We love Newport and visit there many times, mostly by car, and once before by sailboat. In 2019, for our 25th wedding anniversary, we celebrated in Newport.
On Tuesday May 28, we packed up everything that was left to bring for our two-week trip and headed to SYC and prepped the boat with food and water.
Founded in 1639, Newport took advantage of its seaside location by using sailing for trade, pleasure, sport and business. The five leading ports in colonial America during the 18th century were Newport, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. It is a great place to hang on a mooring and just watch the amazing sailboats go by.
Without fail, we always stop in at IYRS, the International Yacht Restoration School, observing its evolution over the past 20 years. I wrote a more extensive blog post about IYRS in 2019.
In 1851 America, a U.S. yacht, stunned a British fleet by winning the 100 Guineas Cup in the “All Nations Race” a 74-mile race around the Isle of Wight in Great in Great Britain. The New York Club brought the prize home across the Atlantic and renamed it “The America’s Cup” after the winning boat. Newport became the location for the America’s Cup 12-Meters race because of the light and predictable winds and small volume of commercial traffic. During the 19th and 20th centuries American yachts and sailors had dominated and successfully defended the America’s Cup 24 times, the longest winning streak in the history of organized sports. That streak was ended in 1983 on the waters off Newport when the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s challenger, Australia II, devastated the New York Yacht Club’s defender Liberty skippered by Dennis Conner, by winning the America’s Cup and ending the New York Yacht Club’s 132 year winning streak. There is an excellent documentary about that race on NETFLIX – “Untold: The Race of the Century”.
Even on an ordinary day in late May, there are plenty of beautiful yachts to watch in Newport harbor as they take tour groups out for a sail.
Newport at night was magical with the lights on shore and in the harbor.
Just beautiful…as you know I love your posts but I think that’s because of the pictures and the info you share. Newport is a fun place to visit (although I do it on land) and it’s always interesting to me to see it from your perspective. Glad you connected with friends and enjoyed your stay…when do you return? Continue to sail and be in love with the water…talk soon. xo
Jeanne
I have not been to Newport in over 30 years and your history and pictures leave me wanting to go back. Beautiful.
Ellen Seltzer
Just beautiful…as you know I love your posts but I think that’s because of the pictures and the info you share. Newport is a fun place to visit (although I do it on land) and it’s always interesting to me to see it from your perspective. Glad you connected with friends and enjoyed your stay…when do you return? Continue to sail and be in love with the water…talk soon. xo
watsons
We will be home on Tuesday sometime.
I can’t wait to hear about your trip to the Netherlands.
Claire Taylor
Love cruising with you as we sit here in New Hampshire. You visit all of our favorite places! No icecrem this time?
watsons
We were just talking about you and Dick yesterday! We miss seeing you around the club. Hope you are both well.
No worries – there will be ice cream!