TAHOE CITY, Calif.—The Tahoe Yacht Club (TYC), one of Lake Tahoe’s oldest institutions, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of exclusive events throughout the summer of 2025. Founded on July 10, 1925, as the Tahoe Power Boat Club, TYC has been a cornerstone of the region’s boating community for a century.
The centennial festivities commenced on June 7 with a sold-out Summer Launch Party at Sunnyside, a venue chosen for its historical ties to the club. Upcoming events include a Centennial Golf and Social weekend on June 20–21, the official 100th Anniversary Party on July 10, and the highly anticipated Bootleggers Ball on July 19—a speakeasy-style gathering at a secret location.
“I have enjoyed working with a great committee with strong opinions and full involvement,”
said Paul Cunha, chair of the Centennial Committee and a former commodore.
“It has been a fulfilling process of boiling down the many ideas to some six signature events with historical significance.”
A highlight of the summer will be the 51st Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, scheduled for August 8–9 at Obexer’s Boat Company in Homewood. This year’s event will feature the 100th Anniversary of Gar Wood Boats as its Marque Class, celebrating the legacy of these iconic mahogany speedboats. The Concours d’Elegance is renowned for showcasing some of the most well-preserved and restored wooden boats in the world.
“With the passage of time, many have moved on to fiberglass and wakeboard boats,”
said Ross Arno, president of the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation.
“The Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation aims to preserve and educate the public about these mahogany masterpieces.”
In addition to the public events, TYC will present a centennial book titled “A Century of Memories, 1925–2025” to its members during the anniversary party on July 10. The club also continues to support the community through programs like the Junior Sailing Program and
“A Day on the Lake” with the Achieve Tahoe program, ensuring its legacy is passed to future generations.
“The Centennial Celebration gives us a chance to look back at our roots as a seasonal club primarily focused on boating,” said Ray Landgraf, current commodore. “It allows us to look at what we do today and what we should be doing for the benefit of the members and the community in the future.”
2012 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance Wooden Boat Show Roar-Off
A Century of Waves and Wooden Boats: How TYC Became the Heart of Tahoe’s Maritime Tradition
Explore the rich 100-year history of the Tahoe Yacht Club, from its humble beginnings to its legacy as a premier Lake Tahoe boating institution.
The Tahoe Yacht Club, founded in 1925, emerged as a social hub for Lake Tahoe’s early 20th-century boating enthusiasts. Its first gatherings took place at resorts and lakefront estates, eventually leading to the construction of a modest pier on the Ehrman estate. As the club expanded, it relocated several times before establishing its permanent home at the Tahoe City Marina in 1994. Today, TYC is celebrated for preserving Lake Tahoe’s maritime heritage and hosting events like the Concours d’Elegance.
Nearly 100 years after its founding, the Tahoe Yacht Club (TYC) remains a beloved institution for generations of boating enthusiasts who have shaped and shared in Lake Tahoe’s storied maritime culture. Founded in 1925 by a group of avid boaters led by San Francisco businessman Edwin Letts Oliver, the club began modestly—with its official records stored in a single desk drawer in Oliver’s office.
As Lake Tahoe rose in popularity among Bay Area families in the early 20th century, its pristine waters and breathtaking alpine setting became a magnet for summer retreats. Boating, particularly in handcrafted wooden powerboats like Gar Woods, emerged as a centerpiece of leisure life, eventually evolving into an organized community.
The TYC’s earliest gatherings were held informally at lakefront homes and the now-historic Tahoe Tavern Resort. For on-water activities, members utilized a small picnic area on the Ehrman family estate, now part of Sugar Pine Point State Park. The club built a simple two-boat pier to serve its needs. During the pre-World War II years, George Whittell, the enigmatic millionaire behind Thunderbird Lodge, allowed TYC members to boat-picnic on his sprawling East Shore property, adding to the club’s mystique and exclusivity.
As sailing gained traction after World War II, members began launching boats from piers at Homewood and Chambers Landing. By 1985, the club leased two cabins on the Topol property to function as a seasonal clubhouse, marking a turning point toward permanence. In 1994, TYC settled into its current home at the Tahoe City Marina, where it overlooks one of the lake’s most iconic views.
“The Tahoe Yacht Club stands as a testament to nearly a century of friendship, boating excellence, and stewardship of Lake Tahoe’s maritime heritage,” said Ross Arno, current president of the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation. “From humble beginnings to world-class events like the Concours d’Elegance, we’ve never lost sight of our founding spirit.”
Today, the club is best known for organizing the annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance and its culminating event, the Roar-Off—a spectacle of mahogany speedboats and classic craftsmanship roaring beneath the Olson Bridge. Proceeds from these events support the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation, which funds environmental and historical preservation efforts around the lake.
As the club approaches its centennial in 2025, members and community leaders alike are preparing to commemorate not just a boating legacy, but a story of enduring camaraderie, local tradition, and respect for one of California’s most treasured natural wonders.
For more information and a full list of centennial events, visit www.tahoeyc.com.
