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Business Description

Southport Yacht Club, established in 1946, is the Gold Coast’s award-winning premier sports club. Our Main Beach Clubhouse is home to the only open-air waterfront north-facing restaurant & bar. Overlooking our stunning 300-berth Marina on the Gold Coast’s waters, this location is a perfect venue for your next conference, function or waterfront wedding.

The Hollywell Clubhouse is home to our SYC sailing squadron, along with a Bar & Bistro. It’s the ideal place to grab a cold drink and watch one of our many off-the-beach Sailing events. Our well cared for campgrounds are the ideal place for you to moor and relax with family and friends. Watch the sunset behind the beautiful Hinterland, while toasting marshmallows in the outdoor fire pit.

• Electricity at Berths
• Food & Beverage outlets
• Sewage Pump Out

Other Services

Contact info.

• 1 Macarthur Parade, Main Beach Queensland 4217, Australia
• 07 5591 3500
• [email protected]
• http://www.southportyachtclub.com.au
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• Sailing Program Registration
• Foundation Awards
• Foundation Board and Instructors
• Photo Archives
• Welcome to Jr. Sailing
• Rock the Boat 5K
• Turnabout Races Sailing Instructions
• Seguin Island Trophy Race
• Round Southport Race
• 2023 Race Results
• 2022 Race Results
• 2021 Race Results
• 2020 Race Results
• 2019 Race Results
• 2018 Race Results
• Maine State Optis

SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB

Southport Yacht Club  – The Southport Yacht Club (SYC) is a corporation owned by its members and governed by a Board of Directors. The Club owns and maintains two buildings and dock facilities on Cosy Harbor Road on the shore of Cosy Harbor on Southport Island, Maine. The Club has a mission and 100-year history of promoting boating on the Maine coast with an emphasis on sailing through the junior program now run by the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation (see below). The Club sponsors numerous events during the summer including racing, social, cultural, and family activities. Members of the SYC enjoy use of the facilities, including the docks, launching ramp, and cooking grills. Members receive a membership roster with names, addresses, and phone numbers of members. Current dues are $235 per year, plus a new member initiation fee of $25. Membership application forms can be found in the Forms section of this website.

Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation  (SJYCSF)– This legal entity is separate from the Southport Yacht Club and has its own Board of Directors. It is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization. Donations made to the SJYCSF are tax deductible. The SJYCSF operates the sailing program. It owns the fleet of 420 sailboats, the coach boats, and several Optimist dinghies. It leases the junior building, and use of the grounds and docks from the SYC. It runs the Tuesday evening SJYCSF 420 races. Families with children in the SJYCSF Sailing Program do not have to be members of the SYC and SYC members do not receive any Sailing Program discounts or preferential treatment. Scholarships are available for eligible students. See the Sailing Program section of this website for more information regarding the SJYCSF.

SJYCSF Mission Statement:   “The purpose of the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation is to introduce children and youth to sailing and seamanship and to promote a life-long interest in sailing, while developing life and leadership skills, building friendships and community.”  

Southport Junior Yacht Club – This is NOT a separate legal entity. It is a subset of the SJYCSF. The officers of the SJYC are sailing program students who are elected by other sailing program students. The Southport Junior Yacht Club organizes various social events such as Ice Cream Socials and Bingos during the summer months.

The Southport Yacht Club is a diverse community grounded in a shared love of the water. We  welcome all people and perspectives.

Mailing Addresses

Secretary: Cecily Walsh

Fleet Captain: Charles Nelson

Hollyanna Bates

Brendon Donnellan   

Janet Duchaine

Susannah Parker

Communications: Hollyanna Bates

Finance: Brendon Donnellan

Long-Range Planning: Dave Smith

Membership: Susannah Parker

Social: Janet Duchaine

[email protected]

SYC Bylaws Amended 2017

Skiff Float Rules

Private Usage Agreement

SYC Babysitter's List

Northern Gold Coast

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Central Gold Coast

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Southern Gold Coast

With a world famous point break, sprawling beaches, the Southern Gold Coast’s laidback vibes is renowned for its casual coastal culture.

