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Royal Dart Yacht Club

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Upcoming Events

May 11th: Souvlaki Night

June 16th: Father’s Day ‘All Day Breakfast’

22/06 Summer Seafood Party

28/06 Sparkling Wine Tasteing

06/07 New Orleans Theme BBQ

13/07 African Theme BBQ

27/07 Rose Wine Tasting

03/08 Summer Tea Party

News & Articles

Corinthian Class – Change to First Race Date

Dine by the Dart Evening

Boys in Boats Calendar 2024

‘Convoys of Conscience’ – Report of Winter Lecture

Ladies Afloat Calendar 2024

2024 Sailing Programme

Alison Timms reports below on the Cruising Forum Weekend

RDYC Burns’ Evening

2024 Cruising and Motorboat Calendar

Trafalgar Dinner 2023

Thinking of visiting or joining.

The aim of the RDYC is to provide a warm and welcoming environment for sailors, their families and friends. We cherish a high reputation for quality, Locally sourced food available in a casual bar and terrace environment as well as in a more formal lunch and dining tradition. We believe we are a favourite destination for sailors visiting the South West, racers and cruisers alike. We offer a comprehensive training programme for sail and motor, open to members and non-members. We offer the region’s premier junior sailing programme and are proud of our close association with the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust which provides access to sailing for local young people. The RDYC is an active supporter of the local environment and has an ambition to safeguard and protect the marine environment.

Royal Dart Yacht Club

Dartmouth in itself can hardly claim to be a yachting centre; nevertheless, the regattas held under the flag of the Royal Dart Yacht Club have for many years attracted the best yachts of the day to the West Country port. The club has had just over forty years of existence, having been founded in 1866.

The Dartmouth Regatta has long been looked forward to by yachtsmen as one of the most enjoyable of the whole season, and coming, as it, always does, towards its close, it has come to be regarded somewhat in the light of a holiday fixture. Nowhere around the whole coasts is a regatta held amid more beautiful surroundings than at Dartmouth. Anyone who may have made the acquaintance of Dartmouth Harbour for the first time on a regatta day will probably never forget the first impressions created. No matter how one approaches the spot, whether it be from the sea or by rail, or from which side one looks across the harbour, the scene presented is one not readily forgotten. All the vessels present ‘dress-ship’ on regatta days, and with the lofty green hills forming a background, the picture is a really remarkable one. The club-house is picturesquely situated about half a mile inside the harbour on the Kingswear side.

The big-class racing cannot be seen from the club premises, and to get a view of it from the shore a journey has to be made to the old castle at the mouth of the harbour on the Dartmouth side. Here numbers of people congregate on occasions when there are good entries. The course for the big vessels is laid from Dartmouth Range, which is about a mile outside the harbour, round the Skerries Buoy, and then round a mark, which is put out for the day, to the eastward. Here in 1878 the old  Arrow  was credited with one of her finest performances, when she gave the  Vol-au-Vent  a bad beating.

Royal Dart Yacht Club

Location & hours.

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Priory Street

Dartmouth TQ6 0AB

United Kingdom

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The Regatta rowing and sailing are at the absolute core of our event. The first recorded Regatta held on the River Dart at Dartmouth in 1822 was noted to include a rowing race for six-oared gigs ‘for which Dartmouth is very famous’ – according to the Exeter Flying Post. It was then and still is, fiercely competitive and the highlight of many visitors and locals calendar.

For all sailing information please click on the link below under Sailing. The rowing programme will be printed nearer the time with the complete details of races, and please, please buy a Regatta Souvenir Programme!

The Sailing Headquarters will be in the Royal Dart Yacht Club , Kingswear. Tel: 01803 752496

REGATTA SAILING

Dartmouth Sailing Week is recognised as one of the premier regattas on the South Coast combining demanding sailing in Start Bay with the attraction of the historic port of Dartmouth. The Regatta attracts around 150 entries comprised of yachts, keelboats, gaffers and dinghies and is organised by the Joint Regatta Sailing Committee (JRSC). The JRSC pools resources from the Royal Dart Yacht Club (RDYC), Dartmouth Yacht Club (DYC) and Dittisham Sailing Club (DSC) to run two dinghy regattas on the river and yacht racing in the bay.

The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is the trading name of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta Limited, a company registered in England, No: 07728393 Registered Office: c/o Thomas Westcott, Petitor House, Nicholson Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7TD

© 2024 Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

• April 25, 2018

Guest Blog Post –  Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

The flags and bunting will be flying high again over the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta from Saturday, August 25 – Saturday, September 1.

A major attraction on the South West calendar since its inception in 1834, this year’s event promises to have a more traditional feel but with fresh emphasis on community and river based activities.

Organisers have gone back to grass roots principles with a programme they hope will fittingly celebrate the true meaning and spirit of the Royal Regatta.

Despite suffering heavy losses in 2017, the volunteer committee is determined to stage an event the town can be proud of and ensure the Regatta maintains its position as one of the most popular, eclectic and spectacular events this summer for families, residents and visitors alike.

