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Seattle Yachts Sailing Academy, an American Sailing Association (ASA) affiliate school based in Anacortes, WA, can help you realize your dream of learning to sail, whether you are a beginner of experienced sailor. Anacortes is the gateway to the San Juan Islands, one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the world.

Our friendly instructors have been certified by the ASA and are licensed as Captains by the US Coast Guard. They have a passion for passing on their love of sailing to students, and have many years of experience teaching sailing.

Your lessons will start with classroom instruction to pass on fundamental information, then it’s off the boat to put your new knowledge into action.

With your new sailing skills, you may join SailTime Anacortes, a shared yacht program that lets you use quality yachts based in Anacortes at a fraction of the cost of ownership.

Seattle Yachts Sailing Academy is based at Cap Sante Marina in the town of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, the gateway to the San Juan Islands, some of the finest cruising grounds in the world. The San Juan archipelago has dozens of islands and amazing wildlife such as bald eagles, orca whales, sea lions and otters. Bring your camera!

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Take a free sail any Sunday, or learn to sail and never stop

Center for Wooden Boats offers weekly outings on the water, just one of many ways to learn more about sailing around Seattle.

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As I wait in line at Seattle’s Center for Wooden Boats, my young son toddles up and down the dock sporting his bright yellow lifejacket with my wife close behind. He freezes to stare at an elegantly refurbished sailboat bobbing in a wake, one of about six at dockside that morning.

We are waiting for our chance to board a small wooden boat as part of the center’s Sunday Public Sail — a program that’s been a fixture in Seattle for 40 years.

We’re just a few blocks from Amazon’s downtown offices, but it feels like we’ve stepped into a dramatic change of environment.

Around boats, things don’t move like normal. Platforms sway, your world pitches and heaves. The sounds, smells and colors — everything is different.

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We push away from the dock, unfurling a white canvas sail and soundlessly picking up speed. City life melts away. Shoulders relax. Smiles creep across faces. Waves lapping against the hull are both thrilling and Zen-like.

A living relic

Our boat, the Admirable, one of four boats offering rides this day, is a sprit-rigged sailing gillnetter, built around 1900.

At one time this was a working boat helping fishermen haul salmon from Alaskan waters. Now it’s a living relic of the ancient art of boat building.

From the banks of Lake Union a thundering seaplane roars to life. Minutes later it dashes down an aquatic runway not far from our boat and glides into the air. While traveling under sail is thrilling for the kids aboard, nothing can compete with the drama of airplanes taking off and landing on the water.

For grandmother Suzanne Anderson, visiting from Kentucky, our hourlong voyage is her first time aboard a sailboat, and she grips her seat with white knuckles. Fortunately, the still waters on Lake Union mean that the most dangerous part of our journey is stepping on and off the boat. At one point, some of the passengers even take turns at the huge wooden oars.

About half of our 13 passengers are novice sailors, which doesn’t surprise our volunteer skipper, John Kuchta. He says that’s usually true for locals and tourists alike.

Sailing is a quintessential part of the Northwest fabric, yet it remains foreign to many of us, says the center’s executive director, Michael Luis.

Because we have so much water around our area, people just assume that everyone owns a boat. But many of those who grew up here never get an opportunity to sail, he says.

Luis points at the gleaming new high-rise buildings in South Lake Union, noting the thousands of new tech employees — many of whom hail from places where sailing opportunities are rare.

The program has been wildly popular, says Luis. “We don’t really need the publicity for the Sunday Public Sails,” he admits. On busy summer days — such as when cruise ships are in town — up to 400 people can show up, and the center turns away more people than it can serve.

Still, it continues to be an excellent first introduction to the delights of boating.

Luis says the idea is to expose the public to watercraft with a whimsical soft entry, and some will enroll their kids in sailing camps, or rent a rowboat, or join a restoration program.

Hooked on her first trip

Handling the lines on our voyage is Rebecca Boyd of Seattle. She was once a passenger on a Sunday sail, and then got hooked. She took a volunteer training class, then worked in the center’s boat rental livery. Ours was her first trip crewing with passengers aboard.

