Newcastle Yacht Club

22/03/2026

Our very own Erin talks to the BBC about their bid for LA Olympics 2028

13/03/2026

With the season fast approaching, our members have begun the spring ritual of convincing themselves their boats will definitely be ready in time.

On further investigation of this recently acquired Laser it was discovered the deck was starting to separate from the hull, additionally there was a crack where the boat rested on it's trailer. Not ideal for a boat, as it turns out.

Only one thing for it... Emergency operation required. The operating theatre consisted of a heated garage, the surgical instruments included a Dremel, multi tool, West System epoxy, a collection of screwdrivers and several clamps… and the procedure was carried out with the kind of calm precision normally associated with YouTube tutorials and blind optimism.

Early signs are promising and we’re hopeful the patient will survive long enough to make it to the water in a couple of weeks.

A reminder that all hands on deck required for the club clean up day on Saturday 28 March, followed by the first race of the season on Sunday 29 March.

If your boat is also planning any dramatic structural failures, now would be a good time to get them out of the way.

11/01/2026

Looking forward to hosting Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association, hope you can join us

Memorial Service – In Remembrance of Those Lost at Sea

The Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association invites the community to attend a Memorial Service in remembrance of all those who perished at sea during the Newcastle Fishing Disaster of 13 January 1843, and all who have lost their lives at sea since.

This evening of reflection will honour Newcastle’s maritime heritage and remember generations whose lives were bound to the sea.

📅 Tuesday 13th January
🕢 7.30pm
📍 Newcastle Yacht Club
⚓ Hosted by: Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association

All are warmly welcome to attend.

11/01/2026

07/01/2026

A respectful nod to our neighbours at Newcastle RNLI as they say goodbye to a proper workhorse of the fleet.

The end of an era of not just the last Mersey in the RNLI fleet to be retired but - the end to an All Weather Lifeboat in Newcastle.

This video of Eleanor and Bryant Girling shared by Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association shows the Mersey launched at low tide battling an Easterly gale hitting Dundrum Bay with massive breaking waves, the worst possible conditions that any crew would imagine in a lifetime.

This sums up what the Mersey class was built for, why we had an ALB at Newcastle.and the bravery of those onboard.

This Sunday’s leaving ceremony at the harbour marks the retirement of the final Mersey-class all-weather lifeboat in service - the end of a serious chapter in lifesaving history within the RNLI.

The Mersey in Newcastle has been replaced by the Atlantic 75 RIB, a very capable bit of kit in its own right, and a new ALB at Kilkeel RNLI, but the Mersey leaves some big seaboots to fill.

Thank you to the most recent Mersey - Leonard Kent and also to the Eleanor and Bryant Girling who gave many years of service to Newcastle.

Let's also remember all of the other Lifeboats based at Newcastle before them..

Huge respect to the crews who took them out when most of us were in our beds or taking videos from the shore.

The lifeboat launched on a bad day at Newcastle county downForce 11

24/12/2025

Wishing Everyone a Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year

16/11/2025

NYC's annual prize giving dinner took place at the Harbour Inn, Newcastle, yesterday evening. A fantastic evening celebrating the accomplishments of the season, our racing series winners and our special prize recipients. Also, an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those - on and off the water - who provide the support that makes it all possible. Well done to everyone! Two more socials before the New Year then let the countdown to the 2026 season begin! Special thanks to John and Jenny for their leadership this season, to Clare and David for their organisation of the evening and to Monique for the photos.

10/11/2025

Congratulations to our very own Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour who finished in 6th place overall in last week's 49er FX Junior European championships in Sicily.

The duo even had an impressive 2nd place in race 6. Well done both.

RYA Northern Ireland, Erin McIlwaine Sailing

30/10/2025

📣 Newcastle Yacht Club Prize Giving Dinner – Saturday 15th November! 🎉

It’s all happening at South Prom Brew Bar, Harbour Inn, and if you haven’t booked your ticket yet… well, you’re cutting it finer than a close-hauled tack against Derek at a windward mark 😏

Expect:
🍽️ Great food
🍷 Plenty of drink
🏆 Questionable trophies
💃 Even more speeches

Time’s running out to grab your spot — don’t be the one watching from the pier with a bag of chips while everyone else celebrates “accidentally” winning something.

📅 Saturday 15th Nov
📍 South Prom Brew Bar, Harbour Inn
🎟️ Contact Clare or David to be furnished with all info

⛵🍻

19/09/2025

Super excited for NYC Regatta day tomorrow. It feels like Christmas Eve! Let's hope the weather behaves itself and our sailors and volunteers have a lovely day! Good luck to all taking part ⛵

08/08/2025

This event, scheduled for tomorrow, was fully booked. However, we have had THREE last-minute cancellations. Gel plate mono-printing in the NYC clubhouse in the morning and getting on the water in the club dinghies and/or RIB (conditions dependent) in the afternoon. So, if you're keen to find out a bit more about sailing and would like to combine this with some super relaxing art - all for FREE - then please email us [email protected] (the eventbrite sales have now ended so please do contact us directly).