The RNVR Yacht Club

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The initial activity, from 1947, was one-design sailing in Fireflies. Teams raced against various other clubs and naval establishments.  In 1949 the Club presented to the RYA a silver cup for an annual competition of Fireflies.  In 1950 the Club joined the association of Service Yacht Clubs and won the Gold Cup in Seaview Mermaids in 1951, 1952 and 1955. 

In the 50s and 60s teams raced successfully each year in Whalers at Shotley against Ganges, Lloyds, Norfolk RNR and Suffolk RNVR for the Drawmer  Dram Trophy. 

From 1966-75 regular weekend regattas were held in Mermaids at Seaview. Day sailing and cruising were both encouraged in the Club owned boats Rabmoewe, a shallow draft sloop at Burnham, a Sharpie and a 16-foot dinghy at Kingston and a 16-foot day boat in the Hamble.  Boats were chartered, such as SCOD at Cowes, a Royal Burnham OD, and yachts held at naval establishments including 100x50 sqm "Windfalls."  Chief amongst those was Marabu which the Club raced and cruised extensively and in 1955 won the Fastnet Inter-Services Cup in her.  In addition, the Club successively owned Tachia, a 9-ton sloop, then the 13-ton cutter Volunteer, an S&S 34 cruiser/racer, a Westerly Fulmar 32, bought new in 1985, followed by a Westerly Storm 33 in 1990 also bought new.  The next Volunteer, bought new in 1999, was a 36-foot  Jeanneau Sun Odyssey which proved just as popular with members, as did her predecessors, for cruising British and French waters. She has recently been sold.

In recent years many members have acquired their own boats, adding to the prestige of the Club by successfully racing and cruising at home and abroad.  Since 1976, annual meets for members in their yachts have been held  in the Channel Islands, Seine Bay, Cowes and the Solent area.

Besides sailing events,  the Club organises a range of social functions, which include an annual North West and South West Regional Dinner plus the Club  Annual Dinner and Christmas Party both of which are held in London.  

Members have had the privilege of wearing the undefaced Blue Ensign since 1965; there are now over 200 yachts on the Club register and a membership of nearly 450 including some 50 overseas members.

The aim of the Club remains as originally intended, to provide inexpensive,  high quality sailing opportunities for its members. 

The Club welcomes past and present members of the RN, RNR, RNVR, RM and RMR to apply for Club membership. For further details on membership eligibility refer to the Membership Page