Riverton Yacht Club

The RYC before 2005 Governor's Cup with Race Committee arriving. 

The Riverton Yacht Club is one of the oldest Yacht Clubs in the country, established in 1865 on one of the few remaining Steamboat Landing Piers on the Delaware River. The Club House doubled as the ticket booth and waiting room for the steamboat to take passengers to Philadelphia or up to Trenton. The center of the Victorian era "stick" building was open to allow horses and carts to bring freight to the steamers. Currently it is primarily a sailing yacht club with only a few members that have "power boats" ( called "stink pots" ) to get them to and from their sailboats. The floats at the end of the pier have about 4 to 5 feet of water on the end, but it might be best to pick up a free mooring and row to the dock. See the dock Captain or the person running the sailing classes, if some one is available (The club runs sailing classes for juniors almost all summer). If possible, investigate the inside of the club house as it was refinished in 2006 to reflect it's 1865 Steamship waiting room origins. 

The town of Riverton is an old, historic town located on the banks of the Delaware River. The view above is Bank Street looking south towards the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, the yacht club is off to the right, The are between Bank Street and the river is privately owned, but most places are open for a quiet picnic by the river. A walk through the town reveals some of the nicest houses in the area and interesting architecture. If you walk up Main street towards the center of town the "Riverton Free Library" is on the right, and you maybe able to get a pamphlet for a historic walking tour of the town. For Example, on the walk towards town, at 4th and Howard Streets is the Porch Club.  Founded in 1890, the Porch Club is among the oldest federated women's clubs in New Jersey. Mary Grice of Riverton founded and was first president of the club, which was federated in 1895. In 1900, Mary Grace who founded the club in 1890, formed the State Congress of Mothers, the predecessor of the PTA.

The porch club in 1910. For more details click here

Continue a bit past the "Riverton Free Library" and there is "Toni Seafood Cafe" on the left, a delightful small eating establishment (BYOB) that is great for a quiet, romantic lunch or dinner. Across the  street is the Riverton "Light Rail" station which runs along River Road from Camden to Trenton and is a lovely day trip. You could also stop at Burlington City and visit the shops in town and then go back to Riverton via the "Light Rail Train" and go back to your boat at the Riverton Yacht Club. 

If you walk across the street past the Riverton Station there is the Green Leaf Tea room, and a few small shops in Riverton.

Leaving Riverton it is a small walk back to your boat (take a different route or Riverton Road or Lippincott Street) to see more grand houses) and back to your boat for a lovely evening moored at the Riverton YC or continue your trip up or down the Delaware River.

O'Day Mariner and a Laser sailing on the Delaware River

Lightnings starting at Riverton Yacht Club Governors Cup

Webmaster sailing his O'Day Mariner at Riverton YC

Chris Fretz & Mary (Crew) winners of the 2006 Governor's Cup

Photo of Jason Goldsmith & Chris Fretz sailing a 19' O'Day Mariner at Riverton Yacht Club

Chart showing the area of Riverton Yacht Club (NJ Side) and Quaker City Yacht Club (PA Side)

(Not to be used for Navigation)

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