Social Sailing and Cruising

Get Afloat at Colne Yacht Club 

Colne Yacht Club offers a wide range of opportunities to get out on the water, and potential new members are always very welcome. Feel free to come down, have a chat with a member of the Main Committee or one of our Instructors, and find out the best way for you to get involved.

Over the past few years, three particular groups have grown in popularity, proving to be a fantastic way for members to build skills, confidence, and friendships.

Sonata Activity Groups

Under the umbrella of the CYC Sail Training Centre we have four Sonata Activity Groups using the Training Centre Sonatas. These club events are led by experienced skippers and instructors and provide pathways to many ways to get afloat including cruising, racing and pottering! They are:

• Women on the Water
• Blokes on Boats
• Sunday Sonata Sailing
• Summer Sailing (flexible dates)

WOW Women on the Water

WOW sessions run on alternate Thursday mornings throughout the summer. With experienced female skippers leading our four club Sonatas, its an ideal and supportive environment to learn the ropes. At the same time, our club RIBs are on the water, encouraging women to gain confidence at the helm of a powerboat.

After a morning filled with laughter, encouragement, and new skills, everyone is welcome back in the clubhouse for a well-earned snack!

BOB Blokes in Boats

BOB runs on Friday mornings and is a great opportunity to meet like-minded sailors. Led by Master Mariner Peter Coupland, these sessions are a great way to stay active, learn how to sail and essential boat maintenance skills. Enjoy a relaxed sail on the river while learning new skills, usually followed by a friendly pint in the bar.

Sunday Sailing

A mixed gender sailing group for BOBs and WOWs! Perfect for people who work during the week, this group is for sailors of mixed abilities under the watchful eye of Peter Coupland and his Skippers!

The Sundowners

The Sundowners are the club's friendly cruising group, bringing together sailors and motor boaters for enjoyable weekends away, social events, and great company throughout the season

We aim to organise at least one cruise or rally every month. Destinations are planned at the start of the year, but we remain flexible to make the most of favourable weather. Apart from a few major rallies where berths are booked well in advance, most events are confirmed on the Thursday before the weekend.

All communication takes place through our dedicated WhatsApp group, The Sundowners, where members share event information, cruising advice, and often arrange additional ad-hoc trips when conditions are ideal.

Our rallies are relaxed, sociable occasions, usually featuring drinks, barbecues, meals ashore and, occasionally, a Sundowner cocktail or two!

The group has grown to 44 registered members, with around 24 actively participating and typically 814 boats attending each event. We warmly welcome both sailing and motor boats.

Whether you are new to cruising or an experienced skipper, the Sundowners provide a supportive environment. Boats often travel in informal groups of similar speed, offering reassurance, companionship, and practical help throughout the passage and on arrival.

Several members are also looking for crew to help sail larger boats, providing an excellent opportunity to gain experience and enjoy a weekend away.

If you would like to join us, either with your own boat or as crew, please contact Chris Paveley and join The Sundowners WhatsApp group for the latest events, news, and cruising opportunities.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

The Sundowners Moto...

IT IS NOT HOW FAST YOU GET THERE ITS THE STYLE IN WHICH YOU ARRIVE!!!