Welcome to the Axe Yacht Club

The Club was formed in 1936 as the Seaton Sailing & Motor Boat Club. Renamed Axe Yacht Club shortly after WWII, the Club now has over 900 members.

Axmouth Harbour

The Club’s objective is to promote & facilitate a range of water sports, whilst enjoying & preserving the beautiful Axmouth Harbour.

Axmouth Harbour

The large modern clubhouse is situated in a stunning location overlooking Lyme Bay. Activities on the water are supported by a full programme of social events.

Sailing at AYC

If you are interested in sailing, whether racing or just pottering, there is something for everyone at AYC.

Cruiser Sailing

Cruising is a very popular Club activity……..

Cruiser Sailing

……..with AYC yachts being regular visitors to other ports along the south coast, across the Channel, and further afield.

Cruiser Sailing

AYC rally to Dartmouth.

Cruiser Sailing

For those keen to race as well as cruise, there is a programme of bay races. Neighbouring clubs are invited to take part in the annual Axe Regatta.

Brown Sail Fleet

Cornish Shrimpers, Drascombe Luggers, Devon Yawls & Beer Luggers are amongst the ‘brown sail’ dayboats which sail in the bay.

Dinghy Sailing

Dinghy sailors launch from the beach in front of the clubhouse to sail in Lyme Bay and are also able to enjoy the more sheltered surroundings of the River Axe & Axmouth Harbour.

Dinghy Sailing in Lyme Bay

Dinghy Sailing in Lyme Bay

Dinghy Sailing

The Club provides the opportunity for members of all ages to try dinghy sailing with more experienced sailors. Dinghies suitable for adults & older teenagers were purchased thanks to a Sport England grant.

Dinghy Sailing on the River Axe

River races are held during the evening, to coincide with spring tides, from May to October and the series is open to all classes of dinghy.

Dinghy Sailing on the River Axe

There are also individual cup races on the river – the Round the Island Race, the Shower Flow Race…..

Dinghy Sailing in Axmouth Harbour

…and the Harbour Race.

Axe One Design Fleet

The Axe One Design (AOD) is a traditional 12 foot clinker built Bermudan rigged dinghy which was designed specifically for members of the AYC in 1951. There are currently 9 AODs in the fleet.

Motorboating

Motor boaters at AYC have a wide variety of craft and enjoy a range of activities including angling, power-boating, scuba diving & water ski-ing.

Motorboating

Some are moored on the pontoons during the season, whilst others use the slipway for launch and retrieval.

Cruising by Motorboat

Some of the larger motor boats venture along the south coast, across the channel and further afield, often meeting up with sailors from the Axe.

Fishing

Lyme Bay offers a variety of fishing opportunities for the boat angler. The many wrecks offshore offer excellent fishing for bass, pollack and cod……

Fishing

…….whilst plaice and mackerel can be caught within several hundred yards of the beach.

Fishing

Black bream, cod, pollack, conger eels, dogfish and huss inhabit the reefs.

Pontoon moorings

The Club maintains around 100 pontoon moorings in Axmouth Harbour for members’ use from April to October. There is a waiting list.

Volunteering at AYC

Members are involved in all aspects of running the club. Facilities are maintained by the members for the members. We are definitely NOT a marina!

Families at AYC

Whether your interest is sailing or motorboating, we aim to encourage the whole family to get out on the water and have fun.

Family Membership

Family membership is available for one or two co-habiting adults & their children under the age of 18 years.

Cadet Membership

A child 7-17 years may apply to join as a cadet member in association with an adult member of their immediate family or as part of a family membership.

Cadet Membership

There are currently over 100 cadet members.

Young Person Membership

Young people aged 18-25 years enjoy a discounted membership.

Cadet Week

A Cadet Activity Week, run by parents & other volunteers, is held during the summer holidays.

Cadet Week - Pirate Day

RYA Training

The Club is a recognised training centre for RYA shore based courses including Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster, Diesel Engine, First Aid and VHF Radio.

RYA Training

RYA powerboat courses (powerboat levels 1 & 2 and safety boat courses) have been run at AYC since 2015 and the Club has more recently been approved as a recognised training centre for dinghy sailing.

Jubilee Parade of Boats

The Parade of Boats for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 demonstrated the diverse range of boats that AYC members enjoy.

Jubilee Parade of Boats

Jubilee Parade of Boats

Jubilee Parade of Boats

Axmouth Harbour