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City Island Yacht Club

Incorporated 1907.

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New to City Island Yacht Club?

Please see our Membership page for further information. We welcome new and prospective members to visit and to tour our facilities. Call the Club office at 718-885-2487

Harlem Boat Clubs, New York 1883

The earliest means of transportation around New York City Harbor, from Harlem to Brooklyn and Staten Island and to trading was moored offshore was rowboats from 96th Street to 155th Street.

The rowboats would unload trade goods at the rear of the buildings.

The boatmen from the rowboats who ferried from ships to coastline regularly had races and rivalries with each other. These early races were the start of rowing in the United States.

Many of the first clubs like Harlem Rowing , the Bohemians were composed primarily of immigrants from one ethnic group, who continued to carry on the traditions from their homeland.

The race among high school crews was popular, as were those among professional organizations. Policeman, trolley car drivers, and Wall Street workers were the first among the professionals that held races on Harlem River.

Harlem had become a rowing centre so much so that it was called “ Scullers Row “, because it had over 1,000 rowers by 1902. Some of the best oarsmen in the world came to row along with the Riverside Speedway Course. The most recognized names of early rowing history, including the Biglin Brothers, Thomas Hanlan, and the Ward Brothers Came to Harlem.

Harlem boat club on the Harlem River by B. J. Falk, June 19, 1902. The Harlem Yacht Club (aka Harlem boat club – see photo above), now of City Island, was initially founded at 124th Street and the East River in June of 1883.

Harlem boat club on the Harlem River by B. J. Falk, June 19, 1902. The Harlem Yacht Club (aka Harlem boat club), now of City Island, was initially founded at 124th Street and the East River in June of 1883.

It spent most of its first two decades three blocks further south at the old Randall mansion (former home of the same Randalls who owned Randalls Island), and it also operated a ‘station’ at College Point from whence most of its regattas were conducted.

In 1894, the club gave up its station at College Point in favor of one on property it had purchased at City Island. It then occupied both locations – its ‘city house’ at the Randall mansion and its City Island station– for about ten years, even conducting occasional bicycle runs from one house to the other in those early days before the advent of automobiles.

It had towed its College Point clubhouse to the new site at City Island, but decided in 1898 to replace it with a larger structure, and erected a lovely Victorian manse.

Its opening in June of 1899 was heralded by a “salute of seventeen guns … an illumination [of the fleet], and fireworks ashore and afloat.” (New York Times, June 20, 1899, p. 5)

Finally, in 1903, the club gave up its headquarters at the Randall mansion in Harlem and took up permanent, and sole, residence at its property in City Island.

The old Victorian building burned in 1915 and was promptly replaced by the club’s current three-story building, which houses a bar, restaurant, and members’ lounge on its main floor, a second-story ballroom, and third-floor offices and steward’s quarters.

The HYC was a founding member of three yacht racing associations: the New York Yacht Racing Association (no longer in existence), the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound (YRALIS), and the Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association. These latter two are still very active today.

From its inception, the Harlem Yacht Club conducted numerous regattas and became known in local waters for its Memorial Day Regatta, which it conducted on its own initiative, then later as part of the YRALIS championship circuit.

For 60 years, this race was said to kick off the yacht racing season in western Long Island Sound. In that golden era of yacht racing, the public could enjoy following a regatta by purchasing a ticket for a steamer that followed the boats around the racecourse.

The steamers could carry up to 2,000 passengers, and this club enjoyed a popular following of such spectators in its early years on the Sound, until the practice ended with the rise of other spectator sports.

The club also ran several long-distance races such as the HYC Stratford Shoal Race, which ran from 1905 to 1920, and even evolved into a combination sail and powerboat race.

Meantime, the club’s racers also competed, and won honors, in the regattas of other clubs in the YRALIS circuit.

In its 1911 YRALIS Memorial Day regatta, the HYC hosted a historic race – the first regatta of the Star class – a small fixed-keel sloop that became immensely popular in all parts of the world and was in 1932 established as an Olympic Games class and is still raced there today.

In the late ‘30s the HYC became instrumental in the founding of the Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association in order to foster the growth of small boat bay sailing.

HYC Race Chairman Sidney J. Treat presided over its first race and for his efforts in promoting Star racing was also appointed Honorary and Life Commodore of the East River Star Fleet. The club boasted a fleet of 12 Stars, and several of the club’s racers were active Star competitors.

