible for many events, many of which are noted in the letter from our Commodore. During 2004, the membership voted to increase the voting membership from 500 to 600. Eastport Yacht Club has become a vital part of our community while continuing to be a fun place to be.

Frederick E. Hecklinger
Historian

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