Opening Hours – Tue-Sat from 11.30am-late – Sun from 11.30am-4pm
Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS) is the original home of the famous Sydney Harbour sailing skiff class, the 18-footers. The Sydney Flying Squadron Yacht Club was founded by Mark Foy in 1891. He promoted a vision of open boat sailing with broad popular appeal for spectators and open to all sailors, regardless of financial background. In doing so, he challenged the gentlemanly sailing conventions of the day, particularly by having coloured sails and prize money!
A fleet of replica boats from early 1900s up to the 1940s race each Saturday from October through to Easter each year. They are built and sailed using skills no longer practiced. These boats provide an insight into how sailing used to be almost a century ago.
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----Amalgamation
The amalgamation between SFS and the Australian 18 Footers League is still under consideration and will be put to a members vote at some point. The case for and against the merger is put below.
The Board has prepared a document in favour of the amalgamation.
“Friends of the Squaddie” provided a document to the Board opposing the amalgamation on 12-Feb-2024.
Other Related Websites
The Open Boat – Celebrating the 18-footers and all open boats. Lots of history, yarns and pictures.
Historic Skiffs – The home of the Australian Historical Skiff Sailing Association.
Countdown to Next Race
New on the Website
Welcome to Australia’s oldest open boat sailing club
The Sydney Flying Squadron today still enshrines much of Foy’s vision. The Historic 18-Footers race with coloured insignia to enable spectators to distinguish each skiff in following the races. They sail courses in view of a ferry of onlookers following the race, and a timed handicap start enables a thrilling, first-over-the-line finish for the ferry patrons. These unique wooden boats keep alive the skills and excitement of boats you would normally only see in a museum.
From early October to Easter, the SFS sails the Historic 18-foot skiffs on Saturdays. The Club also hosts other open boat or skiff classes, such as the 12 footers. A dedicated spectator ferry runs on Saturdays during the sailing season, providing a magnificent harbour cruise while following the 18-footers’ racing. It is easily the best value, and most visually exciting cruise on our magnificent harbour!
Situated at the end of Careening Cove, Kirribilli, the Sydney Flying Squadron clubhouse enjoys spectacular water views and is situated next to Milsons Park which provides a large grassy rigging area. It is a great sight on Saturday mornings in summer, when the Historic 18-footers are rigged on the lawn, before launching down the ramp next to the Club for the afternoons’ racing.
Facilities include a boatshed, wharf, balcony, bar and the stunningly refurbished Foy’s Kirribilli Restaurant – the perfect location for all your social events. A café operates on the lower deck, accessed from Milsons Park.
Membership is open to sailing and social members and offers the best value of all amongst Sydney Sailing Clubs. The location cannot be bettered.
See you there!
Ahoy!
Renewals are now open for 23/24. Beyond access to our historic Club, Membership gets you:
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$50 food and beverage birthday voucher
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10% off across the menu*
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Discounted merchandise and ferry tickets
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Exclusive member events throughout the year