The Club's History
Founded in 1877, the New Bedford Yacht Club was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 25, 1878 “for the purpose of encouraging athletic exercises, yachting and especially by maintaining a Club house.”
The first Clubhouse was on Fish Island, but in 1879 the Club moved to larger quarters on Pope’s Island. By the end of the 19th Century, New Bedford Yacht Club members were beginning to keep their boats in non-industrial Padanaram Harbor. In 1901, the yacht club built a second station in Padanaram. The Pope’s Island station was sold in 1941, concentrating the Club’s activities at the Padanaram Station.
Then, as now, the Club represented diverse boating interests. Currently the New Bedford Yacht Club squadron includes a diverse assortment of boats from sail, power, to paddle, and surf. A full schedule of racing, cruising, and social events is maintained. As the second oldest yacht club in continuous operation on Buzzards Bay and the tenth oldest New England, the Club continues to fulfill its original statement of purpose
Our History