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Southport Yacht Club Incorporated

1 Macarthur Parade Main Beach, Queensland 4217

Established in 1946, Southport Yacht Club has a beautiful setting with panoramic views of their multimillion dollar 300 berth Private Marina and of the Southport Broadwater. Dining can be enjoyed from the Waterfront Restaurant, whatever your desire, they have the dining facilities and setting in which to kick back, unwind and enjoy the scenery. Southport Yacht Club's Clubhouse is complete with two major function rooms. The Compass Room, located on level one, accommodates their larger events, from wedding receptions, corporate functions and birthdays through to more exquisite cocktail parties, whilst their unique sun drenched Western Lawn with boardroom and grassed Eastern Lawn provide a natural marine canvas for any occasion. Southport Yacht Club is known worldwide for its exceptional sailing, power boat and fishing fraternities, incorporating everything boating -from power boats, dinghies, one design-racing, trailer sailors, to cruising yachts and elite racing yachts. While the big boats are based at Main Beach, Hollywell offers excellent facilities and a supportive environment for all levels of sailing expertise with sailing camps and learn to sail courses offered. Finally Southport Yacht Club's private retreat, Dux, is located on South Stradbroke Island and proves to be a very popular weekend destination for many members.

• Boating Facilities
• Caravan / Camper Trailer / Campervan Sites / Campsites
• Conference/Function Facilities
• Enquiry Desk
• Family Friendly
• Food and Refreshments
• Lawn / Gardens
• Picnic Area

Accessibility

• Disabled access available, contact operator for details.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.    We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland. 

How Much Do Yacht Club Memberships Cost? (5 Helpful Examples)

Joining a yacht club is an important milestone in your life. It marks a certain degree of success and allows you to enjoy plenty of luxurious amenities. Setting sail on a yacht is the ultimate way to unwind from a hectic work week while you try to climb the corporate ladder.

Fortunately, there are yacht clubs all over the country that would love to welcome you as a brand-new member. You can enjoy an afternoon on the water with a beautiful yacht in exchange for a small sum of money.

But how much do Yacht Club memberships generally cost?

Prices for Yacht Clubs will vary based on your location, the fleet, and even the amenities that are offered at the marina. The average annual membership price is between $900-$4,000 depending on your level of luxury and needs.

To give you an idea of what you could expect to pay for your yacht club membership, here are some numbers gathered from across the country:

Table of Contents

What Does Each Yacht Club Offer?

Each yacht club is going to offer something that sets it apart from the others on this listing. To give you a better idea of where your money is going, here is a brief synopsis of what you can expect at each location.

Related Article: How Much Does Yacht Insurance Cost? (4 Examples)

Charleston Yacht Club

Charleston is a premier cruising destination with plenty of waterways for you to explore. They offer a launch hoist, dry slips, day dockage, free parking, and a long list of events scheduled throughout the year.

You also gain privileges at other yacht clubs around the world. If you don’t own your own yacht, they have plenty of members who often have room on their boats to accommodate a few extra passengers.

Florida Yacht Club

The Florida Yacht Club is a relatively exclusive club that features amazing amenities like fine dining and an array of aquatic activities.

You can play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or massage, or get in a rousing game of croquet from the shore. They also host events and permit you to extend your privileges to other locations scattered around the Florida coast.

Atlanta Yacht Club

The Atlanta Yacht Club is primarily geared toward sailors who are interested in racing. They have a fleet of more than thirty different boats that are designed to help you further your knowledge of sailing.

If you still have a lot to learn, you can even take classes at this location. Prospective members must be sponsored and co-sponsored by two club members for entrance.

Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)

Chicago Yacht Club

Members of the Chicago Yacht Club will find plenty of opportunities to get involved. With more than forty different committees, you can find a circle of friends that have common interests beyond just sailing and racing.

You also receive transient docking at both the Belmont and Monroe harbors, exclusive invites to private events, and reciprocity at more than 900 clubs across the country.

Related Article: Boat Clubs in Boston: 5 Clubs You Should Know

California Yacht Club

The California Yacht Club is home to both national and world championship regattas.

They host plenty of events from scuba club to book club to wine tastings. If you want to find a true community of like-minded sailors, this could be the place for you.

One of the best features is the reciprocity at locations not just across the United States but across the world. You can feel free to travel the world with your yacht and experience some of the same fellowship globally.

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Los Angeles: 7 Clubs You Should Know

What are the Cheapest Yacht Clubs?

The cheapest yacht clubs charge just under $1,000 per year for membership. While this does give you access to different types of experiences, you may be disappointed by the overall amenities.

Some yacht clubs are known for their extravagant country club styles that help you to embrace a particular lifestyle. They include Olympic-sized swimming pools, state-of-the-art tennis courts, and fine dining.

