Overview
The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club grew out of Wellington's anniversary regatta committee of 1840 and was founded on 3 October 1883; it received the Admiralty warrant for the Blue Ensign in 1896 and its Royal charter in 1921. Its clubhouse is on Oriental Parade by the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour, which opened in 1904 as the first harbour in New Zealand built for recreational boats. The club runs harbour racing round the cans, interclub and fleet races, a winter series, two-handed events and evening rum races in daylight saving — and an offshore series across Cook Strait to the Marlborough Sounds, Nelson and Akaroa that it says has run every year since the 1920s, after its first offshore race in 1911. The club also publishes practical notes on crossing Cook Strait to the South Island.
- Founded
- 1883
- Federation
- Yachting New Zealand
- office@rpnyc.org.nz
- Phone
- +64 4 939 7030
On the water with VesselSOS
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- 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.
- Offshore Series (Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Akaroa)annual offshore championship across Cook Strait and beyond, first offshore race 1911
- Interclub Seriesthree clubs, three races, two divisions, one trophy
- Ambassadors' Trophy Race
- Port Nicholson Regatta
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 RacingHistory and achievements
- 1840A regatta committee is formed to mark the colony's anniversary with sailing, rowing and waka races
- 1883The Port Nicholson Yacht Club holds its first general meeting on 3 October with 80 members
- 1891The New Zealand Yachting Association, the first national body, is formed in Wellington with the club as racing authority
- 1896Admiralty warrant to fly the Blue Ensign
- 1904Clyde Quay Boat Harbour opens, the first in New Zealand built for recreational boats
- 1911First club offshore race in Cook Strait
- 1921Royal charter granted in October
- 1930The Port Underwood race of 1929–30 is the first to be reported by radio
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 41°17.49′ S 174°47.28′ E
-41.29144, 174.78796 - Address
- 103 Oriental Parade
Frequently asked
When was Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club founded?
In 1883.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Offshore Series (Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Akaroa), Interclub Series, Ambassadors' Trophy Race and Port Nicholson Regatta.