In 1965, West River Yacht and Cruising Club was formed as West River Yacht and Country Club on Grosse Ile. Private investors used the organization to operate a nine hole golf course and marina facility built on the former Knudsen summer residence located on West River Road across from Detroit Edison on the Trenton Channel.

In 1970, application to join Inter Lakes Yachting Association (I-LYA) was made with full membership status coming in 1973. Also in 1973, Grosse Ile Township took over the property and opened the facility as Water’s Edge Country Club.

Although no longer officially connected with the Township property, West River Yacht and Country Club continued to function as a viable yacht club, holding the monthly meetings at various locations in the downriver area. The name was later changed to West River Yacht and Cruising Club to better reflect the club’s central purpose.

This past year (2002) WRY&CC made arrangements with Grosse Ile Township, at Water’s Edge, to hold membership meetings there and to consider it our clubhouse, thus returning to our founding location.

Club membership has ranged from a low of one hundred twenty five (125) to a high of two hundred thirty (230) with one hundred ninety (190) being the average over the past few years.

Club activities include a very active presence at the I-LYA Powerboat Regatta, several rendezvous to various ports in Lake Erie, St. Clair and Huron, and usually at least two social events each month during the non-boating season.

The highlight of the year’s activities is in January when the club honors the Commodore at what is considered by most to be the premier Commodore’s Ball in the area.

With eleven (11) membership meetings during the year and a full calendar of social and boating activities (the majority of which involve eating and drinking), new members are quickly assimilated into this friendly boating organization.