Overview
The Island Sailing Club was founded in Cowes in March 1889 as an open, all-comers alternative to the Squadron, and its clubhouse sits on the waterfront at 70 High Street next to the Cowes lifeboat station with its own jetty. The club created the Round the Island Race in 1931 and still runs it each summer: a one-day race round the Isle of Wight that often draws more than 1,000 boats, starting off the Royal Yacht Squadron line, for the Gold Roman Bowl. Through the season it runs evening club racing in the Solent ending with the Bang & Go Back finale, and in winter a programme of talks; the clubhouse has a bar, dining room and accommodation.
- Founded
- 1889
- Federation
- Royal Yachting Association
- Phone
- +44 1983 296621
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 centreHere JRCC Fareham – the app switches centre as you move, 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.
- Round the Island Racethe club's annual race round the Isle of Wight for the Gold Roman Bowl, first sailed in 1931; 2026 start 11 July at 07:30 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line; more than 1,200 boats and 8,000 sailors in 2021
- ISC club racing seriesevening club racing in the Solent through the summer, ending with the Bang & Go Back finale
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 RacingHistory and achievements
- 1889A meeting at the Marine Hotel, Cowes, in March founds the club; it has 50 members by the end of its first month and its first race card dates from August
- 1889Land is bought on Cowes High Street for the clubhouse; the burgee is a yellow castle on red
- 1931The club creates the Round the Island Race for smaller boats; 25 boats start the first race
- 1939–1945The race, like all private leisure sailing, stops for the war and resumes in 1946
- 1989In the club's centenary year 1,813 boats take part in the Round the Island Race
- 2013First sub-three-hour lap in the Round the Island Race, by an AC45 catamaran (2 h 52 min 15 s)
- 2017The multihull Concise 10 sets the course record of 2 h 22 min 23 s
- 2021More than 1,200 boats and 8,000 sailors race in the 90th year of the Round the Island Race
Location
- Position
- 50°45.87′ N 1°17.90′ W
50.76458, -1.29828 - Address
- 70 High Street
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: JRCC Fareham 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was Island Sailing Club founded?
In 1889.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Round the Island Race and ISC club racing series.