Everything has a beautiful waterfront view. It can feel like you are in the middle of an idyllic paradise without ever even having to leave the shore. If this is what you can gain from the most expensive yacht clubs, you should set your expectations much lower for the cheaper yacht clubs.

The cheaper yacht clubs lack the community aspect of these exclusive options. They feature dry slips and the occasional party, but not much more.

Some of them may have the feel of a county park with some picnic benches, outdoor grills, and a moderately sized swimming pool. Expect a much more casual atmosphere when you choose to go with a cheaper yacht club.

It is even possible that they are simply “paper yacht clubs” that do not even maintain a physical building of their own.

How Much Do the Most Expensive Yacht Clubs Cost to Join?

The most expensive yacht clubs can vary a great deal in price. Most of them will cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per year. However, you can certainly find more exclusive clubs that will cost above and beyond this.

Keep in mind that these more expensive clubs generally are not open to the public. They are offered by invitation only and you must have a member sponsor you to be considered for entrance.

When you are paying for a more expensive yacht club, you should make sure that you are really going to get your money’s worth. These expensive clubs promote a certain type of elegant lifestyle.

Make sure that you are planning to take advantage of all the amenities available from one of these clubs before you sink too much money into the membership fees. The social aspect of these expensive yacht clubs is extremely important.

If you plan to simply rent a boat from time to time, you might be able to go with a cheaper yacht club.

Related Article: How Long Do Sailboats Last?

What Is Generally Included in the Membership Fee for Yacht Clubs?

Have you been wondering why you should join a yacht club? Many potential members want to know what they can expect from their membership fees before they commit to a year-long contract. There are many advantages to signing up for a membership with a well-known yacht club.

Amenities and Activities

First and foremost, you get access to activities and cruises planned by board members. These might be various sailing activities, dinners, get-togethers, tennis matches, or other events that take up a lazy Sunday afternoon.

You also gain access to any amenities that surround the yacht club’s marina. For many programs, this means a fitness center, pool, and tennis courts. Several locations also offer fine dining, meeting rooms, and more.

It is like a private oasis where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the regular world. Time moves slowly when you’re enjoying the amenities here.

Many yacht clubs have programs that introduce children (and adults!) to sailing. Take classes to learn more about improving your technique, sailing safety, and other important aspects of life on the open water.

Access to the Fleet

The main reason why most people join yacht clubs is to be able to rent out boats instead of purchasing their own. Joining a yacht club may give you access to an entire fleet of yachts that can be reserved for a day or weeks at a time. Some yacht clubs allow you to rent boats for up to ten days at a time.

Others do not allow you to rent out ships. They are primarily geared toward individuals who already own a yacht or will own a yacht in the future. Make sure you know the difference in advance.

Are There any Additional Costs Besides the Membership Fees?

Unfortunately, the membership fees are not the only cost associated with joining a yacht club. Most of the clubs in the United States also have a one-time initial fee that tends to cost thousands of dollars. Many will range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the location and the exclusivity of the yacht club.

This one-time fee should be the only additional money you pay except for fuel. Most yacht clubs do not cover the cost of the fuel used in the ship during your rental if renting is an option. Be prepared for what this could cost you.

If you cause damage to the ship, you can also expect some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance should cover the damage, but you will likely be asked to cover the cost of the deductible.

Be sure to inquire about how much you may be on the hook for before you sign up for any particular yacht club. Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced sailors. Make sure that you can afford the mishap in advance.

Is a Yacht Club Membership Right for You?

Understanding what the real cost of a yacht club membership is can be the first step toward determining if this is right for you. Many people love the luxuries available through the more expensive yacht clubs, but they may not be able to afford it. Consider what is most important in a club to you before deciding to sign on the dotted line for an annual membership.

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70 Years of Southport Yacht Club

“Southport Yacht Club (SYC) membership is the most cosmopolitan in Australia. From every part of the nation people flock to Queensland’s Gold Coast to take up permanent residence. Many of the newcomers are keen boaties or yachties: the Gold Coast marine lifestyle was a major reason they decide to settle here. Before moving to the Gold Coast, most such people belong to a yacht club and often played an active role in its operation. Since its founding, the SYC has received a regular infusion of experienced new members whose input has benefited the Club,” wrote the historian and acclaimed local journalist, Alexander McRobbie, in his book, The History of Southport Yacht Club (1996).

