Welcome to Southwestern Yacht Club!

Our club had its start in 1916 when a group of men organized to rejuvenate interest in yachting and power boat racing. Unfortunately, their efforts were not sustaining and the club became dormant. It was 1925 when Southwestern again came to life and we trace our club’s roots to that date.

Eight charter members met in March of 1925. At that meeting two members were asked to find a club site and get approval from the captain of the port. Funds were tight in those days, and fund raising began in earnest until $700.00 was raised. Thereafter, each member gave what he could afford. The charter members sought out land for their club, and the only available site was at the foot of Grape Street where a small pier had been maintained years before. A new pier extending 300 feet was built in order to reach three feet at low tide. Their weekly meetings brought new members and, within a month, the pier was built. Next, they needed a clubhouse. The late fall of 1926 saw the building completed and SWYC was a credit to any yacht club in existence at the time.

In 1949, the club moved to Harbor Drive, and in 1950 to its present location. The current clubhouse was built in 1972 with the latest additions completed in 1995.