The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) was established in 1844 aboard the yacht of John Cox Stevens, who became the first commodore. The original club membership consisted of 8 of Stevens’ friends. The first clubhouse was built in 1845 on land which was once part of the Stevens family estate, at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. The opening of that first clubhouse, which overlooked the Hudson River, was celebrated by a regatta which has since become the Annual Regatta. With only a few interruptions, the Annual Regatta has been held each year since that first event. In 2009, the NYYC help the 155th Annual Regatta.

In 1987, the NYYC acquired Harbour Court, the former summer home of Commodore John Brown, in Newport, Rhode Island. Since then, Harbour Court has been the site of many prestigious NYYC yachting races and events. NYYC was the owner of the America’s Cup for 132 years, until 1983. The victories of NYYC boat’s in the America’s Cup from 1870 to 1980 is often called the longest winning streak in sports history.

The United States Naval Academy Sailing Program offers racing clinics for junior sailors at the Racing Center in Annapolis. The Big Boat Racing Clinic focuses on leadership and teamwork skill development aboard large offshore racing boats. The weeklong clinic offers an enriching program which will enhance a teenage sailor’s racing skills. The clinic is taught aboard the Academy’s fleet of 44’ MK2 sloops. For more information, see the USNA website.

Mirabella V is a sloop-rigged yacht, the largest single-masted yacht in the world. This super yacht was built in 2003 at a cost of $50 million. Mirabella V is owned by Joe Vittorai, former CEO of the Avis car rental company, who makes it available for charter cruises. The Mirabella V is a unique sailing vessel that combines high performance sailing capabilities with the luxury found on motor yachts.

This YouTube video has some great aerial footage of Mirabella V under sail with a strong wind:

Mirabella V is capable of performance of 20 knots to windward when under sail.

The Melbourne Yacht Club is location on Melbourne Harbor at the mouth of Crane Creek in Melbourne, Florida. Crane Creek empties into the Indian River Lagoon, where 100 square miles prime East Coast sailing waters are to be found. The Melbourne Yacht Club was founded in 1947, and has since grown to a membership of more than 160 families. The club offers activities such as races, cruises and regattas. Social activities on holidays are also sponsored by the club. The club offers courses in water safety and sailing for youth ages 9 to 14 and adults. The Melbourne Yacht Club has a family-oriented atmosphere and invites young people to participate in all club activities.