1969 to 2006

In 1969 the 420 fleet expanded to seven boats, while the use of HAJ boats for instruction declined. While there were 70 participants in the sailing program in 1970, interest in the HAJ boat races was off significantly. By 1971, the Camden Yacht Club decided to go with a summer manager, thus relieving the steward of some duties. For the first time, it appears, sailing and cruising instruction was offered to ladies in the club. The social season included hosting the Eastern Yacht Club and the Corinthians

By 1972 there were a lot of young people involved at the Camden Yacht Club, with membership up to 193. Wooden skiffs that had been used in the sailing program were sold and replaced with Boston Whalers, equipped with new motors. Attempts to hold cruising-class races fell short, with only a few boats showing up. The sailing program, meanwhile, continued to attract robust enrollment, with the number of would-be sailors continuing to exceed the supply of boats.
   
The old Capt’n Archie launch was replaced by a new fiberglass launch generously donated by Wayfarer Marine. Family Races were reported to be increasingly popular with the membership, using a more informal rating system. It was even suggested that all of the large boat races should be run under the PHRF rating system.
   
During 1978 several of the older HAJ boats were being reconditioned, and 1979 saw a revival of HAJ boat races. Wednesdays were “open grill” nights to coincide with the Wednesday night seminars. The Board agreed to purchase a screen for use at the Wednesday Night Seminars, out of their own funds. While aging boats led to decreased enrollment in the sailing program, the HAJ boat fleet was reported to be stronger with seven boats now active in races. 
  

By 1980, Frank Akers had investigated whether the CYC clubhouse might be listed in the National Historic Register, providing some assurance that it would continue with the same architecture. The 1983 season found the Club very active in racing; new boats were purchased for the sailing program and over 100 children and adults were enrolled. Twenty-three new members joined the Club in the summer of 1984, bringing the total membership to the cap of 240, including 116 boat owners and 124 social members. 

1985 was a tumultuous year. A lawsuit against the Club, brought by a former club steward, continued throughout 1985, and was not resolved until it went to trial in May of 1987. Ultimately no money was paid to the plaintiff, but the Club incurred considerable expense defending itself, and was not able to recover these costs.

In 1988, the Comfortable Cruise program was established in order to give women of the club experience in big-boat handling. Also in 1988, Camden Yacht Club hosted the Wooden Boats feeder race. At the January meeting, the board heard that there were 109 boat-owning members and 123 social members.

At the end of the autumn in 1989, the officers proposed a revamping of committee structure. It was decided to hire a person to run the office apart from the steward, long-range plans for maintenance were established, and the boat-owner’s surcharge began to be eliminated. Membership was capped at 250 persons. Comfortable Cruising and the Camden-Castine race went well. In 1991 a fleet of J/24s, some owned by members, some not, was sponsored by the Camden Yacht Club. It was hoped that, over time, the J/24 owners would all become members. Both parking and dinghy tie-up gave evidence of severe crowding.

In 1992, sailing instruction was made “more professional” by having instructors certified by the USSA and having CPR and first aid basics. The exterior balcony was enclosed in 1993, and there was a full racing and cruising season including an extended club cruise, the mini-cruise, Camden-Castine Racing, PHRF racing and Wooden Boat activities.
 
By 1994, there was again a discussion about a new class of boats, this time at the smaller end of the spectrum. Optimists, which superseded Turnabouts, were well received by students and instructors. In 1995 windows and a rug enhanced the exterior balcony for small group meetings, and The Henry A. Scheel Camden Yacht Club transoceanic cruising flag was announced.    

 
In 1996 the club progressed with e-mail addresses being shared for the first time. In spite of bad weather, the Optimist fleet was represented in the state championships, and a CYC contestant won. The Camden-Castine race was retitled the Pen Bay Regatta, as Castine took a breather from the race. Proposals to increase the size of the membership surfaced in 1997 as the length of the waiting list increased and the membership cap increased to 275 in 1998.    Tuesday fun races—the Codger Cup—were scheduled for every other week for adults.
   
By 2000 volunteer help declined dramatically, the victim of shifting demographics and the two-career family, forcing the club to become more professionally run. In 2001 the first Lasell Island CYC picnic took place in glorious sunshine. There was a very active and successful racing season in 2002. The 420 team from Camden won every race in the Maine Interclub Racing Circuit, two 420 sailors entered the Bemis Trophy and went on to win the regionals, the Maine State Finals, and placed 5th in the national semifinal event.

 

In 2003, racing patterns changed again; the J/24s were the only active fleet of larger racing boats. As the demographics changed and more members are year-rounders, the CYC had more winter and spring get-togethers.In 2004 plans for the centennial celebrations got underway. Racing included J/24, Camden-Castine, two King of Spain races, and the Codger Cup. A new women’s cruise following the season took place into Merchant’s Row and Butter Island.

  

 

 

 

2005 was another very active summer, helped by good weather. A lot of sailing events took place again: J/24s, Codger Cup, Camden-Castine, King of Spain. The mini-cruise was a big success with 23 boats taking part. There were 150 participants in the junior sailing program, and the Wednesday evening Sunset Seminar Series enjoyed another great year.
   
During the Club’s bicentennial year, 2006, Club historian Jim Bowditch noted that “demographic patterns and boat designs and materials continue to evolve; the love of being on the waterfront and aboard boats is a constant that spans across the generations, and will continue to attract members to the Club.”