Yacht Club

A yacht club is a membership organization for recreational sailors and powerboat owners that runs racing, cruising, and social activities and usually provides moorings, a clubhouse, and race-management staff. Clubs administer one-design and handicap racing under World Sailing rules, host regattas, and may hold the trophies they defend; the New York Yacht Club held the America’s Cup from 1857 to 1983. The first such body was the Water Club of Cork Harbour (1720). National authorities affiliate clubs for class racing and youth training.