History of the Royal Dart Yacht Club

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The first yacht club in England was launched by the Duke of Cumberland in 1775, becoming the Royal Thames Yacht Club in 1823. In the “wave” of enthusiasm for sailing for pleasure that followed during the mid-Victorian era, Stoke Gabriel landowner Henry Studdy and a group of friends got together for the inaugural meeting of the Dart Yacht Club at the Castle Hotel, Dartmouth on June 8, 1866.

They established a base on the Kingswear side of the River Dart in two rooms of a hotel and invited like-minded people to apply for membership, at a cost of a guinea a year.

Royal approval came in 1873 after the Club petitioned Queen Victoria. Years earlier - in August 1856 - the monarch had been sailing along the coast when poor weather forced her to pay an impromptu visit to Dartmouth. She then bestowed the Royal title on the annual Regatta, which coincided with her visit. Not to be outdone, the Dart Yacht Club pressed for the same honour, supporting its case with the proclamation that it was in “the leading position as a sailing and racing club in the West of England.” Royal approval was duly given in time for 1873 regatta, hosted for the first time by the newly-named Royal Dart Yacht Club.

RDYC TIMELINE

1775 The first yacht club in England was established by the Duke of Cumberland, becoming the Royal Thames Yacht Club in 1823.

1833 The mid-Victorian era’s enthusiasm for sailing for pleasure leads to a number of regattas. The Royal Western Yacht Club is founded in Plymouth. 

1856 Queen Victoria is sailing along the Devon coast when inclement weather forces her to take shelter in Dartmouth on August 11, her impromptu visit coinciding with the annual Dart regatta. Delighted by her welcome, she bestows the title Royal on the regatta.

1863 The wooden hulk HMS Britannia arrives in Dartmouth ahead of the creation of Britannia Royal Naval College which opened to cadets in 1905.

1864 The railway reaches Kingswear, bringing with it many visitors.

1866 Henry Studdy and a group of like-minded friends gather at the Castle Hotel, Dartmouth for the inaugural meeting of the Dart Yacht Club, setting membership fees at a guinea a year. They take over two rooms in the Yacht Club Hotel in Kingswear as a club house. The Friday Sailing Regatta soon becomes part of the national yachting scene.

1872 Not to be outdone by the Royal Regatta, the Dart Yacht Club petitions Queen Victoria to be granted a Royal Charter. The monarch is told that the club “now takes the leading position as a sailing and racing club in the West of England.” Permission is granted in time for the 1873 Regatta in August.

1894 Ladies are elected as members for the first time, but ironically are excluded from the club house until 1936.

1900s Both World Wars have a detrimental impact on membership, but the establishment of the Dart One Design Dinghy Club, which becomes affiliated to the RDYC, brings about a reversal of fortunes and, by the 1930s, membership is increasing.

1959 The first Junior Sailings Week.

1985 Membership is building and the club acquires a new pontoon

1990s There are turbulent times for the club which is hit by the effects of a tough period of recession.

2000 The arrival of the millennium is auspicious. Membership reaches 1,000 and £118,000 is raised for developments at the Royal Dart Yacht Club as their Millennium Project.

2016 The club is thriving with lots of activities on and around the water. A year of celebrations will mark the Royal Dart Yacht Club’s 150^th anniversary.