Much of the exciting and innovative programme is still emerging from the planning stage but will include many of the traditional aquatic sports of rowing, sailing and swimming which remain at the heart of Regatta.

Regatta Chairman Ed Botterill said:  “We have emerged from a difficult 12 months and have had to make some difficult decisions. But it is testament to the hard work of our volunteer committee that we are hoping to stage many of those traditional events which have become synonymous with our Regatta.

“Regatta’s relationship with the river is where it all began and we are conscious that this must be our starting point.

“Sadly, tight restrictions governing air shows following the Shoreham air disaster now mean we are unlikely to see a return of the Red Arrows this year, but there is much, much more to look forward to in terms of competition, sport, fun, shopping, food and drink, music, pageantry and entertainment.”

A feast of rowing takes centre-piece on the river Dart with the final regatta of the West of England Amateur Rowing Association ten regatta championship series which attracts rowing clubs from around the region and along the south coast; three days of local rowing events in whalers and ‘cadet’ boats which attracts over 700 competitors; and gig rowing amongst South Devon pilot gig clubs.

The Embankment in Dartmouth is a favourite place from which to watch the events and the commentary over the Regatta public address system keeps spectators up to date.

Volunteers from the three local clubs, The Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club, organise the sailing events which are spread over the eight days of Regatta. The dinghy racing for the junior sailors takes place on the lower reaches of the Dart and for the senior competitors in the waters between Dittisham and Galmpton. The yachting events – of which there are over 50 – take place in Start Bay with an anticipated 250 boats, ranging from older classics to high-end racing machines providing for some very exciting and competitive racing.

In addition to the rowing and sailing there are a number of other well established sporting events. Athletics has been part of the Regatta since 1937 and is represented now by the Regatta Road Race, which will be run over a very testing five-mile course. There are also fun runs for children and young adults.

New to the Regatta programme last year was stand up paddle boarding which it is hoped will return, along with the traditional swimming gala.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the Regatta Tennis Tournament and a week long celebratory programme is being held at the tennis courts in Coronation Park which includes a closed event for local players and an open tournament recognised and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association.

Other sporting attractions planned are a one-day golf tournament at the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club with competitions for both men and ladies; an evening Darts tournament held at the Anzac Club in Dartmouth over two evenings, a competitive water polo event held in the Boat Float and bungee rowing off the Town Pontoon.

Every year the Regatta organises a variety of entertainment. Evening events, such as the prestigious black tie ball and rock concert, are being restyled and moved from the expensive Marquee on Coronation Park towards other venues within the town.

The Bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens also has a lively music programme throughout the week and it is hoped for a repeat of the open air cinema experience on Coronation Park.

The hugely popular Shopping Village with many craft stalls and delicious food and drink will now be accommodated in the more intimate surrounds of the Old Market, bringing more shopping traffic into the centre regions of town.

There is also a vibrant Street Market on the North Embankment which operates for the whole week and other diverse food and drink outlets in Royal Avenue Gardens.

Other events on the river are the Illuminated Boat Procession held after dark on the Friday and the Classic Craft review and steamboat rally on the Saturday afternoon.

There are a number of events for children including crab fishing and a colouring competition, fancy dress and ice cream eating competition.

Families can enjoy many fun events such as trolley racing and waiters and waitresses races and the ever popular competition, Spot the Oddity.

One of the favourite parts of the whole of Regatta week are the spectacular firework displays, guaranteed to leave lasting memories for those who come to enjoy all that the 174th Dartmouth Royal Regatta has to offer.

Find out more about Dartmouth Royal Regatta on their website  here .

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Welcome from the Commodore

Tony Baker Commodore

Dartmouth Yacht Club

Latest news.

Our hours are:

Our Club House offers a new and elevated dining experience, of freshly prepared tasty dishes through our partnership with Bushell’s Riverside, six days a week (not Monday):

Details of the new menu can be  found here .

Sunday Lunch - A roast lunch will be served between 12:00 and 15:00 from 7th April

 We pride ourselves on the range of watersports activities that our members enjoy. We have a fleet of over 70 canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and dinghies that members can use for free and two motor boats for hire. Our focus is to get as many people as possible to participate and benefit from our access to the beautiful River Dart.

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Dartmouth Yacht Club welcomes applications for membership from anyone who enjoys being out on the water. We have a range of attractively priced membership options to suit different circumstances. Whether your interest is paddleboarding, canoeing, dinghy sailing, cruising or motorboating, there will be something for you as a member.

Our club house on the Embankment has a wonderful location. We have a newly refurbished bar and an outdoor seating area both with stunning views overlooking the river mouth. Members and visitors can meet, relax and enjoy freshly cooked food from our chef Michelle Brachet.

Summer BBQ at Dittisham

Tuesday Evening Club Sail

Paddling in Company

Cruise in Company - River Yealm

Dartmouth Regatta

Safety Boat Refresher

New Year's Day Dip

Live Music Night

Sit On Top Kayaks