washington yacht club (wyc)

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The Washington Yacht Club is a student-run sailing club located on campus. We're a great place to go sailing, take a lesson, and meet other students who enjoy sailing.

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• Washington Yacht Club

The Washington Yacht Club serves as a steward of the Anacostia community and proudly welcomes all.

The Washington Yacht Club (WYC) was founded in 1910 by a group of white Washingtonian boaters, looking to establish affordable facilities along the Anacostia River in proximity to their homes on the east side of the river. Unlike some extant clubs, members of the WYC were solely devoted to motorized boating, rather than sailing or rowing, which were immensely popular at the time. At a time when motorboating was a pastime of the wealthy, the founders and subsequent members of the Washington Yacht Club were proudly working class. Early members included mechanics, clerks, a carpenter, and a boat livery operator. Club members built their own boats by hand and constructed all their own facilities, rarely if ever contracting out work. They have maintained this tradition, contributing to the upkeep of buildings and grounds through mandatory work parties. 

The club’s first location was at the foot of Naylor Road SE, where members leased a site for docks from DC in 1910 through 1915. Due to the ongoing reclamation of the Anacostia Flats, the club was forced to relocate to about one hundred feet west of the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge pier. It was here that the members built their clubhouse, a twenty by thirty-foot frame building, which forms the center portion of today’s WYC clubhouse. In 1925, the club was again required to relocate, this time to its current site on the west bank of the Anacostia. The WYC towed the clubhouse across the river on a scow and immediately set about constructing piers to provide a water approach to their club. The clubhouse was expanded to the rear in 1929 to provide a room for a steward and in 1930 with restrooms and a galley. 

The WYC has remained committed to its place on the Anacostia despite the city’s near abandonment of the river. Over the twentieth century, the Anacostia became one of the most polluted rivers in the nation. At the same time, it became a symbol of the city’s racial and economic divide. The exodus of African American residents to the east side of the river, necessitated through planning decisions, urban renewal, race restrictive covenants, and other policies, rendered the Anacostia a physical boundary between Blacks and whites, rich and poor. These changes left the Washington Yacht Club on the borderline of the District’s division, where it exemplified the issues of a segregated city.  

The WYC admitted its first member of color in the 1970s, after which membership at the club dropped precipitously. White members who did not wish to be associated with African Americans or the suffering Anacostia River left to join other clubs. Turnover in membership to predominantly African Americans only reinforced the racial and economic divide symbolized by the Anacostia. Despite periodic drops in membership, difficult times during several wars, an energy crisis that severely impacted the boating community, and a river burdened with environmental and social issues, the WYC remains on Boathouse Row, serving as a steward of the Anacostia, and proudly welcoming all. DC Inventory:  April 30, 2020 National Register: October 2, 2020

Cite this Page

• African American History
• Segregation

Related Sources

• National Register Nomination Form
• Historic Preservation Review Board

To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the wyc_info Archives .

Washington Yacht Club

Location & Hours

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1500 M St SE

Washington, DC 20003

S Water St & S 12th St

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"I don't own a boat, but I have friends with boats which anyone can tell you is a lot better." Liz Mumford And my friends belong to the WYC one of four historic yacht clubs on the Anacostia. WYC is not the shiniest or newest of yacht clubs but they're the most inviting, knowledgeable and caring. I'm always welcomed with a smile, greetings and any assistance when visiting. So many of the owners there will quickly open their boats to strangers visiting for other reasons. WYC facilities are also leased all year long for parties and events indoor and out. The rates are very favorable to club members and their friends. Such a great historical piece to the city!

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To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the wyc_exec Archives . ( The current archive is only available to the list members. )

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I am interested in potentially joining the club. can i try a sailing lesson before joining to see if i like it .

•  Unfortunately, due to insurance reasons lessons are restricted to WYC members only. However, you are more than welcome to join the club for a quarter, try out sailing, and decide if you would like to continue sailing!

Is WYC currently accepting non-student members?

