Since the Royal Cork Yacht Club was formed in 1720, sailing’s members-only enclaves have enjoyed a reputation for stuffy insularity, with inscrutable traditions and prominent connections held close to the blazer crest. Today, though, even the most exclusive of these maritime cliques embrace their surrounding communities, whether through wildly popular race weeks, youth sailing programs, or taking the helm on sustainability issues. Here, six esteemed yacht clubs that are adeptly navigating the winds of change. Yacht Club de Monaco Years in Operation: 71Roster Size: 2,500Notable Member: Prince Albert II “The future of Monaco lies with the sea,” said Prince Rainier III when he established Yacht Club de Monaco in 1953. Since being crowned club president in 1984, his son, Prince Albert II, has made good on those words, combining Monaco’s standing as a superyacht haven with a growing emphasis on environmental initiatives. In 2014, Lord Norman Foster’s multitiered, ship-like structure became the country’s focal..
