Originally founded in 1889 and incorporated in Connecticut in 1901, the Indian Harbor Yacht Club is among the oldest yacht clubs in the country, and has a long and rich sailing tradition. With its breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and Greenwich, CT location, convenient to Newport and New York, the Club is a popular yachting facility with an active adult and junior sailing program. The junior program is open to club members and town youth alike. The Club hosts several events throughout the sailing season, and boasts active fleets in the Ideal 18, Viper and Shields classes, as well as a blue water fleet that continues to distinguish itself throughout the North and South Atlantic Oceans.

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From the Commodore:

“Indian Harbor Yacht Club is very proud and excited to become a Founding Member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. The enthusiastic response of our membership speaks to this effort whose time has come. We are wholeheartedly in support of the NSHOF mission to preserve the spirit and tradition of sailing through the education of our youth – those who cradle the future of our sport in their hands.”

Commodore Susan H. Fisher
Indian Harbor Yacht Club

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History

Celebrating 125 Years

“The purpose or object of Indian Harbor Yacht Club is to encourage and foster the sport of yachting, the art of yacht design and construction, the science of seamanship and navigation, and to provide for the amusement and recreation of its members.”

Indian Harbor Yacht Club was founded in 1889 by dedicated sailors intent on being part of the thriving sailing community on Long Island Sound. The club’s mission was ‘to encourage and foster the sport of yachting, the art of yacht design and construction and the science of seamanship and navigation’. That mission holds true today as our members continue to excel on the race course, embrace the pleasures of cruising and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members.

Over the years, our members have contributed to the establishment of national organizations that have defined the sport. These include NAYRU, which we know today as US Sailing, the US Power Squadron, the Yacht Racing Union of Long Island Sound and The American Power Boating Association. They have also participated in America’s Cup Syndicates and have organized international regattas for one-design classes, ocean races and US Youth Championships.

The current clubhouse was designed in 1919 by noted American architect Henry Pelton and completed by the Charles Wills Construction Company in 1920 to replace the original shingle-style building which was lost in a fire. Both men were club members and while Pelton is best known for designing the Riverside Cathedral in New York, Commodore Wills’ firm built buildings such as the University Club and the New York Stock Exchange. This same clubhouse, with sweeping views of Captain’s Harbor, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For 125 years, IHYC members have excelled in sailing at all levels, including fleet racing, one-design racing and ocean racing. IHYC members have won the Transatlantic Race, the Fastnet Race and the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit. They have entered over 300 boats in the Newport to Bermuda Race since its inception and they have been overall winners four times. They have also won the American Power Boat Championships four times. In addition, the IHYC Junior Sailing Program, founded by Commodores Robert Law and Clifford Mallory in 1924, continues to encourage young mariners to develop skills that will encourage a life-long appreciation of the water.

As Indian Harbor Yacht Club continues a second century of sailing, we are proud to be a founding member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. We also look forward to continuing to excel in its mission and to contribute to the future success of local and international sailing and seamanship.