• Memberships for non-students are available, but you are required to have an IMA membership. UW faculty, staff, and select other groups are eligible to purchase an IMA membership independently. For others, you are eligible to be sponsored by a student, faculty, or staff for a Plus One IMA membership. Fill out the membership form to be paired with one of our unmatched members.

I lost my WYC Membership Number and I can’t sign up for lessons. How can I retrieve it?

•  Sorry to hear that! Your WYC number serves as your username. Without the number, our registration systems don’t know who you are and cannot access information about your account. Please contact an officer on discord or email [email protected]– they should be able to retrieve your membership number for you. 

As a new WYC member, where do I go to find my WYC number?

• After you complete the WYC Sign Up form, we need to transfer your information into our membership database. This process takes time, and you should receive an email in  a couple days  with your WYC membership number. Please contact an officer on discord or email [email protected] if it has been longer than a week.

Can I buy an IMA membership the same day I sign up for WYC membership?

•  Yes, you can purchase an IMA membership the same day you sign up with WYC. You will need to purchase a quarterly IMA membership (Note: one day IMA memberships are not sufficient for WYC membership). 

What dates are WYC Quarterly memberships valid? 

•  WYC memberships aligns with the UW IMA quarterly membership schedule available here.  

I just joined WYC. Where do I start?

Welcome, we are excited to have you! A few great places to start learning to sail include:

• Join our Discord server
• Read the WYC Sailing Guide
• Sign up for a Sailing Lesson
• Attend a Supervised Sailing (to practice what you have learned) 

I’ve never been out sailing before. What should I bring?

•  Water, snacks, a rain jacket (weather-dependent), extra layers — warm, wind resistant clothing (especially for sailing during Winter/Spring or if you are sailing for longer periods of time), a bag (to store layers), sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat. Some sailors wear sailing or athletic gloves if they’re going to be handing lines. 

How do I tell which way the wind is coming from?

• Look at the water; the waves travel in the same direction as the wind.
• Try turning your head back and forth.
• If you’re truly stumped, dip your hand in the water and hold it up in the air with the boat stopped.

How do I tell if I am going upwind or downwind?

Going upwind:

• It ‘feels’ a lot windier and noisier than going downwind.
• Your boat will heel consistently to one side, or lean away from the wind.
• You’ll find yourself sitting much farther out from the center of the boat to counteract the heeling and keep it balanced and flat than you would going downwind.

Going downwind:

• It ‘feels’ a lot quieter.
• Your boat may tip from side to side in an oscillating manner but probably won’t heel consistently to one side.
• You’ll find yourself sitting closer to the center of the boat to keep it balanced and flat than you would going upwind.

What is the difference between a tack and gybe? How can I tell what I just did?

• If the sail switched sides after you pushed the tiller towards the sail (and away from yourself), then you have just performed a tack.
• The wind will be blowing against the front of the boat and it will ‘feel’ windier than a gybe.
• It will feel ‘slower’ than a gybe; the boat actually slows down momentarily while turning through the No Go Zone.
• The sail(s) will swing across slower than it would during a gybe.
• If there is enough wind, the boat will be heeling consistently to one side prior to the tack, and then after the tack, it will heel consistently towards the opposite side.
• If the sail switched sides after you pulled the tiller away from the sail (and towards yourself), then you have just performed a gybe.
• The wind will be blowing against the back of the boat and it won’t ‘feel’ as windy as a tack.
• It will feel ‘quicker’ than a tack; the boat will not slow down much at all except for the moment in which the sail switches sides.
• The sail(s) will swing across much quicker than it would during a tack.

How do I sheet in/out and steer at the same time? I only have two hands. 

• You can sheet in easier if you pass the slack you pull in with your sheet hand to your tiller hand temporarily.
• Resist the urge to bite your mainsheet; it’s gross and it can hurt you.
• Avoid wrapping the sheet(s) around your hand or any other part of your body; a sudden gust of wind could pull your hand into a block (pulley) or tighten the sheet painfully around your hand or other body part.

