American Yacht Club (New York)

The American Yacht Club is a prestigious yacht club located in Rye, New York distinguished by a long history of competitive racing [1] and leadership in growing the sport.[2][3]

American Yacht Club
Burgee
Short nameAYC
Founded1883
Location499 Stuyvesant Avenue, Rye, New York 10580
Websitewww.americanyc.org

History

The American Yacht Club, also known as AYC, was founded on May 1, 1883. Its original 15 incorporators were William P. Clyde, Washington E. Connor, Alfred de Cordova, William B. Dowd, Jay Gould and his son George J. Gould, Jesse R. Grant, Cornelius Hatch, James B. Houston, Frank K. Lawrence, Christopher Meyer, Thomas C. Platt, Henry O. Taylor, Cornelius F. Timpson and George S. Scott.

Unlike the New York Yacht Club, American Yacht Club had the particular object of promoting the development of steam yachts.[4] One of the principal founders Jay Gould, had his 228-foot steam yacht, Atalanta, built that same year.

The club eventually pivoted to include sailboats and today some of the most sophisticated designs can be found moored in the club's harbor.

Clubhouses

The club initially used rooms in Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue before building a large Queen Anne-style clubhouse on the tip of Milton Point on Long Island Sound in 1894.[4][5] The architect of this building was Edward A. Sargent.[6]

On July 27, 1951,[7] a fire devastated the club house and a new structure was erected for $375,000 under the leadership of Commodore William L. Crow.[8] The architect of the colonial styled building was Jonathan Butler of Rye.[9]

Regattas and trophies

The club awards several perpetual trophies for racing including the Joyette Trophy for PHRF Division Racing; Zilph Trophy for One-Design; the Cynosure Trophy for the ORC Division; and the Roger Sherman Memorial Trophy[10]

In concert with Larchmont Yacht Club, AYC has hosted the Robie Pierce Regatta for more than 11 years.[11]

It has an active junior sailing program.[12]

Notable members
  • Frances "Frannie" Wakeman, four-time winning skipper of the Adams Cup [13] (1935-1938) [14]
  • Allegra Mertz [15], National Women's Sailing Champion and Adams Cup winner [16]
  • Courtenay Becker-Dey, 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist[17]

References
  1. "Interest in Small Boats". The New York Times. November 23, 1902.
  2. Glen Perry (June 2, 1934). "American Gets Adams Event N.A.Y.R.U. Makes Definite Award to Long Island Sound Club". New York Sun. p. 40.
  3. "American Yacht Club". National Sailing Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  4. Harry Brown (1901), The History of American Yachts and Yachtsmen, pp. 36–37
  5. Woodman, Ruth (1952), A Brief History of the American Yacht Club
  6. "The American Yacht Club House, Milton Point". Scientific American Architects and Builders Edition: 3–4. July 1892.
  7. "REVIEW OF PAST YEAR THROUGH FILES OF THE RYE CHRONICLE". The Rye Chronicle. December 31, 1952. p. 12.
  8. "Long May It Endure". The Rye Chronicle. November 27, 1951. p. 4.
  9. "Yacht Club Plans Formal Dedication". The Rye Chronicle. November 13, 1952. p. 1.
  10. "American Yacht Club Fall Regatta 2021 - Days 3 and 4". Sail World. October 3, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. Jan Hodnett (May 28, 2019). "Robie Pierce Regatta for sailors with disabilities at American Yacht Club". Sailworld. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  12. "Jr. Yacht Club Sailors Winners In Two Races". Rye Chronicle. August 25, 1955. p. 11.
  13. "AWARDS & TROPHIES MRS. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS MEMORIAL TROPHY". US Sailing. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  14. "Frances Fannie Wakeman". National Sailing Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  15. Tom Andersen (1987). "A Seasoned Sailor". Nyack: Journal News.
  16. "Allegra Mertz Wins Sailing Championship". The Rye Chronicle. July 18, 1963. p. 3.
  17. Angus Phillips (September 13, 2000). "Back Where She Started". Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
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