It was invented by the British – (no, it wasn’t the Swiss as with herbal sweets) – who, as a true seafaring nation, sailed colonial officials with their “ladies” and families to India and Australia as early as the beginning of the 19th century. This usually happened on board warships or mail ships.
This upper class discovered that a sea voyage – with good weather, some service and comfort – could be very enjoyable. Back in England, they did not want to miss out on this experience and so the first ships were used as “yachts ” exclusively for pleasure or for Regattas. Shortly afterwards, specially built ships for regatta sailing were also built. The oldest sailing club in the world was founded in 1815: the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
In addition to the royal yacht Britannia, numerous lords soon had their own yachts built and enjoyed watching – usually from land – the first Regattas in the Solent. They sailed with noble restraint, but there were more and more blue-blooded people who eventually took the helm themselves.
The newly rich American money barons were striving for social recognition and wanted to get involved in this exclusive aristocratic pastime. In 1844, nine prominent sportsmen founded the New York Yacht Club with its clubhouse on Fifth Avenue and its sailing branch in Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1851, they sailed across the Atlantic in the schooner America and challenged the English yachts to a race around the Isle of Wight. America won by a large margin – and when Queen Victoria asked: “Who became second?”, she is said to have received the answer:
“Your Majesty, there is no second.”
This is how the America’s Cup, the oldest international sports trophy in the world, was created, last held in 2024 off Barcelona (the Kiwis won against the English).
But back to yacht sailing: Starting from these first clubs, the – initially extremely exclusive – sport of sailing quickly spread all over the world. In Germany, sailing enthusiast
Over time, a so-called yacht club style developed, which not only shaped sailing itself, but also social life on land. Even today, many traditional clubs still wear their typical club blazers, ties and badges. On the one hand, it was about setting oneself apart socially – but on the other hand, it was also about cultivating good seamanship on board.
The latter is particularly important from today’s perspective (even if you may have seen it differently when you were younger). Good seamanship means safe, respectful and responsible boat handling as well as taking care of the yachts and boats.
For example, it is not appropriate to enter a port in swimwear or with a naked upper body or to dry laundry on the railing. You should also not use the lines of other boats. Boat shoes belong on board – and of course the flag is lowered at sunset.
A little style never hurts. You don’t have to make a religion out of it, but a neat polo shirt and light trousers for dinner are more comfortable than a sweaty T-shirt. And the view of the sea is simply more beautiful when there’s no towel or swimwear flapping in the wind.
At Sailing-Classics, we want to live this style – relaxed, but not carelessly. Because being on board these beautiful, large yachts is still a truly special experience today.
Discover our special offers for solo travelers in the Caribbean:
🎉Christmas & New Year’s Eve without single cabin supplement
🏝️Bis 31.03.2026: half single cabin supplement on all Caribbean voyages
⛵Tip: Combine two weeks and secure a multi-week discount