My own toe-in-the-water sailing experience came my senior year in college when I took a sailing class during spring quarter. Once a week, we cruised around Green Lake, learning the basics in little Toppers and two-person Lasers.

The fundamentals of sailing a small craft also apply to larger boats, so when I backpacked around the world later in life, I had the confidence to crew on larger boats, opening up a whole world of unique travel opportunities.

Maybe our Sunday sail will be the salient moment for the kids on our voyage, and it will kick off a lifelong affection for sailboats.

Or maybe they’ll just want to pilot seaplanes for a living.

Sunday sails

The Center for Wooden Boats , 1010 Valley St. on South Lake Union, offers one-hour boat outings on Lake Union on Sunday mornings year-round. In addition to sailboats, there are a number of historic wooden watercraft including one with an electric motor and a steam-powered vessel.

Trips are free but donations are encouraged. Sign-up begins at 10 a.m. Space is limited so get there early to secure a seat.

The center organizes sailing classes for all skill levels and ages. Classes are also held at the center’s Cama Beach State Park campus on Camano Island, at Medina Beach Park and Newcastle Beach Park.

For those with experience, small sailboats are available for rent on an hourly basis, as are rowboats, canoes, kayaks and a pedal boat.

More information

Sailing lessons around seattle.

Sailing classes abound in our area. Most start in the classroom with navigation and sailing theory before putting you at the tiller of a tiny sailboat. A sampling of offerings:

• Seattle Sailing Club , at Ballard’s Shilshole Bay Marina, offers 15-hour sailing courses in a basic keelboat for those 18 and older. $395 for nonmembers. seattlesailing.com

• Mount Baker Sailing Center , run by Seattle’s Parks and Recreation on Lake Washington, offers adult sailing classes (ages 16+) on weekends for $565. They also offer youth sailing camps (ages 8-11) and a class for women only. mbrsc.com .

• Seattle Yacht Club provides summer youth-sailing classes, group and private lessons, from Portage Bay near the University of Washington. Classes start at $275 for nonmembers. bit.ly/1qqBx8z

• At Green Lake , Seattle Parks and Recreation teaches adults to sail small Toppers. Eight classes, $175. Kids ages 10-17 can join summer sailing camps for $200. seattle.gov/parks/boats/greenlake/annual_brochure.pdf

• Sail Sand Point offers adult classes on a variety of boats including the Hobie 16, Lasers and a 20-foot keelboat, plus two levels for beginners. A wide range of youth camps are also available. Some scholarships provided. sailsandpoint.org/classes/

Seattle Sailing Guide: Marinas, Best Spots, and Schools!

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I love Seattle, both the mountains and the surrounding waters, last year I spent Christmas there and that’s when I discovered some of the amazing areas we will look into in this article! Seattle is one of the best locations for sailing in the Pacific Northwest. Located on Puget Sound, it offers countless opportunities for sailors of all levels to explore the beautiful waterways that surround the city.

Here are the best day-sailing destinations in and around Seattle:

Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island

Port madison on bainbridge island, blake island marine state park, port of edmonds, port of kingston.

Read on to find out why these sailing destinations stand out from others in Seattle and where you can dock your boat in the city. And if you’re looking to polish your sailing skills, the article also explores some of the best sailing schools in Seattle.

Table of Contents

Is Seattle Good for Sailing?

Seattle is a great city for sailing as it offers something for everyone who wants to get out on the water. Visitors can explore the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean or explore the waterways that weave in and out around the city and its outlying islands. 

Sailors especially love sailing in Seattle because of the abundance of water wildlife. At the right time of year, visitors can often see pods of orcas (killer whales), gray whales, and humpback whales as they migrate across the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes these massive mammals can be seen from the shoreline, but visitors will get the best views when they’re out on the water. 

