A group of young men, who were interested in outboard racing decided to organize an outboard racing club for the purpose of putting on their own races and better promote stock hydro racing. This took place in the fall of 1949. Some of the members who helped organized the Toledo Outboard club, now know as River View Yacht Club, were Al Perkins, Jim Owens, Buz Smith, Bob Fisher, Norm Romstadt, Fritz Stoner, Irv Schwab, Charles Remele, Skip Hight, Jake Fredericks, Charles Ladd, Frank Hoffman, and Les Thal, who helped with the legal aspects of forming the club.

The idea of setting up a club got started one Sunday afternoon at Bob Fishers’ dock on Edgewater Drive. A group of the above members who owned hydroplanes got together at the dock and decided to start the club. A meeting was scheduled the following Sunday at Bob Fisher’s dock. At that meeting, about 15 to 20 fellows showed up. A chairman was appointed, Al Perkins, and the Toledo Blade was contacted to find out what we could do to let the public know about this club and as to what they had to suggest to locate other men interested in stock-hydro racing. Mr. Perkins and Mr. Remele then contacted Lew Klewer, who put an article in his column about the new club forming in Point Place and anyone interested should attend the next meeting at Bob Fisher’s dock.

In the meantime, a rough set of "by-laws" was set-up and an election of officers took place. Outboard races were scheduled which were stock-utility and stock-hydro. At this time it was decided no dealers were allowed to hold office.

In the following weeks, the City Recreation Director, Art Morse who heard about the club, asked if the club would be interested in putting on the races for the "Aquarium", a sports spectacular put on by the City very year at Walbridge Park. The club agreed to put on the outboard races. The City furnished the trophies and the time clock. A small entry fee was charged. The club saved these fees and it was through this means that the club was able to get the down payment for the present club property.

Toledo soon became well known for stock-hydro racing and a very active outboard club. It was no unusual at all to draw as many as 150 racing boats to one of these races.

Bob Fisher’s dock soon became too small for the meetings so the club moved to the "Town Tavern". After a few meetings at this spot, the use of the upstairs was offered by Thompson’s Inn, now Bush Marine, for meetings. Babe Francis, proprietor of Thompson’s Inn also lent the use of his waterfront to build a dock. The dock was build out of lumber and oil drums. This dock did not work well. The largest boat was a 12 ft. Wolverine.

Hugh Tanner joined the club and through his efforts, a deal was made with Frank Komorny to purchase his property, which was a former fish market, on Edgewater Drive. The present club is on this site. Races were put on for Ottawa River Yacht Club, Swan Boat Club, and Detroit Beach Boat Club.

The club used this small fish market as its first clubhouse. Since that time, three additions have been made to the club. The first addition was the room adjoining the game room, which is used for dining and dancing. The second addition was the kitchen, and the third addition was the bar room and dining room, which was completed in 1977.

Three different docks have been built, the last being the beautiful cement docks. The property next to the club was also acquired which includes the boat hoist and storage yard. On this property, tow new restrooms, showers, and storage building were built. Two different breakwalls were also built. River View Yacht Club has more waterfront property than any club in the immediate vicinity.

RVYC is proud of the accomplishments, as it has taken several years of hard work by the officers and members to make this one of the most beautiful clubs in the area.