History

Cups & Trophies

The Royal Armoured Corps Yacht Club was formed in 1949 as Europe began to settle down after WWII. The Club had the use of two yachts, Theodora and Alamein, of which the former is still in commission and is being refurbished by her current owners.

Sadly, Theodora proved too expensive to maintain and after a particularly stormy passage from Kiel to Portsmouth in 1952, had to be towed into Harwich having blown out all her headsails. She was sold shortly after and Alamein went the same way three years later. With no yacht, the Club effectively became dormant until re-awakened in 1959 with the purchase of Troika (1959-1962), a South Coast One Design (SCOD), a sister yacht to the then Commodore’s, Col Sir Freddy Coates, Varthan. Freddy followed this by having a new SCOD built, Red Jerboa (1962-1966), for the Club. 

Four years later came the first of the White Knights, a Rustler 31 (1966-1978). With a GRP hull, she was easier to maintain and she was successfully and enjoyably raced and cruised by many in her 12 years with the Club – she was replaced in 1978 by White Knight II, a Contessa 32 (1978-1994). Another proven design, she had the advantage of a large class and therefore evenly matched racing. White Knights III (1994-1998) and IV (1998-2004), reflected a perception amongst a number of Club members, that more of a family cruising boat was required, and these were a Westerly Seahawk and Westerly 33, respectively. For the racers, the Army had a fleet of yachts. During the period 1990-1993, the RACYC had a second yacht, Amerylis (later renamed Ocean Cavalier), an Oyster 35, donated by the Royal Naval College Dartmouth.

The Club’s new yacht is an X332, a return to the cruiser/racer marque. She was bought in 2005 and has had notable success in a number of races, including first Service yacht to round the Fastnet rock in 2005 and first in the Army Offshore regatta of the same year. She has also been well cruised to date, by both family and Service crews.

Click here to read the full history.