An island steeped in tradition…
The Club was founded back in 1940 by a group of like-minded boaters who enjoyed the boating lifestyle and socializing with others of the same mindset. That tradition continues today!
2015
Exciting Changes and High Waters
- View from the Wheelhouse – The Clinton River Boat Club observed its 75th anniversary, and its 60th year on Club Island. As the Commodore’s Ball returned to the beautiful and historic Detroit Yacht Club, Great Lakes ice coverage almost reached the historic levels of last year, and again delayed Island opening for a second consecutive year. A permanent membership growth committee was appointed, chaired by the current Secretary, to bring clear focus on this critical initiative, and several outreach and rendezvous activities resulted. A Social over 30’ membership classification was created to adapt to changing boating habits. With no beach due to very high water levels, and intense wave reflection making swimming unsafe in the Middle Channel, activities moved to the Muscamoot Bay side where a small float was placed, prompting study of floating docks for the future. The pump house project was brought to conclusion with the installation of new pumps, and the barge was repowered as the trusty old Yamaha was sent abaft the taffrail. Club Island found its place on the (weather) map with the installation of an internet connected weather station. A major effort was initiated to address issues with our aging power pedestals, with continued work already planned into 2016.
2014
Creating Long-Term Initiatives
The View From The Crow’s Nest revealed a winter of historic cold weather and snowfall, which required the first trip to the Island to be on an air boat, as record-breaking Great Lakes ice coverage delayed the placement of buoys by the Coast Guard, and prevented water access to the Island until May. Numerous broken tie backs were discovered and prompted repairs which continued through the summer. All new plumbing, electrical and paver brick flooring was installed in the pump house. The gazebo deck received much needed replacement of many decking boards, and the Past Commodore’s Patio deck was completely replaced. Cleanup of debris from last summer’s storm damage continued. A spectacularly memorable Fourth of July weekend brought Christmas in July, a visit from Santa, a flyover in a member’s helicopter for aerial photos of the fleet, all topped off by an evening fireworks cruise on the Clinton River Friendship, enjoyed by many and missed by few. The cool summer caused the cardboard boat races to be held alongside the Muscamoot Bay seawall, and there were no sunburns acquired over Labor Day Weekend. With input from 2 Past Commodores and a long-term Life Honorary member, and with the support of the Board of Directors, the Flag Officers drove a sustainability initiative focused on securing the financial foundation of the Club into the next 75 years. Including line item detail for each asset, remaining useful life, schedule of replacement, and future needs encompassing economics, a plan was presented to the membership at two Town Hall meetings. With the Flag Officers and Board committing to responsible fiscal management, the membership responded with resounding approval of indexing dues to inflation, and a dues increase to fund the future capital needs of the Club. Detailed execution of this plan into the future provides for the seeding of fair winds and calm financial seas for the Clinton River Boat Club.2013 –
2013
Commodores Log
Commodore’s Log 2013 – a year like no other at Club Island. The winter of 2013 brought historically low water levels across the entire Great Lakes, and with only 3 feet of water in the harbors, the Board responded with a massive dredging project to assure access to the Island. With Swim Island piled high with dredging spoils, and contrary to all credible forecasts, the late spring rains then brought the water levels back, and the harbors were ready for whatever nature might bring. But Mother Nature responded in another way, when storms brought winds that wrought unprecedented damage to Club Island. On June 18, the huge willow trees at the corner of the south harbor were destroyed, with one uprooted and the 6-foot diameter trunk of another snapped like a twig and toppled into boat wells in the harbor. With broken pilings, crushed picnic tables, grilles, shore power pedestals, and hail damage to the clubhouse siding, we were so very fortunate that no one was hurt. Minor damage was confined to several small boats, due only to the fact that this occurred on a Monday with the harbors empty. Power was restored to the Island 5 days later. Then, just as the clean-up seemed to be progressing well, on July 19, another storm of equally unprecedented strength uprooted the remaining large willows on the Island – 2 along the Middle Channel, another into the South Harbor dinghy wells, and yet another into Muscamoot Bay. With several large boats sustaining damage, we were again fortunate that there were no injuries. Cleanup continued through the rest of the summer and fall, and what seems a lifetime supply of firewood was cut, split and stacked, with more work awaiting the arrival of 2014. A wood chipper was procured to attack the mountain of twisted branches, and 70 new trees were planted to seed the regrowth. Despite these distractions, members still constructed, rewired and replumbed a new pump house, built a new dock, as well as continuing the work on local electrical repairs. Dialogue continues in earnest with DTE regarding the ongoing quality and reliability issues with incoming power at the Island. And, the members even found time to relax and enjoy the Island, with a great entertainment calendar that included the largest fleet of cardboard boats yet at the Barge Party, and a great Labor Day dinner event.
