Overview
Royal Perth Yacht Club traces its roots to a Foundation Day regatta on the Swan River in 1841 and was formally constituted as the Perth Yacht Club in 1865, gaining its 'Royal' title in 1890 — the third-oldest yacht club in Australia. Its home is Pelican Point at Crawley on the sheltered waters of Matilda Bay, minutes from the Perth CBD, with a 361-berth marina and a 24-hour fuel jetty, plus an ocean-side annexe in Fremantle built for the America's Cup. The club won the America's Cup in 1983 with Australia II, ending the United States' 132-year hold on the Cup, and ran the 1987 defence off Fremantle. Today it runs summer series on the Swan, a twilight cruise, night and retro series, off-the-beach and development programs, and learn-to-sail and powerboat courses.
- Founded
- 1865
- Federation
- Australian Sailing
- club@rpyc.com.au
- Phone
- +61 8 9389 1555
- Registry code
- ABN 21 894 707 808
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Opening Day Regattaseason opening with sail past; the 153rd edition in 2026
- Saturday Summer Series
- Swan River Retro Series
- Diggers Cup
- Australian Hansa Class Championship 2027
- Frostbite sailingwinter series
- SailFest
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Kids Learn to Sail ↗
- Adults Learn to Sail ↗
- Off the Beach (OTB) at RPYC ↗
- RPYC Development Program ↗
- Teams racing ↗
- Powerboating ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1841Sailors stage a Foundation Day regatta on the Swan River, the club's earliest roots
- 1865The Perth Yacht Club is formally constituted
- 1880A jetty is built at the original site at the foot of William Street
- 1889First clubhouse opens
- 1890'Royal' title and Admiralty warrant for an undefaced Blue Ensign
- 1891New burgee adopted: white with a red St George's Cross and St Edward's Crown
- 1979Hosts the Parmelia Race from Plymouth to Perth for the State's 150th anniversary
- 1983Club challenger Australia II wins the America's Cup, ending the 132-year US hold on the trophy
- 1987Runs the America's Cup defence off Fremantle
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 31°59.05′ S 115°49.48′ E
-31.98424, 115.82469
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Kids Learn to Sail, Adults Learn to Sail, Off the Beach (OTB) at RPYC, RPYC Development Program and Teams racing.
When was Royal Perth Yacht Club founded?
In 1865.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Opening Day Regatta, Saturday Summer Series, Swan River Retro Series and Diggers Cup.