The Olympia Yacht Club

OLYMPIA YACHT CLUB BOATHOUSE STANDARDS

Rev 3.0 Rev 4.0
Approved by the BOT and Effective 5/09/2007: Approved by the BOT and Effective 7/10/2024

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NOTE: ALL CRITERIA GO INTO EFFECT UPON BOT ADOPTION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED UNDER A SPECIFIC CRITERION.
All boathouses shall conform to applicable building codes, electrical codes, and regulations. It is the moorage members' responsibility to assure compliance. Prior to construction or modification of a boathouse, plans shall be submitted to the Main Station committee for review & for approval. (Any exceptions to standards will require approval of the Board of Trustees). If approved, a Boathouse building/remodeling permit signed by the Moorage Master and the Main Station Chair will be issued. Once construction is started, it must be completed within 60 days. The permit is valid for 6 months. Boathouses Building or Remodeling Permit must conform to the OYC Moorage Basin foot print specifications.
1. FLOTATION: Boathouses shall float level with adequate freeboard to keep structural float members above water at all times. Design considerations shall include snow loads, wind loads and wave action. Sealed floatation shall be adequately secured to the boathouse substructure to prevent displacement or loss. Maintenance repairs or remodels adding to boathouse length shall use foam filled poly tubs. All newly constructed boathouses shall use foam filled poly tubs of appropriate size or equivalent flotation as approved, in advance, by the Main Station committee.
2. FASTENINGS: Galvanized 5/8 inch fittings shall be through bolted to a major structural member of the boathouse at each corner. Boathouse shall be fastened at all four corners with 3/8 inch galvanized chain. 3. FENDERS: Tires or other durable material shall be installed on each boathouse to provide adequate spacing and prevent damage to adjacent boathouses and docks.
4. STRUCTURE:
(a) On new construction and remodels, deck framing shall be of pressure treated timbers designed and spaced to meet applicable building codes and structural members shall be through bolted with galvanized bolts. Side walls shall slant in at least 3 degrees from the top to bottom, except extensions may retain any existing plumb structure. Framing shall consist of 2x4 studs with spacing no more than 24 inches apart. Side walls greater than 14 feet in height shall be constructed of 2x6’s spaced no more than 48 inches apart. Construction at variance with these standards may be approved by the Main Station committee with appropriate prior engineering documentation and approval stamps by a PE.
(b) All boathouses, including existing units, shall have a sufficient number of compression posts, gussets, L-brackets or yoke(s) to carry snow loads, to prevent decks from coming out of trim and to maintain structural integrity. Decks shall exhibit no more than 6 degrees (1.25 inch rise per 1 foot) tilt across the width.
NOTE: THE ABOVE STRUCTURE STANDARD PART (b) WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE MET WITHIN ONE YEAR OF INSPECTION IF A DEFICIENCY IS DOCUMENTED.
5. ROOF: All roofs shall be constructed of steel or aluminum panels, minimum of 29 gauge thickness, coated in baked enamel gray color or natural color (galvanized for steel) finish. Roof decks are not allowed. For new construction, roof pitch shall be no less than 6/12 or maximum of 9/12. Remodels may retain existing pitch. All boathouses shall have a minimum 10% to a maximum 25% of the roof area constructed of clear or translucent panels for light and fire protection. The maximum eve overhang shall be 3 inches.
NOTE: THE ABOVE ROOFING STANDARD, EXCEPT FOR ROOF PITCH, WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE MET WITHIN 1 YEAR OF INSPECTION IF A DEFICIENCY IS DOCUMENTED.
6. SIDING: All siding on new construction or remodeled areas, except on the curtain end of the house, shall be of steel, minimum of 29 gauge thickness, with baked enamel gray color or natural color galvanized finish.

7. CURTAIN: Each boathouse shall have a gray or white curtain of a durable material supported by a curtain box, which conceals the supporting structure.