In 2016, the Club celebrates the 70 th anniversary, and today, as in McRobbie’s time, the success and driving force of SYC is only possible through the dedication of the members. It is unlikely that any of the early members foresaw their Club and its facilities develop into a multi-million dollar business enterprise and the jewel of Queensland boating.

The Club remains an interesting place to socialise with frequently arriving vessels from around the world. The crew, whether they be race crews or married couples on a journey, have navigated many a treacherous sea, regularly dock at the Club, and spend their nights at the bar sharing stories of sailing adventures across the oceans.

The Broadwater was first described by a passing 1822 naval ship captain as a “large lagoon”. The first recorded Broadwater sailing club was in 1880, when four prominent Southport residents staged races among themselves and were sometimes joined by visiting yachtsmen. These organised events and other spontaneous regattas brought great intrigue to the locals, giving birth to the idea of a local yacht club. However, a tragedy during one of these races that claimed the lives of three crew, set back any successful plans for a club for many years.

In 1897, a Southport Easter Regatta was held. From then on, regattas became a feature of the Southport social life with spectacular sail pasts. In the early 20th century, The Southport School (TSS) regatta was also a popular annual sailing event. And by the 1940’s, the Broadwater had become busy with both recreational and commercial vessels. The Brisbane yachting fraternity would cruise the passages south to discover the beauty of the Broadwater areas. The voyage was best described as “a one bottle of rum trip” by the skipper of Maid of Sker to explain how long it would take to travel from Brisbane to Southport.

During World War II, a group of local boat owners offered sailing trips, with a picnic at Jumpinpin, to injured returned serviceman as part of their rehabilitation. These boat owners would eventually become the foundation members of the newly formed Southport Yacht Club.

On April 5, 1946, the mayor of Southport, John Proud proudly chaired a meeting of approximately 70 people at the Southport Council Chambers in Nerang Street. After a considerable discussion, it was agreed that further meetings would take place to organise the details for the formation of the yacht club. Eventually, the Southport Yacht Club was formed with Lindsay Firth as the very first Commodore.

The Club’s early objectives were to acquire land for a club house, define and beacon all channels, improve picnic spots in the bay and rivers, and lobby to have the main channel deepened.

Almost weekly, there was a new boating disaster at the Southport bar possibly claiming more wrecked vessels than any other bar in the world. The members of the yacht club were often asked to assist visiting vessels wanting to cross the treacherous bar.

Many of the early members would go on to feature prominently in the management and urban development of the city of Gold Coast. Fortunately, around this time, expert town planner, Dr Karl Langer, a well-known Brisbane architect, during the planning the Main Beach precinct, included a site for the Club with ample surround car parking space on arguably the best site along the whole Broadwater.

After the Club’s second year, the members approached the Southport Trainee Squadron, which had been formed way back in 1926, to join Club at their Hollywell base. Technically then, the SYC junior club is in fact older than the senior club.

It would be nearly 10 years before the first club house would be built. As Main Beach was zoned as an upmarket “Brick Area”, the construction would need to be permanent and the ground level raised before building. By 1952, the Club had 70 members. After much lobbying for financial backing and fundraising by the ladies’ committee, construction of the club house began in 1953.

The modest club house was officially opened in 1956. There was no fancy bar servicing alcohol, nor was there a restaurant serving food. However, the members were thrilled that basics such as bread, milk, butter, ice and the newspaper were available. In 1959, with a membership of 203, the Club successfully acquired a liquor license, and also installed a telephone.

The early members were community-minded and helped shape the development of the Broadwater. Their pioneering dedication to marine conservation in the area remains until this day.

By the late 1950’s, boating on the Broadwater was booming. All this, well before the advent of riverfront homes and canal estates, many boat owners simply moored their boats close to their homes, causing what was coined as “nautical congestion”. By 1966, members were informed by the then Commodore Lee Kilner, that impressive numbers of overseas and interstate guests were visitors to the Club which made the Club unique, and that these guests were helping to keep the Club up-to-date in its thinking.

By 1967, Queensland was heading towards becoming one of the largest recreational boating destinations in the country. The state government began implementing a mooring fee of $5 per feet per year, even if the boat owners were up in arms.

In 1969, the first lady skippers race was held. The Club has always been a sign of the times, so up until that year, the Club insisted that boating was predominantly for men. It was in 1974 that the Club’s constitution was amended to permit the formation of what was initially called a “Ladies Auxiliary”, formally titled the Associates Committee, where ladies were granted an associates membership. However, it was not until the half year meeting on April 1986, when the club finally decided to admit women as full members, should they so desire.

