Welcome to the Grand Bend Yacht Club Web site. Great sailing and racing on Ontario’s west coast!

If you are an avid sailor, or would like to be, take a closer look at the facilities offered by Grand Bend Yacht Club on southern Lake Huron. We have 52 slips with shore power, water, an outstanding new clubhouse, an active racing program and many other amenities that make boating an activity the whole family can enjoy.

We are located in the village of Grand Bend which is 60 miles northeast of Port Huron/Sarnia, 60 miles northwest of London, 45 miles south of Goderich and 120 miles due west of Toronto. Grand Bend is well known as a fun and active summer vacation destination for Canadians and Americans alike.

The Yacht club is situated on the Ausable River, just a few boat lengths from the clear waters of Lake Huron. The club has a well-organized weekend racing schedule on our own Olympic circle course, including a Spring Series, Victoria Day Regatta, Fall Series, and Labour Day Regatta. We also host an annual long-distance race that starts and finishes in Grand Bend as well as shorter races between coastal destinations. Most races are held on Sunday. Boats from 24 to 42 feet in length are currently participating, including the most active Shark Fleet west of Toronto. We race under PHRF rules with both spinnaker and white sail classes.

In 2001 the Village of Grand Bend was chosen to host the sailing activities for the Canada Summer Games. The club was very active in helping to stage the races and was awarded the Chisholm Award for Excellence in Race Management from the Canadian Yachting Association. This summer we will be hosting a North American Shark class regatta.

RACING OR CRUISING

Racing is only part of the picture. While we encourage our members to participate in the race program, many also enjoy day sailing for a few hours of relaxation, or extended cruising to destinations like Georgian Bay, the North Channel or ports on the Michigan side. Grand Bend offers direct access to some of the world’s finest cruising waters for sailors and powerboaters.

The clubhouse provides an excellent anchor for the club’s social events. Inspired by the vintage lighthouses along the Northern Lake Huron / Georgian Bay coastlines, this wheelchair–accessible facility offers washrooms, showers and a lounge with a gas fireplace. The spacious decks are equipped with gas barbecues and have a great view of the brilliant sunsets over Lake Huron. It’s a great place to put up your feet after a race, meet other members, entertain friends and bring children if the boat gets too wet or small.

The Grand Bend area offers sandy beaches just a short walk from the clubhouse. There are a variety of restaurants, shops, supermarkets and activities for the whole family. The nearby Oakwood Inn offers luxury accommodation plus golf and tennis. The Huron County Playhouse less than 2 miles away is one of Canada’s most successful summer theatres with a playbill suitable for the entire family. The Pinery Provincial Park starts less than 2 miles to the South. One of the unique benefits of boat ownership at Grand Bend is the opportunity to watch the Village’s annual Canada Day fireworks display from the lake. The reflections are spectacular.

Whether you’re 7 or 70, a novice or an old salt, there are sailing activities you can enjoy at Grand Bend. The club has organized sail training events in co-operation with BOOM PLUS, the teaching program operated by the Ontario Sailing Association. Club members see these courses as a way to bring along future crew or members. Several of our boat owners are in need of additional crew from time to time. Many of the club’s current boat owners got their feet wet by sailing as crewmembers in club races.

Each year, the club arranges for a large mobile crane to lift members’ boats into the water in late April and take them out in late October. High-pressure hull cleaning is available at haulout. The club has installed a permanent mast crane on-site. There is also a public launching ramp operated by the Town of Lambton Shores next to the clubhouse. It is ideal for dinghies or trailer sailors. Winter storage can be arranged with on of our local marine supply stores if desired.

Thank you for visiting.