Welcome to SYC

Welcome to Salcombe Yacht Club

A little bit of history . . .

Salcombe Yacht Club (SYC) has a rich history dating back to its founding on November 12, 1894, when eight gentlemen—including Charles Rodick, E. Hopkins, Dr. Arthur Pearce, and others—established the Salcombe Sailing Club. By the spring of 1896, it was renamed Salcombe Yacht Club (SYC). In 1921, Captain Andrew McIlwraith founded the Cliff House Trust, providing SYC with a permanent home in the historic Cliff House. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, yacht racing flourished, with SYC developing its own sailing classes, notably the beautiful 20ft A-class yachts, along with B and C class dinghies. The annual regattas became popular events, drawing large crowds to watch the races. Today, SYC continues to thrive, offering top-quality racing and active encouragement of younger members through dedicated cadet training. For a more detailed account of SYC's history, you can read the full article HERE

TODAY . . . .

Salcombe Yacht Club (SYC) extends a warm welcome to members, their guests, and visiting yachtsmen to experience world-class sailing, excellent facilities, and the breathtaking scenery of Salcombe Harbour.

SYC is a distinctive and historic Club, proudly tracing its roots back over 130 years. Located within part of the iconic Cliff House, the Club enjoys one of the finest panoramic views in Salcombe. Perched above the estuary, it provides an unrivalled vantage point over the start and finish line of our Club racing.

With a thriving membership of over 900, SYC is one of the most active sailing clubs in the South West. Our racing calendar spans 10 months of the year, beginning with the Commissioning Race in early March and concluding on New Years Day with the final race of the Festive Series. The Cruising Section hosts well-attended rallies along the South West coast during the summer months.

A Packed Sailing Calendar

Our vibrant racing schedule includes:

Three major Race Weeks: including the much-anticipated Salcombe Gin SYC Regatta and the Salcombe Town Regatta.
Six Club Series and Ten Open Meetings throughout the year.
The iconic Merlin Rocket Week, widely regarded as the highlight of the sailing calendar, attracting over 100 crews from across the UK and putting Salcombe at the heart of the dinghy sailing world every July.

Membership options, including discounted rates for juniors, seniors, and young families, can be found HERE.

Sailing in Salcombe

Salcombe offers exceptional sailing waters framed by dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, and serene creeks. It's a paradise for both sailors and spectators. Enjoy the action from the Clubs stunning terrace or from the sandy shores of East Portlemouth. Visiting yachts receive a warm welcome from the Salcombe Harbour Authority, and visiting sailors are invited to make use of SYCs facilities, including showers, the bar, and the galley.

Club Structure

SYC is led by our Flag Officers the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore (Sailing), and Rear Commodore (Cruising) who are supported by the General and Sailing Committees. These teams meet regularly to guide the Clubs direction and ensure smooth operations.

Our dedicated team also includes:

Club Manager - Jules McColl
Finance & Membership Secretary - Fiona Rew
Sailing Coordinator - Jayne Morris
Marketing & Social Media Manager - Lucy Burn
Bar & Front of House Manager - Russell Loughland

Beyond Racing; A Community on the Water

SYC runs an array of inclusive sailing programmes, introducing people of all ages and abilities to the joy of sailing:

Cadet sailing for 8-16 year-olds
Sessions for Sea Scouts and local schools
Ladies Who Launch and Buoys Aloud a friendly Thursday morning session for adults to sail Club boats under supervision

SYC is an RYA Recognised Training Centre, offering a wide range of courses in dinghy sailing, power-boating, navigation, and cruising.

We are especially grateful to the owners of Smalls Beach, who allow us to store our club boats and provide easy water access for many of these programmes.

Club Racing

SYC is proud to offer exceptional racing opportunities, with strong fleets in:

Solo
Merlin Rocket
Laser
Salcombe Yawl

Solos and Yawls enjoy their own class starts, while all other boats race in handicap fleets.

New sailors receive plenty of support, and the advice is always the same: the race isnt over until the Watch House bell rings! With our unique racecourse especially 'The Bag' every sailor, novice or seasoned, is challenged in equal measure.

Berthing is available, through SYC, at Batson and at the Watch House; however, space is limited, so please contact the office for availability.

Cruising at SYC

Our Cruiser Section is lively and sociable, with:

Race Series in the Range
Coastal Rallies
An annual Cruiser Regatta

Events throughout the year include the Commissioning Supper, Laying Up Supper, and prizegiving ceremonies, along with a host of guest speaker evenings. Keep an eye on the SYC website social calendar for updates.

Membership Benefits

Membership at SYC includes access to all sailing and cruising events, as well as full use of our excellent Club facilities:

Bar & large terrace with stunning estuary views
Chart Room & Dining Room
Showers and changing rooms

Enjoy 10% off all food, drinks, social events, and SYC-branded regalia.

Additional perks:

Exclusive discounts at local retailers, including Helly Hansen, Musto, Henri Lloyd, Crew, and Salcombe Gin (plus many more!)
Access to Club boats (booking required)
Discounts on RYA training courses
Ability to hire Club spaces for private events, including weddings, celebrations, and more

Whether you're a seasoned sailor, a family looking to learn, or simply someone who enjoys a warm and friendly community, Salcombe Yacht Club offers something truly special.