Hornet Services Sailing Club

07/09/2026

Hornet member Henry Wootton can be tracked here: https://goldengloberace.com/

The Race Returns · Sailing like it's 1968

27/08/2026

Booking for the Club's annual Battle of Britain Dinner on 19th September is still open to members.

Enjoy a talk from Mike Bennett and a delicious three course meal.

To book, please complete this form - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=NTR6fZBKJ0Wqvhaas6HhVuptO9Cn7ElJjkdB_OhiiW1UMDZCMldTUjlQTlQ1NTVMODlYS1VHSlZMVi4u&route=shorturl

If you require any assistance, please contact Rachel - [email protected]

24/07/2026

A Hornet and ASA member is due to participate in the upcoming solo non-stop Golden Globe Round The World Yacht Race.

Hornet member Henry Wootton, and his Cape George 36 class cutter Privateer, have been preparing to participate in GGR2026 starting soon from Sables D'olonne. He sailed Privateer from USA to Scotland where he spent many months making major alterations in preparation for the race. Since then, he has completed a long pre race qualifying voyage and is now at Hornet carrying out post qualifier modifications and race preps.

Henry had previously accumulated many ocean crossing miles and adventures in the N and S Atlantic and Pacific in his earlier Gosport based small Maxi 95 type yacht.

The Golden Globe Race is a 4-yearly re-enactment of the famous original 1968 race (which Robin Knox Johnson was the winner on Suhaili). Yachts must be of a 'traditional' type (no carbon, Kevlar, or bolt-on fin keels!). No modern electronics or naaids allowed. Navigation by paper charts, chronometers, and sextants only. Boats and participants are strictly limited to the equipment and technology that was available in the 1968 race.

Henry and Privateer are due to leave Hornet for France in early in August to join the remaining field of 18 multi-national participants. We wish him well.

20/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Families Day on Saturday.

The sun was shining, the galley team served a delicious BBQ and Jacuzzi Jazz provided wonderful live music into the evening 🎷

The children enjoyed all the activities, with the sponge throwing proving particularly popular!😉☠

17/07/2026

Join the galley team!

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic and experienced part-time chef here at Hornet Services Sailing Club to support the delivery of high quality food for members, visitors and club events. Position is 20 hours per week.

For full details and how to apply, please email [email protected]

11/07/2026

Good morning and good luck to all HSSC yachts competing in the Round the Island Race today.

Out on the course we have;

Becky, Brenda’s J
Paul, Go-Go
Adam, Challenger
Sid, Sea Nymph
Andy, Whimbrel of Watton
Peter, Gopher Kicks

We wish them all a fantastic race. If you want to see how they are getting along:

https://nctracking.nautical-cloud.com/race/a9760b21-1a3b-4548-90f4-791258db10a0?wind=false¤ts=false

10/07/2026

Join us on Saturday 18th July for our annual Family Fun Day!

⚓ Water activities from 2pm:

☂ Umbrella racing
💪Tug of war
🛶Blindfolded sailing

⚔ Land activities:

🪅 Pinata
🔫 Nerf gun alley
🥏Wet sponge throwing

Enjoy a delicious BBQ and live music from Jacuzzi Jazz at 5pm 🎷🍗

Fancy dress encouraged with pirates of all ages welcomed! ☠

BBQ cost Adult £19.75, Child £10

To book or for more details, please email [email protected] by Monday 13th July.

If you are a member, no need to email, just complete this form:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=NTR6fZBKJ0Wqvhaas6HhVp1mBTbIxjNCqe3HQzBWAtpUQjhTVUJaUU9TV1cwOUswR0gxNkVSVUxFVi4u&route=shorturl

07/07/2026

In May 1964, the club was formally opened by Admiral Sir Wilfred Woods, the Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth, pictured here.

When the Royal Navy disbanded coastal forces in 1956, HMS Hornet was closed. With the area unsecured, and with tacit approval from the Queen's Harbour Master, several local naval personnel began keeping their yachts at Hornet.

There were several keen yachtsmen serving on the staff of the Flag Officer Naval Air Command at Lee-on-the-Solent at the time, and a proposal was made to the Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth that a Naval Yacht Club be formed for serving and retired naval personnel. Approval was given but the club got off to a slow start through lack of funds. The facilities were almost non existent, but the old Hornet quartermaster's hut, the slip and workshops still remained one with its engine lift gantry which was to prove ideal for lifting masts.

A clubhouse was established in the old wardroom, and the Captain's House was made into a flat for a barman and his wife, and some cabins were turned into lay-apart stores. When the club formally opened, a flood of applications for berths rolled in and it became necessary to establish ground rules for the marina. By 1970, there were about 120 yachts berthed in Hornet - most of them in the marina but also some across the creek on head and stern piles.

In April 2013, a decisive vote was made by members to amend the name of the club to Hornet Services Sailing Club. This reflected amendments to the Club's Constitution that opened up membership to personnel from all three of the Armed Forces, their veterans and families.

Today, the club continues to offer cost-effective sailing and social facilities for serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces and supporting Civil Servants.

25/06/2026

Cowes Rally - 4 to 5 July 2026.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned rally to Beaulieu has now relocated to Shepards Marina, Cowes, and include a YTC race for those who wish to take part.

Berths have been secured for a maximum of 10 boats. Booking on is now open, with booking closing at 1900hrs on Monday, with WhatsApp group and documentation being forwarded out immediately after booking closes.: