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Holiday 2018 42 Disponible en línea en español.
Celebrating
60 Years With
The Crescent
Boat Club
by Pete Bardunias, President/CEO, the
Chamber of Southern Saratoga County
1958 was a long time ago. Tail fins ruled
the highways, steam powered locomotives were still
regularly seen on the rails, and pleasure boating
was fast becoming a sport for the growing American
middle class. In November of that year, a new boat
club was incorporated on 4 acres along the shores
of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal above Lock E-6
in the Town of Halfmoon. The Crescent Boat Club
(142 Canal Rd, Halfmoon, NY) was born, and never
looked back.
There have been many changes over the years: a
clubhouse building (1962), improved grounds and
new facilities. But one thing has never changed.
The Club is an all-volunteer organization managed
by boaters for their fellow boaters. Since it is a
“working club”, members enjoy low cost dues,
dockage, and other benefits in exchange for
working a required minimum annual number
of work hours. Members save money on gas,
pump outs and many other amenities. The Club
is private, although transients are welcome, and
members and visitors alike will enjoy a beautiful
setting with picnic tables and gas barbecue grills,
electric, water, bathroom and shower facilities,
WiFi, RV parking and transient dockage for vessels
up to 100 feet. More information is available at
.
On September 1, members of the club held their
official celebratory event which included a ribbon
cutting by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga
County and comments by area dignitaries. Since
it was also the start of their annual Labor Day
Weekend party, many guests were in attendance
as well. Before the ceremonial ribbon was cut,
outgoing state Senator Kathy Marchione shared
her sentiments to friends and constituents at the
water’s edge. “There’s nothing like coming home
and being with friends,” said the Senator, “and
being in your own neighborhood. Thank you all
for putting so much into this club and for opening
it up to the community.
The Halfmoon Town Board led by Supervisor
Kevin Tollisen and Business and Economic
Development Committee Chair Daphne Jordan
was also on hand to congratulate Commodore
Michelle Hernandez and fellow club members
at this important milestone. The chamber’s
volunteer Ambassadors held the ribbon tight,
and it was cut, kicking off three days of festivities,
camaraderie and merriment. Boaters know how
to throw a party, especially on a long weekend!!!
Steam engines and tailfins may be confined to
transportation history, but the Crescent Boat Club
should be part of the Mohawk River landscape and
culture for years to come!
For more information on Capital Region boating,
call (518) 371-3763, visit
or stop by the Southern Saratoga Information Center
(at the Exit 9 Rest Area on I-87 in Clifton Park).
The moment the ribbon is cut, as Crescent Boat Club
Commodore Michelle Hernandez (holding scissors)
commemorates the past 60 years of history on the Mohawk
River. The Club has a bright future ahead, so there will
likely be many more celebratory milestones to come!