The Jamestown Yacht Club
The Jamestown Yacht Club (JYC) was founded on Conanicut Island in 1977 by a group of people that were interested in boating, cruising, and sailboat racing, and desired a family atmosphere. The Jamestown Yacht Club remains today a family-oriented yacht club centered around the Conanicut Marina.
The original basis of the Club was no pretexts, little formality, no physical property, and plenty of socializing and fun. Although the JYC lacks traditional yacht club facilities, we make up for this in our Activities and Enthusiasm! Club Cruising, Racing and Socials are only a few of our activities.
Cruising
Each year the JYC cruises out of the Bay; in previous years the Club has cruised to Nantucket, the Cape, Long Island Sound, New York, and Maine. Additionally, we have 2 moorings available for Club members use, one on Block Island and one at Dutch Harbor in Jamestown.
Racing
Our Racing program has developed into one of the most active on Narragansett Bay with 21 races over Spring, Summer and Fall Series for Performance Handicap Rating Formula (PHRF) sailing. We have both spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes to provide fun and competition for both novice and experienced racers.
Community Service
The JYC sponsors the popular Fool’s Rules Regatta where competitors put together “non-standard” sailboats and try to race them across the Conanicut basin. All net profits from this event are donated to local organizations. Additionally, the JYC sponsors a junior sailing scholarship, given annually for the purpose of education or training in a nautical pursuit.
Socializing/Education & Safety
The JYC hosts events throughout the year; most recently we’ve held a TGIF, Winter Dinner, Sock Burning & Commissioning, Summer Picnic, End of Season Picnic and Installation & Awards Banquet. Other pop-up events have included instructional events to support our Cruising and Racing activities and other Sailing events on the Bay, including the Ocean Race.
Our racing program has developed into one of the most active on Narragansett Bay with Spring, Summer, and Fall PHRF series. There are both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker classes which provide both fun and competition for novice as well as the experienced sailor. A Crew Rotation Race is held which gives the crew the opportunity to participate in every position on the boat. A race we call the “Overnight Race” is held, either around Prudence Island or around Conanicut Island, which depending upon the wind can take all night or finish before midnight. The JYC also sponsors the popular JYC Fool’s Rules Regatta where anyone puts together a “non-standard” sailboat and then tries to race it a short distance.