Shawnee Yacht Club - SYC

Photo 22 by Berne Ketchum, Dave Johnson, Thad Allton (maybe a couple of others)

John Grady Jul '82

Welcome to Shawnee Yacht Club

Since 1941, SYC has promoted sailing on Lake Shawnee for the recreational benefit of the local community. In addition to the opportunity to sail on beautiful Lake Shawnee, the club provides: free sailing lessons for those new to the sport, sailboats for members to use, a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp, several docks (provided by Parks and Rec), a storage shed for equipment, sailing activities, racing, and social gatherings.

Questions? - Come Join Us

Current News

Five-Year Master Plan

26 Aug 2025

SYC has presented Parks and Recreation with a new Five-Year Master Plan for 2025 to improve our sailing facilities. It is intended to be a good balance of what we are both looking for and a path forward to a successful future for all of us. We hope to be meeting with P+R staff for their support in moving forward with individual items in the plan. SYC's costs for some of these improvements will be substantial. Please consider making a contribution to help us with these facility improvements.

Comments?

H.B.

08 Aug 2025

H.B. Marshall, who cherished his decades of sailing at SYC, passed away on July 27, 2025. H.B. loved to tell stories, often reminiscing about his years with friends at SYC.

Obituary

Topeka, Forbes Field

63°F - Overcast

Wind

ENE 3 mph

Humidity

93%

10:53 PM

Coming Events

Group Sailing
Sundays, 2:00pm-5:30pm

10/25, Fall Work Party , 11:00 am, SYC
10/26, Last Sun Group Sailing, 2:30pm-5:30pm, SYC
11/01, Fall Work Party Backup, 11:00 am, SYC
12/1, Boatyard Closed for Season, SYC

SYC on Facebook

Shawnee Yacht Club - Topeka, Kansas

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Mark's Racing Blog

Why you should sail the tack pointing closer to the mark

Theoretically it is the same distance from A to the mark But after four minutes the boat sailing the tack pointing closer to the mark actually is closer. When the wind shifts (not IF) our boat sailing away from the mark is stuck in left field while the boat that sailed the close tack has magically moved way up. She may look faster but it was geometry. Keep your bow on the tack pointing closer to the mark.