Overview
The Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club was inaugurated on 16 April 1859 and sails from Lowestoft, where its Grade II* listed 'butterfly-plan' clubhouse overlooks the club's own all-tide marina in Lowestoft harbour. It keeps both coastal and Broads sailing alive: the Broads One Design ('Brown Boat') has raced here since the early 1900s, a strong Squib fleet races at sea, and the club runs the June Regatta, Sea Week in August, the Challenge Cup (first sailed in 1860) and championship regattas at national and international level, plus cruising rallies, a growing RIB fleet and RYA courses at its own training centre.
- Founded
- 1859
- Clubhouse
- Grade II* listed
- Federation
- Royal Yachting Association
- admin@rnsyc.org.uk
- Phone
- +44 1502 566726
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 Humber Coastguard – 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.
- June Regattafour races over two days, best three count
- Sea Weekten races over five days in August
- Challenge Cupkeelboat race first sailed in 1860
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
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1859The Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club is inaugurated on 16 April; first fixtures at Cantley, Wroxham and Oulton Broad
- 1884The club decides to build a clubhouse at Lowestoft on land leased from the Great Eastern Railway; it is completed in 1886
- 1898The Royal Warrant is granted (backdated to 1898)
- 1901The Broads One Design ('Brown Boat') is designed for Broads and coastal sailing and is still raced
- 1998A grant funds the club's new marina
- 2006Nearly £500,000 of Heritage Lottery funding renovates the listed clubhouse
- 2009150th anniversary
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 52°28.33′ N 1°45.08′ E
52.47215, 1.75127 - Address
- Royal Plain
- Radio
- VHF 80
emergency VHF 16 · DSC 70
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: RYA practical and shore-based courses at the club's training centre.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: Humber Coastguard 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club founded?
In 1859.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: June Regatta, Sea Week and Challenge Cup.