Most notable among them were Mike Treat, a champion Sound racer, and Charlie “Buster” Ulmer, who represented the East River Star Fleet in the International Championships in both Lisbon and Havana. “Buster” Ulmer later went on to found Ulmer Sails, now known as UK-Halsey Sailmakers.

With the outbreak of World War II, and because of the depletion of its members to the armed services, the club was forced to abandon the YRALIS Memorial Day Race and its Star racing program dwindled.

In the 1950s, with the rise of powerboats, the club’s members began to lean more heavily toward motor yachts.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, as sailing reclaimed a measure of its former popularity within the club, the proportion of sailing members again rose to prominence.

The club is currently one of the four City Island yacht clubs which co-sponsor the Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association. In addition, the HYC enjoys a number of club races of various types.

These include an around-the-buoy race (Treat Race), an overnight (Higgins Race), a J24 one-design (Hoxsie Race), a short-handed series, and a just-for-fun race called the Vice Commodore’s Regatta in which non-sailor members are recruited to actively crew upon their host member’s sailboat.

Today, the club enjoys a complement of about 150 members, in five categories. Its fleet of 123 boats is comprised of 80% sail and 20% power.

And, although its membership still draws heavily from the immediate Bronx/Lower Westchester area, it also enjoys a sizeable contingent of New Jerseyans, Manhattanites, and others from points further out, who find its location ideal for accessing the Sound.

All are comfortably accommodated in their beautiful clubhouse on City Island, and the club continues to pride itself as being one of the friendliest on Long Island Sound.

Photo credit: Source .

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Harlem Yacht Club

Review Highlights

“ Fantastic location with views to knock your socks off... .. we went 3 months ago to party and there was a large area to dance ..... ” in 2 reviews

“ I have been to 2 parties here and when I went for dinner one night (do not have to be a member) there was a party upstairs and the room looked great! ” in 2 reviews

“ The atmosphere is friendly and cozy , the views of the sound are amazing and the bar is awesome. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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417 Hunter Ave

Bronx, NY 10464

City Island

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The HYC is the ultimate in yacht club "shabby chic"... Awesome bar with incredible views of Eastchester Bay. Kitchen is now in good hands too, after the previous steward left and has been replaced with the current one. I would strongly recommend dinner with a few friends at sunset...

Was at a memorial luncheon recently , I have to say the food and atmosphere was extraordinary!!!

Cute club. Very receptive to new members. Hoping the food is more consistent. Stunning waterfront views.

The Harlem Yacht Club is your cozy tucked away spot to go for a good drink with friends while enjoying the view of the city. The staff are friendly and treat you like you're a regular - extra helpful when you need and super knowledgeable. We love sitting outside with a drink by the dock with a shrimp basket, enjoying the kids learning to sail, and viewing the NYC landscape.

Good food, lovely setting. Nice place to spend some time

You do not have to be a Member to have dinner at The Harlem Yacht Club. The Chef, Rutilio, is the best on the island. The atmosphere is friendly and cozy, the views of the sound are amazing and the bar is awesome. You can have your wedding, shower, sweet sixteen party there. The food and the decor will suit any taste and always a winner. Check it out. Store your boat there and consider joining the Harlem Yacht Club.

Recently visited with friends who are summer affiliates. Arrived at the restaurant a little bit too early for afternoon ice cream, and bumped into such a lovely young man. Turns out he speaks several languages. He was very polite insightful and funny and we all enjoyed talking with him until we realized that he worked there and we might be keeping him from checking in for his shift. Very gracious. Later we realized that he was the dishwasher. I really hope they pay these people properly. That young man should be in a leadership position somewhere. They are lucky to have him.

Had dinner here when I learned you did not have to be a member. Was great. Planning a family reunion this Spring The Harlem Yacht Club is a strong consideration. Prices were right also. We have family in City Island And the Bronx so the location is great and of course Right on the water . Nice atmosphere. Joan from the Pocono Mountains of PA.

GREAT Venue for a party large or small! I have been to 2 parties here and when I went for dinner one night (do not have to be a member) there was a party upstairs and the room looked great! The parties I have been to, 1 had a DJ, the other did not. There was enough room to dance and the food was beyond what I expected. Good staff, clean, great view right on the water!

