National Yacht Club boasts a long and successful history, full of tradition that helped shape the Toronto waterfront as we know it today. The club was established in 1890 with the first clubhouse on the west side of the Queens Quay Wharf. In 1904 it was moved to a more protected area on the east side of the wharf - currently the site of the old Loblaws warehouse (N.E. corner of Bathurst and Lakeshore).

Originally constructed for the Sea Fleas, National Yacht Club was initially a centre for powerboat racers. The original name of the club was the National Yacht and Skiff Club, but in 1947 new Letters of Patent were granted for the current name of National Yacht Club.

Making a big mark on the current waterfront, first the Federal Government constructed the steel wall to give added protection to the basin in 1950. Then in 1983 the Toronto Harbour Commission proposed a new landfill site for National Yacht Club with a new 50 year lease, creating the strip of land the clubhouse currently sits on. By 1988 the new clubhouse which exists today opened to great celebration.

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The clubhouse and docks have undergone many renovations and upgrades since opening, including expansion of docks between 1999-2001, renovations to the chart room in 2003 and the installation of an elevator to service second floor dining room two years later. The second floor dining room received a complete renovation, re-opening in March 2008 to rave reviews. In 2019, D-dock was replaced giving the Club much needed longer fingered docks. Also completed in 2019, the Club upgraded its main walkway and replaced crucial mechanical equipment in the Clubhouse. 2020 saw the replacement of the Clubhouse roof.

Over the past twenty years National Yacht Club has become known in the racing community through hosting events such as LYRA, the 1999 Mobility Cup, several NOOD Regattas (co-hosted with RCYC) and the annual C&C Owners Regatta. NYC looks forward to hosting the Mobility Cup again in the next few years!

National Yacht Club has also always been involved in the promotion of boating as a sport through a variety of learn to sail and boating education programs. Investments continue in our learn to sail fleets for education at all ages. National continues supporting a number of community-oriented programs like the Sea Scouts, the University of Toronto Sailing Team, the Broad Reach Foundation for Youth and Able Sail Toronto by providing location for program activities.