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About Us

Serving as a Lakefront Destination for Over 150 Years!

The Milwaukee Yacht Club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2021 and is the oldest premier yacht club on Lake Michigan. Located in the scenic heart of McKinley Marina, our Club welcomes passionate boaters and anyone who loves the lakeshore lifestyle. We are a year-round destination offering sailing, boating, dining, and events. MYC is the perfect site for private parties, weddings, and business meetings. Or, make it your special place to kick back and relax. 

Amenities include our heated pool and spa, outdoor Skylark Bar with lakeside patio, complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, and gourmet dining in the main clubhouse overlooking the North anchorage of Milwaukee Harbor. We honor worldwide reciprocity through "Yacht Clubs of America" and have a unique shared reciprocity agreement with "The University Club of Milwaukee" and other respected country and city clubs. Most of all, we're a close-knit community where life long friendships are made.

History of Resilience

The Milwaukee Yacht Club was founded in 1871 on the shores of Lake Michigan, north of the Milwaukee River and east of the channel.

MYC's first permanent clubhouse, a stately two-story wood-frame structure, was built on pilings near the channel in 1896. With only a partial sea wall north of the site and east from McKinley Beach, there was little protection for boats, and boaters had to be a hardy and self-reliant lot. 

It was not until the 1920's and 1930's that the expansive outer breakwater protecting all of Milwaukee Bay, built under the leadership of William George Bruce, a founder of the Milwaukee Yacht Club and chairman of the Milwaukee Harbor Commission. Later additions to the breakwater in the 1960's completed the protection for the club and the boat slips in Milwaukee County's McKinley Marina. Throughout this period, the Milwaukee Yacht Club continued to thrive in the face of challenges. 
Tested by Fire

The original clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1943 in the depths of World War II. In 1945, a small building was constructed on the North end of the Club's grounds and served as the temporary clubhouse.

The current clubhouse was built in 1967 -- a two-and-one-half story, 9,500-square-foot brick building. The top-level include:

  • The main dining room overlooking the harbor.
  • Private east-facing banquet room known as the Cove.
  • Conference room known as the Library.
  • Expansive Main Bar with seating and private wine lockers.
  • Lounge with a fireplace.
  • Outdoor patio with seating overlooking the harbor.
  • Wrap around deck with bistro seating overlooking the grounds.

 
This level features large windows providing panoramic views of Lake Michigan and Milwaukee's skyline. The entry-level contains the "Boatique" and restrooms. The lower level includes administrative offices and restrooms with showers. The former temporary clubhouse now serves as the Boathouse and houses the Dockmaster's office, a classroom for the sailing school, event space, plus restrooms with showers and lockers adjacent to the Club pool and hot tub. 

Securing the Future

The Club makes improvements annually, including a two-year, $1.8 million project which added an in-ground heated pool and spa and expanded the Clubhouse. A number of capital improvement projects are projected for the next several years.

The Milwaukee Yacht Club has provided access to Lake Michigan to thousands of boaters throughout its first 150 years. The Board of Directors, members and staff are honored to carry the Club’s legacy into the future.