Overview
Ida Lewis Yacht Club was organized in 1928 on Lime Rock in Newport Harbor, and its clubhouse is the former lighthouse keeper's house of 1856, reached by a walkway from Wellington Avenue on Brenton Cove. The club takes its name from the Lime Rock keeper credited with eighteen rescues; the eighteen stars on its burgee stand for them. It is home to Shields Fleet 9, the largest Shields fleet in the country, plus Herreshoff 12½, J/24 and J/80 fleets with evening racing, and runs the 24-hour Ida Lewis Distance Race offshore from Newport. Visiting yachtsmen from recognized clubs can rent a short-term mooring, use the launch and the pump-out on the main float; there is no fuel.
- Founded
- 1928
- ilyc@ilyc.org
- Phone
- +1 401 846 1969
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 centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, 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.
- Ida Lewis Distance Race24-hour offshore race through New England waters for ORC, PHRF and double-handed classes plus youth and collegiate challenges; starts off Fort Adams, finishes inside Newport Harbor; 21st edition 14–15 August 2026
- Aloha Cupclub-hosted regatta
- ILYC Club Championshipthe club's championship regatta
- Newport Classic Yacht Regattaclassic yacht regatta hosted by the club
- 12 Metre North Americans12 Metre class North American championship hosted by the club
- Shields Nationals 2027Shields class national championship, 2027
- Club evening series (Shields Fleet 9, Herreshoff 12½, J/24 Fleet 50 and J/80 Fleet 9)weekly evening racing for each fleet, run by the ILYC race committee
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 RacingSailing school and courses
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1853–1856A light tower is built on Lime Rock (1853), followed by the two-story brick keeper's house that is now the clubhouse
- 1869The Lime Rock keeper's rescues make national news; she is credited with saving eighteen lives — the eighteen stars on the club burgee
- 1920sA group of yachtsmen buys almost all of Lime Rock to preserve the house and create a club landing for the Brenton Cove anchorage
- 1928The club is officially organized as Ida Lewis Yacht Club; a walkway is built out to the rock
- 1960sOne of the first clubs to form a Shields fleet when the class is launched; Fleet 9 grows into the largest in the country
- 2006First Ida Lewis Distance Race (21st edition in 2026)
Location
- Position
- 41°28.64′ N 71°19.55′ W
41.47731, -71.32576 - Address
- Wellington Avenue (Lime Rock)
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Junior Sailing Program and Junior sailing schedules, descriptions and pricing.
When was Ida Lewis Yacht Club founded?
In 1928.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Ida Lewis Distance Race, Aloha Cup, ILYC Club Championship and Newport Classic Yacht Regatta.