Mission Statement

The Oakland County Boat Club represents 113 years of family fun, great food, and camaraderie on the shores of beautiful Sylvan Lake.

Our goal is to provide a friendly environment that celebrates boating and Michigan lake living, sharing a rich history with other preeminent boating and yacht clubs around the country.

Our values are rooted in friendship and respect for one another. We place an emphasis on creating a comfortable, tasteful environment, where Members and their guests can come together to relax and enjoy all that Michigan lake living has to offer.

Membership

The Oakland County Boat Club is made up of 350 members, not including life members. New members prospects are voted on in the first half of each year. 

Prospective members require a current member to propose them for membership along with two proposers. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact your current member proposer and sponsors who will keep you abreast of developments.

2025 Membership Opportunities

The Oakland County Boat Club is proud to share their membership process for 2025.

Starting January 1, applicants may come to the club with 1 proposer and 2 sponsors to fill out and pay a $50, non-refundable application fee by check or cash. NO Credit Cards will be accepted.

Any applications received in January will be entered into the "waitlist" raffle which will be posted at the February general meeting.

Any applications received after January 31 will be added to the end of the wait list.

Applications will be available at the bar. They must show ID and have all 3 members (1 proposer and 2 sponsors) present to turn in an application.

A current member may only propose or sponsor 2 people for membership each calendar year.

Any incomplete or fraudulent applications will be invalid.

For questions contact Shannon at membershipocbc@gmail.com or 248-613-8155

Our History

The Oakland County Boat Club was established in 1912.

The original clubhouse served as the social epicenter of Sylvan Lake. 

Local residents Frank Phillips, a piano player, and his friend Dr. Bernard TePoorten, a singer, entertained folks who visited the club every Saturday night. Couples danced, enjoyed coffee and doughnuts, and played poker while children slept on coats piled on tables not in use. 

In 1917, the present clubhouse was built on pilings, and had boat wells under the structure. Community meetings for the Sylvan Lake Council and the Garden Club were frequently held there. In the 1930's, the clubhouse was moved back seventy feet to the present location.

Powerboats dominated the club until World War II, when due to fuel rationing, sailboats took over. Every Sunday morning during the summer, a cannon would fire, heralding the start a sailboat race. Nineteen members of the club served in the armed forces.

After the war, the club returned to their annual power regattas. One or two races were held yearly until 2000.