For those who want the sailing experience minus the work, Seattle offers numerous sailing cruises fully staffed by sailing professionals. These cruises take guests out of the marina and into the deep blue sea to explore the coastal region. Specialty tours, such as sunset cruises or whale watching excursions, are also available. These sailing companies also offer private charters that allow guests to make their personalized sailing adventure come true.

Although sailing is one of the best ways to explore the water in and around Seattle, other watercraft activities also offer a worthwhile experience. These include sightseeing cruises, dining cruises, kayaking, and canoeing. There are also fishing tours that allow for salmon and other saltwater fishing opportunities.

And when you rather be a passenger instead of a captain, you can access many of the surrounding islands via ferry. The ride offers a higher vantage point hence better views. 

Best Day-Sailing Destinations in and Around Seattle

One of the best things about sailing in Seattle is the number of destinations you can explore in one day. Each offers something unique, but they all offer gorgeous views and beautiful sailing conditions.

To have an idea of what to expect while sailing in Seattle, check out this YouTube video of Robert Loyd sailing the Puget Sound, from Olympia to Seattle:

Here are some of the best day-sailing destinations Seattle has to offer.

Sailors can visit Bainbridge Island and dock their boat at Eagle Harbor, the island’s connection to Seattle. Upon disembarking, you can explore Waterfront Park, one of the most popular gathering places on the island.

This 5.5-acre park boasts open green spaces perfect for picnics and outdoor games. It also hosts annual festivals, summer concerts, and other special events.

If you’re looking for a peaceful day-sailing adventure that includes a bit of island time, look no further than Blake Island Marine State Park . Located a few miles from downtown Seattle, this state park sits on 472 acres with 5 mi (8.04 km) of saltwater beach shoreline.

The island is only accessible by boat, making it an ideal day-sailing destination.

Once there, guests can engage in different activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, crabbing, and bird and wildlife watching. Expect excellent views of Seattle and Mt. Rainier, majestic sunsets overlooking the Olympic Mountains, and beautiful beaches dotted with driftwood.

Located north of Seattle, the Port of Edmonds offers a large marina with special moorings for day-guests set aside. They also encourage overnight stays, where guests receive a welcome tote bag with various items, including a promotional booklet showcasing participating merchant offers.

The marina has over 600 moorage slips, so you’ll readily get a spot.

Once you get out of your boat, there’s plenty to do, including picnicking in the park, strolling on the beach, and shopping in nearby boutiques. There’s also no shortage of great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops within walking distance of the marina.

If you head to the northeastern shore of Bainbridge Island, you’ll find Port Madison . The inner harbor in this beautiful and scenic location is well protected by the hills surrounding the water.

After docking, visitors can explore the parks, beaches, trails, eateries, bars, and art studios this part of Bainbridge offers. Paper and Leaf, the island’s only cannabis boutique, is a must-see if you’re a cannabis partaker.

Port Madison Indian Reservation

Port Madison Indian Reservation is home to the Suquamish people hence a port rich in history. It’s located in the Central Puget Sound Region of Washington State—a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle.

History lovers will enjoy a visit to the Suquamish Museum, where they get to see never before exhibited Suquamish artifacts.

Other cultural sites in the reservation include Chief Seattle’s (also Si’ahl or Sealth) gravesite and the Old Man House Park. 

You can also do a bit of recreational gambling in the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort or golf at the nearby White Horse Golf Club. 

Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo is affectionately known as “Little Norway.” The historic downtown district still maintains a quaint Norwegian setting to date. Visitors can enjoy museums, galleries, shops, eateries, breweries, wineries, and day spas located throughout the city. Or engage in more active leisure, including biking, hiking, kayaking, and golfing.

If you want an experience beyond the norm, consider scheduling your visit to coincide with one of the many festivals and annual events Poulsbo holds.

One such festival is the Viking Fest held every May. It involves flags, a procession of children, marching bands, and traditional Norwegian costumes.

The Poulsbo Marina features 130 guest moorage slips. Available amenities and facilities include restrooms, showers, laundry, and a fuel dock.

