history of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club

The club’s origins go back before 1871, to the earlier Port of Falmouth Regattas. The inaugural meeting nominated twenty-one Vice Patrons, a President, nine Vice-Presidents, a Commodore, four Vice-Commodores, a Rear-Commodore, an Honorary Treasurer, two Honorary Secretaries and a Committee of 38.

On the club’s foundation, Queen Victoria and HRH The Prince of Wales became Patrons.

The original dress code for members was a blue serge reefer jacket with black metal buttons and blue trousers, and a blue oval-shaped cap with a peak covered in blue cloth edged with an oak leaf pattern.

The club elected to spend 1872 at the Falmouth Hotel and, finding it too remote from the harbour moved to the Greenbank Hotel in 1874, where it remained until 1883, when it moved to Greenbank House, where it has remained ever since.

In 1876 the first female member was welcomed. Miss Georgiana Mary Gregor of Torquay owned Morwenna (20 tons) and Teresa (9 tons). The second female member joined in 1894.

After the move to Greenbank House in 1883 the initial subscription for membership was one guinea.

Following a conviction, a new rule was introduced under which any member found guilty of smuggling shall be expelled and shall not be eligible for re-election.

In its early days the club had a Regatta Fund, which was supplemented by a donation of 25 guineas per year from the Prince of Wales, which continued until Edward VII became King in 1938

Appleby’s Door was created so that Rear-Commodore Appleby could take a short cut from the Greenbank Hotel, where he was a permanent resident.  Appleby was one of the seven generous members who bought the premises for the club in that year.

During World War One, there was no racing but some restricted sailing continued. After the war, Corinthian Racing and the annual Regatta restarted.

The first national dinghy championship held under the club’s burgee was in 1934 when it hosted the Prince of Wales Cup Week for the International Fourteens.

The club’s first involvement with offshore racing was in 1938, when it hosted the Falmouth-Kingstown Race.

During World War Two, there was little sailing. All club racing was abandoned in 1940 and not resumed until 1946.

During the war, it was decided that ladies would be permitted into the cocktail bar during an air raid warning, and also between noon and 1pm daily.

Due to austerity after the war, it was decided that whisky would be sold on alternate days.

In October 1957, a Women’s Committee was formed to assist it with social matters.  This was the origin of the present Social Committee.

The first children’s Christmas Party was held in 1957.

Pip Holman was the only Admiral appointed in the history of the Club. He owned Morva, the club’s flagship for many years.

On 22^nd April 1969, Robin Knox-Johnston landed at the club on completing the first single-handed non-stop circumnavigation.

The club celebrated its Centenary in 1971. It held a dinner at the Budock Vean Hotel, which Prince Philip attended.

The club launch is an 18ft Plymouth Pilot. Acquired in 1975, it continues to give good service and is now on its fourth engine.

The first AZAB race was held in 1975. There were 40 entries, all single-handed. Since 1975, the event has run every four years and entry numbers have continued to grow.

Ben Ainslie, already a member,  was elected an Honorary Life Member  in recognition of winning his first Olympic gold medal in Finns.

Walking is an unusual activity for a yacht club yet regular walks are popular amongst members.

RCYC members volunteered in the 2012 Olympics at Weymouth and  for the first time since 1936, the club hosted a J-Class Regatta.

In summer 2013, the newly created RCYC Sailing Trust’s first event took place, when Sam Goodchild took several young hopefuls for a sail on his Figaro Class racing yacht. The aim of the trust is to encourage and provide the opportunity for families and children to experience sailing around Falmouth.

In June 2015, RCYC hosted the J Class Regatta in Falmouth.

On 29 October 2015, a book called “A History of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club 1871 – 2012” was launched. The book charts the history of the Club in detail from its founding in 1871, through the World Wars, to 2012, and includes many fascinating chapters such as those recording the Royal Patronage and Notable Members. The book is available to purchase for £20 (plus P&P £3.50 to UK).

In February 2016, RCYC club members, Nick and Tim Woodley, completed the Cumbria Climb to raise money for the RCYC Youth Sailing Trust. They climbed to the top of Helvellyn and another Fell. After three days of extreme weather conditions, the members managed to get the club burgee up to a total of just under 6000ft.