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Patrol Boat Refreshers

Photo above courtesy of
Powerboat Training UK
Weather Watch
Essential Dingy Racing Rules
This guide outlines the essential racing
rules everybody should know who wants to race dinghies
(Adobe
Acrobat PDF Reader is required to read the above)
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Welcome to the Hertford County Yacht Club (HCYC) website. We hope
you find the information useful, and you come and join us for sailing. Please use the
navigation bar above and to the left to find your way around
the web site.

About Us
Hertford County Yacht Club is a popular, friendly club
offering something for every member of the family from the
casual sailor to the serious racing enthusiast, with the
emphasis always on enjoyment.
We have good facilities for non-sailing members of the
family, spacious grassed areas with picnic tables, swings and
a fenced-off adventure play area.
Sailing is on an attractive 25 acre lake in the village of
Stanstead Abbotts, near Ware in Hertfordshire, just North of
the A414 bypass.
The Club was formed in 1965 and moved to its present
location in 1975, since when comprehensive facilities have
been constructed. See the Club
History web page for further details about the history of
the Club.
Sailing is encouraged at any time during the week and
members are allowed to sail almost any kind of dinghy up to 16
feet in length.
Multihulls, sailboards, canoes and motor craft (except
the Club's patrol boats) are not permitted.

What We Do
Fleet and handicap racing takes place throughout the
year on Sundays, Bank Holidays and some Saturdays. The
racing, although taken seriously, is friendly. After the races
there are refreshments and a chat in the clubhouse.
Family racing is usually organised for members on a
Sunday afternoon. These are designed to encourage people with
little or no racing experience. The atmosphere is extremely
relaxed and friendly and you do not need a detailed knowledge
of the racing rules to start.
Casual sailing is encouraged at any time, again
throughout the year, except on
Sunday mornings when races are being held. Club night on
Wednesday evenings and coffee morning on Tuesday between April and September is popular for
a relaxed sail after work (and even unofficial racing - an
ideal time to learn to race).
Juniors take an active part with the adults in the
general racing programme. The club has 6 Toppers, 6 Optimists
and 2 Lasers available for their free use in casual sailing or
racing all they need do is complete the log book in the
clubhouse. (Adults may use the boats for a small charge but
priority is given to use by Juniors)
Training courses are run at the club by members who
are qualified instructors to RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certificate standards. The
club is an RYA approved Training Centre.
Social events are arranged throughout the year. They
include fireworks displays, themed suppers, film shows, BBQs
throughout the Summer months, Bank Holiday
fun events and lectures on sailing with guest speakers from
the sailing world. There is also a DIY BBQ available on-site
for the use of club members and guests and can be used at any
time (bring your own coal and food please).
Days out include organised sailing outings to
various coastal and inland venues, including Rutland Waters
and the East Coast.
Further information on the sailing
programme and social events
can be viewed via the navigation bar above.

Our Facilities
Facilities at the club include a large dinghy park,
elevated race hut, two concrete slipways, plenty of moorings,
picnic area, covered patio, children's play area, heated
clubhouse, toilets, changing rooms, car parking, patrol boats
and of course 25 acres of sailing water. Members are expected
to attend at least 1 workday during the year to maintain these
facilities.

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The Lake
At HCYC we sail on an inland Lake covering 25 acres.
Located in part of the Lee Valey park, the lake is an area of
beauty with abundant natural wildlife, including swans, geese
and other birdlife.
We share the lake with anglers, and it is reputed to be one of the
foremost carp lakes in Southern England.
Click on any of the photographs below for a larger image,
or check out other photographs in the Photo Gallery.


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