ABOUT RYC

About RYC

Browse our Club's history, book the Clubhouse for your next event and learn about our programme of member events, all year round, for all the family – on and off the water.

Club History

Go back in time from 1921 and learn about the amazing history and development of our club
GO BACK IN TIME →

The Clubhouse

Our unique location and facilities makes our club a perfect venue for your special occasion
CLUB FACILITIES →

Events

Discover more about membership or club hire through our enquiry form or see how to find us
EVENTS & CRUISING →

CLUB HISTORY

1921
Norman Cox, the founder of the Converted Club was a ‘typical’ boater, he enjoyed cruising the River Thames and admiring other boats. While in Holehaven Creek in the Thames estuary in 1921 looking over the sea wall at boats moored at anchor noticed that most of the boats were originally lifeboats or ex naval craft with hulls in good order but looked rather sad due to the state of woodwork. He realised that with some help, these boats could be made to look better.

To employ a naval architect was beyond the pocket of most boaters so they had to do the work themselves. Few companies were offering to convert old lifeboats, the ones that did charged a fortune, there was not even books on converting old boats to new cruisers and there was no boat club to turn to for help in converting boats. 
1934
Norman and his friends discussed the forming of a club to fill this gap, people were mostly in favour of this idea and the help of the local community was encouraging. In view of this Norman decided to write to the yachting press asking for any boaters to join this venture. Mostly his letters went unpublished and only after writing hundreds of letters did his original letter get published in 1934. The first meeting was held in Norman’s house with twelve people attending. After much discussion they decided on the three aims of the club which were to create good fellowship between owners of converted craft, to help each other with information and advice regarding boats and to arrange a rally whenever possible. 

The club was to be called the Converted Cruiser Club as it was a club about conversions. The Converted Cruiser Club headquarters was in Mincing Lane London.  
1938
The number of boats increase rapidly and included an 80 foot Thames barge, membership increased and in 1938 the club was recognised by the Board of Trade. Meeting were held at the London Apprentice public house in Isleworth. In 1938 club subscriptions were waived during the war. Meetings were held on club boat ‘Rapid’ which was called for service at Dunkirk and bought back 150 men to England.
1952
After the war a new clubhouse was needed, so a MINCA (made in Canada) barge was bought and berthed at the wharf next to the London Apprentice. Club members converted this barge into a clubhouse and named it ‘Three Seas’. This deteriorated over time and so a new clubhouse had to be found. In 1952 the club met at a scout club house in Park Road Isleworth which was shared with sea scouts. 
1958
A ‘building fund’ was started to raise funds for building a clubhouse, Mr Snapper, owner of the ‘Eel Pie Island Hotel’ agreed to lease the club land on Eel Pie Island, and in 1958 terms of the lease were agreed. The only money in the building fund was £500 so it was decided that members would build the clubhouse themselves. Building continued for four years, mainly on Sundays and was officially opened on September 15th by Thames Conservator and friend of the club, Mr J R Pearce OBE. 

Mr Snapper agreed to the club buying the freehold of the land and a price of £15000 was agreed. This was raised by a scheme, devised by club member, which repaid the money over twelve years.

1967
In 1967 the Converted Cruiser Club became Richmond Yacht Club, a name which lasted until 1976 when Twickenham Cruising club folded and asked to join the club. The club then became Richmond and Twickenham Cruising Club. This did not last because members demanded the name be changed back to Richmond Yacht Club.

Club boats went to Dunkirk for the evacuation of troops, other club boats were painted grey and used in the film ‘Dunkirk’. A club boat went to Dunkirk for the anniversary in 2016. 

2014
The 80th anniversary of Richmond Yacht Club was celebrated in 2014.

2016
A funding scheme started in 2016 which is being used to pay for the refurbishment of the clubhouse. 
THE CLUB TODAY →

THE CLUBHOUSE

Our purpose-built clubhouse, with a bar and dance floor, can accommodate up to 70 people for a sit-down meal or up to 100 for a party.


The clubhouse is available for hire and, with wonderful views of an idyllic stretch of river, makes a great venue for a party, conference or wedding reception – and guests can arrive by river!

HIRE ENQUIRY →

SOCIAL EVENTS

Social events take place at the clubhouse throughout the year, both during the day and in the evening, to include: lunches and suppers, live music and film screenings, presentations and gatherings.


In addition to the above events, every Sunday throughout the year, there is free Coffee and Cookies 11am till 2pm at the Clubhouse.


Members' club events are a great opportunity to discuss boats and boating with like-minded people and to exchange information and advice on boat and river-related issues.


All our events and related tickets are listed on the Club's membership system and accessible after you become a member.


Some dates from the Club's Social Calendar for 2023 included:

  • January Spanish Feast & Movie Night; Middle Eastern 12th Night Celebration; Burn's Night Music Evening
  • February Scottish Folk Evening
  • March St Patrick's Night Celebration; Movie Night; River Talk
  • April Greek Easter Feast; Movie Night; Fish & Chips Night
  • May BBQ to celebrate the King's Coronation; Movie Night & Pizza
  • June Midsummer BBQ
  • July Movie Night; Cream Teas at the clubhouse to coincide with the EPI Studios Open Weekend
  • August Tex Mex under the Stars Evening Extravaganza
  • September Movie Night; Folk Music Evening
  • October BBQ with the Groovy Boys; Laying-up Lunch; Movie Night
  • November Live Music evening with Steve Knightley; Photo Competition; Greek Movie & Food Evening 
  • December Christmas Balkan Music Evening & Supper; Carols & Cookies


CRUISING EVENTS →

CRUISING

In the summer months we organise club cruises up and down the river. Windsor, St Katharine Dock, West India Dock and Limehouse are popular destinations. The cruising programme for the year is  planned at our annual Skippers Meeting in January.


Cruising events in 2023 were unfortunately adversely affected by river conditions. However, some events from the Club's 2022 Cruising Programme can be seen below:

  • Friday to Monday 15 -18 April London Ring (Clockwise)
  • Saturday (Sunday) 7 (8) May Spring Cruise River Ember Discovery
  • Friday 24 June to Monday 27 June Medway Progressive Cruise
  • Saturday, Sunday 10, 11 August Cruise to Sunbury Fireworks (If happening)
  • Saturday, Sunday 27, 28 August ATYC Rally (TBC)
  • Saturday, Sunday  17, 18 September Sunset Cruise to City
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