The Royal Victoria Yacht Club was founded at Ryde, on the Isle of Wight and uniquely granted 'Royal' status immediately.

[3] In 1961, after two world wars and the decline in yacht racing as the preserve of the wealthy, the Royal Victoria amalgamated with two local dinghy sailing clubs and moved its base to Fishbourne on Wootton Creek, some five miles (8.0 km) west of Ryde where it remains.

In the year that the RVYC was formed the Queen and Prince Albert had started to build their summer home on the Isle of Wight.

The foundation of the Royal Albert Yacht Club at Southsea (1865) led to the extension of the racing season by a further week.

[1] On 2 March 1846, at Ryde, the foundation-stone of the original clubhouse was ceremonially laid by Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort.