Founded in 1947, the MCYA is composed of the seven members of the Gulf Yachting Association located in the Mississippi coastal counties of Jackson, Harrison and Hancock.

[1] It sanctions various yachting events, including interclub competition in Flying Scots, and serves to coordinate the association activities of its member clubs.

One event, the Chapman Regatta is believed to be the oldest consecutively sailed interclub Team Racing contest in the United States.

[2] The teams consist of three boats from each of the seven Mississippi Coast Yacht Clubs.

The regatta consists of four races sailed in Flying Scots, which are 19-foot (5.8 m) open sailboats that carry a mainsail, jib and spinnaker.