Located north of Seattle, the Port of Kingston is a vibrant port community that features typically readily available guest moorage. But with only 49 guest dock slips, you can reserve a guest dock slip online beforehand to avoid disappointment. Amenities include water and electric hook-ups, bathrooms and showers, picnic tables, and coin-operated laundry.

There are several places to dine and shop in the surrounding community. And you also have the Mike Wallace Park, where local community organizations, such as the Kingston Farmers Market, often hold events. Additionally, you can access veterinary, dental, and financial services nearby.

Marinas in the Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle offers five marinas where sailboats can be docked, allowing easy access to all the shopping, dining, and entertainment venues available across the city.

Bell Harbor Marina

Bell Harbor Marina is Seattle’s only downtown recreational marina. It offers unparalleled access to Pike Place Market, the Seattle Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and the infamous Space Needle. It has room for up to 70 boats at one time, and moorage is available year-round. Additionally, there are multiple essential amenities for long-haul sailors, such as showers, garbage/recycling disposal, and sewage pump-out services.

Fisherman’s Terminal

Fisherman’s Terminal is home to the North Pacific fishing fleet and caters to more commercial watercraft. However, a few moorings are available for recreational sailors, including monthly and day-guest users. There are several restaurants and shops on-site and free parking for up to three days. Other amenities include showers, electrical hook-ups, potable water, and sewage services.

Harbor Island Marina

Harbor Island Marina is the best moorage location in West Seattle. It can accommodate up to 77 boats at a time and provides easy access to neighborhoods in both West Seattle and the South Sound. In addition to monthly and guest moorage slots, the marina offers liveaboard moorages for those who want to live on their watercraft. Available amenities include showers, metered power, and a self-service pump-out.

Salmon Bay Marina

Salmon Bay Marina is located just outside the Ballard Locks and is unique in offering both covered and uncovered monthly moorage in freshwater. It’s within walking distance of Fisherman’s Terminal, where guests can access restaurants and shops. This marina includes access to typical amenities such as showers and garbage disposal facilities and exceptional amenities like laundry and storage facilities.

Shilshole Bay Marina

Shilshole Bay Marina is the largest marina in Seattle, with over 1,400 moorage slots. It accommodates day, monthly, and liveaboard guests and has one of the largest and most active boating communities. Boat groups and yacht clubs especially love Shilshole for its wide fairways and docks and ample space for different trail users. Sailors can eat and drink in various restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops around the marina.

Best Sailing Schools in Seattle

With plenty of locations to dock and moor your boat, Seattle is a good sailing destination for experienced sailors. However, the city is also a good place for beginner sailors to get their sea legs and develop fundamental sailing skills.

There are several sailing schools in Seattle. Each offers basic sail training for newbies and advanced training for those looking to perfect their sailing skills.

Here are the best sailing schools in Seattle.

The Seattle Sailing Club

The Seattle Sailing Club is one of the most active ASA-certified sailing schools countrywide. ASA stands for American Sailing Association, whose sailing standards are accepted nationally and internationally. The school’s instructors are accredited by the United States Coast Guard and ASA, assuring you of your safety during training and an enjoyable experience.

You’ll start by learning the basics, including terminology, safety, tacking/jibing, rigging, and seamanship. Courses will include classroom training and hands-on training. The latter will initially occur on a keelboat then a tiller-steered powerboat. And as you progress to higher-level sailing courses, you’ll be able to train on boats 30-feet (9.14-meter) or larger.

Experienced sailors looking to polish their skills on select topics, say, navigation or anchoring, can also take classes.

The Puget Sound Sailing Institute

The Puget Sound Sailing Institute is another ASA-certified sailing school. Although based in Tacoma, some PSSI classes are taught in other locations, including Seattle, Des Moines, and Anacortes.

Those new to sailing can take Basic Keelboat classes in Bell Harbor. Lessons will include online videos, textbooks, and on-the-water instruction. After completing the course successfully, you should be able to charter and skipper a 27 ft (8.23 m) or smaller boat in normal weather unsupervised.

