Halloween Yacht Club Activities & Events

We have an active program of activities both on and off the water:

Off the water, our Club sponsors a Winter Education Workshop program for members on such subjects as seamanship, engine maintenance, and boating safety. Informal seminars and workshops are conducted about every 3-4 weeks, usually on a Saturday morning or Sunday evening.

We also co-sponsor with the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary a "young skippers" education program each Spring. In Connecticut, youngsters under the age of 18 who operate a power boat with no adult on board are required to have a proficiency license. The course that we co-sponsor with the USCG Auxiliary prepares youngsters for the licensing examination.

We also co-sponsor educational programs with the Stamford Chapter of the U. S. Power Squadron, programs such as the "skipper saver" course that teaches emergency procedures to spouses and other adults who are on board when a skipper is suddenly disabled.

During the boating season we sponsor picnics and clambakes on our grounds, as well as parties such as "Welcome Aboard" parties for new members, parties and receptions at appropriate holidays, and festive Opening Day and Club Commissioning Ceremonies. Many of these activities are free; the others are nominally priced.

On the water, our Club sponsors an active cruising and sail racing program. For years we have been conducting annual one-week and two-week cruises to the East, as far as Newport, Block Island, Nantucket, Cape Cod, Boston and the Maine coast.

In 1986 we began a series of holiday week-end "mini-cruises" to such local ports as Port Jefferson, City Island and Manhasset Bay. Our Club has cruising reciprocity and enjoys the hospitality of most of the other yacht clubs in Long Island Sound (as well as dozens of Clubs elsewhere).

As for sail racing, for many years we sponsored one race per year. Then, in 1980, we initiated a Thursday Evening Twilight Racing Series to encourage low-key family racing. Over the years this program has grown; last year, 35 yachts participated. The racing begins at twilight. After each race, skippers and crew return to the Club to obtain refreshments and results. Also, the winners explain how they won and the losers can be depended upon to provide lessons for learning and application next week. Twilight racing extends all Summer long, from mid-May to early September.

Also, we continue to sponsor other individual races on Saturdays or Sundays during the season, and we also co-sponsor an annual regatta with the Stamford Power Squadron.

In 1986 we inaugurated the annual Mayor's Cup Race, which we co-sponsor with the City of Stamford. The objectives of this event, now considered a fixture in Stamford's recreational program, are to enhance the relationship between our Club and the City, and to call the community's attention to the beauty and resource of our waterfront on Long Island Sound. The annual race for the Mayor's Cup is held each year on the second Sunday in June.

In 1987, for the first time, our Club had an official entry (three yachts and an alternate) in the Marion-to-Bermuda Race. Counting captains, crews and ferry crews for the return voyage, 41 Club members participated in this event.

Our Club members include some of the most active and successful fishermen on Long Island Sound -- and thus our annual Fishing Derby. Awards are given following the season-long competition.

Our Activities include promotion of local fishing derbies, family sailing, sail racing, regattas and cruises. We also conduct educational programs on such subjects as boating safety, first aid, and seamanship. We have an active social program that includes clam bakes, parties, receptions, dinners/dances, and holiday celebrations.

We publish a monthly newsletter.

Membership in our club is open to all. However, our berthing facilities are limited to residents of Stamford and are assigned on a membership-seniority basis. There is a waiting list for summer berth space, however win. Each of the 134 boats permanently berthed at our Club must carry Stamford as its hailing port and must be registered in Connecticut by a bona fide Stamford resident.

In addition to the Club Calendar we have Special Events like The Mayor's Cup

Although we can be described as a "municipal yacht club," our Club operates at no expense to the City. In fact, our grounds are considered park land and are leased from the City. We pay rent equivalent to taxes based on 100% of the assessed value, related to the value of surrounding residential and commercial property.

The HYC Lagoon

The Halloween Yacht Club is the only tidal basin in Stamford that is open to all Stamford residences with craft up to 35 feet and features floating docks

In addition to the floating docks, the Halloween Yacht Club has a fully equipped Clubhouse that is available  for club functions, to meet your fellow club members and is available for member's use  at  nominal cost.