In 1972, due to demand in the area, the Club opened a slipway that had a waiting list for those wanting to slip their boats. A few years later, approval was granted by the Department of Harbours and Marine to build a floating marina. However, it would take several years and a unique financing arrangement by some members to have the first stages of the marina ready for occupancy. Between 1977 and 1981 the marina was continually expanded due to growing demand. The floating marina and hard stand were officially opened in 1986.

In 1982, another major Club facility was built on South Stradbroke Island, on a sandy beach front block, suitable for offshore anchorage that was offered to the club by the council. Many committed members organized themselves in working bees and set sail with members’ boats carrying building equipment and supplies. After a few years of hard work, the area came to be known as the DUX and was equipped with amenities and a caretaker’s residence. At the 1985 peak of the season, there were 85 boats anchored for the weekend at the Dux Basin. Finally in 1991, after an expansion of the area and various improvements on facilities, a crowd of 400 people gathered on the picturesque island location to see what had been achieved by volunteers after 10 years of dedicated service.

In 1992, through a generous sporting grant from Jupiters Casino, an amount of $500,000 was received by the Club, which was used to build new facilities and amenities at Hollywell. The development of the junior facilities established the Club and the Gold Coast as a yacht racing force on both national and international levels.

After several years of resistance from members, the Club finally installed poker machines in 1993 to generate much needed operating funds. The introduction of the poker machines led to the creation of a social member status at the Club. The social members had no voting rights and most had no interest in boating.

That same year, the Club began its involvement in the most ambitious project in its history. The SYC was successful in its $2.6 million dollar bid to make the Gold Coast as the Australian training base from March to September in 1994 for the oneAustralia and Sydney 95 America’s Cup teams. The wind and wave patterns of the shores of the Gold Coast were similar to those expected in the San Diego-held competition in 1995. To prepare for the training, the Queensland Department of Transport very quickly dredged a channel to the Seaway. The Club grounds were transformed into a high-tech training facility complete with a huge work shed and a massive crane used to lift the yachts in and out of the water. Even though the oneAustralia yacht was defeated by the Kiwis, this initiative delivered between $300,000 and $400,000 to the Club including a large L-shaped floating marina and a significant increase in membership.

Continuing the excitement at the Club, in May 1995 a $17 million full-scale jarrah replica of Captain James Cook’s Endeavour berthed at the Club, with a total of 18,000 visitors coming to see the vessel over nine days, 7,000 of which actually visited the Club. By this time, the Club had over 800 social members.

Millennium Milestones

Today’s Club is as much a remarkable story of the survival of a community initiative, as it is about the Club’s teams surviving out at sea. Having overcome many hurdles in their formative years, such as financial constraints with long periods of waiting and hoping, and extended periods of fund raising. The members have always held on with a passion. This persistence has seen the Club eventually prosper to become financially sustainable.

After 70 years of continuous investment, SYC facilities have expanded to become a multi-purpose boating mecca that caters to the service requirements of boat owners and social life of Club members and casual visitors. The floating marina has been expanded to 300 berths with 10 super yacht berths. Every year, they receive between 500 and 800 visiting vessels. The most significant investments in facilities and amenities include the renovations to the marina in 2007 (which was awarded the as Best Marina in Australia in the same year) and the major renovations to the Main Beach Clubhouse in 2008. In 2011, a major renovation was undertaken at the Hollywell Clubhouse. In 2015, an arrival/departure pontoon was installed at the Dux. These vast investments did not go unnoticed, having been given a Gold Anchor accreditation of 4-1/2 Anchors by the Marina Industries Association in 2014 and awarded the Rowland Best Innovation Award to the Club in 2016 for the Waterscape pontoon bar by the Keno and Clubs Queensland.

Gone also are the days of an exclusive male membership. The Club is very up to date with signs of the times, and advocates for equal opportunities and progressive thinking. In 2013, a long-time member, Kerry Noyes, was appointed Vice Commodore for Sail. And recently, at the 70 th  Annual General Meeting of Southport Yacht Club held on 25 July 2016, Kerry was appointed Commodore. She is the first female Commodore of the Club. This is a very significant achievement for Queensland sailing and the SYC community.

