Club Profile and History

HRBYCA, Inc.
P.O. Box 416
Crompond, NY 10517

Club History of the Hudson River Boat
and Yacht Club Association

The Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association was formed in April of 1975. At a meeting held at Washington Irving Boat Club. Present were Rod Sutter and Emil Demico from WIBC, George Patrick from Croton, Jack Ridgeway from Seaweed Yacht Club and Bob Lewis from the Peekskill Boat Club.

The objective of the HRB&YCA was to have a constant study of matters affecting boating on the Hudson River.

The following members were elected as our first permanent – late officers in January of 1976:

At this time 13 clubs were in the Association. Meetings were set for the last Tuesday of each month. In October of 1976, standing committees were set up.

The Association has had a variety of guest speakers over the years representing the Department of Environmental Conservation, The Commissoner of the DEC, The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association, The President of the Upper-Mohawk Council, Representives from the office of the now retired State Senator John Flynn of Yonkers, the Riverkeeper and the author Lincoln Diamant.

The HRB&YCA took part in in the 1982 Bicentennial celebration with the reenactment of George Washington’s sail down the Hudson from Newburgh to Verplanck Point.

The HRB&YCA sent representatives to Albany on numerous occasions to represent the organization on various boating issues. In 1987, Frank Proft went to Washington, DC to address the Senate subcommittee regarding a number of boating problems.

The HRB&YCA has donated monies to various causes on the Hudson, one which was to The Niagara River Club to help offset their case against New York State, which was trying to claim ownership of the land under the water from New York City to Albany. We are in alliance with the Upper-Mohawk Council.

The HRB&YCA has been instrumental in helping various clubs obtaining dredging permits, buying materials, etc.

The HRB&YCA has also worked with the Heritage Task force on problems and property availability that could be used by boaters. The HRB&YCA received letters of thanks from the then Senator Flynn for helping Yonkers Yacht Club obtain support to have Metro-North redo the railroad bridge over the tracks to the Yonkers Yacht and Palisade Boat Clubs. The Wappinger’s Creek Bridge re-opening is another cause in which the HRB&YCA was involved. In the summer of 2004 we put on a picnic at George’s Island for all club members and it was a tremendous success.

There are thirty-three clubs in the Association at this time.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Lewis
Past President
The Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association