Waterfront & Sailing Activities
The Orleans Yacht Club enjoys a beautiful and active waterfront. We encourage sailing and maintain a fleet of sail & power boats to facilitate our programs which include:
JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM (JSP)
OYC has taught the joy of sailing to generations of children every summer since 1947. Graduates of the JSP Program are now sending their own children and grandchildren here to learn. We believe everyone can learn to sail, and the skills learned in the Junior Sailing Program can be enjoyed for a lifetime!
JSP offers classes for all levels from beginners to experienced sailors looking to hone their racing skills. Students spend time on the water in our Optis, Catalina Capris, Precisions and 420 sailboats as well as time in onshore instruction. This combination of classroom instruction and hands on sailing experience teaches solid sailing and seamanship fundamentals ranging from terminology, knot tying, sail trim, safety, and boat care to advanced sailing theory, racing rules and tactics. Our instructors ensure a fun and safe learning experience by combining instruction, educational games and activities, and lots of time on the water sailing!
OYC Membership is not required to be part of our program - all children are welcome! Rates, and policies are noted on the application. For more information see: Junior Sailing Program
ADULT SAILING (ASP)
The Adult Sailing Program was started in 2005 by OYC members who wanted to share their love of sailing with other members. Today ASP is run entirely by dedicated members who serve as Instructors and Mentors. The program kicks off with five weeks of classroom instruction on Tuesday evenings from late April to late May. By June students are hitting the water and putting their new-found skills to the test!
New sailors are paired with Mentors – experienced sailors, who are eager to share their knowledge and help newcomers handle the boats and navigate the waters. Club owned Precisions and Catalina Capris are used for sailing on Wednesday and Thursday nights throughout the summer. Participants may “qualify” to take out OYC-owned sailboats on their own, and may join in Sunday Racing activities, either as racers or as support. Visit this link to learn more about adult sailing.
SUNDAY RACING
OYC sponsors racing on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. Visit this link to learn more about the club's adult racing program. OYC members may also race in club-owned Precisions. The races are a friendly competition, with the emphasis on camaraderie and good sportsmanship. Club members volunteer to run the races, help on the Committee Boat, operate the safety boats.
MOORING FIELD
The Rear Commodore oversees the Club mooring field and all the boats within it, which are subject to the current mooring rules and regulations as determined by the Town of Orleans Harbormaster. The field accommodates the Club’s fleet of sail and power boats and also provides moorings for up to twenty (20) OYC members’ boats. For more information on the mooring field, please refer to the House Rules in the Members Only section (requires login). A Club dinghy is available for access to moored boats.
NAUSET REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SAILING TEAM
In 1996 OYC member, and Past Commodore, Greg Kelly had a vision for a high school sailing team at Nauset Regional High School and put in motion the right ingredients for what has become a very successful program. The NRHS sailing team is a coed, Varsity and Junior Varsity sport. The team roster has averaged between 20 and 30 sailors during its seasons, and the Orleans Yacht Club has always been the team’s home port. For more information, please visit their website at www.nausetsports.org/main/team/id/22031
YANKEE DUO SUNFISH REGATTA
The Yankee Duo Sunfish Regatta is held on the third weekend in September at the OYC. The two-day regatta has enjoyed more than 40 years of competition. This regatta brings sailors from all over New England to compete and is the final segment in the New England Sunfish Championship.
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 11-6
The Orleans Yacht Club is proud to host the monthly meetings of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-6 (Nauset) as well as their boater education courses which are offered as part of their Public Education Program.
CAPE COD SAIL & POWER SQUADRON (DISTRICT 14)
The OYC also hosts several of the Cape Cod Sail & Power Squadron's boating courses. The CCS&PS promotes “boating safety through education” and believes that an educated boater is a safer boater. They offer many skill building opportunities to the public through a variety of courses, seminars, and marine-related guides.