The very strict dress code has also relaxed to keep up with the times. Back in the 1960’s, the Executive Board preferred white open-necked shirt with short sleeves, white shorts, and long white golf socks and preferably white shoes . These days, the Club requires you to “dress respectfully in your own style”.

The most challenging aspect of managing the Club is overcoming the perception of exclusivity. The waterfront restaurant and bar is open to the public and the membership packages are very affordable. Although some members are “mega rich”, most members are regular people with a love of boating. The Club is definitely “not exclusive nor snobby”.

In 2013, SYC was awarded Best Casual Dining by Clubs Queensland and the prestigious Marina Restaurant of the Year by the Marina Industries Association.

This year, the Club reports over 3,000 members and more than 100,000 annual visitors to the venue. There are over 80 staff employed by the Club. Add to that the many thousands of hours of labour voluntarily contributed by members. This large team of people, working for a common cause, are able to stage over 500 boat races each year, as well as many of the Club’s traditional occasions and a myriad of social functions. All these interactive opportunities provide the community with a hub to meet and partake in on-water activities with likeminded sporting enthusiasts.

Other aspects of the Club that help keep the quality of service to the members and the community involve the Club’s marketing strategies and its sailing programs that encourage young people to participate. The Club’s free learn-to-sail programs are a significant contribution to the local community. In addition, the Club’s marketing manager, Bronwen Hemmings, was awarded Club Super Young Manager Encouragement of the Year 2016 by the Keno and Clubs Queensland.

What is a Club without competition?

The Club has always strived for boating excellence. As far back as 1946, when just a handful of boats jostled for a win, the Club aspired to be the best—to win, no matter the effort required. This belief and the Club’s relentless investment in the future have paid off. The Club’s go-get-it attitude on the water is optimised in one of its homegrown heroes, Mathew Belcher OAM, knighted for his sailing excellence. Mathew, who learned to sail at Hollywell and went on to win a staggering seven world sailing championships that included a Gold Medal at the 2012 London Olympics in Sailing 470 class.

The Club’s recent sailing participation includes wins in the following races: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (2010), Sabot National Titles (2011), First Sail Paradise Regatta (2012), Nacra Infusion World Championships (2013) and Etchells National Titles (2014)

Today, the Main Beach Clubhouse stands against a dramatic backdrop of international hotels and world-renowned beaches. The boating lifestyle has remained a major draw card to new families looking to reside in the city. Boating has become a significant contributor to the city’s economic success. While the environment, and the accessibility to beautiful sheltered waters and easy access to the ocean are the reasons why boating has become so popular, the founding members of the Southport Yacht Club and all the members throughout its rich seventy year history, who have donated their time and energy over the years, must be acknowledged for their vision and foresight to believe in a way of life closely connected to the waterways. Boating on the Gold Coast is what captures the attention of many of us. The city and the Club will continue to prosper as the rest of the world discover our boating life and the historic and cosmopolitan Southport Yacht Club.

—–

This year’s 70 th anniversary celebrations at SYC officially began on April 19 with the Birthday Bash. Festivities included past and present members of the navigation division joining the 2016 SYC Open Power Boat Navigation Event. On July 9, the SYC 70th Anniversary Gala Ball was held with live entertainment and dinner dance.

The 70th Anniversary Sail Past and Blessing of the Fleet will be staged at the Main Beach Clubhouse on September 3. It will be a fun family day with vessels being dressed and decorated. An SYC Members-only anniversary celebratory event on October 1 will feature a performances from legendary Australian musician Daryl Braithwaite.

Written by Andy Kancachian. This information was made possible by the extensive documentation by historian and award winning journalist Alexander McRobbie, and contributions by SYC General Manager Brett James, Waterfront Manager Mark Riddell, Marketing Manager Bronwen Hemmings and Membership Coordinator Rosemary Austin.

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Southport Junior Yacht Club: Powered by Youth

Teaching sailing, as well as learning how.

Photographs by Adrienne Chandler

Cozy Harbor, located midway down the western shore of Southport Island at the mouth of the Sheepscot River, is almost invisible from the river, obscured from view by David’s Island to its west and Pratt’s Island to its south. Just two-tenths of a mile from end to end, the harbor’s maximum depth at mean low water is nine feet, and that’s just in one spot. Yet within its tight confines lie more than a hundred moorings—home to lobsterboats, recreational powerboats, daysailers, dinghies, and even a 38' Alden yawl. Along the shore are unpretentious, mostly 19th-century houses with the occasional dock and float. During the summer there are so many boats that you could almost hop from one side of Cozy Harbor to the other without ever getting your feet wet, but the harbor is all-but-deserted during the winter, save for a couple of working lobsterboats.

