I infer from yourposting that the artist might have painted maritime subjects or yachting subjects. Marion and Dorothy Brewington published a biogrpahical directory or dictionary of marine artists several years ago. You might search that book for your artist. The New York Yacht Club, I think, has its own records at its building in New York City. I believe it is on 42nd street, but you could find that for certain in a New York City telephone directory. The G. W. Blunt White Library at Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. in Mystic, Connecticut has the records of a few yacht clubs, but I do not know which ones. I am sure they do not have any records of the New York Yacht Club, however.