Club Boat Hire

As a valued service to our members, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club offers a selection of club-owned sailing boats for hire. Our fleet includes Optimists, Pacers, and ILCA Dinghies (Lasers), which are part of our Discover Sailing and Learn to Sail programs. When not in use for training, these boats are available for members to enjoy on the water.

Important update on Hire Fees

As part of our committment to maintaining a high-quality, accesible fleet, the club has introduced a modest hire fee for casual use of club-owned dinghies. This change helps support the growing demand for use and the increasing cost of maintenance and repairs.

What is the Hire Fee?

Single Handed Dinghies (Optimist & ILCA): $15.00 per use session

Double Handed Dinghies (Cadet & Pacer): $25.00 per use session

When does the Hire Fee Apply?

• Hire fees apply when using a club dinghy outside of a structured, fee-paying course or program.
• No hire fee is charged when the boat is used as part of a paid training program (e.g. Tackers, OutThere Sailing and Dinghy Courses).

Why introduce a fee?

• To support sustainable maintenance and replacement of the club fleet.
• To ensure boats remain safe, reliable, and accessible.
• To keep membership and course fees affordable by sharing costs fairly among users.

Keeping Sailing Affordable

We remain committed to offering low-cost opportunities for members to try sailing for the first time, transition into regular club racing and explore different classes before purchasing a boat. Our goal is to make sure every member has access to well-maintained equipment at a fair and reasonable cost.

Booking Details

Club boats can be hired during:

• Club training and support sessions
• RGYC racing sessions
• Sailing Office hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm)
• Outside of these hours when accompanied by a support vessel on the water

To hire a boat, you must be a financial member of RGYC, and the boat must remain under your control at all times. Non-members must obtain a SailPass for the day of the hire.

How to Book

• Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance through the RGYC Bookings page here.
• Log in using your Australian Sailing details and select the boat you wish to hire.
• Fill in the required details and click “Confirm booking.”
• You’ll receive a confirmation email from the Sailing Office, and our team will help you coordinate access to the boat, sails and equipment.

Please note that bookings are subject to availability, and RGYC sailing programs and activities have priority. The Sailing Office reserves the right to decline bookings based on safety considerations or other scheduled uses.

For questions about the hiring process, contact the Sailing Office at (03) 5229 3705.