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Adult Programs

Norwalk Yacht Club has an extensive list of options available for those who want to enjoy the water outside of just racing. 

  • Ideal 18
    • Norwalk Yacht Club’s Ideal 18/Adult Sailing program offers a full range of sailing activities. From recreational day sailing to competitive one-design racing, as well as instructional clinics, a women’s program, co-ed instruction, social activities and team racing. The Club offers 8 Ideal 18s from 8:00am til sunset each day. We race Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

      All skippers must be certified by the Sailing Director, by demonstrating safe boat handling skills and knowledge of local waters. This also includes completing a User Agreement Form, taking a Harbor Tour, showing your PFD and VHF radio. For more information, please email  [email protected]. When reserving a boat for the first time of the season, please contact, our Sailing Director for an appointment for skill review, and to introduce yourself.

      Weekly Events

      • Monday: Women's sailing (5:30 pm till sunset)
      • Thursday: Non-spinnaker racing (5:45 pm)
      • Friday: Casual Racing or Sailing - (4:00 pm)
      • Sunday: Clinics (10:00-1:00) Start date TBD
      • Sunday: Spinnaker Racing series: (3:00 pm)

      Recreational Sailing

      Boats can be reserved in 4-hour blocks, except when in use by another area of the Program. The Norwalk Islands and surrounding coastal areas offer many opportunities for the casual sailor and our location in Wilson Cove provides easy access.

      Racing

      The Racing calendar accommodates a range of skills and experience levels. Racers can compete in the Thursday night non-spinnaker series, Friday afternoon casual racing, and the more competitive Sunday spinnaker series culminating in the Founder's Cup regatta at the end of the season. We also have Team Racing opportunities with other local clubs. Following most racing, sailors gather on the deck of the Club for a round of camaraderie and discussion.
  • Big Boat Program
    • The Club's 36-foot sailboat Liberty and 23-foot dual console powerboat Patriot are exciting options for member use. Program pricing and details found on the member portion of the NYC website under "My Club" / "Club Forms, Waivers, and Documents" / "Big Boat Program Documents"

      Liberty


      2010 Jeanneau 36i Sun Odyssey

      All members including Sea Trial are welcome to use Liberty, our club’s 36’ Jeanneau sailboat once checked out in the boat. Liberty Anchor members pre-pay an annual fee for 24 hours of weekday and 24 hours of weekend use and get a 50% discount on additional time. Non-Anchor NYC members are welcome to use the boat at “A la carte Pricing” once checked out. Reservations can be made for 2+ hours at an hourly rate, with no charge for 8p-8a so long as a minimum of 6 hours are booked.

      Take some lessons to improve your big boat skills or charter our beautiful sloop for a day, a week or for a sunset cruise. Use on club cruise overnights and club cruise week strongly encouraged.

      Once certified, you will be granted access to make reservations on this website under Boat Reservations.  
      Questions and to sign up to receive Liberty emails: Contact, Sailing Director at [email protected] 


      Weekly Events

      Liberty "Walk-on-Sails" are held on Tuesday evenings with fellow member mentors. All members are invited to join for a nominal fee. 

      PATRIOT


      2011 Hydra-Sports 2300 DC with 300 HP Yamaha outboard

      All members including Sea Trial are welcome to use Patriot, our club’s 23’ Hydra-Sports Dual Console Powerboat once checked out in the boat. Patriot Anchor members pre-pay an annual fee for 24 hours of weekday and 24 hours of weekend use and get a 50% discount on additional time. Non-Anchor NYC members are welcome to use the boat at “A la carte Pricing” once checked out. Reservations can be made for 2+ hours at an hourly rate, with no charge for 8p-8a so long as a minimum of 6 hours are booked.

      Once certified, you will be granted access to make reservations on this website under Boat Reservations.
      Questions and to sign up to receive Patriot emails: Contact Shawn Munday at [email protected] 
  • Cruising Program

    • Welcome Members.  Your Cruise Committee has a great summer planned with Weekend Cruises, Day Cruises, Raft Ups and our weeklong Annual Cruise.  We recognize the diversity of interests and abilities within our cruising community, and we strive to offer activities that will appeal to all constituencies. Cruise Committee members volunteer their time to plan the season and manage trips with “Port Captains”.  We look forward to welcoming new cruisers this season - both sailors and power boaters.  




  • Sunfish Program
    • Remember how much fun it was to sail a Sunfish? We decided to bring that feeling back with a fleet for member use.

  • Women on the Water
    • Women on the Water (WOW) is a Norwalk Yacht Club program for women sailors who gather to learn, sail and socialize.  NYC WOW meets each Monday. There is a structured focused lesson for all abilities with a brief on land discussion/demonstration and then out on the water to practice. Experienced sailors are paired with those new to the sport or boats. The goals for instruction are to gain independence, confidence and certification to skipper the Ideals. After sailing each day the group gathers on the deck for BYOE party! 

      Norwalk Yacht Club also participates in WOW of Long Island Sound. For more information about WOW Long Island Sound and to sign up for for the email newsletter and to learn more about CT and NY women's sailing events and regattas on beautiful Long Island Sound visit https://www.womenonthewaterlis.com/