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Founded in 2007, the New York Yacht Club Foundation has contributed $8.1 million to fund much needed capital projects in both New York and Newport.

The care and maintenance of these historic buildings require constant attention and is only made possible by the support of the New York Yacht Club Foundation.

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About the 44th Street Clubhouse

In 1897, Commodore J. Pierpont Morgan’s unexpected purchase and donation of a three-lot site on West 44th Street was the gift on which the New York Yacht Club would erect its first permanent Clubhouse. Designed by the celebrated Warren & Wetmore architectural firm and completed in 1901, the historic Landmark building—so designated by New York City’s prestigious Landmark Preservation Commission—is a preeminent example of Beaux Arts architecture.

About Harbour Court

Conceived by the Boston-based consortium of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson, the Renaissance Norman-style mansion was completed in 1906, five short years after the 44th Street Clubhouse. The former summer estate of the late NYYC Commodore John Nicholas Brown, Harbour Court was acquired by the Club in 1988, and has since evolved into the internationally recognized Clubhouse and sailing center that it is today.

About Station 10

In 1845, Commodore John Cox Stevens commissioned architect Alexander Jackson Davis to design the New York Yacht Club’s first Clubhouse—a distinctive structure influenced by the Gothic Revival school. Originally erected in Hoboken, New Jersey, it was later moved to Glen Cove, New York, where it was known as Station 10. The structure was later moved to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut before a final journey to its lasting home at Harbour Court.

CONSIDER MAKING A

Over the next decade, with multiple projects on the horizon, in the planning stages or under way at both Harbour Court or 44th Street, major funding is required to ensure that these Clubhouses are preserved for future generations. These efforts include rebuilding a seawall and restoring the boathouse at Harbour Court. The ongoing annual maintenance of these historic buildings is made possible by the New York Yacht Club Foundation and your generous support.

NYYCF Board of Directors

Harry t. rein.

President & Chairman

Joseph F. Huber

Vice President - Development

Marie Klok Crump

Vice President - Marketing

David T. Guernsey, Jr.

Christopher l. otorowski, commodore david k. elwell, jr..

At-Large Member

Commodore Charles H. Townsend

William mathews (matt) brooks.

Chairman Emeritus

Lauretta J. Bruno

Amy h. ironmonger, ralph heyward isham, gary a. jobson, michael f. johnston, commodore philip a. lotz, mark mashburn, douglas l. newhouse, carol o’malley, charles f. willis iv, arthur j. santry iii, donald j. steiner, commodore paul m. zabatakis, executive director, andrew b. rose.

For more information or assistance with making a contribution, please contact the Foundation by calling 401-608-1125 or [email protected] .

Published on October 19th, 2021 | by Editor

Time to punt for New York Yacht Club

Published on October 19th, 2021 by Editor -->

After a decade and a half away from sailing’s flagship competition, the New York Yacht Club revealed their challenge for the 36th America’s Cup in October 2017 . However, the 2021 competition couldn’t have ended much worse for the storied club.

Their team, American Magic, struggled with onboard decisions that escalated with a horrific crash. Despite being the first challenger eliminated, the club’s eye was still on the trophy but had sought changes in the format which they shared in May 2021 .

They also changed teams , putting their allegiance behind the Stars+Stripes team, founded by members Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield, which came short of funding for the 36th edition. But with the venue announcement delayed , the club has now punted on participation. Here’s their announcement:

New York, NY (October 19, 2021) – Yesterday, in a letter to the Trustees of the New York Yacht Club, the Flag Officers of the Club announced the Club was pausing its pursuit of the America’s Cup.

Quotes from New York Yacht Club Commodore Christopher J. Culver:

• “There are few private clubs that enjoy a stronger bond with a single competition than the New York Yacht Club does with the America’s Cup, which we founded and held for 132 years. However, we ultimately have a responsibility to act in the best interests of our membership. Given the continued uncertainty regarding the 37th America’s Cup, we have decided to pause our challenge for this edition.”

• “For more than six months, the New York Yacht Club along with other potential challengers have waited for clarity regarding the venue, timing and rules for the 37th America’s Cup. Time is never on the side of new teams in this great contest, but at some point, we must recognize when there simply isn’t enough of it left to build a competitive challenge.”

• “We will continue to advocate for what we believe to be essential changes to the structure of the America’s Cup. This evolution will retain the competition’s unmatched history and appeal while enabling it to compete on today’s increasingly competitive modern sports landscape. Our passion for this competition remains as strong as ever.”

