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The Club tries to cater for all types of sailing activity from dinghy sailing to power boating. But if there's something missing, there's nothing to stop you getting things started! The Club is run by and for you so just get in touch with your ideas and we'll see if we can help.
Below is information on some of the activities and interests to which the Club caters.
EAST COAST SAILING
The eleven navigable rivers of the lower East Coast from the Swale in the Kent to the Ore in the Suffolk offer an un-spoilt alternative to the often over crowded waters of the South coast.
The S&CA has historically had a strong presence in the East and today a number of club members keep a diverse selection of craft on the various rivers ranging from dinghies through traditional river craft, sailing yachts of between 18 to 42 feet and power boats of all shapes and sizes up to a sea going tug - the crews are equally diverse of all ages, sexes, shapes and sizes.
As well as participating fully in all the other club events every year we arrange a number of meets and rallies on different rivers on the East Coast which gives a chance for the fleet to gather and opportunities for others to experience the delights of this great cruising area.
Whilst finding a drying sandbank to seaward of you when you are miles off shore may be off putting to some it hones the navigational skills of the skippers. The area which is continually developing and offers a complete range of marinas and services. The Medway alone has seven marinas and you can tie up literally right outside one of the two river front gay pubs.
Chartering
Want the challenge of helming your boat through blue crystal waters after night sipping wine in the cockpit under a warm starlit sky or coping with the power of a Force 6 perhaps in pouring rain then chartering is for you.
Membership of the club gives you the chance to charter with others to explore areas of the UK,Mediterannean and other parts of the world. This offers and alternative to sailing on club members boats and does not restrict your sailing to areas where these boats are based. At popular club events chartering gives an opportunity to participate to more members and get involved in all aspects of working the yacht.
Charters are publicised through the website and the email contact list that all members have access to . Charter costs vary depending on the time and location. A week in Scotland can start at as little as £300 a week including everything to £500 for crusing on the South Coast. Weekend charters in the Solent can cost between £120 to £150 for the weekend including shared costs. Most charter companies will let you charter with a Day Skipper qualification.
In previous years several boats have been chartered together in Turkey, Croatia and Scotland, we had over 30 people on 5 boats a few years ago in Turkey.
As a member of a charter crew there is opportunity to get involved in all aspects of running the boat giving you the opportunity to hone your skills in navigation,catering(!) and boat handing skills. For this all skill levels are required.
Many charters have begun life with discussions at Social events throughout the year and support can be given to anyone who wants to arrange a charter.
POWER BOATING
Nearly 20% of the hundred or so boats owned by club members are now power driven vessels of one form or another and this percentage is continuing to grow. There is a wild assortment of power driven craft from rigid inflatables (RIBs), tugs, a narrow boat and wide and varied assortment of river and costal cruisers. On top of this there are a number of non-boat owning members with an interest in power-boating who are keen to get involved.
You will always see a good mixture of power and sailing vessels at the club events and there is no division between the different types of boating as is so often the case with other clubs. There is an ever-growing group of club members who enjoy both sailing and power-boating.
So whether your love is primarily for ‘wind power’ or ‘horsepower’ you will be guaranteed a friendly welcome. For more information contact our powerboat co-ordinator via the contact form. Or why not come along to our monthly club socials.
DINGHY SAILING
Dinghy sailing has recently taken off in the Club in a big way. Club members meet during the summer months to sail at the Docks in London and on the River Thames. Many club members are also involved with dinghy racing. Recent events include dinghy racing in London, keelboat racing in the Solent, and annual gay sailing tournaments in Paris and Berlin. Beginners to sailing are very welcome, and we will help arrange group bookings on RYA courses for club members.
The dinghy group has its own email list that you can join for regular updates of activity. If you want to join the list, contact the Club for more information.
YACHTING
The Club has a large number of yacht owners who sail on a regular basis. Many skippers will take inexperienced crew and each year the Club runs a new members weekend. Those with sailing experience are of course also welcomed as crew and members!
If you're looking for crewing opportunities, the Club can help. Once you have joined, you will receive a password to access the Members' area. Here, skippers looking for crew and crew looking for skippers can post 'wanted ads'. The Club pays particular attention to matching crew with skippers for all the sailing events that we organise.
Download our New As Crew supplement
WOMEN
The number of women in the Club is growing year on year with over 65 members now. We run women only boats at most of the South Coast events as we have a growing number of female boat owners now. This also gives more crewing opportunities although women are made very welcome on all the club boats. There are also a number of dinghy sailors who are women too. Why not come along to the next social at Kudos to find out more or contact the women's representative at
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