8. WINDOW: A window shall be installed at the float end to allow for security inspections. A three (3) sq. ft. unobstructed minimum viewing area, at eye level is required.
9. TRIM AND DOORS: All trim and doors visible from public walkways shall be painted white.
10. ELECTRICAL: Electrical service is limited to 120 volts/30 amps. Any exceptions shall be approved by the Board of Trustees (BOT). All boathouses shall contain an electrical panel with a UL/CSA approved breaker trip system with an appropriate number and size of breakers. Electrical systems must be in conformance with the applicable sections of the National Electrical Code and shall have an isolated ground and neutral buss. The power cord from dock to boathouse or boat shall be a minimum of marine grade 10/3 SO cord terminated in a 30 amp twist lock connector (no adapters except for marine grade 50 amp to 30 amp or 30 amp “Y” adapters). Conduit or romex copper wiring with ground wire shall be used according to the following schedule: 30amps: #10 minimum; 20 amps: #12 minimum and

15 amps: #14 minimum. No load carrying household-style extension cords shall be left unattended. Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels are not allowed and shall be replaced within 90 days of inspection. The only exception to the panel requirement is if a boathouse has no wiring and the boat power cord is plugged directly into the power pedestal.

NOTE: ALL BOATHOUSE ELECTRICAL STANDARDS SHALL BE MET WITHIN ONE YEAR OF BOT APPROVAL. THERE IS NO “GRANDFATHER” ALLOWANCE.
11. LIGHTING: Each boathouse and/or boat therein shall contain at least one 25 watt incandescent or equivalent brightness light (minimum) on at night for safety and inspection. Mechanical timers may not be used.

12. SIGNING: Each boathouse shall have posted in the window at viewing height a sign stating ownership, phone numbers for emergency contact, email address, boat name, types/amount of fuel and whether propane is aboard.
13. EXTENSIONS: Bow pulpit extensions or other construction shall not protrude over dock walkways. Door Awnings if used shall be installed at least 7 feet above the dock and a maximum of 3 feet in depth. All boathouse extensions/porches shall be affixed to the boathouse and shall be considered part of the boathouse. Existing bow pulpit extensions and awnings as of date of adoption are grandfathered for current owners only.

14. WATER SERVICE: Potable water service to the interior of a boathouse shall be shut off during freezing weather. No boathouse facilities discharging gray water into the sound are allowed.
15. MEASUREMENT: The measurement of the length is from the dock or boathouse side of piling/hoop to the end of the curtain box. The measurement of the width is from eve to eve including overhang or the widest part of the structure. Vessel or attachments may not extend beyond the confines of the curtain box. 16. ESTHETICS: Boathouses shall be maintained in good repair and appearance. The club may refuse mooring, assess penalties or remove a boathouse that is in a condition of dilapidation or neglect so that it becomes unsightly, a nuisance or hazard. – Rule 4.

17. Biennial Boathouse Inspections: Each boathouse shall be inspected biennially by OYC. In addition if a boathouse is being sold it must complete a Pre-Sale Inspection prior to sale showing that it meets applicable standards. The boathouse original owner must remediate all deficiencies prior to any sale to another OYC member. The OYC Club Manager tracks the entire selling/buying process with a check list. The Moorage Master approves a purchasing member’s moorage assignment when notified by the Club Manager the “sale” has been completed.

18. Safety: All boathouses shall have at least one 5 pound ABC rated, current, fire extinguisher mounted inside of boathouse and near the door.
Compliance timeframes may be adjusted by the BOT due to extenuating circumstances.

Biennial Inspection Items are as follows (OYC Boathouse Safety & Compliance Report can be reviewed in OYC Forms section of Web Site):
1. Approved electrical Panel and wiring. (Rule 20)
2. Functional twist lock shore power cord inlet without burn marks or deterioration.

3. Current fire extinguisher inside boathouse door.
4. Emergency Information label visible in window.
5. Functional boathouse/boat night light. (MA para15)
6. Boathouse floats have structural integrity and are trim and no part of the float structure is underwater.

7. Boathouse is chained on all four corners and has proper fenders. (MA 3d) 8. Check to see that no electrical fences are present. (Rule 12)
9. Check for fuel storage. (Rule 11).
10. Check for current state registration decal on boat. (Rule 4b)

11. Overall condition is satisfactory.