Welcome to Shawnee Yacht Club
Since 1941, SYC has promoted sailing on Lake Shawnee for the recreational benefit of the local community. In addition to the opportunity to sail on beautiful Lake Shawnee, the club provides: free sailing lessons for those new to the sport, sailboats for members to use, a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp, several docks (provided by Parks and Rec), a storage shed for equipment, sailing activities, racing, and social gatherings.
Five-Year Master Plan
12 Apr 2025
SYC has presented Parks and Recreation with a Five-Year Master Plan for improving our sailing facilities. The plan aims to increase sailing activity on Lake Shawnee and get SYC back on a more sustainable footing. We are currently negotiating with P+R staff for their support in moving forward with individual items in the plan. SYC's costs for some of these improvements will be substantial. Please consider making a contribution to help us with these facility improvements.
One of Our Own in The Top 100
02 Mar 2025
Former Commodore and current SYC Resident Agent Eric Kjorlie was featured in the 2nd quarter 2023 Top 100 Lawyers publication.
SYC Annual Business Meeting
28 Jan 2025
The SYC annual business meeting was held February 2nd at 2:00pm over Zoom. Following are some highlights:
- Due to sparse attendance at this meeting, we decided to delay nominating and electing the 2025 Board of Governors. Instead, that will take place at a breakfast meeting for all club members at the clubhouse on Saturday, May 3rd. The Spring Work Party will follow that meeting.
- Sailing lessons will be the same as last year, monthly sessions of 4 lessons each on Wednesday evenings scheduled through Parks & Rec. There will be sessions in June, July and August, but not in September.
- There will be 3 socials over the sailing season: The Spring Breakfast on May 3rd, 4th of July, and a fall social on September 7th.
- We will be working with Parks & Rec to improve the dock at the launch ramp to make it longer and move it to deeper water and closer to the launch ramp.
- With the boatyard nearing capacity, we will be doing some reorganization of parking spots and possibly moving some boats to better utilize the space.
For SYC members only:
Topeka, Forbes Field
55°F - Fair
Coming Events
- 6/1, First Sun Racing & Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
- 6/4, First Wed Lessons & Group Sailing, 5:30 pm-Sunset, SYC
- 7/2, No Lessons, 5:30 pm-Sunset, SYC
- 7/4, 4th of July Activities, TBD, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Common Situations That Will Happen Many Times Each Race
You are beating up the right side of the lake on port tack. Tony is beating up the left side of the lake, also on port tack, but he is pointing higher than you.
You:
a) curse your bad luck
b) hope the wind will soon change in your favor
c) hope Tony tips over
d) tack
Similar situation but you are pointing higher than Tony.
You:
a) congratulate yourself on being so smart
b) hope this lasts
c) hope Tony doesn't notice
d) tack
The answer in the first case is d) tack. Tony is making out on you to the tune of maybe one boat length in five sailed. You best cut your loss and go get in Tony's wind.
The answer in the second case is c) hope Tony doesn't notice. If he does notice, he will tack and then he will be gaining the one length in five mentioned above.
You have got to watch the angles you and your competitors are sailing.
Somebody is ALWAYS gaining and someone is ALWAYS losing.
It is a game of distance, not speed.
Two boats are crossing on opposite tacks. One of you is going the correct way and the other IS NOT. This is always true.
Who is going the correct way?
a) Tony
b) whoever is pointing closest to the mark.
In the third case, the boat pointing closest to the mark is 1) closing the distance to the mark for an equivalent time sailed, and 2) is less effected by any change in wind direction.
Sailing is a geometry game.