royal prince alfred yacht club

Culture & Club History

Welcome to the alfreds, royal prince alfred yacht club, flag and yacht etiquette.

Flag and Yacht Etiquette are derived from the custom and usage of Royal Navy Members. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club wishes to maintain similar high standards of seamanship and good manners.

1. All Australian Ships are entitled to wear The Australian Red Ensign.

2. RPAYC Yachts may wear the Defaced Blue Ensign provided that;

• The owner has an admiralty warrant to fly the Blue Ensign.
• The warrant is aboard the yacht at the time.
• The owner is on board or in effective control of the yacht (eg. ashore in the vicinity).
• The RPAYC burgee is worn.

3. Colours in Harbour The Burgee and Ensign should be hoisted at 0800 hours and lowered at sunset. The RPAYC requires ships to lower all colours at this time.

4. At Sea The Ensign should be worn in daylight, within sight of land, or when in company with other yachts or ships. The burgee is not required to be lowered at sunset.

5. When Racing Burgees and Ensigns must not be worn. Racing flags should be flown from the backstay in all RPAYC races. Yachts having retired should wear the burgee and ensign.

6. Salutes The Red and Blue Ensigns should be dipped to warships of all nations and to The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Flag Officers. The White Ensign is never dipped except when returning a salute.

History, Flag Etiquette & Reciprocal Clubs

It is known that a club called the Mosquito Yacht Club was founded in 1856. On Tuesday, 15th October 1867, an advertisement was placed in The Sydney Morning Herald – “Mosquito Yacht Club – Boatowners wishing to join please meet at McGrath’s at 8 tonight.” The advertised meeting duly took place at Punch & McGraths Hotel in King Street and, with Mr. T. Strickland in the chair, it was decided to form a yacht club to be called “Prince Alfred Yacht Club.”

The name Prince Alfred was adopted to commemorate Prince Alfred’s forthcoming visit to Sydney. In January 1868, His Royal Highness, Prince Alfred, The Duke of Edinburgh, in command of HMS Galatea sailed into Port Jackson. He was met by two lines of yachts from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and The Prince Alfred Yacht Club, between which HMS Galatea passed.

In August 1911, The Prince Alfred Yacht Club was given permission by King George V to use the prefix “Royal”.

The Club originally occupied premises in Moore Street, Sydney, known today as Martin Place and it eventually moved into 51 Castlereagh Street. In 1956, the Club purchased property in Rowe Street and a new building was built on the site.

In 1919, the Committee decided that Sydney Harbour was becoming too congested for yacht racing and a sub-committee was formed to inspect land that would be suitable for yacht racing in the Pittwater area.

As a result, Green Point was purchased for this purpose for an amount of 650 pounds. Apart from a few tree-planting ceremonies, the land remained practically unused until a group of enthusiasts, who had built Jubilee class yachts, banded together and built a boatshed, slipway and pontoon to cater for their needs. The Governor of New South Wales, the Honorary Commodore of the Club, Lord Wakehurst, officially opened the current premises on 17th December, 1938. No less than 22 Jubilees started in the race held that day.

Unfortunately, during World War II yachting in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour was disbanded. After the war, in 1947, the boatshed was increased in size, moorings were laid in Crystal Bay and Pittwater again came to life.

In 1956, a caretaker’s cottage was erected adjacent to the boatshed; a liquor licence obtained and a small bar built by converting four lockers in the boatshed. Four sheep were kept on Green Point for use as mobile lawn mowers and a cattle ramp was erected at the front entrance to contain the sheep within the property.

The slipway and boat storage area were re-built in 1957 by the use of voluntary labour and the racing fleet on Pittwater was increasing in leaps and bounds. The Club purchased the adjoining property, Moonbar, on the western side of Mitala Street and converted the building into a Clubhouse. This land, previously owned by Mr. Ashley Buckingham, became known as Buckingham Palace, and it was a popular venue for club members, with a lawn area and in-built swimming pool.

In 1962, the Club dredged the north western side of Crystal Bay and reclaimed an area between Moonbar and Green Point. Marina A, accommodating some 52 vessels, was constructed from the dredged area. At the same time, a hardstand area was established in front of the cottage to accommodate ten 5.5 metre yachts.

Yacht racing on Pittwater in the sixties was gaining momentum. Moonbar, although extended, was unable to cope with the influx of members and guests, so it was decided that a new clubhouse should be built on Green Point to cater for the larger patronage. On 15th May 1968, probably the club’s most important function was held. His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited to lay a foundation stone for the present clubhouse. Unfortunately due to torrential rain and a 60 knot southerly, Prince Phillip laid the stone by remote control from Moonbar. Regardless, it was a memorable day for members when this royal “sailor” joined them for lunch.