I got stuck against the outer dock/ I ran aground / I got stuck in the lily pads. What now? 

• This is more common than you would expect and it happens to all of us at some point.
• If you are being blown into these obstacles, try sheeting your sails all the way out.
• If you continue to be blown into these obstacles, you are probably headed downwind into them. Try to rotate your boat upwind by paddling aggressively.
• Try rotating your rudder into the kicked-up position and pulling your centerboard or daggerboard up momentarily to clear the obstacle. Return them to their sailing position as soon as you are free, or you won’t be able to control your direction.
• If you cannot sail away from the obstacle, paddle aggressively. If the sails are preventing you from making progress via paddling, lower them into the boat. 

I want to learn how to sail but all the lessons are full, what should I do?

• You have a few options: You can email the instructor to get on the course waitlist ( spots frequently open up  the days before and day of the lessons). Additionally, you can participate in other sailings events such as Supervised Sailing and Friday Social Sailing where you may be able to receive some informal instruction.

How long does the Novice/Intermediate Written Test take to complete? 

• Approximately  30 to 45 minutes  depending on your previous sailing experience and familiarity with sailboats!

Where can I learn more about Snooze & Cruise?

Please see the Snooze & Cruise webpage, it contains everything you need to know including the sign-up form, an approximate trip itinerary, and a packing list. 

Can I bring guests out sailing?

Yes, as long as the following conditions are met : 1) guests are 18 years or older, 2) guests have a current quarterly ima membership, and 3) guests have signed the wyc guest waiver (available here ). club members bringing out guests are responsible for ensuring that all three steps get completed , when are wyc members required to wear wetsuits, per the wyc policies document, members using sailboards from  september 15th to june 15th  are required to wear wetsuits. .

• 19th Hole Menu
• Dinner Menu
• Wine & Beverage

19th Hole Lunch Menu

11:30am-4:00pm Tue  |  11:30am-9:00pm Wed-Sat  |  11:30am-7:30pm Sun

Salads & Soups

Bacon $2.00 | Shrimp (6) $9.00 | Grilled Chicken $6.00 | Grilled Salmon $10.00

Soup of the Day

seasonal and fresh – please ask your server for today’s selection

Soup and Salad

house salad with choice of dressing and a cup of the daily soup

Garden Salad

mixed greens, red onions, cucumbers, cherry tomato, choice of dressing

ham, turkey, cucumber, red onion, egg, cheddar

Bread Options

Bread Options: White | Wheat | Rye | Burger Bun | Tortilla Wrap

Bacon $2.00 | Blue Cheese $1.00 | Caramelized Onion $2.00 | Mushrooms $2.00

Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla

sour cream, pico de gallo

Classic BLT

applewood bacon, tomato, lettuce, mayo

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

cheddar, swiss, american

Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken salad, lettuce, tomato

corn beef, sauerkraut, 1000 island dressing, swiss on rye bread

Grilled Chicken

grilled chicken, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, swiss, on rye bread

Club Sandwich

ham, turkey, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo

Grilled Salmon Caesar Wrap

grilled salmon, romaine lettuce, parmesan, caesar dressing

Shrimp Po’ Boy

fried shrimp, cole slaw, lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce on toasted baguette

French Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Potato Salad

Onion Rings

Pub Dishes & Burgers

Bacon $2.00 | Cheddar $1.00 | Caramelized Onion $2.00

All-Beef Hot Dog

all-beef hot dog in a toasted bun

2 or 4 pieces, served with sweet chili dipping sauce

Chicken Tenders

2 or 4 pieces, choice of dipping sauce, comes with one side

Chicken Wings

6 or 12 pieces, choice of dipping sauce, comes with one side

Classic Hamburger

8oz certified angus beef, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, on toasted bun, choice of one side

Classic Cheeseburger

8oz certified angus beef, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, cheddar, on toasted bun, choice of one side

Cheddar Bacon Burger

8oz certified angus beef, cheddar, bacon, bbq sauce, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, on toasted bun, choice of one side

