Our History
The History of West Channel Yacht Club spans a period of well over three decades. This is an abbreviated overview of
those years.


West Channel Yacht Club was established in 1972.  The founding members, 40 strong, envisioned an idea to acquire property on the West
Bank of the Chagrin River in Eastlake, Ohio. After negotiating a Land Contract on the property, they worked many hours to change the
complexion of the vacant property to dockage facilities.

In 1973, a building fund was established by selling notes. Additional funds were gotten through reverse     raffle and selling advertising in the
first ever, WCYC Yearbook. By 1976, the club was flourishing and the Main Room of The Club House was erected.  In 1977, we exercised the
option of our Land Contract, secured a second mortgage and made purchase of the club property, titling property in the name of West Channel
Yacht Club, Inc. An 800 Foot Long Bulkhead was also installed at the riverfront of the property.
This project was completed in 1978.

In 1980, a travel lift was purchased and a launch pit built, allowing the ability to put boats in and out of
the water at the club property.

The next decade saw numerous improvements both to the clubhouse, grounds and dockside. In 1989, we encountered two of the worst back to
back floods in club history.

In 1993, one of our largest project projects in the clubs history began. Our river bulkhead was failing and needed to be replaced. The task of
securing financing for this major project became a reality in 1994. In fall of 1994, work began on replacement of the bulkhead with a new steel
bulkhead. The new bulkhead would be several feet higher and alleviate most of our flooding issues of years past. In addition, this project
included all new quality floating docks, new lighted stanchions at dockside with water and electric.
In 1994,  West Channel Yacht Club saw our first ever female Commodore elected.  

Continued progress was seen as we added a large brick BBQ  behind the clubhouse in 1998 and in 1999 the front deck of the clubhouse was
re-built. As we entered the new millennium we saw the need to address some more major improvements to our facilities.

In 2002, the kitchen of the clubhouse was remodeled.  In 2006, we secured financing to make several major improvements to the club.  
Completed by 2007 were a new roof on the clubhouse including new gutters and a beautiful new heated in ground pool complex.  In 2008, the
final stage of the project, our boat lauch pit was completly replaced.

The History of West Channel Club is surrounded by dedicated, hard working and determined members who have always and continue to have,
a desire to make our club shine and that it does!
West Channel Yacht Club


                                                                                                         Other Historical Facts

In 1973, WCYC was accepted into The Greater Cleveland Boating Association. In 1976, we were admitted into The Inter Lakes Yachting
Association.  

West Channel is proud to have had amongst its ranks,  Past Commodores of I-LYA, GCBA and
US Power Squadron.