Welcome to the Hamilton Bay Sailing Club!
We are a non-profit co-operative social-sailing club for adults. Interested in an affordable means of sailing or discovering basic sailing techniques in a casual atmosphere? We have it! Boats, safety equipment, and volunteer skippers are coordinated by the club and are included in one low membership fee. Off the water we host many social activities and events throughout the year at our bayside clubhouse and compound. Check our FAQ’s for more details.
For members wishing to book a large boat for personal use please refer to this page.
If you are looking for the latest schedule or other related files check out our documents page.
The Latest News
Both our dinghy and large boat programs are now full for 2025. We do have a waitlist and if you would like to be added to it, please contact our treasurer. Typically once the season starts we are able to open up a few spaces in both programs. More info on memberships can be found here.
Want more info on becoming a club member? Check out our FAQ’s and other info about our club right here on the website. If you have unanswered questions you can email our email our secretary @ hbscsecretary@gmail.com and someone will get back to you.
Want to get more involved? We are still looking for a couple of key member volunteers to join the board of directors in the roles of Social Coordinator and Fleet Captain. These are both key roles and need to be filled. If you are interested reach out to any board member for more info.
Winter maintenance has started for the small boat fleet and clubhouse. Every Tuesday and Thursday 6-8pm, members gather at the clubhouse to work on dinghy repairs. All members are welcome and encouraged to participate. This is a good way to learn boat repair while giving back to the club.
The Hamilton Bay Sailing Club gratefully acknowledges the City of Hamilton’s City Enrichment Fund for its ongoing support of our sailing program.
Can’t find something on the web site or have suggestions for updates? Email the webmaster!
Upcoming Events – Click here to view the full event calendar
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Doug Kelly Regatta July 5, 2025 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
9:00 am - Arrive to rig boats
10:00 am - Registration closes (you MUST arrive before 10 am if you want to race). Boat and crew draw followed by the skipper's meeting.
~11:15 am - First race
3:00 pm - No races will begin after this time
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Dinghy Clinic: Sailing Backwards and Sailing Without a Rudder July 10, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
For aspiring skippers looking to check off those last few skills we are offering focused skill-development nights. Our first for dinghies will be sailing backwards and sailing without a rudder, both of which are on the skipper test.
Backwards sailing is surprisingly easy. While not an everyday skill, it has its places in approaching/leaving dock, and maybe even in racing. After a couple attempts, you’ll probably have this dialled right in.
Sailing without a rudder is not just a fun party trick or an emergency backup. The ability to fine tune helm by balancing centre of effort (CE) and centre of lateral resistance (CLR) makes for easier and faster boat handling. Both racers wanting to win and general sailors looking to bring more finesse to boat control across wind conditions will benefit. With a bit of practice, it’s surprisingly easy to master steering by controlling sheets and body weight. By the end of the evening you may well find yourself steering a straight course and tacking upwind with no rudder!
We will do a quick on-shore session about the theory behind these skills and providing a few practical tips, then we’ll get out on the water to practice.
First mates, let’s get these skills nailed down so you can graduate to skipper status!
Crew are welcome too, subject to skipper availability.Wanted: skipper volunteers to help out. Please contact Jeff Cassidy (Jeffrey.cassidy@gmail.com) if you’re willing and able to help out.
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Anchoring Clinic With Stan July 12, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join Stan at 10 am at the clubhouse to discuss various types of anchors and how to use them. We have Danforth anchors on the Sirius which are an older style anchor that is good on a sandy bottom but does not reset well and is not good in weeds.I will have a Bruce, a Rocna, a Spade, a grapling hook and a fisherman anchor. I will also have a traditional ships anchor which you will often see on trailer sailors. I might have a mushroom anchor.We will also discuss all chain verses chain and rope or all rope. If you have ever had an anchor drag in the night you will appreciate having a good anchor.CAA Provincial Regatta July 12, 2025 - July 13, 2025
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BBCC Beach Day July 19, 2025
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HBSC Open Regatta July 26, 2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
9:00 am - Arrive to rig boats
10:00 am - Registration closes (you MUST arrive before 10 am if you want to race). Boat and crew draw followed by the skipper's meeting.
~11:15 am - First race
3:00 pm - No races will begin after this time