Benefits of membership:

Access to an array of water based activities

Free use of our topper fleet, wayfarer and laser dinghies, plus canoes, kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs)

Loan of our motorboat Doris

Reduced prices on out RYA training courses

Changing facilities, showers and lockers

All This plus.…

Use of our friendly well stocked bar and catering facilities

Free use of our function room for parties or other private functions

A membership charge-card which gives you a 20% discount on food and drink

  

 

The DYC is totally owned by its membership and run by a Committee of Volunteers. The whole building is owned outright and the club's only employees are the Bar Staff, Chef and Bookkeeper, although we do pay the Instructors when they run courses. Our ethos is to run a friendly and welcoming club whilst offering opportunities to get out on the water at very low cost. Members are requested to help the club when their circumstances allow, whether with a specific skill or with a few hours of their time. We are a CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) which entitles us to various tax benefits.

There are many benefits to membership of the DYC some of which are listed below and as always in any club there are things one 'needs to know' so we have tried to list those as well. However if you have any questions either pop into the club and ask or send your query to post@dyc.org.uk

BENEFITS:
• Use of our friendly well stocked bar and catering facilities
• Free use of our function room for parties or other private functions
• A membership charge-card which gives you a 20% discount on drinks and food
• Access to an array of water based activities
• Free use of our topper fleet, wayfarer & laser dinghies, our extensive array of canoes & kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards
• Loan of our 2 motorboats, Glasshopper and Sarah
• Reduced prices on our RYA training courses
• Changing facilities, showers and lockers

