For anyone who has even the slightest affinity for boats, a visit to the New York Yacht Club on 44^th Street in Manhattan is a treat. The building was built in 1899 and designed by Warren & Wetmore in the Beaux Arts style; its limestone façade is fitted out in a whimsical, nautical style with windows that protrude like the transoms of galleons. The main dining room is fitted with large hanging knees, and the effect is so shippy, you half expect your peas to roll gently off your plate.

But the jewel of the club is the Model Room, space that displays a huge collection of full and half hull models of some of the most famous designs in the world. Brendan and I had the opportunity to visit this room for an International Yacht Restoration School reception at the club. On entering the party we could not help but be drawn to the wall of models, and to press our noses against the large glass display cases of fully rigged miniatures chronicling the history of the America’s Cup competitors.

Jerry Kirby gave the keynote address at the event. This threw us for a bit, because we confused him with George Kirby, of Kirby Paints, who makes traditional linseed and lead-based paint. It seemed like a strange forum for a talk about paint.

Turns out that Jerry Kirby is an “extreme sailor” and our ears perked up hopefully when he dropped a couple swear words into his opening remarks. He did not disappoint, and spoke vividly of various adventures, including the Volvo Ocean Race, and the capsizing of RAMBLER during the Fastnet Race while she was on-pace to shatter the speed record. I was fascinated with his stories, as I am with any sort of sailing that involves a helmet. The idea of “averaging” 30 knots in an ocean race is both exotic and terrifying. It seems a world away from sailing classic yachts, that was so much in evidence around us, and made an interesting counterpoint to our evening in that beautiful space.

-Maria Simpson