Afterward, you can take Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Cruising classes (check the website for available locations and dates). With these additional classes, you will gain the ability to charter and skipper a boat for extended overnight trips in all weather with no hired crew.

The Seattle Yacht Club

The Seattle Yacht Club , located on Portage Bay in Seattle, has a sailing school taught by US Sailing Level 1 instructors. They have adult sailing lessons that are suitable for beginner sailors. Classes launch from the yacht club and primarily sail in Portage Bay. 

The Vanguard-15 (V-15) is the primary training boat they use. But intermediate and advanced sailors also practice their boat-handling and racing skills on the Olympic-Class Laser. In addition to sailing classes for adults, SYC also runs a Youth Summer Sailing School that admits students as young as seven years old. 

Here children and teens learn basic sailing maneuvers or better their skills, then participate in a learn-to-race week. During the week, they learn racing rules, basic racing tactics, and more advanced boat handling techniques. At the week’s end, students participate in a regatta.

Final Thoughts

Given its location on the water in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is an ideal location for sailing. There are plenty of day-sailing destinations, including Blake Island Marine State Park and Port Madison on Bainbridge Island. Each offers stunning views and various things to do, from dining and shopping to sightseeing and biking.

Sailors can moor their boats at one of the many marinas in Seattle. And those who want to learn to sail or improve their skills can register for lessons at any one of several sailing schools in Seattle.

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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“ The room was pleasant--a view down the lawn and part of their moorage. ” in 2 reviews

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1807 E Hamlin St

Seattle, WA 98112

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Seattle Yacht Club is home to more than 2,500 members. The Club hosts a world-class junior sailing program, which has given a start to numerous Olympians and generations of Northwest sailors. Opening Day, the Club's annual spring celebration, is the region's premier on-the-water party. Seattle Yacht Club maintains reciprocity with more than 400 other boating groups around the world and enjoys membership in the Pacific International Yachting Association and the International Powerboat Association. SYC is recognized among the leading yacht clubs of the world, and members can take pride in both its prestige and its vibrant community. …

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Seattle Yacht Club's restaurants are not open to the public. The restaurants are open to members, members' guests and members of reciprocal clubs.

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M parents and my brother and his boyfriend are members here. Seemed nice enough. Many offerings. Beautiful location. Well-kept grounds. Many boats to choose from. Fresh catch seafood. Available fkr Private Parties. My dad continues to rave about theor roast beef sandwich!

See all photos from Gina H. for Seattle Yacht Club

What a great place! Nice people! Good food! Wonderful ambience! Outside dining for summertime fun! The staff know your name and are very attentive

Eric was welcoming and he provided some of the best service I have ever had. They genuinely care for every aspect of the guest.

SYC members only and their guests. We ate early dinner on Saturday. The drinks were great! The ahi is delicious. The burger came out as requested with lettuce wrapped instead of bun. Thank you SYC for being so accommodating and on point with hour service! Shout out to pops for taking us to the club!

I signed up for 'session 3' sailing lessons several months in advance and paid the full price up front. I ended up having a work conflict that I can't get out of so I called and spoke with Christina Travis (sailing program manager) on 05/23 asking if I could possibly be put in another class (session 3 is Aug 7-17th) and she said 'there are over 25 people on the waitlist. We just added session 3 this year because the waitlists are so long'. So imagine my surprise when she said there is a $100 cancellation fee. I am cancelling almost 3 months in advance, and they have plenty of people to fill my spot. Not a great business model. I would definitely understand if I left them hanging with short notice then I wouldn't argue on the cancellation fee. She was extremely rude and said she needed to hold people accountable. I would not recommend this business for sailing lessons. There are other options. .

