ABOUT DYC

The Dorchester Yacht Club (DYC) has a rich Boston Maritime tradition dating back to our founding in 1870. The sailing yacht “America” won the very first transatlantic regatta and was berthed at DYC. While our protected anchorage is no longer conducive to sail, that history remains a very real part of our DYC History.

First and foremost, we are a not-for-profit, member run and owned organization. We welcome you and your family as part of our boating community. We hope you will enjoy the facilities and being part of an organization committed to the safe enjoyment of boating and preserving the beauty of Boston Harbor.

In addition to the privileges of membership, there are also shared responsibilities. We maintain affordability of our Club with member contributions to the maintenance and improvement of the physical facilities.

For starters, we have over 150 slips that can accommodate boats from 16 to 42 feet. All docks are served by electricity and freshwater. In addition, we have our own gasoline fuel dock as well as a complimentary pump out station. We also maintain several moorings that are available for transients.

Our protected anchorage provides very easy access to Boston’s inner and outer harbor, the harbor islands, easy navigation to the Cape Cod Canal and just many other maritime points of interest.

Within our waterfront clubhouse one will find immaculately kept bathrooms, showers and a fully stocked kitchen facility. Ice is also readily available. 

OUR HISTORY

The DYC story actually begins in 1870. Not much is known of our early activities, but we do know that the yacht “America,” after which the international sailing  trophy the “America’s Cup” is named, once flew the colors of the Dorchester Yacht Club. It was in 1851 that the “America” crossed the ocean to England to defeat seventeen other yachts in the first of the international sailing races.  The “America” was rebuilt in 1871 and is listed among the yachts of the Dorchester Yacht Club in the yearbooks of 1877 and 1882.

We also know the club had some interesting traditions. One was the annual  August Moonlight Sail around Thompson’s Island. According to the reports a number of the yachts “swung Chinese lanterns at vantage points, and there were colored fires and fireworks along various parts of the passage.

In January, 1890, the Dorchester Yacht club petitioned the state legislature for the right to change the name to the Massachusetts Yacht Club. Some of the members felt that the name Dorchester was too restrictive given the number of members who did not reside in Dorchester. However, others felt that a local club should be maintained, and as soon as the General Court had granted the new name request, ten Dorchester residents immediately petitioned the General Court for the right to incorporate a new club under the old name. The commissioners of corporations approved the charter for a club to be again called the Dorchester Yacht Club.

At that time, we were strictly a racing club. This apparent focus and determination made the difference between the success and growth of DYC and the failure and dissolution of the Massachusetts Yacht Club.

Our original location was on Freeport Street, next to the building that is now home to Yale Electric Supply.  During World War II the clubhouse served as the base of operations for a unit of the Coast Guard Auxiliary which patrolled Boston Harbor throughout the whole year, night and day.

DYC maintained a very active sailing program through the years until the construction of the Southeast Expressway. At that time in the 1950’s, the clubhouse was moved to our current location in the Dorchester Bay Basin.

Much of the club culture has not changed through the years. The club has always strived to provide an affordable option to some of the glitz and glamour so often associated with boating. The club has always operated on a minimal operating surplus; for example, in 1900 the treasurer’s report showed a balance of seventy-five cents!!!!! There are frequent accounts of collations and “hops” being given in an effort to raise funds and to stimulate social activity. The practice of issuing bonds to the members to cover extraordinary expenditures is one of long standing. When the first clubhouse was purchased in 1892 there were 400 ten-dollar bonds issued to 42 members. 

One would be remiss not to include some of the more colorful events and characters that have shaped DYC.  We have had more than a few “rogues and rascals” in our midst. But those stories are best shared by the Tiki Bar with some of our more “seasoned” members.

Today, our club very much reflects the dynamic demographic changes that have occurred in Boston.  Our membership includes folks who cruise the New England Coast, old crusty salts chasing the stripers and blues that come into our home waters, young families enjoying time with their kids and taking full advantage of the harbor islands…but what binds us all, is the beauty of Boston Harbor and the camaraderie of folks who just like messin with their boats.