Overview
The Royal Yacht Squadron was founded in London in 1815 as The Yacht Club; its clubhouse is the Castle at the western end of the Cowes waterfront. The Squadron began running yacht races at the Cowes regatta in 1826, and in 1851 its £100 Cup race round the Isle of Wight was won by the schooner America, the trophy that became the America's Cup. Today it runs invitation team racing in a J/70 fleet shared with the Royal Thames Yacht Club, hosts championships such as the Edinburgh Cup for Dragons and the 44Cup worlds, and starts its races from the committee vessel Castle Two. Members' yachts wear the white ensign under an Admiralty warrant of 1829; the RYS Lodge & Haven below the Castle answers on VHF 37A (M1).
- Founded
- 1815
- Federation
- Royal Yachting Association
- Phone
- +44 1983 292191
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere JRCC Fareham – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Commodore's Invitationalinvitation regatta for club teams of four in the RYS J/70 fleet; 8–10 June 2026
- Global Team Racing Regatta (GTRR)international invitation team racing in J/70s, run from the committee vessel Castle Two; 17–20 September 2026
- Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix 2026British Open Dragon championship hosted by the Squadron; 49 Dragons from 12 nations in August 2026
- King's Cup and 44Cup World Championship Cowes 2026RC44 charity King's Cup followed by the 44Cup world championship off Cowes, September 2026
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingBoat classes
History and achievements
- 1815The Yacht Club is founded on 1 June at the Thatched House Tavern in St James's, London
- 1820'Royal' is added to the club's name
- 1826The club starts organising yacht racing as the main feature of the annual Cowes regatta
- 1828The club introduces the rule that a yacht on port tack gives way to one on starboard
- 1829An Admiralty warrant lets members' yachts wear what is now the white ensign
- 1833The club becomes the Royal Yacht Squadron by command of King William IV
- 1851The schooner America wins the Squadron's £100 Cup race round the Isle of Wight – the origin of the America's Cup
- 1939–1945The Castle serves as part of HMS Vectis and as headquarters of 'J' Force
- 2000The Pavilion opens, giving members and families shore facilities beside the Castle
- 2015The Squadron celebrates its bicentenary
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 50°45.99′ N 1°18.07′ W
50.76651, -1.30110 - Address
- The Castle, The Parade
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: JRCC Fareham 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was Royal Yacht Squadron founded?
In 1815.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Commodore's Invitational, Global Team Racing Regatta (GTRR), Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix 2026 and King's Cup and 44Cup World Championship Cowes 2026.