Burgee
Founded	1844
Clubhouse	44th street, NY & Harbour Court, Newport
Country	United States
Website	http://www.nyyc.org

New York Yacht Club seal

Founded in 1844, and incorporated in 1865, the organization currently has over 3,000 members. Membership in the club is by invitation only. Its officers include a Commodore, vice-commodore, rear-commodore, secretary and treasurer. Its primary clubhouse is a six-storied Beaux-Arts landmark with a nautical-themed limestone facade, located at 37 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan. Opened in 1901, it was designed by Warren and Wetmore, architects of the exterior of Grand Central Terminal. The centerpiece of the clubhouse is the "Model Room," which contains the world's largest collection of full and half hull models. In addition to its landlocked Manhattan headquarters, the club maintains "Harbour Court," a clubhouse opened in 1988 on the water in Newport.

History

Yacht America, an engraving by O.W. Brierky, based on a painting by Fitz Hugh Lane

In 1845, the club’s famous burgee was designed, and its first clubhouse was established -- a modest, Gothic-revival building in Hoboken, New Jersey, on land donated by Commodore Stevens. After the club outgrew the little building, it moved to various locations, including Glen Cove, New York and Mystic, Connecticut, before reaching its current Newport location on the grounds of "Harbour Court." The waters off Newport have been a key sailing venue for the NYYC since the beginning of its history. Indeed, the day the club was founded in 1844, its members resolved to sail from the Battery to Newport. Two days later they did, with several stops on the way, and trials of speed.

During the first decades of the club's history, racing for prize money was the primary objective among most members. In 1851, a syndicate of NYYC enthusiasts built and raced America, capturing the "One Hundred Sovereign Cup" at the annual regatta of the Royal Yacht Squadron. On July 8, 1857, the coveted trophy was donated to the NYYC, to serve as a challenge cup for sportsmanlike competition between nations. The "America's Cup Race," named for its first winner, played a central role in the history of the club.

In 1865, the Club was incorporated, adopting the motto: "Nos agimur tumidis velis" -- "We go with swelling sails." During this time, membership transformed from the "old guard" to a new generation of yachtsmen, who built large schooner yachts captained by professionals. Marking this transition was the resignation of Commodore Edwin A. Stevens in 1866. Stevens was a brother of founder John Cox Stevens and member of the America syndicate.

 

The Great Ocean Yacht Race Between Henrietta, Fleetwing & Vesta, by Currier & Ives in 1867

In 1876, the Mohawk, a large centre-board schooner, capsized due to its sheets being "made fast" (fastened securely) when a freak squall struck. Vice-Commodore William T. Garner, his wife and crew died in the accident. It is believed that this tragedy led to the extinction of the great centerboard schooner yachts.

In 1889, the NYYC adopted the "Seawanhaka Rule," a yacht-racing rating system which remained in effect for nearly twenty years. The "Seawanhaka Rule" was the result of collaboration between the NYYC and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club of Oyster Bay. Then, in 1902, the NYYC changed its rating system to the "Herreshoff Rule," devised by the illustrious yacht designer, Nathanael Herreshoff. Later re-named the "Universal Rule," it would be adopted by the majority of leading American yacht clubs. The rule governed yacht design for almost forty years.

Recent History

Since the loss of the Cup the NYYC has been forced to reinvent itself and the Club has gotten involved in team racing, dinghy racing, youth sailing, and numerous international regattas. In 2002 the Club hosted the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Sloop North American Championships. In 2006 the Club hosted the Blind Sailing World Championships.