Welcome
to the Boothbay Harbor
Yacht Club.
The
Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club was created in 1895 by act of the Maine
Legislature following formative years dating back to 1870. In 1907
a clubhouse was rented in Boothbay Harbor and this club became a racing
and social center for the active summer colony, with many yacht clubs
visiting. In 1938, the club voted to adopt a 21’-class sailboat,
the “Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club One Design” class designed
by Geerd Hendel. Many are still sailing and racing today and new boats
are once again being manufactured. In the 1990’s a class of
j22’s was introduced.
The
Junior Sailing Program was established in 1954, with youngsters initially
sailing in Turnabouts. The Club has hosted many regional regattas,
and turned out many accomplished sailors. When the inner harbor became
too crowded for racing, the Club leased the former Oake Grove Casino,
with the young sailors enjoying both Turnabouts and One Designs. The
Junior Sailing programs today use Opti's and 420's.
The
increased activities at the Club and within the inner harbor prompted
the move to the present West Harbor location. A new clubhouse was
built adjoining the Casino, which opened in 1968, and was enlarged
in 1980.
The
tennis program was introduced in 1976 on adjacent courts built and
owned by former Commodore George Whitten. In 1993 the club bought
the courts and the adjacent building, which houses the West Boothbay
Harbor Post Office.
In 2000, the club undertook a major renovation of the buildings; the
roof was raised and the interior completely redesigned and renovated.
The result is an attractive and well-appointed facility, which provides
excellent boating and dining services to the club's 325 members, and
visitors, with launch service through the season to an extensive mooring
area.
The
Club maintains a prominent role in yacht racing, with two series of
weekly J22 and One Design Races with stiff competition. In 1987 the
Commodore's Cup series of weekend races were initiated as a racing
forum for cruising sailboats, with large fleets participating. Since
1974, the Club has sponsored a Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Association
regatta, a two day event drawing boats from all over Maine.
Members
also participate in a great variety of events at the Club, and in
several summer cruises. The renovated clubhouse has extended the summer
season, stretching activities through spring and into the fall.
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& Clubhouse | Calendar | Links
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