GENERAL INFORMATION:
CLUB ENTRANCE: The front doors are opened at 8am each morning, for access to showers and toilets (via the passage). The 6 digit code to the passage door is changed from time to time and is available from the bar staff.
SIGNING IN: There is no need for members to sign in, but guests are expected to be signed in using the book kept next to the bar door.
GUESTS: All members are entitled to bring guests into the club and are responsible for their behaviour. Please also note that no single guest is allowed more than 6 visits per year.
BAR OPENING HOURS:
Summer Hours (Easter to October)
Monday - Saturday 11.00 to 23.00
Sunday 12.00 to 22.00
Winter Hours (November to Easter)
Monday 12:00 - 14:30, 17:00 - 22:00
Tuesday - Thursday 12:00 - 14:30, 17:00 - 20:00
Friday 12:00 - 14:30, 17:00 - 23:00
Saturday 12:00 - 23:00
Sunday 12:00 - 17:00
CATERING: Our in-house chef provides meals every lunchtime and evening from Tuesday to Sunday (except Sunday evening) during the season. The menu is updated regularly, with specials always available. Whilst the kitchen hours are reduced during Winter we hold Buffet events on Wednesdays and food over the weekend. Guests are welcome to eat with members. Booking is essential to ensure your place via the Bar on 01803 832305.
MEMBERSHIP CARD DISCOUNTS: In order to benefit from the member’s 20% discount members need to charge their membership card and use that to buy drinks and food. The minimum that can be put on the card is £10, it is easily done at the bar using either cash or a card. Please note that the club has to pass on a bank charge of £2.50 for all credit card transactions.
CLUB NIGHTS: Each month we hold a Club Night and if you are new to the club they are a great opportunity to come along and ask those questions that we all have when joining something new. Of course all existing members are invited too. You will all find a warm welcome from our Committee Members along with a free glass of Prosecco and the chance to get to know others over one of our delicious 'All you can Eat' buffets. See the diary on the Home Page for dates and details.
LOCAL BUSINESS DISCOUNTS: Members can benefit from discounts available in and around town, for up to date information ask at the bar.
GUN ROOM: The Gun Room (function room) is available, free of charge, to all members for private functions.
CHILDREN: The club is child friendly and we have various toys & books available to suit younger children. These are kept in a box in the Gun Room.
DOGS: We welcome dogs, kept on a lead at all times and ask that they are kept off the furniture. Dogs are not allowed in the Gun Room when people are eating.
WATER-BASED EVENTS: Members are welcome to take part in all activities of the Club such as: Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddleboarding outings, Cruises-in-Company (open to all those with sail or motor boats), Day Sails, excursions for RIB owners and small-boat up-river trips. Members who don’t have their own boat but would like to crew or join in any activity just need to ask and for details on how to book out one of the club's motorboats see the subsection to this page. Regular RYA courses are organised by the Rear Commodore Sailing, dependent on demand from members, again details can be found on the website's Training pages.
KAYAKING : During May - September the Canoe Group holds regular paddles two or three times each week. There are also paddles upriver to pubs for evening meals and for BBQ’s. We also have a fleet of sit on top kayaks which can be used by even relatively inexperienced paddlers. All the details are available from the DYC kayaking website and via this link: DYC Canoe Website
DINGHY SAILING: Our fleet of six Toppers, Wayfarer and Laser are kept in Coronation Park ready for launching on the Higher Slip and are available to borrow FREE of charge by members. Full details of how to borrow the club's boats can be found on our Downloads page on the 'About Us' toolbar.
We are currently working hard to raise funds to enable us to buy other classes of dinghy in order to broaden our fleet. If any member has access to match funding / any bright ideas or boats they would be willing to sell us, do get in touch.
Dartmouth Yacht Club is run by volunteers for the benefit of all members so as well as being keen to increase the number of Instructors working with us we are also on the lookout for more volunteers to join the team supporting Junior Sailing. If you are interested in helping or would like to become an Instructor please contact us. There is a role for you no matter your ability or experience even if you can only help on the odd occasion or for a couple of days in the summer. Examples include:
• DYC Boat Drivers - must have RYA PB2 or equivalent
• Support Boats & Owner Drivers - Rib or launch type
• Launch Crews - no experience required other than not minding getting your feet wet!
• Shore Party - no experience required other than being able to see if there is a car coming down the road!
Family Sailing Week: Our annual fun filled Family Sailing Week run jointly with Dittisham Sailing Club is very popular with parents and kids alike but with limited numbers of places available it is wise to apply early. The activities include dinghy sailing, raft building, canoeing and even the chance to drive motorboats.
Junior Sailing: Our Junior Sailing activities are designed to introduce those aged from about 8 upwards to the sport and whilst only restarting our dinghy activities in recent years they are flourishing. We run weekly SPLASH! SESSIONS (Sunday Pairs Launched Afloat Sailing Hours) during the summer term. Open to all members aged 8 - 16 they are a great chance for our Juniors to either learn the sport or practice their skills. You can be sure that safety is at the top of our agenda and each year we undergo a rigorous inspection by the RYA to ensure we keep meeting their high standards for safety and training. As well as fully qualified Instructors, we also have volunteer Safety Boat Drivers and First Aiders at every session.
Adult Sailing: With recent acquisition of a Wayfarer and Laser we are now able to offer adult dinghy sailing and training. Sessions can be run midweek and /or weekends if enough interest is shown.
For all details of forthcoming dinghy activities for members se the 'Diary' link on the left of the Home Page - keep your eyes out for additional activities as we regularly add more opportunitities as the season progresses.
Application forms for all dinghy activities will appear each Spring on this site's Downloads page. Again places are limited so it is best to apply early. We look forward to getting you afloat no matter your age or experience.
CRUISING IN COMPANY: The club offers a programme of fun and relaxed Cruises-in-Company open to both sailing and motor yachts. These vary from local one night trips to two weeks in the Channel Islands and North Brittany and the programme is based on the wishes and availability of those involved. If you are interested in joining please contact us via: post@dyc.org.uk
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDS: The club owns 4 paddleboards which members can use for free with suitable experience or after taking a 2 hour course. For details contact post@dyc.org.uk
DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA: The club is proud to be one of the 3 local clubs that organise the Yacht & Dinghy Racing during Regatta and as such members are requested to volunteer to help with tasks both ashore and afloat. Experience is not always required as many are admin roles.
SOCIAL EVENTS: The club offers an interesting, varied and fun filled programme of events to suit all tastes and is always open to suggestions. The latest event information can be found on the notice board and club website. Members are asked to sign up in advance on the noticeboard for most events, either in person or by phoning the Bar staff. Payment in advance for each event is expected and debit card payments can be accepted over the phone. For those unable to attend a pre-booked event the club operates a refund policy, which is displayed on the noticeboard. Booking for events involving catering is essential.
MEAT DRAW: Throughout the winter months a weekly meat draw is available to members. The draw is made at 14:00 on Saturdays, with profits going to support our Junior and Bursary Dinghy Sailing events.
CLUB REGALIA: The club has a range of branded clothing available to order - details in the “About Us” section. Club Burgees are for sale from the Bar and we provide DYC stickers free for member's boats.
LAPTOPS & MOBILE PHONES: Members are requested to exercise discretion when using these in the club.
Wi-fi: There is free wi-fi internet access available in the bar and a computer situated in the Gun Room.
NO SMOKING: Our no smoking policy includes E Cigarettes, which must not be smoked in the club. Smokers are also requested not to do so in the main entrance doorway.
MEMBERS COMMENTS: The committee welcomes comments and suggestions. A box is held on the top bar for this purpose.
FACEBOOK: The club has its own facebook group - Dartmouth Yacht Club - and members are encouraged to join and post details & pictures of their activities.
COMMUNICATIONS: The primary communication channel with members is email. Using our membership Web Collect system members are expected to keep their own contact details up dated. Please note that the club does not share any of your details with any other person or organisation.
CONTACT: You can contact any Officer of the club via post@dyc.org.uk