The Original Yacht club!

[Michael Alexander]

I'm not sure if this is the same snap I posted before, but anyhow here it is... the early days of the aycht club. What was the big diesel tank used for at the back?

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

The fuel Tanks must be for the secretly hidden engines on the winning boats i guess, just thinking LOL

[Robert Bruce]

The original club was a wooden structure, Painted black I think. I was so young but I do recall the existinfg club being constructed. A building site to a youngster was a big adventure playground!

[Michael Alexander]

@Robert, any idea on the diesel tank?

[Jeremy Dixon]

The feul tank could be a storage tank for the petrol for the outboards on the boats!I think the yatch club looks great here think it was much better then than now!

[Robert Bruce]

I do not recall any electricity feed to the club so generators must have been the only option. Like the yellow/orang two-wheeled ones?

The hot water in the showers and stove(s) in the kitchen was run on gas.

However I stand corrected if electrics were laid on. I can't recall any overhead cabling stretching across the desert to or from a sub-station.

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

I know an HT Line running along, must be to the golf club only then

Generators i knew all run on Diesel

[Paddy O'Brien]

Does anyone remember the days before the yacht basin -which was a pink salt-pan before -was flooded with sea-water on purpose to create the  basin?  For years the yacht club area was known as the PINK PAN.

[Leon Sumter]

This is how I remember the Yacht club in the time I was in OMD from 1970 to 1982. Yes the Pink Pan is clearly etched in my mind. I used to cycle from town to the yacht club sometimes twice over a weekend or ride out there (on my illegal 50cc Honda until old man Selby busted me and Sersant Dirk Coetzee gave me a very stern warning).
At one time we used to drive our hired Anglias right around the pan through the sand and back onto the tar road,...amazing little cars those Anglias.
You can also see the wooden slat windshelters on the beach in the photograph unless I am mistaken.

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Geez Leon you've still got good eyesight for an oldie....I can't make out the windshelters.

[Leon Sumter]

Di, I think I am mistaken here. Those structures above the fence on the right are not the old windshelters. Could be shelters for young trees being planted. I just google eathed the yacht club and I can see that there are 8 windshelters currently in existence and they are quite far from the yacht club building more towards the river mouth.
Damm OMD still looks so pretty in google earth, beautifully painted blue and green rooftops, gardens, etc.

[Michael Alexander]

The beach shelters are now made of cement bricks and asbestos roofing, the fence at the south side of the yacht club, long since burned on a bonfire....... and Yes! The town does still look good, lets hope there is still funds for the budget to maintain this asset of a town.....

[Alfred Boehme]

The tanks where they not fresh water and diesel for the generator?

Paddy is that you from CBC days Green Point?

or should I say Mr O'Brien my maths and Geography teacher

Alfred Boehme

[Denise Smith]

Hi

I remember the Yacht club well, we used to go there every Sunday in summer.  My father Chummy Pretorius was the Vice Commodore of the Speedboat section of the club.  He had a boat called Chopper 1, it was used in a film that was made in Oranjemund, for the life of me I cannot remember the name of the film, but do remember the exitement in town at the time.  As kids we were all covered in a "suntan lotion" made of vinegar and oil!!  We all smelt like fish and chip shops on Sundays.  I have photos of our times at the club and will be posting them shortly. Also photos of the Dances that were held at the Club. A memorable one was Themed " A Roman Romp"  was a great party apparently.

[Michael Alexander]

Was that not the movie that starred Telly Savalas?