[3] Its initial purpose was to standardize the rules of measurement to different racing yachts so that boats of different classes could compete fairly against each other.

[4] Membership at the time cost two guineas and was available to "former and present owners of racing yachts of and above 10 tons Thames measurement and such other gentlemen as the committee may elect".

[5] The RYA remains constituted as a membership association, with a Council of elected volunteers as its supreme policy-making body.

The RYA announced in August 2018 that they would no longer act as the national authority for powerboat racing in the United Kingdom.

‘Financial, safety, and reputational challenge's were the reasons given for the decision alongside the fact that the Powerboat Racing office had only issued 92 adult and 18 junior licences in 2018.