Since 2000, Royal Perth Yacht Club has hosted the Sailability WA program to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in sailing activities.[4]
Early history
The original Royal Perth Yacht Club location on the right of the Perth City Baths, c.1905
The Royal Perth Yacht Club can trace its origins to 1841, when a group of sailors staged a modest regatta to celebrate Foundation Day. A subsequent regatta was held in 1843, and then the First Perth Regatta was held on 18 June 1851. In 1865, this original group of pioneer sailors formalised the Perth Yacht Club.[5]
Early regattas at the club included yacht races and gig rowing races. Duck hunting was also popular at this time.
Map showing original location of Royal Perth Yacht Club on Perth Water near William Street
In 1865, WH Knight was elected as founding President of the Perth Yacht and Boat Club[6] and at meeting on 17 March 1870, the first sets of “Sailing Rules”[6] were framed. Royal Perth Yacht Club have an original copy of the Rule Book dated 1880 within the Club Archives. The earliest trophy, dated 1885, is displayed in the club's Wardroom Trophy Cabinet. The first Ladies Committee to be associated with the club was appointed by General Committee in 1885.[6] The first mention of Junior Members in Minutes from 1910 read – “Gentlemen over the age of 16 and under 21, not being the owner of a boat, may be accepted as a Junior Member”. There was no nomination fee and the annual subscription was One Guinea.[5]
Australia II innovative design by Ben Lexcen, included features such as a reduced waterline length and a short chord winged keel.[12]
Prime MinisterBob Hawke was interviewed at the celebrations on the morning of September 27, 1983 at Royal Perth Yacht Club, where he made the famous statement to journalists that "Any boss who sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum".[13]
RPYC hosted the 1987 defence off Fremantle Harbour at a newly established annex during the Australian summer months between October 1986 and February 1987.[3][14] The American challenger Stars & Stripes 87, sailed by Dennis Conner, beat the Australian defender Kookaburra III, sailed by Iain Murray, four wins to nil in the best of seven series. This regatta marked the last time that 12-metre class yachts were used in the America's Cup.
The entrance road to RPYC in Crawley was commemoratively renamed Australia II Drive. To mark the 30th anniversary of the America's Cup victory, the second mast of the Australia II was permanently installed by the foreshore outside the clubhouse from which the undefaced Blue ensign and Club burgee are flown.
View of the Crawley Marina, Royal Perth Yacht Club
In 1979, the RPYC organised the 20,000 kilometre Parmelia Race from Plymouth, England to Perth in order to mark the 150th anniversary of Western Australia.[3][16] Competitors were invited to recreate the 1829 voyage of the merchant barque Parmelia bringing the first British settlers to the Swan River Colony.
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A yacht club is a boat club specifically related to yachting.
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Iain Murray is an Australian sailor and yacht designer
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