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:
- sailing lessons for those new to the sport,
- various sizes and classes of sailboats for members to use,
- a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp where members can keep their boats year-round,
- several docks (provided by Parks and Rec),
- a storage shed for equipment,
- various scheduled club sailing activities, like racing,
- various scheduled club social gatherings throughout the year
Learn to Sail
11 Apr 2024
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"Introduction to Sailing" sessions are held Wednesday evenings, June through September. Come join the fun. We provide the boats.
Dues are due
01 Apr 2024
It's time to think about the upcoming sailing season. Dues for this year are due.
Associate membership $50.
Sailing membership $100.
Boat storage in our yard $50 each summer and winter.
You can pay online HERE or send a check to: SYC, PO Box 221, Topeka, KS 66601.
Thanks if you have already sent it in.
Mark Marling
Treasurer
Annual Business Meeting
28 Feb 2024
The SYC Annual Business Meeting was held via Zoom on February 25th, 2024. Here are some highlights:
- Same board members as last year except Rocky is new:
- Jim Tompkins, Commodore
- Rocky Bartlow, Vice-Commodore
- Mark Marling, Treasurer
- Irene Haws, Secretary
- Cheryl Basiotis, Governor at large
- Eddie Penner, Governor-Legal
- Mike Gorman, Governor-Grounds
- Josh Harsch, Governor-Social media
- Membership fees stay the same except for dropping the BoatShare+ category and extra fee.
- Socials will be on Sundays instead of Fridays or Saturdays.
- July 4th events and social like last year.
- Club sponsoring Sea Scouts.
- Lesson sign-up through Parks & Rec.
SYC members click HERE for the full meeting minutes, HERE for the Treasurer's Report, and HERE for the Boatyard Expense Details.
Topeka Weather
60.0°F - Overcast
Coming Events
- 5/5, Spring Work Party, 11:00am, SYC
- 5/5, Spring Social, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
- 5/26, Spring Social Alternate?, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
- 6/2, First Sun Group Sailing, 2:30pm-5:30pm, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Sailing Instruction for Zach B.
Go head to wind at the starting line with your boom down the center line and your sails flapping. First, as you coast to a stop, look left and right along your traveler. One end should be aimed below the committee boat or the buoy. That is the "favored" end of the line, and it is easy to see by how much. Now, look straight forward along the center line of your boat. You should notice two more important things. One is, which side of the windward mark your boat is pointing to. Say, for example, that it points to the left of the mark. This tells you that the left (port) tack is the "long" tack. Second, you should notice which side of the course has the stronger wind. This tells you where you need to go for max power. Now you know all the factors necessary to determine your race strategy. Which end is favored, which tack is the most favorable and which side is favored and. Now all you have to do is make a plan and execute it.
Simple!