From 1962 to today
The founding of North Cape Yacht Club in 1962 evolved from the efforts of several members of the Toledo Yacht Club (TYC) that dates from 1865. The location of TYC up the Maumee River frustrated the sailors of the one-design Dragon fleet who made the long trek to their racing venue in the open waters of Lake Erie and Maumee Bay.
Led by Walter Swindeman, Richard Krauss, John Holton, James Bernard and John Turin, in the late 1950's this group began searching for a location where the Dragon fleet could be moored closer to deep-water sailing. The site they eventually located was a match with the business plan of Virgil Gladieux, a Toledo businessman and entrepreneur.
On January 9, 1962, the North Cape Yacht Club was properly incorporated. The club's first commodore was founding member Walter Swindeman who was succeeded, after a 2-year term, by founding member Richard Krauss. Within a year of its founding, NCYC had grown from 14 original members to 216.
Total membership is now more than 400, including various membership categories. Reflecting its founding heritage, the majority of members own sailboats. The small, one-design sailboats that represented the foundation of the club in 1962 have generally given way to larger cruising/racing sailboats.
NCYC is a "working club", with an active membership composed primarily of sailors. Senior membership is capped at a maximum of 325.
NCYC regularly hosts national championship regattas for sailing fleets. Notable achievements include hosting multiple National Championships and being awarded US Sailing's Yacht Club of the Year for 2011 for the quality of the national regattas hosted that year.
The junior sailing program is very strong, with sailors qualifying at district and national levels almost every year. NCYC's own Anna Tunnicliffe, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, has coached at several of the Advanced Race Clinics.
North Cape Yacht Club is a volunteer organization, run by members who are committed to promoting the art of sailing and dedicated to maintaining the club for many future generations of sailors and members. A club that is rich in tradition and family values, NCYC continues to reflect the ideals of its founding members: family, community and the pursuit of happiness through sailing.