Waterfront History
“For a seafaring school as this, the Yacht Club is a prime requisite for turning out better officers with a broader nautical training.”
Eight Bells Yearbook 1946
Looking at the state of the art fiberglass and Kevlar vessels slice through the water it might be hard for students today to believe sailing and crew, the two varsity sports that form the foundation of Maritime’s Waterfront, can both trace their beginnings back to the humble wooden whaleboat or monomoy.
Sailing
In 1944 the New York State Maritime Academy Yacht Club was formed “for the purpose of intercollegiate dinghy racing.” Novice members of the club learned to sail in whaleboats before being allowed to venture into one of the college’s twelve Penguin class dinghies. These boats were kept in the first boat house which was behind the power plant.
The first two noteworthy victories of the newly formed club came in 1946 beating rivals Stevens Institute and Kings Point at the first sailing competitions between Maritime and these schools. Four years later in 1950 New York Maritime College became a full member of the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association and ten Dyer Dhows replaced the aging Penguin fleet.
Over the course of the next six decades of intercollegiate sailing, New York Maritime has won National Championships, frequently been ranked as one of the best collegiate sailing teams in the country, been represented by several All-Americans, College Sailors of the Year and played an integral part of America’s Cup competitions.
List of New York Maritime College’s Sailing Accomplishments
Rowing/Crew
Crew at Maritime evolved from Pulling Teams and Rowing Teams when it switched from “sea going whaleboats to fragile shells” in 1971. The Rowing Team which was formed in 1961 evolved from the earlier Pulling Teams. In its first three years the Rowing team only lost two matches - placing first or second in every Academy race they entered. The highlight of the Rowing Team’s short span was winning the 1967 International Pulling Boat Championships in Sag Harbor, NY and the World Championships in Copenhagen.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Captain Rick Smith Maritime Crew continues to excel, finishing at or near the top of every event they enter.
For more information about Maritime’s Crew Team visit the Athletic Department web site.
