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Montrose Bay Yacht Club is a family-friendly dinghy sailing club. We have training & club boats available, with no experience necessary. Sailing is offered for everyone, 8 years & up.

The club also boasts a large multi-purpose space and a function area. For any venue booking enquiries, please contact "MontroseBay.Bookings@gmail.com"


The Story of Montrose Bay Yacht Club

The Montrose Bay Yacht Club has been part of Tasmania’s sailing community since 1951, when seven passionate locals came together with the help of a £25 grant from the Austins Ferry Yacht Club. From these modest beginnings, the club quickly became a welcoming home for sailors of all ages and abilities.

a boy and his dog enjoy a sail in the 1960s with the clubrooms in the background, and the original alarm clock and timber start post from The Grove

"A boy and his dog enjoying a sail in the 1960s with the clubrooms in the background,
and a part of the original starting post from The Grove."

The very first fleet consisted of just twelve yachts—a colourful mix of cadet dinghies, clinker dinghies, a small cabin cruiser, and even an oversized moth built by Vern Lamprey. Early races were launched from the Grove Pier at the Grove Reserve, where an alarm clock served as the official starting signal. From the very beginning, the club was driven by enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and a passion for the water.

By 1955, members had secured and refurbished an old army hut to serve as their first clubrooms. That same year, the club adopted class racing, initially with the Moth class and later expanding to include Sabots, International Cadets, Rainbows, and Mirrors. Of these, the Moths, Sabots, and Mirrors became the true favourites, drawing in keen young sailors and fostering a strong racing spirit.

The 1960s marked the start of national recognition. Montrose Bay proudly hosted the Australian Moth Championship in 1960, and again in 1966 before welcoming Sabot and Mirror national titles in later years. By 1970, the club had grown to more than 240 members, with an incredible 80% being juniors—a reflection of the club’s dedication to introducing children to sailing.

Boats competing in the 1960 Moth Nationals with Mount Wellington in the background

"Boats competing in the 1960 Australian Moth Championships"
Photo courtesy of Richard Gibson and Darryl Ridgeway

To meet this growth, new clubrooms opened in 1970, complete with modern equipment, a parquetry dance floor, and a function space that became a popular venue for weddings and community events. These new facilities blended beautifully with the foreshore, making the club a true hub for both sailing and social life in Glenorchy.

The 1970s and 80s were a golden era for the club on the water. Montrose Bay hosted numerous national titles, with the Mirror class emerging as the most popular fleet. Under the guidance of Commodore Norm Deane, the club fostered a culture of cooperation and knowledge-sharing that propelled many members to success. Local sailor Michael Adams claimed the Mirror Nationals in 1980, while fellow members Tom Fowler and Nick Rogers went on to win multiple national titles. Rogers would later make his mark on the world stage, winning the World Dragon Championship and securing eight national Dragon titles.

Members of the MBYC taking part in a race including Dr Flaherty in Witchdoctor (15905), Frank eAton (30540), Heather Atrill (30310), and Jeff Hardman, right.

Members of the Montrose Bay Yacht Club are taking part in a race on the Derwent River. 
Including Dr Flaherty in Witchdoctor (15905), Frank Eaton (30540),
Heather Atrill (30310) and Jeff Hardman, right.

Although membership numbers eventually declined from their peak, the spirit of the Montrose Bay Yacht Club has never wavered. Today, the club continues to provide a friendly, welcoming environment where people can enjoy sailing at a low cost. As an Australian Sailing Affiliated Club, it regularly runs courses in club boats, ensuring that new generations of sailors can discover the joy of being out on the water.

From alarm clocks on the Grove Pier to world championship titles, the Montrose Bay Yacht Club’s story is one of passion, community, and a lifelong love of sailing.


Club Highlights

  • 1951 – Club founded with a £25 grant from Austins Ferry Yacht Club.

  • 1955 – Old army hut converted into the first clubrooms; Moth class racing begins.

  • 1960 & 1966 – Hosts Australian Moth Championships.

  • 1970 – Membership peaks at 240 (80% juniors); new clubrooms opened.

  • 1970s–80s – Hosts multiple national championships in Sabots, Moths, and Mirrors.

  • 1980 – Michael Adams wins the Mirror Nationals at Montrose Bay.

  • Ongoing – Home to national and world champions, including Nick Rogers (World Dragon Champion).

  • Today – An Australian Sailing Affiliated Club, dedicated to making sailing accessible to all.