Cruisers

The Cruiser section was created in 1977, although records indicate some Salcombe Yachts were involved in port-to-port races from at least 1960 onwards.

The section was established to encourage Club events designed for cruising boats whether sail or motor.

Cruisers in Salcombe are well catered for at SYC with a busy schedule. We welcome participation from both sailing and motor yachts, with a series of rallies held in the early summer and autumn, usually involving 20 - 40 mile passages. The main event is usually the Saturday evening meal booked at a local yacht club or restaurant, preceded by a drinks reception where we are berthed.

Many of us arrive by the previous evening when we will have less formal get-togethers over a meal, and go ashore to explore the locality in the morning. Our motor boaters often take full advantage of the flexible passage timings offered by an extended weekend.

Each season we hold four or five of these short rallies and sometimes a longer informal cross-channel one.

For cruisers with a competitive streak, we do timed return passages which count towards overall racing results, and in 2026 will be trying out timed outward passages. Many yachts extend their cruising around these rallies, often towards Scilly.

Cruising in rolling rallies features in our programme from mid June and July. Individual yachts cruising a particular area meet up and stay together as it suits their individual itineraries.

The Channel Isles and North Brittany are favourite places to explore, and there is a strong draw round into Biscay for those hoping for a warmer clime for a while.

Participating in these rallies is a great way for our members to start going cross channel.

Outside term-time, and particularly during the summer holidays, cruisers are often involved in more family oriented yachting, and in supporting or participating in Salcombe's Yacht Club and Town regattas. A great time for living on board for a few days and enjoying Salcombe itself.

We are always welcoming home members from more extended cruises across the world, some more or less based in the Mediterranean, others crossing the Atlantic and beyond, and enjoying the tales they share with us.

Trophies for extended cruising, and other notable or notorious activities and events are awarded at the end of each season.

All racing, or timed sailing, is organised on a friendly and informal basis. We have opportunities for racing in the Range in Salcombe typically on a Sunday morning, as well as a couple of established day races each season. All are made to feel welcome, whether seasoned competition sailors or newcomers to yacht racing and we are always looking for keen crew members to join us. All types of keelboats are welcome. Awards await for both IRC and NHC handicap winners.

Our annual Cruiser Regatta is a day of racing, normally consisting of two back-to-back races, and like the other events, is friendly and welcoming with all boats encouraged to take part.

Outside the club, members race in South West events, and volunteer as crew for charitable organisations, good ways to meet up with other sailors and make new friends.

The SYC Cruisers are an enthusiastic and sociable bunch. We frequently get together in the Club throughout the year. We kick off the season with a commissioning supper and finish with a laying up supper when the prizes are awarded.

Keep an eye on the SYC website social calendar for other cruiser events as well as talks from invited speakers on a host of topics.

Off season, cruisers have a strong presence in the club's rambling group, which brings people together off the water.

There is a Cruiser WhatsApp Group - if you would like to be put on it please contact James Calvert on rearcommodorecruising@salcombeyc.org.uk