Yachting, the sport of racing in yachts and boats with sails, for money or for prizes; also, the pastime of cruising for pleasure in sailing or steam vessels. The history of yachting is the history of yacht-racing, inasmuch as competition improved yachts, just as horse racing improved horses. In America, yachting has become a national sport, about one hundred leading clubs being in existence at the present time. Steam launches and yachts and naphtha launches are also extensively in use. The largest American steam yacht is the Alva, owned by W. K. Vanderbilt, which is 285 feet long and has a 32-foot beam. Yacht racing is an old-time amusement. The first of yacht clubs was established in 1720, though a race is recorded between Charles II, king of England, and his brother, duke of York, in 1661. In 1843 Queen Victoria began giving cups for racing prizes, and since that time the sport has been well established in England. International races began in 1851, at which time the America defeated fifteen English yachts in their own waters. The prize, which was a silver cup valued at $500, was given to the New York Yacht Club, to be kept thereafter as a trophy. From time to time the New York Yacht Club has been challenged for this cup, and races of worldwide interest have been sailed. In 1870 the Cambria was defeated. In 1885 the Genesta was defeated by the Puritan, and a year later the Galatea by the Mayflower. The Volunteer, the Defender, the Reliance are yachts that have more recently been successful in keeping the cup still in American hands. The principal competitors have been vessels constructed for the purpose by Sir Thomas Lipton, called the Shamrock, I, II and III. The races are usually sailed off Sandy Hook. See YACHT.