I had the most amazing wedding reception at the HYC last weekend. I have been to other events here and am incredibly fond of this spot. It is the perfect mix of comfortable and charming, everyone there is friendly and helpful.....and you could not ask for a more picturesque view! To top it all off, Anne Booth's food knocks it out of the park. Anne and her husband Kwon are an amazing catering duo. They were accomadating to my special requests. And quite frankly, I have never heard so many people gush about the food at a wedding before. We had a really lovely day. I can't wait to come back to have a relaxing dinner here this summer.

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Harlem Yacht Club Hopes to Revive Cannon Tradition

There's a high-calibre battle between the Harlem Yacht Club and New York City officials. The club wants to revive a tradition of firing a cannon every night as it lowers its American flag. Club members call it free speech — but Manhattan officials call it an environmental hazard. NPR's Mike Pesca reports.

Web Resources

Snag-A-Slip Booking

Harlem Yacht Club

+1 (718) 885-3078

[email protected]

http://www.hyc.org

Monitored: 72 | Working: 72

City Island, NY | N 40° 51.000' / W 073° 47.410'

417 Hunter Avenue

City Island, NY 10464

Body of Water

Eastchester Bay

Location Reference Point

Western L.I. Sound

Launch Chairman

Peter Green

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Your request has been sent to the dockmaster at Harlem Yacht Club

Last Marina Login : 05/25/21

Have moorings $35/ night

Call ahead to confirm as prices are always subject to change

Noteworthy:

The Harlem Yacht Club has a restaurant & bar, shower facilities, etc.  Most ammenities available within walking distance. Mass transit available to N.Y.C., etc.including Amtrack.

Guests are welcome but need to sign-in upon arrival.

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City Island // 2024

Jr. sailing adventure sailing.

Our number one program in New Rochelle is now offered on City Island with Harlem Yacht Club! Adventure Sailing provides kids a relaxed environment to learn and have a great time on the water. Kids have the opportunity to sail all types of boats. Activities also include boating safety, aids to navigation, and knot-tying. Children will be grouped by age and experience.

Two Weeks: $1,035

HYC Members: Contact us for an additional 10% discount code

2024 Sessions

Session 1: July 1 - July 12

Session 2: July 15 - July 26

Session 3: July 29 - August 9

Ages 8 – 16

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Harlem Yacht Club: 417 Hunter Ave, Bronx, NY 10464

What's Included

Boats (no need to buy your own like other programs)

Safety equipment

Student Requirements

8 years of age

Can swim 50 yards and pass a swim test while wearing a PFD

Can exhibit an understanding of the risks involved with sailing

What To Bring

Sunscreen 

Life jacket (USCG Type III) – we provide if you don't have

Rain jacket 

We provide all safety equipment for sailing, including a USCG-certified Type III life jacket and an emergency whistle. Sailing can be dangerous due to the nature of being on the water. Our instructors are trained to teach and protect children; everyone holds a US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 instructor certification. Furthermore, all instructors are certified in CPR and first aid. On average, our instructors have four years of coaching experience and ten years of sailing expierence.

2024 City Island Instructors

Nicholas Rueda HYC Head Instructor

BRIGGS CUNNINGHAM: American Racing Tradition TALE OF AN AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

The america's cup, the america’s cup – 1958, text by kane rogers.

View photographer Cory Silken’s “Yacht Columbia – America’s Cup Winner 1958” gallery here .

Click here to read “The America’s Cup: An Insider’s View,” by Bob Bavier.

Prior to 1958, the last defense of the America’s Cup had been in 1937, by the J-Class yacht Ranger , owned by Harold S. “Mike” Vanderbilt. The J-Class rules prescribing a vessel of some 120 feet in length were promoted by Vanderbilt and others for the defense planned for 1958, but economic concerns and the desire among aspiring competitors to employ smaller dual-purpose yachts won the day. The New York Yacht Club settled on the twelve-meter class rules, reducing the length of the average vessel to around sixty-five feet. Harry Sears, then the club’s commodore, formed a syndicate to build the ship and asked Briggs to join to help with finances.

Although building and racing his cars had long been Briggs’ primary field of endeavor, he had never stopped sailing, and he agreed to join the effort. Sailing legend Cornelius Shields was appointed as the team’s skipper but, when he suffered a heart attack, Sears asked Cunningham to take Shields’ place.

