The 12 metre Yacht Development Foundation was established in 2006 in Greenwich, CT for the acquisition, restoration, and preservation of historic America’s Cup 12 metre yachts and their racing heritage.

The Foundation’s goal is to foster appreciation of the rich maritime history behind the 12 metre class by providing the “hands-on” thrill of sailing actual 12 metre America’s Cup yachts. The Foundation’s philosophy is to maintain these proud yachts as working boats in order to make them available for use to a wide variety of groups, including local
sailing enthusiasts, corporate patrons, schools, charitable events, youth sailing programs and yacht clubs.
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The 12mYDF acquired its first yacht, America II (US 42) in 2007 and based it at the Delamar Hotel in Greenwich Harbor. Greenwich was chosen as a central location to support the high concentration of major corporations, schools and yacht clubs interested in sailing on Long Island Sound.

We are a member of the International 12 Metre Assoc. We follow the precedent set by Herb Marshall, Founder and President of America’s Cup Charters, chartering Ted Turner’s 1962 American Eagle, and other 12 metres. Herb will help coordinate the 12mYDF boats participation in future events sponsored by the International 12 Metre Assoc., where he is the America’s Fleet Vice-President.