HISTORY

In 1903 Hampton's boating enthusiasts founded the Virginia Yacht Club and in 1906 issued stock and erected a clubhouse on pilings at the foot of Victoria Boulevard.  Interest dwindled during the Great War and the clubhouse fell into disrepair . In 1926 six men, not associated with the Virginia Yacht Club, formed the Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) and were ceded gratis the property of the old club.  Since that time, HYC has been a yachting and social center of the Virginia Peninsula.

Power as well as sailboat racing were featured competitive activities in the early years with the Virginia Gold Cup being awarded for powerboat racing from 1933 to 1949.  The club sponsored sailing events from small boat regattas featuring its own Hampton One Design sailboat to ocean racing events such as the 1941 Storm Trysail Club - HYC race from New London, Connecticut to Hampton.  In 1995, the club sponsored the fifty-fifth running of the Virginia Cruising Cup from Annapolis to Hampton.  However, HYC is considerably more than a yacht club for racing sailors . Sailing is truly a family affair, from the family of crew who laugh and party with each other after the Wednesday night and weekend races, to the families who cruise for a day or a week or more to explore life on the Chesapeake and beyond.

FACILITIES & SERVICES

• A two story modern building. Formal dining room seating 108 and an informal dining area and lounge seating 84.  The lounge is equipped with two cable TV systems for viewing the weather channels and sporting events such as the America's Cup Races (and University of Virginia, Virginia Tech., and Redskins games).
• Excellent physical location with close proximity to Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Bay the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

Grounds, Facility & Pier Layout

• Extensive dockage on the Hampton River with 192 floating concrete slips equipped with power and water.  Storage racks available for dinghies and parking with launching facilities available for boats that are kept on trailers.
• Credit dining without the need of a credit card.  However, VISA and MasterCard credit cards are honored.
• Bring-Your-Own-Bottle privileges with bottle lockers available for members.
• Auxiliary building used for Junior activities.
• Private parking with special efforts made to reserve parking for members during high activity periods such as Hampton Bay Days.
• The Club's facilities are available to members for private parties.
• Purchase of sports clothing with emblem of HYC burgee.
• Reduced dues for membership in Boat/US.

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

• Annual Race Management Seminar for those members who are interested in working on the Club's Race Committees . This supports the Sailboat Racing Program.
• Periodically, lectures and general interest programs are presented after the monthly membership meetings.
• Two annual clam digs followed by a clam bake on the docks.
• Annual Pig Picking.
• Special parties and diners on Halloween and Valentines Day and other special occasions.
• Annual Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry.
• Sail Training for adults using the clubs “420” Junior sailboats.
• An active sail training program for juniors. Training courses range from beginner to advanced racer with children starting the program as early as age 9.
• Children's Christmas party.
• Organized Club cruises for both sail and power boats. In addition many spontaneous cruises with associated parties are enjoyed by the members.
• Members and their guest are invited to two large parties sponsored by the club each year, the annual Christmas party and the spring Flag Raising party.
• HYC hosts the Hampton Model Yacht Club which races a fleet of East Coast 12 Meters.  These radio controlled model yachts are often raced on Sunday afternoons at HYC during the winter months.
• The Mainsheet is a monthly newsletter sent to all members that provides timely news on the club's activities, treasurer's report, dinning room specials, racing results, and much more.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

It is normal for members of yacht clubs to be able to utilize the facilities of other yacht clubs. Unfortunately, some clubs do not offer reciprocal agreements; e.g. New York Yacht Club & the Nantucket Yacht Club.  HYC is a member of Yachting Club of America which has annually published a book of clubs offering reciprocal agreements.  That book is located in the HYC office and it may be prudent to check it before visiting other clubs.

HYC has traditionally had special arrangements with other Bay clubs which have extended reciprocity to include one night of free dockage per month and/or courtesy billing. The following clubs have formally offered HYC extended privileges for 2012:

Additionally we have received communication from Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Portland (Maine) Yacht Club, and Seaford Yacht Club offering the “privileges of the Club House and Anchorage.” Annapolis Yacht Club's policy is “Visiting Yachtsmen may use the club facilities for a maximum of two days per quarter” although special arrangements can be made with AYC for extended visits.

HYC members are usually admitted as guests of other national and some international Yacht Clubs.

SAILING EDUCATION & SAILBOAT RACING

Hampton Yacht Club has a very active programs throughout the year.  For young sailors ages 6 thru 17, HYC provides instructional sailing programs and a very active high school sailing program.  Senior sailors have a variety of events in which to partake.  Here are our annual programs:

Junior Sailing Program
Annual Calendar of Events
Frostbite Sailing	January – March
Spring High School Sailing	March – June
Spring Junior Sailing Session	May – June
HYC Spring Junior Regatta	June
Parent Night Summer Sailing Program	June
Summer Junior Sailing Program	June – August
Annual Junior Regatta	July
Fall High School Sailing	August – October
Fall Junior Sailing Session	September
Fall Junior Regatta	October
Social
Awards Night Dance	August

HYC ANNUAL RACING EVENTS
Keel Boats
New Years Day Race	January
Wednesday Night Race Series	April – September
J24 Regattas	April, July, August & October
Hospice Cup	May
Down the Bay Race	May
Southern Bay Race Week	June
Tom Brady Masters Race	August
Plantation Light Race	August
Single-Handed Race	September
HYC Annual Regatta	September
Frostbite Series	October/November
Gaboon Race	December
One–Design/Dinghy
HYC Winter Series	December – March
Spring One–Design Regatta	April
Trapeze Regatta	May
Annual One–Design Regatta	July
Serio Hampton One–Design Regatta	September
Fall Fling One–Design Regatta	November
Regional, National and Special Regattas
East Coast 505 Championship	September

HYC members also participate on Advisory Committees for the Sailing Teams of the following schools:

• Christopher Newport University
• Hampton University
• Old Dominion University

HYC is a member of United States Sailing Association and The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association.  HYC sponsors over 43 races for large and small boats as well a participating in the management of National and Regional Regatta Championships

MEMBERSHIP

To join the Hampton Yacht Club a prospective member should have an interest in boating, be recommended in writing by a member in good standing and have his or her application approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.  See also our Membership page.

APPROXIMATE FEES*

Please view the detailed table of fees, dues and charges.  See also review our complete Prospective Member Information page.