For several years in the late 1930's a number of boaters in the Eugene area had been getting together informally and traveling to various lakes in the area to boat together. In the spring of 1940, several of them got together and discussed the formation of a club to further the sport of boating in the area. They drafted a Constitution and Bylaws, and the Eugene Yacht Club was formed.

The membership totaled 25, and most of the boats then were power. For the first year, the activities consisted of traveling each weekend to a lake or coastal area. In 1941, a floating boathouse was purchased and moved to West Lake on Siltcoos Lake, and it was formally dedicated as a clubhouse for the Eugene Yacht Club.

In 1943, the members decided that Fern Ridge Reservoir would be a more likely location for a home base for the club, and the membership began using the point of land where Orchard Point Park is now. However, it soon became apparent that wind conditions made this a difficult area to sail from, and the group moved to Richardson Point, where the club is now located.

In 1944, efforts were made to lease a part of this point of land from the Corps of Engineers, which proved a difficult task. A lease was finally obtained in the name of the Boy Scouts of America, Oregon Trail Council, for a period of one year. The following year, a joint lease was obtained with the Scouts and EYC, and is still in effect today.

In 1945, a "Clubhouse" was constructed on the land, which was a 30' by 15' lean-to structure with a dirt floor and a cooking top fireplace. Docks were constructed on large logs, and a seawall was constructed and the basin dredged and the spoils used to fill behind the seawall to build up the land as it now exists. The first seawall was constructed of an old plank logging road which was torn up by the members and moved in. Later, quarry rock was poured over the face of this wood wall. Then, concrete was poured over the face of the rock, and the existing seawall and sidewalk were formed. In 1946, new docks were constructed to form the north basin of the club area, which has since been enlarged towards the lake. 

The first moorage slips were driven by the members with a pile driver constructed by the members on an old log dock. Over several years, construction has continued, and the result is the existing dock and moorage area. The same was true with the clubhouse. The first stage was enlarged with a roof towards the lake, doubling its size to 30' by 30'. The sides were added and windows installed to close in the building. The next stage was to begin construction of the present clubhouse, which was done in two parts, the first being the kitchen half with the old clubhouse left for general use. Two years later, the old clubhouse was torn down, and the south portion enlarged to its present size. 

Sometime around 1949 or 1950, Maxine Walder decided that it would be a good idea to have a directory of EYC members' names. So, she compiled the first EYC directory, and Victor Walder updated and added to it. It has evolved into the handbook we have today, with the membership directory, bylaws, articles, activity schedules, and other useful information that we have come to rely on. 

In 1972, the present restroom facilities were built with volunteer labor by the members. In 1981, the "Emil Furrer Memorial Deck" was added to the east side of the clubhouse. In 1992/93, the clubhouse underwent a major remodeling, adding a pantry/storage room, a meeting room, new entry way, and modernizing of the kitchen.

 
Some of the earliest social events have become traditions, such as the Memorial Day Regatta, which started in 1945. The first Commodore's Ball was held in 1947, and is still the annual social event of the club. The first Skippers' Stag took place in 1948. This steak barbecue now includes the spouses and is called the Skippers and Mates Dinner, held each year in the spring.

The excellent wind and water conditions of Fern Ridge Reservoir have made the Eugene Yacht Club a very popular location for sailing events. The lack of current and commercial boat traffic, and the size and shape of the lake allow the use of the standard Olympic circle racing course. This and the availability of camping on the grounds make EYC an ideal place for regattas and other organized sailing events.

The Memorial Day Regatta was first held in 1945 with some 23 boats participating. There are sailors coming from clubs from all over the West Coast area. In June EYC hosts a Multi-Hull Regatta. The Harvest Regatta in September draws many boats each year.

EYC has hosted a number of major racing events including the nationals for the Coronado 15, Day Sailer, Santana 20, Thistle and Lido 14 classes, the Laser North Americans, and the Adams Cup. EYC has also hosted Mallory Cup eliminations, as well as several West Coast Championships and many District regattas.

In 1970, Dick Brust organized the EYC Sail School to teach the children of EYC members how to sail. This has become an established yearly event held for one week soon after school is out. Sail School is staffed entirely with member volunteers. In 2022 the Sail School was changed to Dick Brust Sail School.

The Eugene Yacht Club continues to grow and improve to meet the needs of the members, with the members generously donating their time, talent, building materials and equipment. It's a far cry from the original lean-to shelter to what most of us believe to be the best yacht club in the Pacific Northwest, and this belief is held by many from other yacht clubs as is evidenced by the use made of our facility by members of other clubs.