Bombay's splendid harbour was the scene of the Country's first regatta in 1830 in which cutters, schooners, yawls of all sizes vied for the sweepstake of one Gold Mohur . The Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846. One of the prizes in the regatta then was a 50-guinea silver cup, half the value of the famous America's Cup. All the yachts entered the race were lateen rigged. In 1876, at the request of Sir Philip Wodehouse, Governor of Bombay, Her Majesty Queen Victoria, graciously bestowed the Title of "Royal" upon the Club. In 1880, The Royal Bombay Yacht Club leased from the Bombay Port Trust (BPT), the waterfront area for the Club Building. In 1894, the Blue Ensign, with a Star of India surmounted by the Imperial Crown, was granted to the Club by Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
 

In 1905, Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, visited the Club. The Royal patronage led to the growth of sailing in Bombay and all over India. Members of the club owned sailing vessels from 18ft Tomtit, 21ft Seabird and 26ft Stately Yachts. They competed for the Club's glittering trophies, such as the Lord Curzon Challenge Cup, The MacBath Challenge Cup (Presented by Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing in 1911), the Lord Brassey Challenge Cup, Lady Walwyn Salver etc. The Presidents of the Club, H. E. Lord Northcote and Sir Leslie Hudson, owned the Clyde-built 50ft cutter "Ianthe" and 38ft sloop "Ranzo" respectively. Sir Henry Morland, the first Commodore, owned the73ft ketch Water Queen.Charles Scovell, ICS, Commodore, sailed in his 113-tonne schooner "Muriel" from Bombay to Southwick.

At Bombay, the BPT acquired the waterfront RBYC building for administrative offices of Government of India.

 

 
 
The Entrance Fees for the Membership of the Club have been revised wef 1st October 2007:-
 
Permanent Member

Rs. 5.0 Lacs

   
Members' Children

Rs. 2.5 Lacs

   
Sailing Associate Members
21 - 25 years
25 - 30 years
30 - 35 years
Rs. 25,000
Rs. 40,000
Rs. 75,000
   

Temporary Associate

Rs. 75,000 p.a.
   
Visiting Associate Rs. 1500 for 28 days / Rs. 375 per week.
Subscription Rs. 100 per week.
Thereafter Rs. 20/- per day.
   
Visiting Sailing Associate Subscription Rs. 100 per day.
   
Lady Associate have the option to convert Permanent Membership by paying the difference in Entrance Fees
 

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Updated on 25th June 2009