Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Marina Profile- Royal Perth Yacht Club

by Fiona Harper on 21 Nov 2009
Royal Perth Yacht Club marina RPYC RPYC
Royal Perth Yacht Club, in the riverside suburb of Crawley is home to Western Australia’s largest active sailing fleet as well as its most prestigious yacht club.

Formed in 1841 by a core group of keen sailors, just ten years later, across the other side of the world, similarly focused sailors began a regatta that would become significant to the RPYC almost 150 years later.

In 1983 RPYC members audaciously snatched America’s Cup victory from the New York Yacht Club, a stunning achievement that set in motion a chain of events that would see the city of Fremantle totally revamped and much of Australia suddenly taking an interest in sailing.


Facing the astonishing prospect of hosting the America’s Cup in Western Australia in 1987, the Club built its Fremantle Annexe as Regatta Headquarters adjacent to the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Members today still benefit, with 100 berths as well as a Club lounge with bar and catering facilities.

With the opening of this year’s sailing season, celebrations were combined with the completion of the clubs long awaited Swan River marina development. Replacing the 1950’s built fixed pile and deck marina that had deteriorated to such an extent that daylight could be seen through the middle of the piles, proved to be a popular decision amongst the members.

The club long ago recognised the need to provide first class marina facilities that would accommodate a diverse mix of small and large berths for both power and sailing vessels. Perth based firm, Engineered Water Systems managed the redevelopment of the marina, which now comprises 380 floating berths.

Berth holders occupying the larger pens (22m to 28m) have the added bonus of Perth City skyline views across the Swan River, creating an appealing setting for sundowners without even leaving the dock. A floating breakwater, comprised of 320m of floating concrete wave attenuators, protects the marina from boating traffic wash and fetch whipped up by the often ferocious sea breeze, the ‘Fremantle Doctor’. Naturally all berths are serviced with power and water, but it’s evident that the designers have gone a step further to ensure this marina stands out, with some very clever innovations.

Members stipulated they wanted 4m wide docks in order to ease the burden that boat owners have wrestled with for years: the loading and unloading of all the gear required for a day or week onboard. By introducing electric golf carts, maintenance staff can move around the docks efficiently and members can keep their own carts at the club for loading guests and gear onboard. But even more importantly for those gourmands onboard, the Club can now offer a catering service to all vessels, delivering piping hot dinners, with all the trimmings and waiter service, onboard members vessels.


Other recent improvements at the Club include new floating pontoons configured for disabled access, used in the Clubs highly respected Sailability program. There’s also a new floating fuel dock, even a floating race start box, as well as a gatehouse to provide security to all docks.

A Club that encourages active social and sporting participation across a broad spectrum, various memberships are offered to suit individuals and family groups. Visitors from reciprocal clubs are bestowed with Honorary membership for up to two weeks, while other visitors should be accompanied by a Club member.

Events:
World Match Racing Championships
State Championships for Thunderbird, Endeavour 24 and S80 classes.

Fact File
Royal Perth Yacht Club
Australia II Drive Crawley WA 6009
Ph 08 9389 1555
Email club@rpyc.com.au
Web www.rpyc.com.au

Wet Berths :380
Dry Berths: 20
Max berth length: 28m
Haul out: Yes
Fuel: Yes
LPG No
Monitor VHF: Ch73
Restaurant: Yes (Wardroom open for lunch 7 days, dinner Tuesday & Friday)
Bar: Yes
Closest Chandlery: Sail Power Marine, Nedlands
Coastguard: Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue
Wifi Internet: Yes

For comprehensive information about all Australian marinas, go to Fiona Harper's excellent website, www.marinasguide.com.au!Australian_Marinas_Guide

Vaikobi 2024 DecemberSwitch One DesignHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted today at 8:15 pm
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted today at 6:03 pm
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted today at 2:50 pm
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any speci The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany.
Posted today at 1:37 pm
A decade of pushing the boundaries at A+T
Celebrating 10 years of the world's best yacht instruments 2025 marks a decade of pushing the boundaries of quality and customer service in the global yachting industry for A+T Instruments.
Posted today at 11:00 am
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Take the Helm
As Co-Owners of the 'BONDS Flying Roos' Australia's SailGP Team Today Australia's three-time SailGP champions have unveiled a new identity as well as two new co-owners - Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds - who join Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby in leading the freshly rebranded BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team.
Posted today at 10:56 am
Should SailGP ditch the wings?
As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question of whether the F50's solid wingsails should be ditched and replaced instead with twin-skin mainsails, in a similar way to what is used on the AC75 and AC40 of the America's Cup.
Posted today at 10:48 am
CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year.
Posted today at 9:55 am
Port Phillip Double-Handed Perpetual Cup
66 sailors on 33 boats take part in one of sailing's more demanding formats Melbourne was at her autumnal best on Sunday the 18th of May delivering ideal conditions for the 2025 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Double-Handed Yacht Race around Port Phillip.
Posted today at 8:45 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 1
Racing in Women's World Match Racing Tour Event 2 underway Perfect conditions graced the opening day of the 2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA, Stage 2 of the 2025 Women's World Match Racing Tour following the tour season opener in San Francisco last week.
Posted today at 5:40 am