On 30 August 1996, the Norwegian Classic Yacht Club (KTK) and representatives of sister organisations from Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Switzerland gathered in the house of the late Johan Anker now owned by Christiania Bank, to found the European Classic Yacht Union. The invitation to the meeting was the brainchild of Peter and Chris Ennals ( KTK). It was exactly 90 years since the European yachting delegates had met in London to agree on the First International Rule.

The following year, in early February, Christiania Bank, on the initiative of Ludvik Sandnes, invited delegates to its headquarters in Oslo, where the Mayor of Oslo, Per Ditlev-Simonsen, opened the plenary session before the First AGM. The articles of association were formally approved at the end of the meeting and the primary objective was stated as follows: "To save, maintain and promote the European yachting heritage by establishing contacts, friendly relations and effective exchange of knowledge and information between all like-minded European clubs or associations". To help accomplish this task, a Board (consisting of President and Treasurer) was duly elected; It was also emphasised that members and yachts should have an opportunity to meet on a regular basis. Besides opportunities to enter races organised by neighbouring countries, the idea of a «modern» Europe Week, if possible each year, was also approved; In practice, the Classic Yacht Event in Stockholm (1998) and the Europe Week 1999, held in West Mersea, near Harwich, East England, have now taken place. In addition, member associations have sent boats to compete in the Nations Cup, in memory of Henry Rasmussen, at the Laboe Freundeskreis Regatta.

By the late autumn of 1999 ECYU had 20 paid-up member associations, an entrance fee sufficing to ensure membership status ECYU is at present benefiting from sponsorship to carry out essential tasks connected with its web site on the internet. (Written Nov. 1999).