1969/70 saw significant progress in the club’s development. Pittwater was booming, the city premises were wanted by developers and an opportunity arose for the city club to join The Sydney Club, formerly The Millions Club. By selling the city property and developing Pittwater, it meant that members using the city premises would be happily accommodated almost next door at the Sydney Club and development could continue at Pittwater. The Sydney Club was located at 9 Rowe Street, Sydney, and all RPAYC members were automatically yachting members of the Sydney Club.

The Sydney Club had excellent bar and dining facilities available for lunch and dinner and RPAYC members were welcome to join in any of its activities such as golf and theatre parties. The Sydney Club ceased when it amalgamated with the University and Schools Club, which is now situated at 60 Phillip Street, Sydney.

The RPAYC Clubhouse was erected on Green Point together with four marina arms on the western side of Green Point and additional hardstand areas.

On Opening Day in addition to the Club burgee flying from the peak of the flagpole and the Club ensign flying from the Gaff, there will be flying from the crosstree: A replica of the flag flown by the Prince Alfred Yacht Club from its inception until advised by the Admiralty that it was unacceptable as it could be confused with the Royal Navy’s White Ensign;

and The flag adopted by the Mosquito Yacht Club, the club from which the Prince Alfred Yacht Club emerged.

The International and Australian reciprocal yacht clubs are as follows:

United Kingdom

• Poole Harbour Yacht Club Poole, Dorset (http://www.pooleyc.co.uk)
• Royal Motor Yacht Club, Poole, Dorset (http://www.royalmotoryc.co.uk)
• Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth, Devon (http://www.royaldart.co.uk)
• Royal Northern & Clyde Club, Helensburgh, Dunbarton (http://www.rncyc.com)
• Royal Solent Yacht Club, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (http://www.royalsolent.org/)
• Royal Southampton Yacht Club, Southampton, Hampshire (http://www.rsyc.org.uk)
• Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hampshire (http://www.royal-southern.co.uk/)
• Royal Thames Yacht Club, London (http://www.royalthames.com/)
• Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnam on Crouch, Essex (https://royalcorinthian.co.uk/)
• Medway Yacht Club, Lower Upnor, Kent (http://www.medwayyachtclub.com/)
• Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate, Kent (http://www.rtyc.com/)
• Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, Blyth, Northumberland, (https://rnyc.org.uk/)
• Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, Hamburg, Germany (http://www.nrv.de/)
• Yacht Club of Cannes, Port Palm Beach, Cannes, France (https://www.yachtclubdecannes.org)
• Yacht Club of Greece, Piraeus, Greece (http://www.ycg.gr/index.php)
• Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (http://www.riyc.ie/)
• Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (http://www.rsgyc.ie/)

North America

• Balboa Yacht Club, Newport, California, USA (http://www.balboayachtclub.com/)
• St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, USA (http://www.stfyc.com/)
• Eau Gallie Yacht Club, Florida, USA (http://www.egyachtclub.com/)
• Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Victoria, BC, Canada (http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/)
• One 15 Marina Club, Sentosa Cove, Singapore (http://one15marina.com/)
• Republic Singapore Yacht Club, Singapore (https://www.rsyc.org.sg/)
• Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Hong Kong (http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/)
• Raffles Marina, Singapore (http://www.rafflesmarina.com.sg)
• Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hong Kong (http://www.hhyc.org.hk/)

Australia/New Zealand/Pacific region

• Southport Yacht Club, Main Beach, QLD (http://www.southportyachtclub.com.au/)
• Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, North Haven, SA (http://www.cycsa.com.au/)
• Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, SA (https://www.rsays.com.au/)
• Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown, Victoria (http://www.rycv.yachting.org.au/)
• Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Brighton, Victoria (http://www.rbyc.org.au/)
• Sandringham Yacht Club, Sandringham, Victoria (http://www.syc.com.au/)
• Derwent Sailing Squadron, Sandy Bay, TAS (http://dssinc.org.au/)
• Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS (http://www.ryct.org.au/)
• Swan Yacht Club, Perth, WA (http://swanyachtclub.com.au/)
• Gosford Sailing Club, NSW (http://gosfordsailingclub.com/)
• Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, NSW (http://www.lmyc.com.au/site/index.cfm)
• Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland, New Zealand (http://www.rnzys.org.nz/)
• Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand (http://www.bbyc.org.nz/)
• Cercle Nautique Caledonien, Noumea, New Caledonia (http://www.cnc.asso.nc/)

History Wall celebrating 150yrs of Club Life

Celebrate 150yrs with a journey of key moments in the Clubs history. Scroll through each year and click on a panel to view the details or visit the Club and read the History Wall in person. 

