A member-run recreational yacht club focused on power and sail boating, offering racing, organized cruises, junior instruction, and social events, with a waterfront clubhouse and multiple outstations.
A member-run recreational yacht club supporting both power and sail boating, offering club racing (notably a long tradition of predicted log racing), organized cruises, junior boating instruction and a full social/events program.
The waterfront Portage Bay clubhouse—purchased 1932 and completed in 1938—provides member moorage (about 229 permanent slips), boatyard services (pump-out, work slips, lockers, shipwright’s shop), a cocktail lounge, café/Friday lunches and event facilities.
The club maintains multiple outstations (Winslow/Bainbridge, Deer Harbor, Ganges, Thetis, and others), reciprocal visiting dock space, seasonal outstation weekends and year‑round programming.
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About the club and boating activities
The club is a member-run recreational yacht club supporting both power and sail boating, with an active program that includes club racing, organized cruises, junior boating instruction, and a full social/events program.
Club racing includes predicted log racing and local sail events, alongside organized cruise activities for power and sail vessels.
History and volunteer tradition
The club was established/incorporated in 1916. Early meetings were held in Fremont and Salmon Bay, and the club purchased the current Portage Bay property in 1932.
The clubhouse was completed in 1938, and the club has a long volunteer tradition with multiple outstations developed over decades (see club history).
Clubhouse and event accommodation
The waterfront clubhouse overlooks Portage Bay and is available for member events, with cited capacity up to approximately 225 guests and on-site catering services.
In addition to event rental capability, the clubhouse includes a cocktail lounge and offers regular Friday lunches/cafe hours.
Office and gate access are managed from a second-floor office (see club brochure details).
Boatyard facilities
Mainstation boatyard facilities include pump-out services, work slips, lockers, and a shipwright’s wood shop (see boatyard information).
Vendor/contractor check-in and access procedures are published by the club (see vendor/contractor access).
Moorings, anchorage, and outstations
The club provides mainstation permanent moorage slips for members, with club publications referencing approximately 229 slips for members, plus limited guest and winter moorage.
Outstation moorage is available at Bainbridge/Winslow, and additional outstations include Deer Harbor on Orcas, Ganges on Salt Spring, and Thetis, with outstation agreements in Tacoma and BC (see outstation and moorage tradition).
There is a reciprocal visiting area on the south side of the dock for visiting club members on a first-come basis, with rafting up to three deep (see reciprocal visiting boats).
Training and instruction
The club offers junior boating/junior sailing summer programs and safety/boating instruction, with references to America’s Boating Course (ABC) and skill sessions for racers.
Members also have access to informal skill clinics for predicted log racing and other on-water training opportunities (see training summary).
Racing
The club has a long tradition of predicted log racing and is part of the regional Grand 14 log-race community.
The club hosts and competes in predicted log races and participates in local sail racing and regattas, and it organizes race-related skill sessions and specific events such as the Eagle Harbor Predicted Log Race and First-of-Season (see racing summary).
Cruising and outstation weekends
The club maintains an active cruise schedule for both power and sail vessels, including organized club cruises and family outstation weekends.
Seasonal outstation weekends notably include Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day at the Winslow outstation, and the club also holds special cruises such as the annual Special People’s Cruise (see cruising summary).
Social program and events
The club’s social program includes Friday Night Socials and Friday lunches, along with Opening Week/Opening Day activities in May.
Social events include themed dinners and formal events such as a New Year’s Eve Ball, plus Tarettes women’s group events and decorated boat parades (see social summary).
Members also host dinners and dances (as described in the club’s social/event materials).
Dress expectations for specific events
The club does not publish a single clubwide dress code for everyday use, but some specific events may include dress expectations (examples cited include Black Tie or evening attire for certain balls).
Internal groups (such as Tarettes officers) have stated uniform/dress guidelines for their functions (see dress code guidance).
Year-round operation and seasonal highlights
The club operates year-round, with boating season highlights including Opening Day/Opening Week in May and seasonal outstation weekends such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
The clubhouse and cafe have posted hours, and the club maintains an events calendar for the year (see seasonal operation and events calendar).
Facilities & Amenities
- Bar
- Cafe
- Dining
- Meeting rooms
- Private functions
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Facts on this page are drawn from the club’s official website and Wikipedia. Individual sections link to their supporting sources. Last reviewed: 9 June 2026.