Welcome to the Barrie Yacht Club (BYC) official website!  On this site, you will find descriptions of the club, its’ history, facilities, racing and cruising programs, sailing school information and membership application.

The BYC is located on Lake Simcoe on the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay in the northeast part of the City of Barrie, where some of the best sailing on the lake can be found.  Whether it is racing our sailboats around the marks, cruising to our favourite places or spending time on our boats and at the club with family and friends, members of the BYC have a lot to enjoy at the club.  As so aptly put by a Past Commodore, “something magical happens when you pass through the club gates”.

The Barrie Yacht Club was incorporated in 1953 as a Registered "Not for Profit Social Club".  All members join in the management and upkeep of the club, as we are a 100% volunteer run organization.  While all members initially joined the club to spend time on the water, we have also discovered an extended family on the docks and the clubhouse grounds.  Working together as volunteers gives us all an appreciation for what a great place we have here. 

Our Social Programs are varied and many complement our Regatta Program.  While we can get dressed up for a fancy nautical themed event, the club is very much a relaxed family-oriented club.

The BYC has a very long history of sailboat racing and many excellent sailors have developed their skills in both the white sail and flying sail fleets.  The club has even been the starting point for some National Champion and Olympian sailors.

In 2009, the club will concurrently host the Kirby 25 Nationals and the Olson 25 Canadian Nationals on September 12^th and 13^th.

The BYC has a fantastic sailing school with a long history, which is organized by members and offered to the public through the City of Barrie’s recreational programs.  The school teaches youth and adult sailors alike to sail dinghies ranging from White Sail 1 and 2 through to Bronze Sail programs.  Our instruction fleet includes six Vibe Topaz dinghies outfitted with spinnakers, as well as Laser and Laser II sailboats.   New this year is an exciting racing program, which includes our fleet of Laser boats, as well as the exciting 29’er.

Harbour Facilities

Our harbour can be identified by the little lighthouse, dedicated to one of our founding members, Maurice MacLaren.  The Barrie Yacht Club boasts 74 slips within a beautiful, sheltered harbour, as well as a beach for launching dinghies.  The club has its own boat lift crane with a 10,000 pound capacity, to accommodate dry sailed keelboats and give us the ability to host visiting boats for regattas.  There are two mast cranes available, as well as small dollies to help move smaller boats on land.  The club also maintains a 19 foot Committee Boat used for our Regatta Program as well as for other on-water club activities.

Our docking facilities are able to accommodate various sizes and types of craft up to a maximum length of 34 feet, and a maximum beam of 10 feet 6 inches.  Space for larger boats is limited, and a significant number of our members own boats of 25 feet length or less.  All docks include shore power (15 amp service) and water available close-by.  There are no pump-out facilities.  Boat entry to the harbour is limited to members, invited guests and visiting yachtsmen from clubs with reciprocal rights.

At this time (2009), our harbour is full, and we typically have a small waiting list for new slips.  During the summer months however, a few slips are often open temporarily to accommodate overnight or weekend visitors from other clubs with reciprocal rights.

Clubhouse Facilities

On-shore facilities include a two story clubhouse which incorporates a “Great Room” on the top floor for club events and get-togethers and kitchen facilities.  Our main floor includes the club office, washrooms, maintenance and member storage, as well as a dry-sail room.   We have a number of barbeques available for members and a great sandy beach.

Limited on-land storage of dry-sailed keelboats and dinghies is available.   Vehicle parking is largely limited to members, particularly on Wednesday race nights and weekends.