Introduction

The Orwell Yacht Club was founded in 1918 and is located at the head of the beautiful River Orwell. Deep water access to the river is via Ostrich Creek which the Club shares with Fox’s Marina. The premises comprise a modern purpose built Clubhouse with car, boat and dinghy parks and is conveniently situated just off the A12/A14. The centre of Ipswich, the County Town of Suffolk is just a mile and a half away. There are excellent communications into the heart of East Anglia and the neighbouring counties of Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

It is a thriving Club that offers its members boating facilities which are amongst the finest on the East Coast and caters for a wide range of interests tailored to the needs of the keen yachtsman and dinghy sailor. There are extensive moorings both in the River Orwell and within Ostrich Creek.

It is justifiably proud of its friendly atmosphere and of the sprit of independence and self-help that has resulted in continuous improvements to the services and facilities offered to its members.

Services and Facilities

Clubhouse - A substantial modern two storey Clubhouse equipped with Lounge Bar,  Dance Floor, Pool Table, Kitchen, Quiet Lounge, Meeting Rooms and Race Control provides a welcoming atmosphere for members to relax and to join in the many social events held throughout the year. The well stocked bar is open throughout the year and is manned by volunteers keen to ensure the comfort of members and their guests. Toilets, changing rooms  and hot showers complete the Clubhouse facilities. The accommodation overlooks the Ostrich Creek.

Access to the water - a floating pontoon allows access to deep water at all states of the tide. The end of the pontoon has a tender and dinghy launch slope to make getting afloat easy. Cruising boats can lie alongside the pontoon to take on crews, stores, water etc making setting off on a cruise almost as easy as from a marina berth. There are two substantial concrete ramps which facilitate the launch and recovery of cruising boats and dinghies.

Moorings - There are a limited number of deep water berths on swinging moorings close to the Club and further down river at Freston below the Orwell Bridge. Closer to the Club are moorings between piles which naturally are heavily over subscribed. Extensive drying areas are available for half-tide moorings suitable for those boats which can safely take the ground and these serve the majority of cruising members of the Club. Members generally maintain their own moorings paying only the administration costs to the club.

Sailing Dinghies - As with tenders there is ample storage areas for sailing dinghies. A keenly contested handicap programme of racing is held throughout the sailing season. 

Junior Section - Youngsters are taught all the basics of sailing and seamanship in Club boats by RYA certificated instructors and a willing band of helpers. Safety is paramount in this group and the young people are accompanied on the water by a fast support boat.

Tender Storage - Ample storage areas are available for tenders. These are both in racks and in trolley parking areas which give easy access to deep water allowing tender launch and recovery at all states of the tide.

Waiting Posts - There are a number of short term deep water berthing positions provided between posts in the creek.  These particularly allow boats on half tide moorings to be able to have the flexibility to come and go easily at all states of the tide.

Winter Lay-Up - There is capacity to lay-up approximately 100 boats ashore. The Club has a tractor hauled straddle carrier which can deal with the launch and recovery of boats up to about 35 feet overall. In addition, winter berthing is available on the beach areas around the Club where boats can safely lie in sheltered conditions only floating at high tides. The winter lay-up area can also be used for repair and servicing during the summer period. 

Lockers - There are personal lockers are available to stow all the ‘paraphernalia’ that seems to go with sailing boats.

Boat Servicing - A fully decked ‘Dolphin’ is equipped with a light crane to allow masts to be raised/lowered and to provide scrubbing facilities for deep drafted boats. Two concrete based areas offer scrubbing and clean standing for the bilge keeled boats. To support scrubbing a pressure washer is available for members use. Water and electricity points are provided at convenient locations all around the site to allow all types of maintenance to be performed.

 

Sailing Programme - Over the years the Club has maintained a strong cruiser fleet with many members cruising on a regular basis, sometimes in company with others both locally and on longer passages along the coast or to the continent. Some of these craft also race in our own cruiser events and participate in the large locally organised yacht races. We annually hold a Regatta and Fun Day during August.

 

Social Programme - A wide range of social events such as Dances, Dinners Trips and Talks on all sorts of issues are arranged throughout the year. In-house Navigation, First Aid  and Seamanship courses have all been held to ensure members can be well prepared for their sailing activities.

Car Parking - Car parking is available for all at even the largest events held at the Club. 

Becoming a member

Joining is easy, the OYC welcomes new members, simply ask for a membership form from the Hon Sec (below) and return it to the Club. You will be asked to come along to the Club to discuss what we can offer and what you expect from the Club but you will be guaranteed a warm welcome and we will try to accommodate your needs. You will become part of a Club dedicated to providing good services and facilities at the lowest possible costs and to join with some of the friendliest people sailing on the East Coast.

 

Membership Charges and Fees - There are three full adult classes of Subscription all charged at common yearly rate. Young people under the age of 21 years may join as Cadet members in their own right if they are not already included in Family membership. People who have been full members who live more than 50 miles away and who give up boat ownership on the Orwell may retain an association with the Club through a ‘Country’ membership. An additional fee equal to one year’s subscription is also levied on joining the club (this is waived for Cadets).

For other Membership information please contact

John Appleyard

Hon Secretary

Personal Telephone

01473 830093