A Brief History of Orleans Yacht Club

The Orleans Yacht Club is located on Town Cove in Orleans, Massachusetts. Orleans is the largest commercial center on the lower part of Cape Cod (lower longitudes, downwind, easterly) and is situated between Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The town's Nauset Beach on the Atlantic is part of the Nauset Spit which is the southern part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The population of Orleans is approximately 7,000 year round residents and swells to over three times this amount during the summer months. Orleans is 90 miles south of Boston and about the same distance southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.

In August of 1947, founding members: Harry H. Snow; Edgar T. Downs; Jarrett S. Blodgett; Miss Helen Smith; Mrs. Norman A. Downs and Dr. R. Frederick Raddin planned and organized the formation of the Orleans Yacht Club.

On September 22, 1947, In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The Orleans Yacht Club Incorporated, was legally organized and established for the purpose of encouraging yacht building and sailing, to promote interest in yachting and aquatic sports and socialization among its members. The yacht club was founded on January 6, 1948. A list of past commodores is available elsewhere on this web site.

As of December 2008, there are 284 senior members, 77 Corinthian (up to age 40) memberships, and 64 emeritus memberships. The club has a fleet of 45 boats, both sail and power. The sailing fleet includes Catalina 14.2, Club 420, and Optimus sailboats. The club runs a very popular youth sailing program in the summer and sponsors the Nauset Regional High School Sailing Team. During the summer sail boat races are held on the cove and the season culminates with an awards dinner. Various social activities occur during the year, including a progressive dinner, summer lobster bake, Commodore's reception and various other dinners and parties which are enthusiastically participated in by the members.