HISTORY
The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club was incorporated in 1895 by act of the Maine Legislature following formative years dating back to 1870. A hall was leased in Boothbay Harbor and the 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 One Designs are once again being manufactured. In The 1990's a class of J/22s 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 in West Boothbay Harbor, 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 clubhouse; the flat roof was replaced witha pitched roof 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 300 members and visitors, with launch service throughout 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.. In 2011 the Club acquired adjacent property on West Harbor that included a dwelling that will allow for future expansion of club activities.
The Club maintains a prominent role in yacht racing, with a series of weekly J/22 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 The Lobster Run coursing 332 nm from Stonington, CT., 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.