In its earliest iteration, the club was centered around Pratt’s vision of racing outboard motorboats on Sheepscot Bay. There were regular races for boats 19' to 25' long, plus meetings, picnics, and poker evenings. There were an annual regatta, a lobster stew banquet, a clambake, and a dance and beauty contest. Membership was small, however, and by the time of the Great Depression, the club’s days seemed numbered. Then, in 1937, the White family from Malden, Massachusetts, came to the rescue.

In the 1940s and 1950s the Southport Junior Yacht Club was open to youngsters aged 10 to 18. It appointed its own junior officers and offered limited instruction to its youngest members. When the Junior Sailing Program was introduced in the 1960s, the teaching of sailing took center stage. The boat used was the Turnabout, the beamy 10-footer that remains the foundation of the program to this day. 

As commodore, Custer Carroll recognized the importance of involving young members. “There are kids in the sailing program today who are third generation,” she said. “Their parents and grandparents learned to sail in Turnabouts, sometimes even the same  Turnabout… that continuity is huge.” 

Today’s Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation is, on the surface, like most other sailing programs in this part of the world. The program is open to all, to the children of non-members and club members alike, and with one fee for all. There is a scholarship fund available. Kids range in age from 7 to 18; there is a morning program for the younger less-experienced children, and an afternoon program for the older ones. The club uses Turnabouts, Optimists, 420s, and Boston Whalers and their equivalents. 

But beneath the surface something very different is happening at Southport: With the exception of Director Will Jacobs (himself a one-time Junior Sailing Program student), the entire program is run by kids: college-aged kids and younger. And they are all either current members or graduates of the program. 

“To have an instructor who’s gone through the program, who understands the program, the philosophy, the parents, the community… the connection is very important,” said Jacobs. “So we have afternoon students who come help in the morning class, unpaid. After a few seasons some of those helpers become Junior Instructors; now they get paid to work in the mornings, and then go back to being students in the afternoon. Eventually, Junior Instructors can become Senior Instructors and then they work all day, Monday to Friday.” 

There is a generally accepted understanding that if you want to become an instructor, you must pay your dues in the ranks of the unpaid helpers—if you care enough to help out when you’re young, chances are you have what it takes to be a future leader.

The morning program has a maximum attendance of 50 kids looked after by Jacobs, 18 paid instructors, and between 8 and 12 helpers. The students are divided into groups depending on their level of experience, and the senior instructors figure out who’s in which boat and with whom. 

Making it fun is huge at Southport. As well as evening events like Ice Cream Socials and Bingo specials, there are weekly happenings from kickball on Wednesday afternoons to Friday Fundays for the morning class. But, of course, learning to sail is always there. The morning program is run exclusively in Turnabouts, two to three students per boat, with the focus on sailing and basic seamanship. On fair-weather days, the fleet goes out of the harbor into the Sheepscot. On less easy days, and especially when there’s fog, the kids stay inside the harbor, learning to dodge and weave among the many moored boats and each other. 

In the afternoons, the fleet is mixed. An average day will see 10 Turnabouts, 20 Optimists, and 10 to 15 420s—at least 55 kids—sailing off the moorings. In 2016 the club added a J/24 to the fleet—some kids will sail the J/boat and nothing else, but the majority will sail it for an afternoon here and there. It’s up to them. The prime focus of the afternoon is on racing, but it is never the only focus.

“We do racing but we do all of the other stuff too: rowing, docking, mooring. We do knots, talk about seamanship skills in terms of being safe and respecting the boat. We talk tides and currents and winds. We have had sailors who go on to sail in college but we have many, many more who’ve gone through here and continue to sail well into adulthood and still love it,” Jacobs said. “Are we producing hotshot sailors? No. We’re producing really strong sailors who love sailing, who appreciate the ocean and sailing.”

That philosophy is the essence of  Southport Yacht Club. While memberships of yacht clubs up and down the country are struggling or in decline, at Southport the membership continues to grow.

On a gentle morning in August I joined Will Jacobs in one of the club’s Whalers and we headed out into the Sheepscot to do what he does most summer mornings: watch 20 or more Turnabouts go sailing. We heard small children hurling affectionate insults at one another; we fended off a boat as it came alongside to allow two giggly girls to tell us they were headed in for a bathroom break; we paused to watch a crew execute a series of shaky jibes and saw arms extended for a high-five before the boat turned up onto a reach. 

