After two years operating out of the Reynolds Arcade, the club moved to Irondequoit Bay where sailing, rowing, and paddling were active sports, and there was a unique thermal wind during hot summer afternoons. A resort-like atmosphere was under development due to new railroad accessibility since 1879. This was an important period of reorganization of the club, strengthening ties to the American Canoe Association, and settling into racing and cruising activities. Races were usually on a weekday afternoon, starting with the First Annual Opening Day Regatta on Thursday June 19,1884. There were a spring and fall series, the annual ACA meet in August, and trips to other meets as the sport expanded. A series was frequently identified by a cup donated by another member. Prizes awarded in 1885 included the Angle Cup, camp cooking kit, canoe shoes, and flags. Members who did not obtain a prize could compete in a consolation race in October for prize flags.

In 1884, Harris, Storms, Turpin, and Walton repeated their cruise of Silver Lake and the Genesee River. In 1885, D.A. Wing cruised from Lewiston on Niagara along the south shore of Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River. 1886 was an important year as the club prepared for the ACA meet, planned a new clubhouse to be built next door, and adopted new laws. The ACA meet was held Aug. 13-27 at Grindstone Island on the St. Lawrence River, and included a new International Sailing Canoe Cup Race sponsored by the New York Canoe Club in response to a challenge by the Royal Canoe Club of England. Frank Andrews of RCC did above average in the regular races sailing "Sofronia" but his rudder was fouled by another boat in the nternational Race, which was won by R.Gibson of the Albany Mohican CC in "Vesper". The rules allowed 2 masts and unlimited sail area, and the course was 5 times around a 1 1/2 mile triangle.

In a conversation with a Post-Express reporter, Andrews said "The Rochester boys covered themselves with glory in the way of entertainment this year, but they did not do much in the way of prizes. The last night in camp we entertained the canoeists and we had the largest and most successful camp fire of the meet. Songs were sung and we had recitations. The Englishmen who came to take part in the cup race gave some recitations. They were splendid fellows. There were 180 sailing canoes at the meet. The winning of the International Cup was a victory for the American style of canoe. The Englishmen had splendid canoes but they couldn't get there. They were too heavy. They go back to England believing that we are ahead of them in fast sailing canoes. The Ruggles canoes showed up well. Everyone thought they were the best built and best modeled canoes there. One evening we had a grand fete. Twenty-five or thirty yachts were near the island, 150 canoes were on the water, all carrying Chinese lanterns, campfires were lighted on the hill, and every camp was illuminated. It was a magnificent spectacle. They had a splendid time. The canoeists are the finest set of fellows in the world. There were a number of doctors, lawyers, and ministers and things were so lively and pleasant we only went away from camp one day. Next year the meet will probably be held at Lake Champlain. Those who went to Grindstone Island will want to be there."

An extensive set of laws for the club's government was adopted Nov. 9, 1886. Here are some highlights from the 16 pages and 36 sections of that document:

• Elected officers are captain, mate, purser, executive committee and regatta committee.
• Executive committee has general supervision of the club, and makes rules subject to confirmation of members before they can be enforced.
• Annual budget approved by 2/3 votes of members. Dues are determined by dividing the budget by the members; purser(sec-treas) is exempt.
• Each member has the right to store one canoe and rigging in the clubhouse, and also to locker room.
• Membership is limited to 50. Candidates are proposed by a member, pay $5 initiation fee, and are voted in by the membership, unless they get 3 negative votes.
• Regular meetings are held every month except January, February, November.
• The club's symbol is a frog (the burgee is the same as today).
• ACA sailing and paddling rules are followed, with exceptions.

The final races of 1886 were held Oct. 7 to decide the winner of the Moody Cup for the season. Of the 9 participants, 7 had been in the opening regatta of June 19, 1884, but only 2 had the same boat. Andrews was the overall winner in "Sofronia", the first Ruggles sailing canoe. Ruggles placed seventh, appearing for the first time in club races.

Leo Balandis, August 1996