As a member of five East Coast yacht clubs, with almost thirty years’ experience racing several different classes of vessel, Briggs was a solid choice to lead. The one thing he lacked was experience with the starting strategy required by the head-to-head style of America’s Cup competition. Shields, a master of this type of racing, was happy to impart his knowledge to Cunningham, who proved an able student.

Unfortunately, as skipper it was Briggs who had to inform Shields that he could not remain a member of the crew; if he suffered an attack during competition and had to be taken to the hospital, it would leave them a man short and result in their disqualification. It was a tough moment for both men, but it was also characteristic of both to do what was best for the team.

The eliminations for the American side would prove to be more exciting than the final races. Four twelve-metre yachts, Easterner , Weatherly , Vim and Columbia , survived two months of run-offs to compete in the final eight-day round of match races to determine the defender of the America’s Cup. Of the four contenders, only the Vim had raced previously, but the nineteen-year-old vessel was so completely refitted as to be virtually brand new. The Easterner and Weatherly had been hurriedly completed and neither was fully prepared to compete, although the Weatherly would successfully defend the Cup in 1962.

Columbia benefited from a strong syndicate whose membership included Harry Sears, Olin Stephens, the designer of the Vim , and Cornelius Shields, Jr., who occasionally spelled Briggs as skipper. The competition finally narrowed to Vim and Columbia , which prevailed by virtue of her ability to better handle rough seas and strong winds.

The British challenger, Sceptre , entered by the Royal Yacht Squadron and skippered by Graham Mann, was a quite rotund 68,000 pounds compared to the svelte Columbia at 57,000 pounds, and the event was decided in four straight wins by the Americans.

During the post-race celebrations, Briggs located a pay phone and called Alfred Momo at Watkins Glen, where Ed Crawford had just won the main race. As Briggs was returning to join his crew, a reporter approached and commented, “Briggs, that was a fine race!” to which Briggs, still with the Glen on his mind, replied, “That’s what I just heard. I wish I could have seen it.”

Website Disclaimer

Please read the disclaimer prior to entering this website. You may access it by clicking here .

HARLEM YACHT CLUB

Established 1883

General inquiries  [email protected] Event planning  [email protected]

Membership info  [email protected]

Phone Bar 718-885-1225 Catering Manager 914-497-4267 Reservations 914-514-0993 Office 718-885-3078 Launch House 718-885-3235

Mail The Harlem Yacht Club 417 Hunter Ave City Island, NY 10464

VHF Radio HYC launches monitor VHF-72 during hours of operation.

We are on the west side of City Island, in the northeast corner of Eastchester Bay. The approaches to the club can be found on NOAA charts 12364 and 12366 .

Latitude: 40° 51' 00'' N

Longitude: 73° 47' 24'' W

Social Media Facebook:  HarlemYachtClub Twitter:  @HarlemYachtClub HYC

Blog: Wordpress: https://harlemyachtclub.wordpress.com/

Anne Booth  [email protected]  

914-497-4267

Office Manager

[email protected]

718-885-3078

Launch Supervisor

David Sandoval

718-885-3235

Flag Officers

Douglas McCormick  [email protected]

Vice Commodore

Tim Hiel  [email protected]

Rear Commodore

Mark Cetta, PC  [email protected]

Ellen Murphy  [email protected]

George Morstatt  [email protected]

Food, Beverage, and Entertainment

David Perez  [email protected]

Brian Hendricks, PC  [email protected]

Grounds and Lockers

Erin Lewis  [email protected]

David Sexton  [email protected]

Moorings and Launch

David Paterson  [email protected]

John Downs  [email protected]

Membership 

Anthony Rosco, PC  [email protected]

Drexel Harris [email protected]

Appointed Officers

Club Boat Chairman

Bob Fleno, PC  [email protected]

Drexel Harris  [email protected]

Environmental Compliance

Walter Tyler  [email protected]

Fleet Captain

Roger Karlebach  [email protected]

Fleet Surgeon

Chin Ju Li, MD  [email protected]

Nancy Curtiss  [email protected]  

Historian 

Evelyn Schneider  [email protected]

Race Chairman

Paul Beaudin   [email protected]

Peter M. Trunfio, PC  [email protected]

Sean E. Ashe  [email protected]

Art Director

Wendy Beaudin [email protected]

Big Tom Yacht Racing Representatives

Peter Trunfio, PC, and Matt Stainback, [email protected]​