• “Stars+Stripes USA, led by members Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield, will carry forward with their plans to challenge for the 37th America’s Cup. We wish them the best of luck. They represent the future of American yachting.”

Tags: America's Cup , New York Yacht Club , Stars & Stripes Team USA

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About the U.S. Yacht Ensign

While the International maritime law primarily applies to vessels owned by the U.S. government and military, small, non-registered craft owned by U.S. citizens may also hoist a U.S. ensign to show their national character. The United States ensign is the American Flag, however, many privately-owned recreational craft use the U.S. Yacht Ensign in place of the national flag.

U.S. Yacht Ensign Design

The U.S. Yacht Ensign is a modified version of the American flag. It has the same 13 red and white stripes, as well as navy blue canton in the upper left corner. However, inside the canton, the 50 white stars are replaced with a fouled anchor in a circle of thirteen stars. Most yacht ensigns are manufactured in 2:3 or 3:5 proportions, but the traditional dimensions are the same as the national ensign, 10:19.

History of the U.S. Yacht Ensign

The U.S. Yacht Ensign was created by an Act of Congress in August 1848. However, the legislation did not authorize the U.S. Yacht Ensign to replace the national flag as a means of identifying the vessel’s nationality. In fact, the secretary of the New York Yacht Club specifically described the flag as a “distinguishing flag to be worn at the masthead,” and not as an ensign that would have been flown at the stern or gaff.

The intention of the law, and the purpose of the U.S. Yacht Ensign, was to indicate that a yacht was licensed by the Treasury Department, allowing private boats meant for pleasure, cruising and racing to move between ports without the need to clear customs. Yachts eligible for the license were initially 20 net tons and over, later reduced to 15 net tons, because smaller craft were not subject to the same customs rules.

The Navy fervently argued that the U.S. Yacht Ensign was meant to be used in addition to the national ensign, not in place of it. Yet, most yachtsman continued to use it in lieu of the national flag, and boats of all sizes, regardless of whether or not they held the Treasury Department license, began flying the U.S. Yacht Ensign from their sterns.

U.S. Yacht Ensign Accepted as National Ensign

The Navy eventually recognized the U.S. Yacht Ensign as a substitute for the national ensign in 1939, and the argument over which boats were eligible to fly the flag became a moot point in 1980 when the Vessel Documentation Act removed the special yacht license, along with the requirement to display the yacht flag.

Today, the United States Power Squadrons’ guide to flag etiquette provides that the U.S. Yacht Ensign may be flown as an alternative to the national ensign by U.S. recreational boats of all types and sizes. However, the standard national ensign should still be used when in international or foreign waters.

Honoring Tradition with the U.S. Yacht Ensign

Continuing a tradition that dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, the yacht ensign is now flown as a matter of custom by many recreational boats and yachts, including American journalist, author, television writer and yachtsman, Christian Williams.

Williams recently featured our U.S. Yacht Ensign in his YouTube Video, “Why We Sail — Refit and Hey, Why no Dodger?” The flag in the below video clip logged 15,000 nautical miles, and, as Williams notes, “It’s in better condition than he was.”

Lisa Frawley

One comment.

How could Williams sail 15000 miles with a yacht ensign in contravention of the rule that restricts the yacht ensign validity to US waters only?

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Private Signals

On the following pages are displayed the private signals that have been enrolled in the North American Yacht Register.

A “private signal” is a flag uniquely associated with a particular yacht owner. This flag, when displayed afloat, serves both as a means of visual recognition of the yacht’s identity and as a sign that the owner is on board. A private signal which is enrolled by an individual in the Register is thereby for the sole use of that person. However, a private signal may also be flown by other members of the registrant’s immediate family, and may be passed on to offspring.

The Register endeavors to preserve this custom. If a design for a new private signal submitted for enrollment resembles too closely an existing design, the application will not be accepted. However, if the original owner does not show continuing active interest in their private signal, it may be transferred to a new applicant.

Some basic principles of private signal design are:

• Simple patterns will be more recognizable at long distances
• Club burgees are generally triangular, while private signals are usually swallowtail
• Designs should not be easily mistakable for distress or warning signals
• The ratio of horizontal to vertical length of a flag is generally 3 to 2
• The standard colors, as derived from heraldry, are: blue, red, black, green, purple, yellow (gold), and white (silver)

Please contact us with any changes to an enrolled private signal or to request an application.

Listing of Historical Registrants with Plate Cross-Reference

Enrolled Private Signals

Apply to Enroll a New Private Signal