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Club-Owned Fleet

Members Boating Center

Southern Yacht Club maintains as part of its vision, “To promote yachting and recreational activities on the water, always with emphasis on seamanship and safety”.  To fulfill this promise, we offer the perquisite use of a number of club-owned sailboats of various designs.  To use these boats, sailors must comply with certain safety requirements and orientation procedures as outlined below.

Members may use the club boats during daylight hours from Tuesday through Sunday during regular club hours. Club boats have no associated usage fee. The boat reservation form is online, and can be found by clicking "Yachting" on the main SYC Website, or by clicking the link below.  See the Orientation and Check-Out requirements, below.

Club Equipment Check Out/Orientation Appointment Request Form

SYC Club Sailboat Reservation Form
  • Orientation and Check-Out

    • Most members with sailing experience will require a one-time orientation to show them where all of the equipment is stored for each fleet, and if necessary a tutorial on launching a boat from the crane.  This orientation is not a sailing lesson, and is operated under the assumption that the member attending is a competent and knowledgeable sailor.  The orientation takes about an hour and will allow the observing instructor to make a determination as to whether or not you are ready to check out boats unsupervised.  Sailors will also be introduced to the safety equipment, sailing boundaries, and other procedures.  Orientation sessions are by appointment, so contact the Waterfront Director to set up an orientation.  If you are looking for some instruction prior to the orientation sail, consider the SYC Adult Sailing Program.  The J27 orientation is the same as other club boat orientation; however the boat will be sailed with an instructor monitoring either on board or from a powerboat/shore.

      A sailing resume or certification from an suitable sailing school may be used in lieu of these requirements at the discretion of the Waterfront Director.

      Basic Requirements

      • Only active SYC Members and Junior Members over the age of 16 may check out an SYC Sailboat, Kayak or Paddleboard.
      • Children under the age of 16 may only check out an Sailboat (limited to Sunfish or C420's) under the direct supervision of an active SYC Member.
      • You must know how to rig and de-rig the boat; launch and haul properly as applicable; fender and return J27 to the proper position at dock.
      • Club rules require all members to wear life jackets at all times while on board a club boat.
      • You must know how to approach and leave the dock safely; you must know how to power and de-power as needed for docking.
      • You must know how to tie the boat to the dock properly. (J27)
      • You may only use the boats during the posted available hours.  Never when the club is closed.
      • You must know how to launch and retrieve the boats, using the hoist if necessary.
      • You must know how to recover from a capsize (420/Sunfish/Laser/Scot)
      • You must stay within sight of the club at all times.
      • Always reserve online, check in for keys at the reception office as necessary (Kayak/J27).
      • Report repairs needed to the Waterfront Director through email.
      • Put up your boats correctly. Hose them off, put the covers on, tie them down, and put the sails away.
      • J/27 Notes: Please return boat to carpeted area of dock on the west side of the SYC wet slip.  Fender the boat appropriately on both sides.
  • Kayaks, Paddle Boards & Launches
      • Member Sailors under 18 but over 16 can check out Kayaks and Paddle Boards.
      • Member Sailors under 16 but over 14 can use Kayaks and Paddle boards if checked out by an adult member and actively supervised by that adult member.
      • Grandchildren MAY NOT use an SYC Kayak or Paddle board alone, regardless of supervision.  
      • Member Grandparents MUST BE ACTIVELY Kayaking or Paddle Boarding with accompanying grandchildren.

      Kayaks

      SYC has 4 new kayaks available to the membership.  They are located on a rack mounted to a floating dock with the club 420 sailboats.  Members should reserve kayaks online using the online reservation system, then proceed to the reception office on the 2nd floor of the clubhouse to receive the keys.  Each kayak must be checked out individually with its own key.  

      Paddle Boards

      When SYC receives the new paddleboards, they will be located on the same rack as the kayaks.  Reservation will work the same as the kayaks, with a key checked out from reception.

      Launches (Coach Boats)

      The SYC Powerboats are reserved for use by the Race Committee and sailing instruction that is a part of our regularly offered programs. They are not available for use by the general membership.

  • Small Boat & Dinghy Sailing

    • General Rules

      • There is no charge to use club small sailboats and dinghies.
      • Member Sailors and Dependents aged 16 and over can check out club small sailboats and dinghies.
      • Member Sailors and Dependents under 16 but over 14 can sail club Sunfish and C420 only if checked out by an adult member and operated under that adult member's direct supervision.
      • Grandchildren of Members MAY NOT sail a club boat of any kind alone, regardless of supervision. Member Grandparents MUST BE ACTIVELY SAILING with accompanied grandchildren.

      Flying Scot

      • A Flying Scot accommodates up to four adult sailors. Juniors must be sixteen to check out a Flying Scot as primary skipper.
      • All Flying Scots are available for recreational use and are numbered 1-10, 12, 28, 29. Use of the racing Flying Scot #11 must have approval from the Waterfront Director.
      • All sails are stored in the large sail storage container, located by the water towards the end of the SYC Dry Storage Area.
      • Equipment such as anchors, paddles & throwables are kept on board.  Please check before heading out to make sure you have all of your equipment.

      Club 420

      • The Club 420 is a double-handed dinghy and is widely used for high school and college competition.
      • Boats for recreational use are on the floating dock near the storage containers on the south side of the SYC Dry Storage area.
      • Use of the racing 420s kept on dollies must have the approval from the Waterfront Director.
      • All sails and equipment are stored in the large sail storage container, located by the water towards the end of the SYC Dry Storage area.

      Sunfish

      • Generations of sailors have learned the ropes on a Sunfish.
      • SYC Owns 2 Sunfish that are kept on dollies in the vicinity of the Flying Scots.
      • All necessary gear is stored on the sunfish themselves.
      • During the winter season, check with the Waterfront Director about availability.

      Laser

      • SYC Owns 5 Laser sailboats.
      • Sails, Battens, and Blades can be found in the same storage container as the Flying Scots and the 420's.
      • Spars are on board or on the spar rack under the container tent.
      • Laser use requires prior scheduling with SYC; the vangs are locked away and you will not receive them without prior arrangement.
  • Keelboat Sailing

    • Sailors under eighteen must be accompanied by a qualified adult skipper.

      Viper 640

      • The Viper accommodates a maximum of four sailors. A typical racing crew is three or four.
      • The Viper 640 sportboat has been adopted as the GYA interclub keelboat beginning in 2018. 
      • There is one Viper available to the general membership by prearranged checkout. 
      • A second Viper is reserved for interclub competition.
      • There is a $25 fee for racing events only.  Contact Christian Gambel to arrange usage.

      J/27 - Miss Mary Ellen

      • The J/27 accommodates a maximum of eight sailors.  A typical racing crew is five or six.
      • The Miss Mary Ellen is available by prearranged checkout.  It is typically reserved well in advance for club racing.
      • Reserve online for day sailing and racing.  Racing reservations will override day sailing reservations.
      • The boat has all of the sails on board; the key to open the cabin can be retrieved from the reception office on the 2nd floor of the clubhouse.
      • Please return the boat to the carpeted area using the pre-set dock lines.
      • There is an engine on the stern for motoring in and out the harbor; if it is not mounted then it is out for service.