Waterfront & Sailing Activities
The OYC actively encourages sailing and maintains a fleet of its own sail & power boats in order to promote its sailing programs. The OYC has run a popular summer Junior Sailing Program (JSP) since 1947 and also offers an Adult Sailing Program.
Nauset Sailing
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 all of the right ingredients for what has become a very successful program. For the first five years the team was a club sport trying to prove itself. In 2001 the team the team began its first varsity season under coach Warren Silver. Over the next nine seasons the team acquired 12 sailboats, practice sails, racing sails, 24 dry suits, electronic equipment, race course marks and a cumulative record of 95 wins and 35 losses. The team roster has averaged between 25 and 30 sailors during its seasons and the Orleans Yacht Club has always been the team’s home port. The NRHS sailing team is a coed, Varsity and Junior Varsity sport. For more information, please visit their website at www.nausetsports.org/main/team/id/22031
Mooring Field
The Rear Commodore oversees the Club-owner mooring field and all of the boats within it which are all subject to the current mooring rules and regulations as determined by the Town of Orleans' Harbormaster. The field accommodates the Club's own fleet of sail/power boats and also provides moorings for up to twenty (20) current 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.
Adult Sailing
The OYC Adult Sailing Program (ASP), sponsored by OYC Fleet 15 of the DaySailer Association, offers instruction annually to current Club members; the ASP uses the textbook “Starting Sailing Right” by U.S. Sailing and uses the Club’s Catalina Capri’s and Precision 15 sailboats.
The goal of this course is to gain sufficient knowledge and skill to sail independently. As an adjunct to ASP, "qualified" Club members may use one of the two available Catalina Capris for their own recreational sailing. Although racing is not the primary focus of the ASP, some may want to pursue racing and three or more "qualified" sailors may compete during the Sunday races. All ASP participants are encouraged to become involved with Sunday sailing either as racers or as support.
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 the Flotilla 11-6 Public Education Program. Please visit their website (click here) for more information.
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 provide many skill building opportunities to the general public through a variety of courses, seminars, and marine-related guides. Please visit their website (click here) for more information.
YANKEE DUO SUNFISH REGATTA (Sponsored by the Sherborn YC & hosted by the OYC)
The Yankee Duo Sunfish Regatta is held on the third weekend in September at the OYC. The two-day regatta (the Chowder Cup on Saturday and Just Desserts on Sunday) is overseen by the Sherborn (MA) Yacht Club and has seen over 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. For more information, photos and results, please click here to visit their website.