History Spotlight: The Falmouth Yacht Club

As the reader can see in  about , anyone who lives near the water is prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to get closer to it.

While a harbor can be a passport to fun upon the water, it is primarily a place where work is conducted.

There was, historically, a lack of a central location for genteel aquatic fun in Falmouth, a problem that would be corrected one day in 1945. A group of residents, with Herbert G. Clopper, Jr. in charge, called a meeting at the old Falmouth police station building in November of that year.

Preparation for the gathering had been made the previous Labor Day, with a total of 20 postcards being sent around to residents—both of the year round and summer variety. These cards inquired of the recipients whether they wished to join in on the formation of a local yacht club, which was evidently responded to with an affirmative.

The first incarnation of the Falmouth Yacht Club was called the Falmouth Boat Racing Association, and its second meeting (held in Boston) saw the formal creation of the Yacht Club as it stands today, with the man behind the club's formation—Mr. Clopper—nominated as its first Commodore.

The club first made itself known to the yacht racing community in 1946, after the Beetle catboat was named as the club's first racing class. Later that year, on July 4, the Yacht Club held its first race in that class.

Also in 1946, the Club had its first annual meeting in September, and changes began to accrue with impressive speed. In September 1947, the familiar red and blue painted burgee that the club sports today was established, and in January of 1948 the organization's two-story clubhouse was built on the southern side of Falmouth Harbor. (This structure was later opened to the public on July 4, 1949.)

The beginning of the 1950's saw the club's burgeoning racing fleet increase in size once the club adopted the International 210 Class, which were then followed in 1970 with Tanzers and Sunfish boats. The 1980's Lasers and Cruising Class boat were also adopted by the Yacht Club.

This steady expansion meant that the facilities of the club also had to be altered, and so they were, as the basin was dredged, a pier built, and floating docks installed. Along with its well-celebrated regatta, the club has also hosted a variety of events, such as the 210 and 110 Nationals, and the Sunrise Championships.

Members of the Yacht Club have also accrued numerous accolades for themselves such as the NEBCA, SM Sailing, NEYRC Championships, 210, and Nanzer Championships.