Yacht-Club

The Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company's 1940 Yacht-Club is a rare, flipperless electromechanical pinball machine with a cheerful nautical theme. Released in May 1940, it predates the widespread adoption of flippers in pinball (which would not appear until 1947), making it representative of the pre-flipper era, when skill was expressed through the angle and strength of the plunger shot rather than flipper control.

Gameplay on Yacht-Club centers on 17 passive bumpers scattered across the playfield. Since the machine has no flippers, players rely entirely on how they launch the ball and the layout of the bumpers to determine scoring, a design typical of games from this period.

The Yacht-Club's nautical theme, evoking sailing, swimming, and carefree seaside happiness, is reflected in its cabinet and playfield artwork. With 1,506 units produced, it remains a scarce and interesting example of Chicago Coin's early flipperless output.