“You were asking about the core of the Southport Yacht Club,” said Jacobs. “Well, here it is, right here: the love of sailing, appreciating the ocean, and having fun with it. Look around us—there are 50 kids out here having fun on the water, loving sailing. And you know… chances are they’ll go right on loving it for the rest of their lives.” 

He paused and looked back to his fleet of small boats. “I’d choose that any day over one superstar who goes on to the Olympics.”       

One-time Managing Editor of WoodenBoat magazine, Jenny Bennett has taught small-boat sailing throughout her adult life. A native of Southwest England, she now lives in Seacoast New Hampshire and summers on Southport, Maine.

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How Much is a Yacht Club Membership? 3 Common Price Ranges

The cost of an annual yacht club membership can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the location of the club, the amenities offered, the exclusivity of the membership, and the size of the yacht being accommodated. We’ve compiled a set of guidelines below to help you estimate what you can expect to pay for an annual yacht club membership.

Local or Less Exclusive Yacht Clubs

These clubs might offer basic amenities such as docking facilities, a clubhouse, and some social events. Annual fees can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Membership fees could be as low as $500 to $2,000 per year.

Mid-Range Yacht Clubs:

These clubs may offer more extensive amenities, including high-quality dining facilities, repair and maintenance services, fitness centers, and a busy calendar of social and boating activities. Annual fees for these clubs can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.

Prestigious or Exclusive Yacht Clubs

The most exclusive yacht clubs, often located in prime locations with extensive facilities and services, can have annual membership fees that are significantly higher. These can range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more per year, with some of the most elite clubs costing even more. Additionally, these clubs might have initiation fees that can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It’s also important to note that many yacht clubs have additional costs beyond the annual membership dues. These can include initiation fees for new members, monthly minimum spending requirements at the club’s facilities, and additional fees for docking, storage, and maintenance services.

Additional Considerations

Some yacht clubs require yacht ownership as a prerequisite before being accepted into the club. Hence, while the yacht club membership itself might only be between $500 and $2,000, the true price of a yacht club membership might be tied to the cost of ownership of your yacht as well.

Bottom Line: Simply Ask If Interested

If you’re interested in joining a yacht club, make a list of yacht clubs that you might be interested in joining, and reach out to them via email or phone to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. Most yacht club members are quite friendly and are willing to help those who are interested in joining.

We wish you good luck in your yacht club search, and hope that you were able to find this article helpful.

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SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB

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The Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation uses the following sailboats in its sailing classes:

Turnabouts:  A safe, stable trainer with a single mainsail and a small spinnaker.  Room for several beginners and an instructor make this an ideal entry level boat.  The Turnabouts are privately owned and shared with the program.

Optimist Dinghies (Opti's) :  A single-handed advanced dinghy for younger racers.  The Foundation owns a few Opti's; most Opti sailors provide their own.

420's:  The universal US sailing double-handed training boat used by teenage and collegiate sailors.  The 420 is used in our Advanced Class. The Foundation owns fifteen 420's.  

                                                            420 Usage Policy

J/80:   The J/80 is a sprit-rigged keelboat raced on the Boothbay peninsula. The J/80 introduces advanced program sailors to keelboat handling and racing, including related topics of crew coordination and additional aspects of seamanship.

Established in 1946, Southport Yacht Club is known worldwide for its exceptional sailing and powerboat fraternities, award-winning boating facilities and its exceptional and exclusive waterfront dining.

The Waterfront Restaurant within the Main Beach Clubhouse also went through an extreme upgrade in late 2008, having the western end of the clubhouse knocked down and completely re- built, the waterfront restaurant boasts a relaxing atmosphere complemented with exceptional seasonal menus whilst the Compass Room offers an exclusive setting for corporate, private functions and wedding receptions all year round. We are proud to invite you to visit The Southport Yacht Club which is acknowledged to be second to none on the East Coast of Australia.

Recently Awarded   Best Marina Restaurant in Australia 2019-2020.

Southport Yacht Club’s Sailing Squadron located on the North Shore at Hollywell offers excellent facilities and a supportive environment for all levels of sailing expertise with sailing camps and courses offered.

Finally, Southport Yacht Club’s private retreat, Dux, is located on South Stradbroke Island and proves to be a very popular weekend destination for many members.