Oak Harbor Yacht Club reports rising youth program participation, outlines community events and finances

Commodore David Murano told the Oak Harbor City Council on March 24 that the Oak Harbor Yacht Club is expanding community programming and that its youth sailing program grew to more than 120 participants in 2025 from about 80 in 2024. The club highlighted recurring events — weekly cruises, the Whidbey Summer Classic Regatta and a lighted boat parade — that organizers say bring visitors and business to town.

The yacht club’s treasurer, Kathy Jones, presented the group’s 2025 financial summary, saying revenue was $230,789.73, cost of goods sold $62,604.74 and operating costs $160,005.44, leaving net operating income of about $7,006.40. Jones said members donated nearly $9,950 and the club transferred $10,000 to a reserve account. "Because we operate on a shoestring budget, we had members donate almost $10,000 last year just to keep the club operating," she said.

Council members pressed for fuller documentation. Council Member Stuckey asked to see complete financial statements in future years so council and the public can review revenue and expense breakdowns. Stuckey also raised a question about an apparent omission in a transferred data line for cost-of-goods and asked for clarification on a monthly rental figure discussed earlier.

Jones explained the itemizations in the packet and clarified that the club’s payroll line includes paid event staff such as bartenders and employees who are not club members. She said bank merchant fees totaled about $6,213 and payroll was roughly $46,000, reflecting event staffing rather than volunteer labor.

Murano and Jones emphasized that the Oak Harbor Yacht Club operates as a nonprofit (they noted both a 501(c)(7) club and a 501(c)(3) foundation) and that the ballroom and events draw out-of-town visitors, supporting restaurants and lodging. "No boat, no problem," Murano said, describing efforts to welcome non-boaters to club activities.

Mayor Wright and council members thanked the presenters and asked staff to ensure full financial statements accompany future presentations so council questions can be answered more quickly. The presentation concluded with council encouragement for the club to broaden public awareness of events through the marina and chamber of commerce.

The council did not take any formal action on the yacht club report at the workshop.