Oceanside Yacht Club Inc.

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Oceanside Yacht Club History The friendliest Yacht Club in the United States of America and the world invites you to join the friendliest boaters in the friendliest harbor. We're halfway between the greater Los Angeles Area and the greater San Diego Area. A convenient harbor can mean the difference between life and death, a boat on the rocks or not on the rocks, or a safe haven when the weather is bad or fuel is running low. Membership is in the under $500 range, but our hospitality and friendliness are world-class. Our clubhouse includes two levels of multipurpose rooms, a comfortable lounge and deck overlooking the harbor, and a dining galley. Every day of the year, the Pacific Ocean provides some of the best drama to be found in any theater. You, too, can enjoy the Yacht Club's panoramic view of Oceanside Harbor and the majestic mountains of Southern California from our gateway to the Pacific Rim. Twelve boating enthusiasts met on February 6, 1963 with the intent of forming the Oceanside Yacht Club. The Oceanside Small Craft Harbor was a reality by then and the Southern California Yachting Association had given the group its guidance, advice, and encouragement. A week later, the group met with then Oceanside Councilman George G. Turnbull, Oceanside Harbor District Director Harold B. Snyder, and Harbor Patrol Chief David Owens, A committee consisting of Mildred Wright, Ken Gilman, Byron Jessup, Ray Borgeson, and Donald Aviano then drew up temporary club by laws. On February 27, 1963, John Steiger, Mildred Wright, Byron Jessup, Pat Zahler, George Harris, Earle Shaw, and Robert Welden became the first temporary Board of Directors of the Oceanside Yacht Club. Dr. Welden was elected Commodore; John Steiger, Vice Commodore; Byron Jessup, Rear Commodore; and Earle Shaw. Secretary/Treasurer. The newly elected Commodore appointed Monte Yearly as Fleet Captain. Vice Com modore Steiger was given the task of investigating the possibilities of acquiring a permanent facility at the Oceanside Harbor. What was wanted and needed was a clubhouse for its members. The charter meeting of Oceanside Yacht Club was held on March 20, 1963 at Marty's Valley Inn with over eighty people in attendance. Everyone was encouraged to join the new Club, attend the monthly meetings and enjoy the happy hours which were held at Marty's Valley Inn. By that May there were some fifty club members. During this time period the club burgee was designed and the articles of incorporation were filed with the State of California. The club's first annual election took place on June 21, 1963 and the temporary board was confirmed to continue in office until the end of that calendar year. Membership by that July stood at one hundred and seven and this group were designated the founding members. In our August 1963 issue of our Twixt Land & Sea Flyer it was announced that the Oceanside Yacht Club had leased the current clubhouse location which was then still a single story commercial facility. Back then the committee actually agonized over a ground lease cost of six cents per square foot. Six cents per square foot! Whoa? Plans were then initiated to build a two story facility for our club members on the single story site. The new club telephone number was acquired and listed as: 760-722-5751 as it remains to this day. Items in the first newsletter included such things as; plans for a beach party, family cruises to Mission Bay, Newport, an informal dance that September and the First Annual OYC Fishing Contest. The race committee boasted it was now yachty with a new committee flag and three race marker's. Monte Yearly, Henry Butler, John Safarik, Sam Schier, and Tom Sterling were recognized for handling the fortnightly Sunday racing. OYC became the 50th member of the Southern California Yachting Association in September 1963. In November of that same year the Harbor Commission approved the two story conversion plans that the club had submitted.