New York Yacht Club

Category: Museums & Collections

NYYC has an extensive model and nautical art collection, library and chart room. The Model Room contains 151 full rigged models and
approximately 1200 builders and half models. Unfortunately, the collection may only be viewed by members and their guests.

The club was founded in 1844 by John Cox Stevens and eight friends aboard Steven’s yacht Gimcrack while sailing in New York Harbor. On August 22, 1851, the schooner America won the 100 Guinea Cup (renamed America’s Cup) from the Royal Yacht Squadron by defeating 14 British yachts in a 53-mile race around Isle of Wight. The syndicate that captured the trophy later assigned the Cup to the New York Yacht Club with a Deed of Gift, under condition that it be preserved as a perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign nations. The trophy was renamed the America’s Cup.

The yachting fraternity has successfully defended 25 challenges. The first challenge race took place in Upper New York Bay off the coast of Staten Island on August 8, 1870. The first contest matched the schooner Cambria against 23 New York Yacht Club boats, the entire club fleet. The center-board schooner Magic won. In 1893, the series was moved to open seas off the New York coast and in 1930 the race was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island. America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in sports and the most coveted award in yachting. The Club’s 132 year hold on the trophy is the longest winning streak in sporting history. The landmark Manhattan clubhouse of NYYC displays the carved eagle escutcheon of the yacht America. The next America’s Cup contest will take place in 2007.