Welcome
to the Boothbay Harbor
Yacht Club.
The
Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club incorporated in 1895 by act of the Maine
Legislature following formative years dating back to 1870. A hall
was leased 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 Oak
Grove Casino, with the young sailors enjoying both Turnabouts and
One Designs. The Junior Sailing program today uses Opti's and 420's.
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 neighboring 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
field.
In 2002 the Club acquired bordering property on West Harbor Pond that
included a dwelling that was remodeled to house Club staff.
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. In 2008
the club became a sponsor, together with The Corinthians and the Stonington
Harbor Yacht Club, of a bi-annual distance ocean race known as The
Lobster Run coursing 332 nm from Stonington, CT out around Nantucket
Shoals and finishing in Boothbay Harbor.
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.
About
Us | Sailing | Tennis
| Junior Program | Dining
& Clubhouse | Calendar | Links
| Contact Us | Employment
Opportunities
