Join a Yacht Club to Experience Sailing in West Michigan
West Michigan boasts a vibrant sailing community, with numerous yacht clubs and sailing organizations enriching the coastal towns and providing great sailing opportunities on inland lakes. Sailors usually learn on an inland lake and progress to bigger boats sailing the Great Lakes (and beyond) as they build their skills, confidence, and experience.
Each yacht club has a distinctive triangular or swallow-tailed flag used to represent a yacht club. The burgee is flown from a vessel’s masthead or bow staff to indicate membership in the club. Traditionally, etiquette dictates that the burgee should be hoisted when the owner or a club member is aboard.
Here's an overview of the sailing clubs and organizations in West Michigan, their histories, sailing activities, racing events, and special programs:
Yacht Clubs in West Michigan:
Macatawa Bay Yacht Club (MBYC):
Located in Holland, MBYC has a longstanding tradition of promoting sailing and boating on Lake Michigan. MBYC celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2024. The club offers youth sailing programs and hosts various social events for members. MBYC organizes regular racing events and collaborates with neighboring yacht clubs. The 2025 Big Red Racing Series will be an exciting time on the water with very competitive racing.
Muskegon Yacht Club (MYC):
MYC has been a cornerstone of Muskegon's sailing community, fostering a passion for sailing and boating. The club offers various sailing programs, including youth sailing initiatives. MYC hosts regular racing events, encouraging both novice and seasoned sailors to participate. Muskegon Lake has some of the best inland sailing in West Michigan and the club is only minutes away from Lake Michigan
muskegonyachtclub.org
Saugatuck Yacht Club (SYC):
Established in 1934, SYC was founded to promote water recreation, social gatherings, and sailing education for children. The club offers programs like Women's Sailing and Sunday Sailing, encouraging active member participation. Annual activities include the Memorial Day "Burn Your Socks" event, fostering camaraderie among members.
saugatuckyachtclub.com
Spring Lake Yacht Club (SLYC):
SLYC has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, with active racing fleets in six classes. The club offers group and private sailing lessons for both juniors and adults, catering to various skill levels. SLYC hosts active racing fleets in six classes, providing ample opportunities for competitive sailing. The club's facilities are available for event rentals, making it a popular venue for weddings, reunions, and organizational events.
Bayshore Yacht Club (BYC)
Founded in 1958, Bayshore Yacht Club is based at Yacht Basin Marina on Lake Macatawa, offering a welcoming community for sailors and powerboaters. The club hosts a variety of sailing activities, including group cruises and casual sails. Racing events include club regattas and weekly races throughout the sailing season. Special events feature social gatherings, themed parties, and the annual Commodore’s Ball.
bayshoreyachtclub.org
Pentwater Yacht Club (PYC)
Founded in 1935, Pentwater Yacht Club sits along Pentwater Lake, providing a welcoming atmosphere for sailors and powerboaters alike. The club offers sailing education programs, cruising events, and casual sailing opportunities. Competitive racing is a highlight, with Wednesday night races and regattas throughout the season. Special events include the annual Pentwater Homecoming Celebration, holiday parties, and themed social gatherings.
pentwateryachtclub.com
Grand Haven Yacht Club (Grand Haven, MI)
Established in 1951, Grand Haven Yacht Club is located near the Grand River channel, offering direct access to Lake Michigan. The club supports a variety of sailing activities, including day sails and long-distance cruises. Racing is a major focus, with club regattas and participation in larger regional competitions. Special events include an annual Commodore’s Ball, summer parties, and social mixers for members.
grandhavenyacht.club
Ludington Yacht Club (LYC)
Dating back to 1895, Ludington Yacht Club is one of Michigan’s oldest sailing organizations, promoting a deep-rooted maritime tradition. The club offers casual sailing outings, youth sailing programs, and cruising excursions. Racing activities include weekly races and the highly anticipated Queen’s Cup Regatta. Special events range from seafood boils to social mixers and seasonal celebrations.
ludingtonyachtclub.org
White Lake Yacht Club (WLYC)
Founded in 1903, White Lake Yacht Club boasts a scenic location on White Lake with a long-standing commitment to sailing education and family-friendly activities. The club provides a youth sailing program, casual sailing excursions, and competitive races, including an annual regatta. Special events include the White Lake Classic Boat Show, social dinners, and themed summer parties.
wlyc.org
South Haven Yacht Club (South Haven, MI)
Established in 1939, South Haven Yacht Club offers a vibrant boating community along the Black River. The club organizes sailing activities such as group cruises, educational programs, and harbor excursions. Racing includes weekly club races and participation in regional regattas. Special events feature live music nights, themed dinners, and an annual Commodore’s Ball.
southhavenyachtclub.com
Grand Rapids Yacht Club (GRYC):
GRYC has been integral to the Grand Rapids sailing scene, promoting sailing education and competition. In collaboration with the Grand Rapids Junior Sailing Association, GRYC offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced sailing programs. The club sponsors weekend and weekday races from Memorial Day through Labor Day, featuring active racing fleets in various classes.
Sailing Organizations in West Michigan:
The Western Michigan Yachting Association (WMYA) is a significant sailing organization in the region, bringing together multiple yacht clubs to promote competitive sailing and camaraderie among sailors.
Western Michigan Yachting Association (WMYA)
Founded in 1931, the WMYA was established to coordinate sailing competitions among yacht clubs in Western Michigan. It has since become a cornerstone of the region's sailing community, hosting regattas and fostering interclub collaboration. The WMYA organizes annual regattas and works closely with member clubs to promote sailboat racing and youth sailing education. The most notable event is the WMYA Westerns Regatta, a multi-day competition held at different member clubs each year. The regatta features one-design fleet racing, drawing sailors from across the region.
Member Clubs: The WMYA consists of several prominent yacht clubs, including:
Muskegon Yacht Club
Macatawa Bay Yacht Club
Spring Lake Yacht Club
Grand Rapids Yacht Club
Crystal Lake Yacht Club
White Lake Yacht Club
Gull Lake Yacht Club
Aside from the Westerns Regatta, WMYA supports youth and adult sailing programs, fleet development, and community-building events among member clubs. The WMYA plays a crucial role in preserving the legacy of competitive sailing in Western Michigan and continues to inspire both seasoned and aspiring sailors.
West Michigan Youth Sailing Association (WMYSA):
Founded in 2006, WMYSA aims to promote the love of sailing among youth and provides a support network for regional youth sailing programs. WMYSA comprises various junior sailing programs, including the Grand Rapids Junior Sailing Association, Gull Lake Junior Sailing, Macatawa Bay Junior Sailing, Muskegon Yacht Club Junior Program, and others. The association conducts an annual Summer Championship Racing Series, consisting of four regattas held every other Friday throughout the summer.
Grand Rapids Junior Sailing Association (GRJSA):
Operating at the Grand Rapids Yacht Club on Reeds Lake, GRJSA offers youth and adult sailing sessions, focusing on developing boat handling and safety skills. GRJSA provides one-week youth sessions and separate adult sessions, catering to various skill levels.
sailgrandrapids.com
These clubs and organizations collectively contribute to a thriving sailing culture in West Michigan, offering educational programs, competitive racing, and community events that cater to both youth and adults.