I came in today with a few friends and boy can I say do NOT order the nachos. I was hoping for something great by the water but right when it came I could tell I would NOT, enjoy this meal. The nacho chips itself were stale, the cheese was just in the top layer leaving the bottom completely empty. The chicken was extremely dry and bland and most nachos are with shredded chicken not chopped. The sour cream tastes sour and expired and the "salsa" was mostly chopped onions. The guacamole was so chunky. The waiters were pretty nice but overall do NOT get the nachos I could barely take a few bites.

SYC is a club for boat lovers but also has an amazing formal restaurant, spacious casual restaurant with patio dining during summer and great views of the marina in Portage Bay. For boat owners, there are "out stations" throughout Puget Sound and reciprocal relationships with clubs across the world. The members and staff are very friendly.

They have really up'd their game! We went here for dinner the other day (our good friends are members) and it was obvious immediately that they had a new chef! For starters they included amuse-bousche which was smoked salmon on diced cucumbers with a hint of seasoning. It was delicious. When the entres came out the plating was impressive. I got the braised short rib. It was not served on the bone (which I loved)! It was extremely flavorful and melted in my mouth. All in all the Yacht Club really stepped up their game and I'm pleasantly surprised!

NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS SPECIFICALLY FOR SYC's FORMAL DINING ROOM, THE 'WARD ROOM'. SYC's Ward Room: The best restaurant in Seattle that you can't go to (unless you're [a] a member, [b] a guest of [a], [c] a visiting member of a reciprocal club, or [d] a visiting yachtsperson during Opening Day week. There are many reasons one can cite why SYC is simply 'TBGDYCITWWW'. You can list the outstations, the programs, the staff, and the facilities, but without a doubt one of our best-kept secrets is our fine dining facility, the Ward Room. There have been some great changes you may not be aware of if you haven't been there recently, and if you haven't you really owe it to yourself to come in and see what's happening; you will really be surprised and delighted! For one thing, the Ward Room's executive chef, Chef Breanna Beike (better known as Chef Bre), is a real talent! She is a highly imaginative young chef , much in the style of local greats Tom Douglas and Ethan Stowell. Under her direction, the Ward Room kitchen serves a full menu of Northwest Contemporary classics, featuring superb meats and seafood dishes. Chef Bre is making a name for herself on the Seattle culinary scene; she was a featured guest chef at Fare Start in 2014, showcasing her work alongside other hot talents like Joule's Rachel Yang, and Zoi Antonitsas of Westward! But where she really shines is the nights she puts on special events like her 'Bistro' nights, and the Wednesday Prix Fixe dinners! Bistro nights feature special menus with international flavor. Her French bistro night included such delights as classic steak frites, and the recent Italian bistro night showcased dishes like an incredible beef carpaccio, and homemade gnocchi topped with clams, mussels, and lobster, served in a sweet corn and saffron broth! The Prix Fixe dinners on Wednesday evening are a 'don't miss' event in the Ward Room! These are meals where the chef shares with diners a culinary tour of dishes designed to complement one another, telling a 'story in food' about chefs and their style. Chef Bre really cuts loose with a fantastic three-course meal where she puts together a different and unique menu each week of dishes designed to showcase her talents. At $31, this is an incredible value, as you would pay easily twice that a comparable hot local restaurants like The Walrus and the Carpenter or Sitka & Spruce. On these nights you can play sommeleir and bring your own wine - no corkage fee! How great a deal is this? Of course, the Ward Room also features an amazing collection of wines from around the world to satisfy any taste and budget, and the staff is well trained to help you make perfect choice! But the Ward Room is not just about a brilliant kitchen; the front of the house is just as delightful! Ward Room Manager Joseph Huber hails from Austria, and he and his team of top-notch servers bring a European touch to the Ward Room that is always elegant, but never stuffy! Unlike many local restaurants where the dining room is so loud you have to converse in what my mom called 'battlefield tones', the Ward Room is a serene, relaxing space; just perfect for unwinding after a long day, entertaining family or business colleagues, or enjoying a perfect romantic dinner with that special someone! Not that hungry? The Ward Room is still the place for you! Featuring superb soups and salads (it's one of the last places in Seattle where you can have a Caesar Salad prepared tableside!), The Ward Room is also a great place for a lighter bite as well (Top Tip: try the French onion soup; it's a SYC speciality!) Finally, contrary to what you might think, the Ward Room's dress code isn't tough. Jackets and ties are nice, but definitely not required. Fashion denim is OK too; just no ratty jeans or t-shirts, please! So if you haven't been to the Ward Room lately you owe it to yourself to see what all the excitement is about, and enjoy cutting-edge cuisine at prices that will surprise you! Make a reservation today and you'll be glad you did!

