In February 1946, a group of volunteer Coast Guardsmen decided to form Columbia River Yacht Club. Out of a membership of 25, 16 life memberships were sold and a site on the south side of Tomahawk Island, across from the Portland Yacht Club, was acquired. Our first clubhouse was purchased from the Rose City Yacht Club.

The flood of 1948 almost put CRYC out of business. During the flood, a Coast Guard patrol boat was stationed at CRYC and many CRYC members were credited with long and arduous efforts in rescue work. When the water dropped to normal, a big sand bar was left under our moorage causing walks and boathouses to split, necessitating our move to a new location. Some of our original pilings are still standing across from Portland Yacht Club.

Our next location was on a lease from Alderwood Country Club and later from the Port of Portland for 2000 feet of river frontage. With the help of a disaster loan we financed new pilings, walkways, a water well, moorage wiring, and a parking lot, along with a clubhouse float. Members pitched in built the clubhouse themselves.

In 1956, moorage facilities were increased by 35% by driving additional pilings; a power transformer was added and in 1958 we did extensive dredging to maintain the moorage facility. To maintain club solvency, the Board assessed members for a portion of these expenses.

In 1974, we purchased our present property and January 5, 1976, we started a two month dredging project to create our moorage. Docks, electrical and water systems were completed and both gas and diesel fuel tanks were installed for member boat fueling. In 1977, the club acquired its workboat, "Little Toot".

We expanded our floating clubhouse in 1981 and in 1984, one of the most important events in our history took place. On October 4, 1984, we burned our mortgage. Adding to financial history, we had another mortgage burn in 2001.

History - a record of events does not change. It grows and becomes more interesting as time passes. 1985 was like starting all over again. New faces mingled with old bringing promise of new targets for achievement. Bringing our by-laws up to date gave promise of continued growth and good will with our fellow members.

In the fall of 1991, our membership approved financing for a land based clubhouse. Site, design and building committees were formed and ten months later, in November 1992, ground-breaking and construction started. In July 1993, with the hard work of many and the outpouring of gifts aplenty, our beautiful new clubhouse stood overlooking the Columbia River, with testimony that Columbia River Yacht Club has the proudest membership and finest facility in the Northwest.

The club is long on tradition. Thursday night dinner started way back in 1946 as picnics out on the beach. Members have participated in predicted log races and other activities sponsored by the boating community, the Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, bringing honor and recognition to CRYC.

First Mates luncheons and their other activities have brought our families together in style and have contributed many items to our club and facility.

The 50th year of our club came to pass in February 1996. Many milestones have been reached. One of our most recent events was the fulfillment of a long held dream of starting an outstation to be used by our membership and enjoyed by other mariners in our boating community. Work parties built "Jack's Landing," our 140' dock and towed it to its site, leased from the State of Oregon near Longview, WA, behind Walker Island.

As each year passes, our club continues to offer our members the opportunity to enjoy family boating at its highest level.

As it appears today, the beautiful clubhouse overlooks the Columbia River, as a testiment to the Columbia River Yacht Club proud membership.