Bluff Yacht Club

Bluff Yacht Club is a fun, exciting and adventurous place to go sailing.  We are a family friendly environment, for all to come and give sailing a go.

We operate from October to March (term 4 and term 1) each year.  Our regular club sailing night is on a Thursday evening from 6pm - sailing out on Bluff Harbour until nearly dark.

Bluff Harbour is a working port with strong tides and variable weather conditions.

Sailing each week is very dependent on the conditions.  Our club session leader makes a decision each Thursday afternoon (usually be 2pm) about whether sailing will be likely.  We sometimes run on-shore sessions on those nights that it is not possible to go out on the water.

Bluff Yacht Club has a diverse fleet which can cater to all ages and experience levels.  

We welcome visiting sailors and those interested in finding out more about learning to sail.

We have been awarded a 'one star' in Yachting New Zealand's Clean Club programme.

We are a vibrant and social club. We host two regattas annually and we also enjoy travelling as a club to regattas around our region.  

Optimists: Ideal for young sailors aged between 8 and 12 years old. These single-handed boats provide a fun and stable platform to introduce beginner sailing skills.

Starlings: A single-handed boat which caters for those young people stepping up from an optimist and are wanting to refine their individual sailing skills.

Sunbursts: Double-handed boats, ideal for teaching beginner adult sailors while still competitive in a regatta.

RS Fevas: Fast and robust, these double handed boats are particularly popular with our teenage sailors, who enjoy the extra thrill.  

Lasers: A single-handed boat, for capable sailors aged 15 years and older. The laser has inter-changeable rigs to accommodate various skill levels and sailor size (also known as an ILCA).

Flying Fifteens: For those more experienced sailors, these are much larger and faster double-handed boats. Stable, comfortable and thrilling for adult sailors.

Trailer Yachts and Keelers: Many of our members own and sail trailer yachts and keelers around Bluff Harbour, the Southern Lakes or on adventures to Rakiura.

Learn to Sail: A relatively informal program that is run on a club sailing night (weather dependent) by taking you under our wing from rigging a boat to sails up and away.  Please note that water confidence and adequate swimming ability is an important pre-requisite for learning to sail.

Club boats: 

We have a selection of club boats which are available for any club member to use: 

• Four Optimists 

• Four fiberglass false floor Sunbursts

• Two side-seat Sunbursts

• Two RS Fevas  

• One Laser

Support boats: Bluff Yacht Club have two RIB boats and one larger 'Tin Boat' for club use.

Yacht Storage:  We have storage room available.  Some indoor space for dinghies and a secure outdoor compound area for larger yachts.  If you are interested, please enquire about storage availability and fees.

Clubrooms: Sailors can enjoy a hot shower after their fun on the water. There is a kitchen for making a hot cuppa and BBQ facilities too.  There are always lots of opportunities to connect and share stories of sailing adventures.

Please enquire about our annual membership with rates for juniors, seniors or families.