Classes

This large and vibrant group of keelboat members enjoy both cruising the beautiful Cardigan Bay and surrounds and taking part in the many organised racing events. The famous Abersoch Keelboat Week takes place during the week leading up to the August Bank Holiday weekend, with two races for each different keelboat class each day for 5 days and plenty of social activities and entertainment in the Bar and The Cove. There are many opportunities for crew to join and learn skills and try keelboat sailing – we’re a friendly bunch – come and join us!

The Abersoch International Dragon fleet, based at SCYC was established in the 1960s, and grew to become the largest UK Dragon fleet, with some 26 teams competing in Club and championship racing. The fleet was revived in 2009, and has quickly grown to the current fleet of 16 boats. 2019 saw the return of the Edinburgh Cup Championship to SCYC and Cardigan Bay.

The Seabirds are a unique class of well loved, and admired, classic yachts that started racing in the 19th century, and are still racing in the 21st. SCYC invited the Seabirds to race at the Club in 1922. They have been sailing here ever since, adding to the Club’s rich history and strong racing tradition. Club racing is within July and August and includes a National Open Week each year, welcoming other Seabirds from Wallasey and Trearddur Bay.

It does not matter whether you are looking for a yacht to take the kids mackerel fishing for the day, or race around one of the most picturesque bays in the country, because the Pandora ticks both boxes. At 22ft and available for less than £4,000 the Pandora really is the ideal entry level yacht for sailing from SCYC at Abersoch. The fleet was established in the bay, and at the Club, in the mid 1970s and has been ever present on the racing calendar since. So, come and join a keen and friendly fleet, who will give you all the help you need to start racing at SCYC.

The mixed dinghy classes at SCYC are as vibrant and fun as they have ever been – everyone of all ages and abilities from novices to keen racers. Coaching is popular, run in August, for beginners through to those wanting to improve and develop racing skills. We have two mixed racing fleets with everything from RS Fevas, Toppers, Mirrors, and Fireflies through to Solos, RS Aeros and Merlin Rockets on the start line. As well as a growing cohort of Foiling Moths! It’s not only about racing - there really is room for everyone and new faces are always very welcome. SCYC most notably hosts the famous Abersoch Dinghy Week, currently sponsored by Abersoch Boatyard, always held in the last full week in July and typically attracting well over 100 dinghies; and also Abersoch Mirror Week (a great family event), held in the third week in August. There’s plenty of silverware up for grabs!

SCYC has one of the strongest racing Squib fleets in the UK and the Club fleet numbers approximately 25 boats. The class also has the largest racing programme within SCYC. The Squib is distinctive with its mace coloured sails. Squibs sit on the moorings and, with a cockpit cover, take in their stride everything the weather throws at them. Being 680 kg they are easy to tow with a family car. Normally raced with only 2 people, although they can be cruised with more, they are suitable for couples’ racing. If you are interested in finding out more, either contact the class captain Malcolm Blackburn, or better still watch out for the mace coloured sails racing in the bay and join us in the Bar afterwards, then you can meet the sailors, talk about the boats, and organise a chance to sail in one.

The RC Laser fleet at SCYC has a fleet of 20 boats and we are still delighted to claim that the SCYC fleet is one of the largest RC Laser fleets in the UK! Our races, held during the winter months, consistently have a high turnout of competitors and provide some very keen, competitive racing, without anyone getting their feet wet! The RC Laser class is by far the simplest way to go sailing at SCYC during the winter, with a great bunch of people to sail them with and an excellent social side, what more could you ask for? It is a ideal way to practice your racing skills ad hone up on your knowledge on the rules in preparation for the summer sailing/racing, or just an ideal way to have fun during the winter months. Racing takes place in a pretty informal manner on a lake on the Llyn Peninsula and with short Olympic style courses we can pack around 8 – 10 races into a morning. There is district, national and world championships for the class and the SCYC fleet currently boasts one of the top UK skippers.

The SCYC motorboat class has been a growing fleet over the last few years. We have a fantastic mix of sailors who also have a motorboat, but also many members who are more attracted to the power of an engine rather than the wind in the sails. At SCYC we welcome all who enjoy spending time on the water. The motorboat class enjoy a mixture of activities. Whether it be as a support vessel for the larger SCYC racing events or more frequently as a fleet who enjoy a raft up for a picnic in many of the beautiful coves. We also travel further afield in convoy to different lunching destinations. Dylan’s Criccieth, Ty Newydd Aberdaron, Penhelig Arms Aberdovey are favourite destinations. We look forward to more motorboats joining our fleet and indeed joining us on our lunching adventures.