In praise of the New York Yacht Club

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Who would ever have imagined that the team to leave an America’s Cup contest with a reputation for good sportsmanship would be ... The New York Yacht Club!

But so it is.

Turned up, tried hard, were competent, had rotten luck, were nice to everyone, lost, went home, with never a bad word.

Hope the NYYC try again next time.

[Hugh MacD]

A pleasant change. Good on 'em. Taking a lesson from the Tommy Lipton playbook.

[Ian McColgin]

In '68 and '69 when I operated the Setauket Yacht Club launch, the NYYC did a fleet cruise that stopped on Saturday night in Port Jefferson Harbor. They had a deal with SYC that paid for launch service and most of them were great tippers anyway, so we launch operators loved it. I on the idea of Sunday morning loading up with urns of coffee and a pile of the New York Times, which I'd deliver at no charge to the yachts. They tipped more than I'd ever have dared to charge.

[Garret]

Nice to hear.

My great-grandfather was a member & it's hard to imagine him being anything but honorable. Stuck up is a definite possibility though...

[Figment]

The best part of the NYYC fleet cruise coming to your anchorage was the "morning announcements" on the VHF. On this day, in Maritime History....

[bamamick]

Good for them. Nothing more need be said. I truly miss the ‘old’ days of racing when we did it because it was something we loved, and we understood that about everyone we sailed against. For what it’s worth, it’s not too late.

Mickey Lake

[Hugh MacD]

Too True! Saw enough of the "winning is everything".

[StevenBauer]

I’d love to have a tour of the “clubhouse”. https://nyyc.org/44th-st.-clubhouse

[StevenBauer]

So it looks like tours are available to us commoners. Except for COVID-19, that is. I’ll be looking into going once things open up again.

[Garret]

So it looks like tours are available to us commoners. Except for COVID-19, that is. I’ll be looking into going once things open up again.

Thanks! I've wanted to go see my great grandfather's half hull that's supposed to be "on the wall" there but thought I couldn't get in. When things clear up (as you say), I hope to check it out.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

I was once given a tour by a friend who is a Member. It is a wonderful Club.

[Dan McCosh]

I’d love to have a tour of the “clubhouse”. https://nyyc.org/44th-st.-clubhouse

That's the model room. The NYYC has several club houses.

[Figment]

several?
Do they have waterfront in NY now? I only know of the midtown club, and the waterfront in Newport.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

I sincerely hope that the New York Yacht Club win their Cup back. I mean that. Something has been missing from the America’s Cup since that dreadful day, the 26th of September 1983.

I was flying to New York from London on business and was due to meet an old friend, John Love, who was a member of the NYYC. The race would take place during the flight. I bet John ten dollars that Australia II would win. John met me at the airport and from there to my hotel and then to the Club House on 44th Street where he paid me my ten dollars over the head of the bolt.

[Hugh MacD]

I have to admit that as an American I had been a bit embarrassed buy some of the legal shenanigans that the club had pulled in the past and when Bertrand and crew took that last race held a mighty party. To this day I believe that the movement from stasis of the Cup has been a good thing for sailing. I was rather hoping that it could return to England this time and make a full circle to begin the contest again but that wasn't in the cards.

[John Meachen]

I sincerely hope that the New York Yacht Club win their Cup back. I mean that. Something has been missing from the America’s Cup since that dreadful day, the 26th of September 1983.

What was dreadful about it?The old order changeth....

[Dan McCosh]

several?
Do they have waterfront in NY now? I only know of the midtown club, and the waterfront in Newport.

I was thinking of the Newport clubhouse--thought there was one other, but apparently not. Dockage is limited on 44th street in Manhattan.

[Chris249]

I went to the Newport clubhouse a couple of times and found everyone pretty friendly. The NYYC is actually respected amongst racing crews for letting them party on the premises, unlike some other "senior" clubs. The second time I went there the conversation was about the previous night, when crews had been competing to see who could slide further down the slope while sitting on a silver drinks tray. Dennis Connor won quite handily, apparently.

[Hwyl]

I'm lucky enough to have been in both. I thought they lost the cup in 83, in good grace. I started working for the rear commodore shortly after that. He was certainly graceful. When someone asked him why DC didn't sail a tighter cover,, he anwered "how o you cover from behind in a slower boat?".

[John B]

Too True! Saw enough of the "winning is everything".

That's Prada now.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That's Prada now.

Please thrash them.

[John B]

They aren't the good guys any more, that's for sure.

[Garret]

They aren't the good guys any more, that's for sure.

I've missed this - how come?

[John B]

Just playing hardball Garret. In it to win it and to hell with any sporting gestures.
I know of one person who was backing them in the Prada cup, she's of Italian extraction so well give her a leave pass.
a hint of it here.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/americ...-watching-them

[Garret]

Bummer - but thanks for the info.