I attended a catered get-together event in June. The buffet of heavy appetizers was quite good! Varied and all delicious. They kept items replenished. The woman at the cash bar could use brushing up on her customer service. She was short with her responses and never smiled. The room was pleasant--a view down the lawn and part of their moorage. The building and decor feel dated--think the Caddyshack Country Club left unchanged since the early 1980s--but it's a historical building so I understand the desire to try to keep things traditional. It just could use some freshening up--carpets look tatty and women's bathroom is very 1960s feeling in furnishings.

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Seattle Yacht Club

Many Seattle Yacht Club members cruise the waters of the Pacific Northwest in powerboats.  Whether touring the Club’s 10 Outstations, located from Gig Harbor in the south to Cortes Bay in the north, or exploring the fresh water lakes, our members tend to enjoy their time on the water. SYC has a number of interesting and exciting events for members with powerboats. These include formal events with fun interactive themes, local and long-range cruises from Puget Sound to the Canadian Gulf Islands, and monthly dinners with exciting and informative speakers. Our monthly club dinners include topics about boating in the Northwest and adventures from around the world. These dinner are also a fun way to meet with fellow Club members and share boating experiences.

Seattle Yacht Club also hosts Navigational Rallies (aka Predicted Log Racing) around Puget Sound. These navigational contests are a great opportunity for members to improve their knowledge of their boat and skills of predicting the boat’s performance around a designated course.

Seattle Yacht Club Sailing

2019 syc race book, youth summer sailing school, adult sailing lessons, junior race team, high school sailing, opti green fleet program, junior race team, race team vision.

SYC is recognized among the leading yacht clubs of the world with a renowned comprehensive junior sailing program, in which the Junior Race Team is an integral part.  Our Junior Race Team draws upon a broad base of young sailors (open to the public) primarily from the SYC Summer Sailing School, SYC’s Northwest Interscholastic High School Sailing Team (HS Sailing), and community outreach programs.  The SYC Junior Race Team and HS Sailing provide youths, from ages 8 to 18, the opportunity to reach for competitive success at all levels while developing athletic skills, leadership, sportsmanship and a lifelong love for boating.  SYC has given rise to numerous generations of successful Pacific Northwest sailors, including multiple Olympic champions.  The SYC Race Team continues the Club’s legacy of achievement, representing SYC in local, regional, national and international competitions.

Race Team Mission

Progress juniors from participation to development to the highest levels of youth racing achievement.

• Provide a fun and supportive environment for junior racers of all abilities
• Provide coaches exceptional in their sailing accomplishments and their abilities to train and inspire our racers
• Maintain facilities and equipment equal or superior to leading yacht clubs around the world
• Promote interest and participation in sailing and racing with an active, adaptive outreach program
• Prepare racers for Collegiate Sailing providing an opportunity to leverage individual racers’ sailing skills and racing achievements in the college application process
• Develop  a lifelong interest and appreciation of sailing and racing in all Race Team members while promoting SYC junior membership in a family oriented, supportive environment

JOIN THE TEAM 

Race team schedule, race team coach: cameron hoard.

Cameron has been the SYC Jr Race Team coach since 2011. Originally from Upstate NY, Cam has lived on both coasts, but has come to call the NW home.

Cam has been a sailing coach for the better part of 20 years. He has worked for various yacht clubs and sailing programs in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

The SYC Jr Race Team does most of its year-round training on Shilshole Bay (Puget Sound), however Cam and the team travel all over the country competing in over 25 regattas every year. A busy training and regatta schedule is what makes the SYC Jr sailors the best in the North West!

