Moorings and the yard

Moorings

None of our moorings have direct access from the shore, so berth holders need to own a tender, though a trot boat is operational on club race days.

Boats applying for a mooring must not be more than 40ft LOA and 10 tons.

Bridle moorings

1. When there is no boat on a mooring, the bridle maintains the integrity of the trot.
2. When the boat is on the mooring it takes the place of the bridle: the mooring strops should be taut and the bridle slack. If the bridle is not slack it is inclined to saw along the side of the boat, damaging both boat and bridle.
3. The mooring should generally be approached into the tide and downwind of the mooring. Once tied fore and aft, motoring the boat into the tide will let you tighten the fore lines further, making the bridle go slack. Use two lines fore and two lines aft, and loosely tie up the bridle alongside.
4. When leaving the mooring, if there is any wind, always arrange to leave so the wind is blowing you away from the bridle. This may mean splitting the bridle in the middle and re-joining it on the windward side of the boat. Failure to do this may result in the bridle catching around the keel, rudder or prop.
5. If you have any questions, ask the Harbour Master.

The pontoon

• Members are entitled to moor on the GYC pontoon for free during the day.
• Members may moor overnight free for three days in any two-week period, after which the fee in the current list of fees and charges applies (£2 per metre LOA per additional night).
• Under byelaw 29, no craft (including yacht tenders) may be moored on the pontoon without the permission of the Harbour Master or an Officer of the club. As long as there is no signage to say the pontoon is booked, members can moor within the limits above.
• Only crew, those assisting an arrival or departure, or those carrying out maintenance are permitted on the pontoon.
• Children must wear lifejackets on the pontoon or bridge; adults are strongly advised to.
• Fishing is not permitted from the pontoon.

Visiting vessels

• On approval in advance by the Harbour Master or their assistants, visiting vessels may be accommodated on the pontoon or trot moorings.
• Maximum size for the trot moorings is 40ft LOA and 10 metric tons; for the pontoon, 15.5 m.
• Stays of more than 10 nights require the approval of the Vice Commodore, and stays of more than 30 nights a vote of Council.
• Leisure vessels owned by non-members: £2.50 per metre LOA per night. For a stay of one night or less by a boat from a sister club the charge may be waived at the discretion of the Yard or Harbour Master.
• Commercial vessels without a separate written agreement: £4.60 per metre LOA per night.
• Off-station boats (owned by members but without a club mooring): £2 per metre LOA per night.

The yard

Our yard is a members' facility, not a commercial yard. We have limited space and encourage members to make their stay as short as possible.

Facilities

• Hardstanding for 20 boats
• Wise boat hoist (the new boat lift)
• Workshop
• Engine shed
• Sail loft
• Storage lockers

Rules

• All boats coming into the yard, whether by river or road, may only do so with the Yardmaster's permission.
• Members wishing to bring their boat into the yard must fill in the online application form on the members' portal. The lift date requested is not guaranteed until confirmed by the Yardmaster; make contact with the yard team verbally before the day.
• Every boat-lift application must be accompanied by a copy of current and sufficient insurance (byelaw 27c).
• For a longer term project that may take more than a year (a major refurbishment or boat construction) you can apply to the committee for project status, with a project plan setting out what you plan to do and when. Progress is reviewed periodically.
• By vote of Council in October 2025: members may stay on their boats in the yard for no more than 15 nights in any 30 day period, and boats may not be plugged in to power overnight without permission of the Yardmaster and payment for use.
• Label it or lose it: anything lying about the yard, sheds and workshops with no identifiable owner is a candidate for removal.

Lockers

We have a number of large lockers available to members who have a boat at the club. If you are interested in renting one, drop a note to the Yardmaster to see whether there is currently a waiting list.

Trailer boats

A limited number of spaces in the yard have been allocated for long-term storage of trailer boats. If you have a trailer-sailer and would like to keep it in the yard, ask the Yardmaster to add you to the trailer-sailer waiting list. Storage is subject to space, and such boats are charged the under 18 month rate as long as they are active (used on the water four times in the year); it is the member's responsibility to provide proof of activity, such as a time-stamped photo.

Visitor launches

Where a visitor wishes to launch a RIB or other trailed boat through our yard there is a charge of £5 per metre LOA, or £10 per metre LOA if club equipment is used. Trailer storage for such boats is £2 per metre LOA (of the boat) per night. Visitor launches and trailer storage must be authorised by the Yardmaster and supervised by a member of the yard team.

Movement requests

Yard movement requests are raised through the members' portal. Raise a lift or launch request on the members' portal, with a copy of your insurance, and speak to the Yardmaster before the day.