Swiss & Mushroom Burger

8oz certified angus beef, swiss, sautéed mushrooms, mayo, lettuce, tomato, on toasted bun, choice of one side

coffee liquor-soaked sponge cake with mascarpone and powdered chocolate

Double Chocolate Cheesecake

Iceberg Wedge Salad

blue cheese, applewood bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, watermelon radish

Caesar Salad

romaine, parmesan croutons, choice of dressing

orange reduction

Oyster Cocktail

cocktail sauce

Catch of the Day

NC Grilled Tuna

caponata and balsamic reduction

Pan Seared Salmon

fennel risotto topped with pickled raspberry onion

Daily Special

we have great partnerships with our local purveyors – ask your server for daily specials

Steaks & Cuts

Filet Mignon 8oz

Hand Cut NY Strip 12oz

Hand Cut Rib Eye 14oz

Grilled Pork Medallions 12oz

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Creamed Spinach

Roasted Broccoli with Almond Butter

Sautéed Mushrooms and Herbs

Classic Baked Potato

Potatoes Au Gratin

Main Courses

Captain’s Platter

broiled or fried, served with hushpuppies & slaw

Penne & Scallops

creamy white wine sauce, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, crispy shallots

Grilled Airline Chicken Breast

prosciutto & sage, saffron risotto, marsala reduction

NY Cheesecake

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Wine & Beverage

Sparkling wine.

Francois Montand Blanc de Blancs Jura, FR NV

Vietti Cascinetta Moscato D' Asti, Piedmont, IT 2021

Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs, Conca del Riu Anoia, Penedes, SP 2019

Stephane Tissot Cremant du Jura Extra Brut, Jura, FR NV

Zweigelt Blend

Loimer Brut Rosé, Kamptal, AU NV

Andre Clouet Grand Reserve, Champagne, FR NV

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Champagne, FR NV

Loureira Blend

Anjos, Vino Verde, PT 2021

Chenin Blanc

A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Swartland, SA 2021

De Wetshof Limestone Hill Robertson, SA 2021

Sauvignon Blanc

Dancing Crow Vineyards Single Vineyard , Lake County CA 2021

Pinot Grigio

Tiefenbrunner Alto-Adige, IT 2020

Zilliken Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, GE 2020

Gruner Veltliner

Stadt Krems Kremstal, AU 2020

Domaine Villeneuve Samur Blanc, Loire Valley, FR 2021

Jo Landron Dom. de la Louvetrie Amphibolite Nature Loire Valley, FR 2021

Huber Terrassen , Traisental, AU 2020

Luigi Baudana Dragon Langhe Bianco, Piedmont, IT 2021

Sattlerhof Südsteiermark, AU 2020

Elk Cove Willamette Valley, OR 2021

Craggy Range Te Muna Marlborough, NZ 2021

Château Pierre-Bise Côteaux du Layon, Loire Valley, FR 2019 (Sweet)

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County, CA 2020

C.V.N.E. Monipole Classico Seco, Rioja, SP 2018

Gewurztraminer

Trimbach, Alsace, FR 2021

St. Innocent Freedom Vineyard Willamette Valley, OR 2018

Domaine Barmes-Buecher Rosenberg Grand Cru, Alsace, FR 2018

Domaine Stoeffler Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru, Alsace, FR 2019

Cloudy Bay Marlborough, NZ 2021

Domaine Jaeger-Defaix Les Cloux 1er Cru Rully, Burgundy, FR 2018

Domaine Louis Moreau Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis, Burgundy, FR 2020

Bordeaux Blend

Chateau Carbonnieux, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FR 2017

Familia Schroeder, Patagonia, ARG 2019

Red Tree, CA 2022

Astica, Mendoza, ARG 2022

Peirano Estate Vineyards ‘Immortal Zin’ Old Vine, Lodi, CA 2015

Hayes, CA 2022

St. Innocent Vineyards Freedom Hill , Willamette Valley, OR 2018 375ml

Caparzo Rosso Di Montalcino, Tuscany, IT 2019

Vincent Roussely Canaille Touraine Rouge, Loire Valley, FR 2021

Caparzo Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, IT 2019

Grenache Blend

J.L. Chave Mon Coeur Cotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FR 2020