The team has found lots of success under Coach Cam with SYC sailors winning national championships, qualifying for international regattas, and dominating the NW Youth Racing Circuit. It’s exciting and fun to work with such committed, talented, and hard working Jr sailors representing the club. 

2017 was a big year for the team and the sailing department! They were honored to receive the Captain Joe Prosser Award, from US Sailing, for excellence in sailing instruction. The Jr sailors list of accomplishments is far too long to list here, so please stop Cam in the hallway or on the dock to hear about it all! Or join them at the SYC Jr sailing awards held every January, to meet the team, celebrate an amazing year, and help them kick off the successful season ahead. Go SYC!

Contact Coach Cameron Hoard.

Joining SYC

Seattle Yacht Club welcomes applications for membership from Northwest boaters ages 10+ who would like to join our active community.

Members of the Club are entitled to use our Portage Bay Clubhouse with casual and fine dining restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, guest moorage, and permanent moorage (subject to availability).  Members are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of regattas and cruises, and enjoy activities and dining events at the Club.  Membership with SYC offers use of our Elliott Bay clubhouse facilities and discounted Elliott Bay moorage (subject to availability), use of nine Outstations (listed below), and reciprocal privileges to more than 225 other yacht clubs around the world.  

SYC OUTSTATIONS

• Cortes Bay – Desolation Sound, B.C. 
• Eagle Harbor – Bainbridge Island 
• Elliott Bay – Seattle 
• Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands 
• Ganges – Saltspring Island, Gulf Islands, B.C. 
• Garden Bay – Pender Harbor, B.C. 
• Gig Harbor – South Puget Sound 
• Henry Island – Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands 
• Ovens Island – Dunsmuir Islands, Gulf Islands, B.C. 
• Port Madison – Bainbridge Island 

Several levels of membership are available based on the age and marital status of the candidate.  For an individual membership, the initiation fee is determined by the age of the new member on the date the application is completed.  Monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another.  We encourage married couples to apply for joint membership.  There is one initiation fee, which is determined by the age of the older spouse on the date the application is completed.  The monthly dues are determined using the birthdate of the older spouse.  To request a chart of the current fees and dues, contact SYC's Membership Director.

Each membership application needs one primary sponsor and three other members to serve as recommenders (all must be voting or Surviving members of SYC).  The application process begins when a voting member of SYC checks out an application packet and becomes the applicant’s sponsor. 

Interested In Learning More?

If you are interested in exploring membership and receiving an invitation to SYC's next Open House (date TBD), please complete and submit a Prospective Member Interest Form . 

Membership Brochure & Benefits Of Membership Video

For an overview of the Club, download SYC's Membership Brochure . Enjoy the video below about the benefits of membership with SYC featuring the Club, our Outstations, activities, and some of the people who make the Club special.

Our App enables the sailors to have the boat´s performance tracked live and to be able to review the performance later on. The app can be complemented by a tracking device that you can have on your boat.

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Washington Yacht Club

The student-run sailing club at uw, washington yacht club (wyc).

The Washington Yacht Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, student-run club working to provide sailing facilities, mentorship, and community for the University of Washington since 1948. 

We are located at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) on the southeast corner of the UW Seattle Campus near the Husky Stadium. Come down and say “hi” to make new friends, go sailing, and take lessons (no previous experience necessary)!

WYC Activities

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WYC Locations

Waterfront activities center (wac).

The primary hub of Washington Yacht Club events, activities, and lessons!

Sail Sand Point (SSP)

Husky union building (hub).

A secondary location for Washington Yacht Club events, primarily utilized for windsurfing lessons. 

The primary where members can submit membership paperwork or taking written exams to obtain sail boat ratings.

Office Location: Sub-Basement 259.

Office Hours: Available by appointment. To schedule, please email  [email protected] .