Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle – regattas, sailing school and history

Overview

Seattle Yacht Club, established in 1892, has its Mainstation on Portage Bay at the east end of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, reached from Puget Sound through the Ballard Locks, and ten outstations around Washington and British Columbia. With nearly 5,000 members, sail and power, it hosts Opening Day, the Pacific Northwest's big start-of-season boat parade, held every first Saturday in May since 1920. Its racing calendar includes the Tri-Island Series, the Star & Bar match-race series, Cruise & Snooze overnight races and the Grand Prix regatta with the Northwest ORC Championship, and its junior program runs Opti green fleet to race team. Reciprocal-club boats get one free night a year on guest Dock 2, then pay a posted per-foot rate.

Founded: 1892
Members: about 5,000 (club figure)
Federation: US Sailing
Phone: +1-206-325-1000

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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.

Opening Daythe Pacific Northwest's season-opening boat parade through the Montlake Cut, every first Saturday in May since 1920
Tri-Island Seriesthree Puget Sound distance races: Smith Island, Vashon Island/Pt. Robinson and Blake Island
Star & Bar Match Race Seriesfour-round match-race series, March–September
Cruise & Snoozeovernight races in two editions (June, September)
Grand Prix Regatta and Northwest ORC Championshipautumn big-boat regatta; 49th edition 23–25 Oct 2026
SYC J/22 Club ChampionshipJ/22 club championship
PNW Junior Olympics Regattajunior regatta
Sir Thomas Lipton Trophyinternational trophy donated to the club in 1913, first raced in 1914 in R-boats against Vancouver

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Sailing school and courses

Boat classes

J/22Mini 12OptimistORCPHRF

History and achievements

1892The club is founded as yacht clubs spring up around Puget Sound and hosts the first regatta of the new Northwestern International Yachting Association
1909Merger with the Elliott Bay Yacht Club; the club keeps its name and adopts Elliott Bay's burgee and bylaws; official host for boaters at the Alaska-Yukon Exposition
1913–1914The Lipton Trophy is donated and first raced in R-boats
1917The Lake Washington Ship Canal and Chittenden Locks open, making Portage Bay the site of the new clubhouse
1920Opening Day becomes an annual event on the first Saturday in May; 30 yachts parade through the Montlake Cut
1940The club buys a Penguin fleet to teach young sailors
1944The Port Madison outstation on Bainbridge Island is bought
1946Opening Day resumes after the war with more than 300 vessels

Home harbour & location

Seattle Yacht Club Portage Bay MarinaMarina page: prices, services, map →

Position: 47°38.70′ N 122°18.70′ W
47.64500, -122.31167
Address: 1807 East Hamlin Street

Frequently asked

Can I learn to sail here?

Yes. The club lists these courses: Summer Sailing School, Opti Green Fleet, Junior Race Team, Adult Sailing Lessons and VHF Marine Radio.

When was Seattle Yacht Club founded?

In 1892.

Which regattas does the club run?

According to the club website, among others: Opening Day, Tri-Island Series, Star & Bar Match Race Series and Cruise & Snooze.