Experience Sailing at Hout Bay Yacht Club’s Open Day

The Hout Bay Yacht Club (HBYC) will host its annual open day this weekend, inviting residents and visitors to experience sailing and learn more about the club’s activities.

The event is part of the club’s effort to grow interest in sailing and attract new members. Visitors will have the chance to explore the club’s facilities, meet members, and take part in scheduled sailing activities.

Every Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon, yachts take to the water off Hout Bay beach as part of regular sailing races and is a competitive event focused on skill and strategy for the sailors involved.

Since 2016, the introduction of the Hunter 19 fleet has re-energised local participation in sailing, standing out against a global trend that has seen yacht racing decline.

The revival began in July 2016 when former Hout Bay Yacht Club commodore Paul Tomes identified factors behind declining yacht attendance globally.

Rising costs of maintaining larger yachts and difficulties in finding skilled crew were among the main challenges said Mr Tomes. He  proposed a fleet of small, affordable yachts that would be easier to manage and more accessible to sailors.

Mr Tomes’ proposal gained support from the community, leading Hout Bay residents Paul Maguire and Brent Barnett to join him in purchasing three Hunter 19 yachts from eMalahleni, 1 000 km away, without inspecting them first. The boats were launched in January 2017 and suited local sailing conditions.

Constructed in the late 1970s and 1980s, the Hunter 19s required considerable restoration, yet their simple design made them ideal candidates for DIY repairs.

The club's reputation for fostering skill and camaraderie quickly spread throughout Hout Bay, attracting new members.

Mr Tomes said while nearly 300 Hunter 19s had been crafted in South Africa, only about 60 remained operational at the start, prompting members to scour garages and neglected boatyards across the country to restore the fleet.

One member even reclaimed a Hunter from the depths of the Hartebeesport Dam, showcasing the group’s commitment to revitalising the yachts, he said.

Fast forward nearly nine years, and the HBYC now boasts an impressive fleet of over 30 rejuvenated Hunters.

With power washers, sandpaper, and pots of paint in hand, members have breathed new life into these 40 to 50 year-old boats.

The fleet's one-design format eliminates contentious handicaps; at HBYC, the outcomes of races hinge purely on skill and strategy, ensuring vibrant competition for all sailors, from teenagers to seasoned veterans nearing 80.

Newcomers are welcomed, as experienced boat owners readily share valuable restoration tips and offer crewing opportunities.

With an average purchase price of around R50 000 and monthly mooring fees of R1 200, the Hunter 19 is a financially inviting option for aspiring sailors. A generous member donated a Hunter 19 specifically to encourage youth engagement in sailing.

Mr Tomes said an Italian professional sailor, accustomed to the luxurious comforts of multi-million euro yachts in the Mediterranean, took the helm of a Hunter 19 and said the club bar, “that’s the most fun I have had sailing in years.” 

For more information, email  office@hbyc.co.za