History of Club
The Club Dates Back To 1978
The Hout Bay Yacht Club was founded in 1978 as a keelboat club. By most club standards we are still in an embryo stage. The battle to get started was not an easy one.
Primarily, Hout Bay is a fishing harbour and it was then a challenge to get sufficient permissions from the relevant authorities. In those days the only mooring facilities offered were 15 trot-moorings – off the beach – but when the wind howled down the Bay, yachts moored on the lee shore had a nasty habit of bumping into Mother Africa.
The beach-sailing section for cats and dinghies formed the core of the club and kept the club alive – until ultimately in 1984 HBYC were allowed to develop a splendid Marina with 114 walk-on moorings in the Hout Bay Harbour itself. This provided much needed sheltered mooring facilities for keelboats. The rest is history, and as a true yacht club – membership increased dramatically.
The Marina was extended in 1989/90 and can now accommodate yachts up to 15,5m (54 ft) in length. A small clubhouse was built in 1978 with extensions built in 1986 to accommodate the growing membership. To move closer to the harbour area & our marina had long been our goal and after 10 years protracted negotiations with the relevant authorities, we secured a long-term lease with permission to build a clubhouse on our boatyard site. With the opening of our new club house in Feb 2002, we bid a sad farewell to our old clubhouse which had seen so many changes throughout the past 23 years.
Reciprocity
- Knysna Yacht Club, Knysna, South Africa
- Point Yacht Club, Durban, South Africa
- East London Yacht Club, East London, South Africa
- Walvis Bay Yacht Club, Namibia
- Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Grand Baie Yacht Club, Mauritius
- Seven Seas Club, Simonstown, Cape Town, South Africa
- Royal Natal Yacht Club, Durban, South Africa
- Seychelles Yacht Club, Victoria, Seychelles
- Vaal Cruising Association, Vaal Dam, South Africa
- Bluff Yacht Club, Durban, South Africa
- Seal Point Yacht Club, ,Vaal Dam, South Africa
- Speedbird Offshore Yacht Club, Southampton, UK
Committee & Management
At the Hout Bay Yacht Club, our dedicated committee members and management team work tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation and success of the club. Each individual brings a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise, contributing to the vibrant community and world-class facilities we offer. The roles and responsibilities of the committee and management team ensure that every member enjoys the highest standard of service and a memorable club experience.
The Committee:
The committee at the Hout Bay Yacht Club is made up of elected members who volunteer their time and energy to oversee the strategic direction, governance, and development of the club. Their primary focus is to ensure the club remains a welcoming, dynamic, and well-run environment for all members. The committee meets regularly to discuss club matters, plan events, and review club operations. Key positions within the committee include:
Commodore: The Commodore serves as the figurehead of the club, representing its interests both internally and externally. The Commodore chairs the committee meetings, oversees the club’s strategic direction, and ensures the club’s vision and values are upheld.
Vice Commodore Sailing: The Vice Commodore Sailing at the Hout Bay Yacht Club plays a crucial role in overseeing all sailing-related activities, ensuring the smooth and successful operation of the club’s sailing events, training programs, and overall sailing community. This position is integral to fostering a vibrant sailing culture, where both seasoned sailors and newcomers can enjoy the thrill of the sport in a safe, supportive, and social environment
Vice Commodore Marketing: The Vice Commodore Marketing at the Hout Bay Yacht Club plays a pivotal role in shaping and promoting the club’s brand, ensuring its visibility, and attracting new members while maintaining strong relationships with existing ones. With a passion for storytelling and a keen understanding of the club’s unique offerings, the Vice Commodore Marketing drives the club’s marketing strategy, ensuring that it stands out as a premier destination for boating, sailing, and social events in Hout Bay.
Honorary Secretary: The Secretary manages the administrative functions of the club, including maintaining records, handling correspondence, and ensuring the smooth communication of important club information to members.
Honorary Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for managing the club’s finances, ensuring that budgets are adhered to, and preparing financial reports. They work closely with the committee to ensure the club’s financial health and sustainability.
Other Committee Members: Various committee members take on specific portfolios such as event planning, marina management and membership. Each plays an important role in ensuring the club’s operations run smoothly and that member interests are well-represented.
Management Team:
In addition to the committee, the day-to-day operations of the Hout Bay Yacht Club are overseen by a team of professional management staff who are committed to providing excellent service and ensuring that the club’s facilities are always maintained to the highest standards. Their roles include:
General Manager: The General Manager oversees all operational aspects of the club, from managing staff and organizing events to ensuring that the facilities are maintained to the highest standard. The General Manager works closely with the committee to implement the club’s vision and objectives.
Clubhouse & Bar Staff: This role is responsible for the smooth running of the clubhouse and bar area, ensuring that members and guests are welcomed with the highest level of service. The manager also coordinates events and ensures that the dining experience is consistently excellent.
Marina Manager: The Marina Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the marina, including the allocation and maintenance of moorings, safety measures, and managing boat-related services. They ensure the marina environment remains secure, clean, and welcoming for all members.
The committee and management team at the Hout Bay Yacht Club are deeply committed to maintaining the club’s reputation as a premier venue for both maritime enthusiasts and those who simply want to enjoy the beautiful setting of Hout Bay. With a shared dedication to excellence and a passion for creating an inviting atmosphere, they work together to ensure that the club continues to thrive as a place where members can relax, socialize, and enjoy the many privileges that come with being part of such a vibrant community.
2026 Update:
