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.
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.
H.B.
08 Aug 2025
Topeka, Forbes Field
85°F - Fair
Coming Events
Group Sailing
Sundays, 2:00pm-5:30pm
- 10/26, Last Sun Group Sailing, 2:30pm-5:30pm, SYC
- 11/01, Fall Work Party , 11:00 am, SYC
- 12/1, Boatyard Closed for Season, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Common Situations That Will Happen Many Times Each Race
You are beating up the right side of the lake on port tack. Tony is beating up the left side of the lake, also on port tack, but he is pointing higher than you.
You:
a) curse your bad luck
b) hope the wind will soon change in your favor
c) hope Tony tips over
d) tack
Similar situation but you are pointing higher than Tony.
You:
a) congratulate yourself on being so smart
b) hope this lasts
c) hope Tony doesn't notice
d) tack
The answer in the first case is d) tack. Tony is making out on you to the tune of maybe one boat length in five sailed. You best cut your loss and go get in Tony's wind.
The answer in the second case is c) hope Tony doesn't notice. If he does notice, he will tack and then he will be gaining the one length in five mentioned above.
You have got to watch the angles you and your competitors are sailing.
Somebody is ALWAYS gaining and someone is ALWAYS losing.
It is a game of distance, not speed.
Two boats are crossing on opposite tacks. One of you is going the correct way and the other IS NOT. This is always true.
Who is going the correct way?
a) Tony
b) whoever is pointing closest to the mark.
In the third case, the boat pointing closest to the mark is 1) closing the distance to the mark for an equivalent time sailed, and 2) is less effected by any change in wind direction.
Sailing is a geometry game.