Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Sandy Bay – regattas, sailing school…

Overview

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania sits on the western shore of the River Derwent at Sandy Bay, a few minutes from central Hobart. It traces its line back to Hobart's first yacht club of 1859; the continuous club dates from 1880, became the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania under a Royal Warrant in 1908 and moved to Marieville Esplanade in 1955. It is the finishing partner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, so the fleet's arrival each summer is the club's biggest moment. Its own offshore program includes the 89 nm Bruny Island Race, one of the oldest races of its kind in Australia, the Maria Island Race and the biennial Australian Three Peaks Race of sailing and mountain running, alongside Derwent club racing, off-the-beach junior sailing and a 210-berth marina with a 24-hour fuel berth.

Founded: 1880
Federation: Australian Sailing
Email: admin@ryct.org.au
Phone: +61 3 6223 4599
Registry code: ABN 27 009 585 059

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Regattas and series

Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (finish)the club is the race's finishing partner in Hobart
Bruny Island Race89 nm circumnavigation of Bruny Island through the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and the Tasman Sea, run more than 100 times
Maria Island Raceocean race around Tasmania's south-east coast, second only to the Sydney Hobart in post-war Australian ocean-racing longevity
Australian Three Peaks Racebiennial Easter event from Beauty Point to Hobart: 334 nm of short-handed sailing plus 133 km of running over three mountains
Channel Racerace down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, PHS/IRC/ORC Club divisions
Green Island RacePHS/IRC/ORC Club divisions
RYCT Hope Island Racedistance race giving under-21 dinghy sailors a taste of keelboat racing
RHRA Lipton Cup
Dragon Pennant Series
Australian Women's Match Racing Championship 2027

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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.

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Sailing school and courses

Boat classes

OptimistFlying 11Dragon

History and achievements

1859The Tasmanian Yacht Club, one of Australia's earliest, is formed in Hobart
1874Derwent Sailing Boat Club formed (renamed Derwent Yacht Club in 1876)
1880Derwent Sailing Boat Club re-established — the continuous line of today's club
1884Becomes the Derwent Sailing Club
1899Renamed the Derwent Yacht Club
1908Royal Warrant granted: the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
1910Club burgee approved
1955Moves to its present waterfront site on Marieville Esplanade, Sandy Bay
1989First Australian Three Peaks Race (run each Easter until 2013, later revived as a biennial event)

Home harbour & location

Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania MarinaMarina page: prices, services, map →

Position: 42°53.87′ S 147°19.95′ E
-42.89775, 147.33248
Address: Marieville Esplanade

Frequently asked

Can I learn to sail here?

Yes. The club lists these courses: Tackers (ages 7–12), Out There Sailing (ages 13–17), Adult Learn to Sail, Off the Beach (OTB) sailing and Marine radio – Short Range Operator Certificate (VHF).

Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?

Sea rescue: Triple Zero (000) · Australia 000. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.

When was Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania founded?

In 1880.

Which regattas does the club run?

According to the club website, among others: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (finish), Bruny Island Race, Maria Island Race and Australian Three Peaks Race.