Vietti Tre Vigne , Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont, IT 2020

Cantena Mendoza, ARG 2019

Cosse et Maisonneuve Solis Cahors, Southwest, FR 2018

Montepulciano

Cantina Zaccagnini Il Vino Dal Tralcetto Riserva, Abruzzo, IT 2019

Tempranillo

Señorío de Peciña Crianza , Rioja, SP 2015

Cabernet Franc

Ravines, Lake Seneca, Finger Lakes, NY 2020

Familia Schroeder ‘Saurus Select’, Patagonia, ARG 2019

Nerello Mascalese

Tornatorre Etna Rosso, Sicily, IT 2019

Blaufrankisch

Heinrich Leithaberg, AU 2017

Vietti Perbaco Langhe, Piedmont, IT 2019

Domaine de Fregate, Bandol, FR 2016

Seven Hills Winery,Walla Walla, WA 2019

Domaine de Pallus Les Pensées de Pallus Chinon, Loire Valley, FR 2016

Domaine Montirius Garrigues Vaqueyras, Southern Rhone, FR 2019

Elk Cove Estate Willamette Valley, OR 2020

Cabernet Blend

Orin Swift Abstract CA, 2020

Domaine Francois Carillon, Burgundy, FR 2020

Cabernet/Merlot

Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany IT 2020

Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret, Les dames Huguettes, Burgundy, FR 2019

Merlot Blend

Bel-Air, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, FR 2015

Cabernet Sauvignon

Monticello Vineyards ‘Jefferson Reserve’, Napa, CA 2018

Julien Sunier Morgon, Beaujolais, Burgundy FR, 2020

Orin Swift 8 Years in the Dessert CA, 2020

Eyrie Vineyards Estate , Willamette Valley, OR 2018

Stolpman Vineyards ‘Hilltops’, Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, CA 2017

Domaine André Brunel Les Cailloux Châteneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, FR 2016

Domaine Alan Voge Les Chailles Cornas, Northern Rhone, FR 2018

La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Gran Reserva Rioja, SP 2014

Prunotto Barolo, Piedmont, IT 2017

Frank Family Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA 2018

Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA 2019

Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena Ville Arvedi, Veneto, IT 2017

Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, IT 2016

Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, IT 2018

Château Lafleur-Gazin Pomerol, Bordeaux, FR 2018

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Valley, CA 2019

Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard Napa Valley, CA 2015

Classic Cocktails

Prosecco, Lemon, Demerara

Prosecco, Rum, Honey, Lemon

Prosecco, Orange Juice

Citrus Vodka, Lemon, Sugar Rim

Orange Crush

Citrus Vodka, Orange Juice, Orange Liquor, Sprite

Gin, Lime, Sea Salt

Bee’s Knees

Gin, Honey, Lemon

Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Campari

Tequila, Orange Liquor, Lime

Ranch Water

Tequila, Lime, Triple Sec, Sparkling Water

Tequila, Triple Sec, Grapefruit, Lime

Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, Lemon, Egg Whites

Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Bitters

Old Fashioned

Bourbon, Demerara, Bitters

Apple Brandy, Pomegranate, Lemon

Local Draft Beer

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. 'Key Lime Kolsch' 5.4%abv, Winterville, NC

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. 'Citra Pale Ale' 5.6%abv Winterville, NC

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. 'Law Dog Red/Amber Ale' 6.2%abv Winterville, NC

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. 'Typhoon Hazy NE IPA' 7%abv Winterville, NC

Bottle/Cans Beer

American Lite Lager

American Lager

Coors Light

Mexican Lager

Corona ‘Extra’

Nom-Alcoholic

Heineken ‘00’

Michelob ‘Ultra’

Miller Lite

Amber Lager

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