MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009

The Douglas Bay Yacht Club was formed in the 1860's by retired naval officers and local merchants living in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. By the 1890's there was a flourishing racing programme, featuring large cutters with professional crews, racing in Douglas Bay and offshore. This continued until the First World War in 1914 when the Club ceased operations.
Club sailing in Douglas did not start again until 1957 when Douglas Motor Boat & Sailing Club was set up with premises in St Georges Street. The Club moved in 1977, taking over and refurbishing the Trafalgar Tavern on the South Quay. It held regular Cruiser Racing on the sea in the summer and Dinghy Racing on the West Baldwin reservoir in winter. In 1991 the Club acquired the rights to the original name and changed to the Douglas Bay Yacht Club.

When the lease on Trafalgar House expired, the Club invested over £100,000 on the reconstruction and outfitting of former workshops on the Tongue at the top of Douglas Harbour to create the present Clubhouse, which was officially opened in June 2000.

The Club holds regular Handicap Racing for Cruisers from 23ft (7m) to 36ft (11m) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Douglas Bay,with regattas, coastal and offshore events on weekends. There are 26 yachts in the Cruiser-Racer fleet. The average length is 26ft (8m), the old Quarter Ton size.
In 2006 the Club adopted the Cork 1720 Sportsboat as its official One Design Class. The class races a similar programme to the Handicap boats.
There are also a good number of Cruising yachts owned by Members.
There is a Motorboat section too, and many members, both power and sail, cruise regularly in the Irish Sea and abroad.
Dinghy Racing still continues on the reservoir in winter for those who are hardy enough!

The Club is an approved Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre and runs a variety of courses from basic "Learn to Sail" up to the full "Yachtmaster Offshore" Theory Qualification. Powerboat training is also available.

The Club has an active social life and excellent facilities. There are showers and toilets, two lounges, two bars, a balcony overlooking the Marina, TV, a pool table, darts and facilities for the disabled. The Club has its own Catering facilities, providing evening meals after racing, Sunday lunches and catering for functions.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009