Club History

History of Quincy Yacht Club

At the time of the July 4 regatta in 1874, “Captain” H. M. Federhen of the yacht LENA extended an invitation to participating yachtsmen to meet at his home July 10. While the purposes of this meeting were not stated, it is evident that he was preparing the way for the organization of local yachtsmen. As a result of this gathering, another meeting was held Thursday, July 23, 1874 in his boat house at Quincy Point. There the Quincy Yacht Club was organized.

A committee was appointed on rules and regulations, consisting of James T. Slade, George Tyler Bigelow, Jr., and H. M. Federhen. A committee was also appointed to notify boat owners to meet “at Mr. Jas. H. Slade’s residence,Thursday evening next at 8 o’clock”.

All yachtsmen were invited to attend. At this meeting July 30 the Club started with 69 members and 37 yachts.

The following officers were chosen: Commodore James H. Slade Vice-Commodore H. A. Keith Secretary and Treasurer H. M. Federhen Regatta Committee -H. M. Federhen, John Shaw, Jr., Marcus W. White, Charles F. Pierce and Freeman Whitmarsh.

Founded in 1874 by several prominent summer residents of Houghs Neck, Quincy Yacht Club was the first in the area and is the city’s oldest sporting organization.

The most well-known QYC member was Charles Francis Adams III, the descendants of two United States Presidents, a Quincy Mayor, helmsman of the 1920 America’s Cup defender Resolute, and secretary of the U.S. Navy under Herbert Hoover. He served three terms as Commodore from 1885 to 1887 and remained a club member until his death in 1954.

QYC is a member of the Quincy Bay Race Week Association and has reciprocity agreements with many affiliate yacht clubs.