History Walk

Take a stroll around the club grounds and read about the history and development of the club.

Club Commodores

From 1867 to 2024

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

At the Club

Visiting Pittwater north of Sydney? Caroline Strainig previews what you can expect if you call in at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

If the word “royal” makes you think of “stuffy,” think again, at least in the context of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Pittwater. The club is one of the most prestigious in Australia, but has an open-door policy and welcomes visitors. It is located at 16 Mitala Street, Newport, ph (02) 9997 1022, email [email protected], website www.rpayc.com.au

Onshore facilities

Land facilities include Halyards Bar and Café, a bistro-style restaurant popular prior to and after racing, which has a large lawn area outside, complete with undercover barbecue and children's play area. Halyards prides itself on its weekend breakfasts. For that special occasion, the fine-dining Quadrant Restaurant (bookings essential) is open Friday nights. You can find opening hours for Halyards and the Edinburgh Lounge on the website under “trading hours”.

Club regulations stipulate a minimum of shirts, shorts and footwear for Halyards and for the top level of the clubhouse smart, casual attire and suitable footwear. Hats or singlets are not allowed in either area.

Member-only facilities include a gymnasium, billiards room , and archives room – the latter being a small nautical library.

The premises have security parking for members only, but there is plenty of extra adjacent parking for visitors.

The small township of Newport is an easy if hilly walk away for groceries.

On-water facilities

The marina complex today boasts 352 marina berths, moorings, hardstand storage, work berths, visitors' berths and a boatyard. The slipway facility was redeveloped in 2007 and incorporates a 50-tonne travel lift, hardstand for up to 15 boats, custom-built cradles and a 1000kg crane. Visiting boat owners are welcome to book into the boatyard facility and there are comprehensive marine services on site, including rigging, electrical, shipwrights and chandlery.

The club also owns 18 swing moorings, and there are a number of recreational moorings in popular bays in Pittwater for member use.

Fuel (24-hour, credit card) and water are available at the marina. A casual berth for a 12m yacht will cost you $45 a night, but book well ahead, especially during holiday periods. A key to the showers and toilets is available for a refundable deposit. Visit the website, click on ” waterfront facilities” and then “marina & moorings” for more details. Space-permitting, you are welcome to call in with your boat at the marina for a couple of hours to have a drink or a meal, but avoid Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are busy sail-training/ race days.

Cruising and racing

The club has strong cruising and racing divisions and operates a comprehensive sail-training program, including a youth development program that has fostered many champion sailors. The premier racing event is the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore Series.

Organised cruising activities range from short weekend trips within the Pittwater/Hawkesbury area through to major cruises to the Whitsundays and Lord Howe Island, an extended Christmas cruise and an overseas cruise every couple of years. There is a lot of excellent cruising and passage-planning info on the website and dozens of photos. The cruising division also gets together for a very popular social dinner once a month known as “First Friday”.

The history

The club was established “to promote the sport of yachting and boating.” The forerunner was The Mosquito Yacht Club, founded in Sydney in 1856. The name was later changed to the Prince Alfred Yacht Club to commemorate a visit by Prince Alfred to Sydney, and in August 1911 King George V gave the club permission to use the royal prefix.

In 1919 the committee decided that Sydney Harbour was becoming too congested for yacht racing and resolved to move to Pittwater. The first facilities on the current site were opened on December 17, 1938, and apart from World War II, the club has continued to grow and expand ever since.

Today the stated vision is: “Excellence in sailing and to provide a world-class yachting facility that attracts and involves members in the enjoyment of the sport and leisure activity that is sailing.”

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Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

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Newport New South Wales 2106

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About the business.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - RPAYC is a yacht racing and sailing club based on Pittwater. The yacht club offers year round inshore and offshore keelboat racing, cruising, centreboard dinghy racing, sail training and courses plus has a 342 vessel marina (visitors welcome) and hardstand facilities. There is also a modern boatyard with comprehensive marine services to help maintain your vessel. When not sailing members and guest can enjoy the waterside dining options of the club. …

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The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport NSW is a great place to have lunch or brekkie. The setting on the water allows for seeing sailboats of all kinds coming and going. The dining area can be opened up to the outside on nice days but still gets the sun when it's nippy. There's a gorgeous lounge room upstairs and a deck with seating. The "smoking room" harkens back to the day when this was a men's club so the historic photos and furnishings are fun to look at. There are at least three bars, not all open, and two enormous pool tables. We had a light lunch there consisting of avocado toast and house-made granola. The toast had generous slices of avocado, feta cheese, tomato slices and leaves that might have been basil. The granola was crunchy with strawberries and milk. Both of us enjoyed our choices.

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