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The tradition of
yacht racing and cruising has been in the hearts and souls
of Youngstown Yacht Club sailors since its inception. The
Club’s first yacht was the Blue Moon, a New York 30 sloop
which dropped anchor off the Club dock on July 2, 1931. The
nine-man syndicate from Buffalo that brought her to
Youngstown joined a small group of promising local sailing
enthusiasts and formed the Youngstown Yacht Club.
In 1936 the fledgling Club agreed to hold the L.Y.R.A.
regatta in Youngstown. Enthusiastic racers from Lake Erie
sailed into the mighty Niagara River to attend the event.
Struck by the prevalent natural beauty and exceptional
sailing conditions, these sailors decided to stay, bringing
to the Club a cadre of experienced sailors who were to
provide much of the Club’s leadership for the next 40 years.
Overnight, Youngstown became a power in Lake Ontario racing,
and a sailing center for the Buffalo area. The Club has been
increasing membership, improving facilities, and promoting
racing and cruising ever since.
Sailing craft that have written history at YYC encompass a
wide variety of boats. Early racing sailors, who competed in
one-design fleets of Snipes, 6-Meters and R-Boats, were a
special breed. They thought nothing of challenging each
other to a midnight race from Youngstown to Toronto to
settle a bet on who was the best croquet player — the
nearest croquet course being at the Royal Canadian Yacht
Club! These sailors were the forebears of generations of
serious sailors and consistent winners on the racing
circuit, many of whom sail out of YYC today.
While racing brings the glory (and the frustration),
cruising yields the memories. Few sailors would deny that
their happiest memories come from cruises around the lake.
The first organized Club cruise was in 1943 when, in spite
of wartime shortages, five yachts, including the Blue Moon,
sailed off in the sunset to the Bay of Quinte. YYC continues
the custom of organized Club cruises today, to the delight
of many of our cruising members.
Of all our Club’s activities, one of the most successful is
unquestionably the Junior Sailing Program. This happy
development started in 1955, by which time YYC had become a
"big boat" Club. Thirteen members, with 43 children among
them, joined together to purchase a fleet of dinghies. By
the early 1960s, these dinghies were made available for a
Club-sponsored program with instructors. By the 1970s, the
program grew from volunteer instructors to a paid staff, and
to a top-notch operation.
The Youngstown Yacht Club is proud of its heritage, and
continues to support the traditions of the sport of sailing
in all Club activities.
©1998-2011
Youngstown Yacht Club |
