Sloop Tavern Yacht Club upcoming events

Sailfest (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

SAILFEST (formerly TAKE YOUR TIME FRIDAYS) Fridays in June, July & August

Sailfest is a casual racing event hosted by the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club (STYC), CYC (Corinthian Yacht Club), and Seattle Sailing Club. Previously known as Take Your Time Fridays in June & July, SSC, CYC, and STYC have teamed up to bring the community 3 months of Sailfest!

Sailfest promotes a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. It is designed to be a relaxed and stress-free experience, whether individuals are new to racing and looking to get started or simply want to have fun on the water with other boats. Unlike traditional racing events, the event does not have a formal Race Committee. Instead, teams participating in the event are trusted to adhere to the honor system for the start.

After the on-the-water activities, the event continues ashore with a social gathering where participants can unwind, socialize, and enjoy food and beverages. This aspect of Sailfest further promotes a sense of camaraderie and provides an opportunity for sailors to connect and share their experiences.

What's new for 2026?

After Race Party Location: We will not have a formal after party this year, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to gather at the CYC bar after the race to brag and unwind.
Committee Boat: No committee boat will be on station for the start and finish. The start will be between the white rock on the breakwater and the N mark.

What's the same for 2026?

Radio Comms: We will be using VHF 69 for radio communications for these races.
Cut-off Time: 8:00pm
Course & Start: 6:45pm - one start. The course will be NMBN or NBMN (Start, Meadow Point, Ballard Sails Buoy, Finish - always starting upwind).

Sailing Rules:

All boats must maintain a safe distance of at least one boat length from other boats to avoid collision. This rule ensures the safety of all participants and emphasizes the importance of responsible boating.
This event encourages a positive and respectful environment and prohibits protesting or yelling. This rule fosters sportsmanship and encourages participants to focus on the enjoyment of sailing rather than competitive disputes.

Board Meeting (13 Aug 2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Single-Handed Race (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Welcome to truly introverted racing! This race is for singlehanded racers only beginning and ending off Shilshole. This is a reverse start race, with the boat with a PHRF-NW rating of 250 starting at 11:00am. The long course is around Spring Beach and West Point buoys, and the short course is around Meadow Point and West Point. There are separate divisions for flying sails and nonflying sails. Self-steering devices are welcome to join you, and you must wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and safety harness with a tether at all times while racing. Bring all your friends to join us at the Sloop Tavern afterwards for awards and socializing.

Return to race page

NEW: Langley Little Big Music Fest (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Langley's Little Big Music Festival
August 15-16

With our 2nd trip up to Langley this year we're introducing a NEW test event for August. Langley's Little Big Music Fest, the 6th annual Three-Day Music and Arts Festival at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center | August 14-16, 2026. It is 0.8 of a mile & a 15-20 min walk from the Marina. "Enjoy music, unique art, silent disco, delicious food and drink, healing zone, family zone, workshops, and so much more!".

Admission Tickets: 1-day $30 /pp

Featuring:

The best of local and regional musicians on 3 continual stages
Midnight silent disco
Artisan vendors
Food trucks
Two beer gardens
Enticing array of performers from fire dancers to modern dancers

With this event being the main attraction for this cruise no formal happy hour is currently being planned at the marina. However for those that choose not to attend the Music Festival we can arrange an impromptu happy hour. If you are interested in eating in town pls keep in mind it is Summer so get your Dinner reservations in Early (!!).

Langley Marina is changing protocol & would like us to resister here first but then go to DOCK WA & register for your individual marina spot there. I am holding 10 spaces. Please sign-up on the Waitlist too as these spots turn over more often than you think. You too could be going!

You are welcome to arrive on Friday if you wish. Regardless Please make sure every boat notes in the Comments section that you are part of the STYC August 15th cruise.

DockWA: https://dockwa.com/

Music Festival's Saturday Line-up: https://whidbeycamanoislands.com/event/little-big-fest/2026-08-14/

Festival Website/Buy Tickets: https://littlebigfest.org/products/littlebigfest-2026-passes

Saturday August 15

Scott Pemberton
McTuff
Hot Damn Scandal
Nathaniel Talbot Band
Ian George & the knee pockets
Shelby Natasha
Celia Farran
Ant Aesthetic

Ballard Cup Series III (17 Aug 2026)

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

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Join us for a six pack of Monday night races off Shilshole Marina, using fixed marks for a short course. The cutoff for this series is 8:30pm. We socialize and hand out awards afterwards at the Sloop Tavern each night. The series awards are handed out on the night after the last race of the series.

The last date to register for this event (without late fees) is July 17, 2024!!!

When you register, you register for all six races of this series.

Ballard Cup Championship Belt: The Charter of the Belt

J and J (23 Aug 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

J&J (RACE #3 IN THE TRIPLE SOUND SERIES)

The third and final race in the Triple Sound Series, J&J is a one day medium distance race that starts and ends at Shilshole. It was originally conceived of as a Jack and Jill race, but has "grown up" to be for one or two people, with no restrictions about gender. This can be a great race for one or two person cruising boats!

Skipper meeting will be online at 1900 on the Saturday before the race and awards will be at the Sloop Tavern following the race at 1900.

TRIPLE SOUND SERIES SPONSOR

Ballard Cup Series III (24 Aug 2026)

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

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The last date to register for this event (without late fees) is July 17, 2024!!!

When you register, you register for all six races of this series.

Ballard Cup Championship Belt: The Charter of the Belt

Ballard Cup Series III (31 Aug 2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

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The last date to register for this event (without late fees) is July 17, 2024!!!

When you register, you register for all six races of this series.

Ballard Cup Championship Belt: The Charter of the Belt

NEW: Longbranch South Sound Cruise (Labor Day) (5 Sep 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Registration to open soon..

N E W !!

Longbranch - South Sound

Labor Day Cruise

Sept 5-7

Come join us on this NEW 3 day STYC Labor Day Cruise destination to Longbranch Marina in South Sound. We will be journeying down over the holiday weekend to explore this area situated between and just west of McNeil & Anderson Islands. The marina is operated by a local volunteer community governed by the Longbranch Improvement Club started in 1921.

Located on Filucy Bay, the Marina is somewhat primitive but offers simply fabulous views of Mt Rainer, a covered pavilion, grill's, tables & chairs, corn hole games, allows a propane fire pit, electricity, honey bear port-a-potties, walking trails & good anchorage. That said, we will have slips at their dock. But please be aware we will not be the only group there.

Please provision accordingly as there are no local services. Please also check the below links

Guest Moorage is $1.25 ft - includes electric.

There is WiFi, Ice, Ice cream, power, potable water, trails, Olympia 1 hr away

NOTE: No shower, NO fires, no shops, only port-a-potty

Longbranch Marina Links: https://www.predictwind.com/marinas/united-states/washington/longbranch-improvement-club

https://www.licweb.org/marina

Register here: https://www.styc.org/event-6762776

Thank you and see you there!!

Kristina, STYC Cruise Chair

Board Meeting (10 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Women at the Helm 2 (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Sloop Tavern Yacht Club is excited to announce our 6th Annual Women at the Helm Race Series. The second in the series is the Women at the Helm Regatta, a typical buoy race with the goal of completing up to three short races in the vicinity of West Point and Spring Beach.

What makes Women at the Helm different than our other races? This series specifically requires an eligible person (please see NOR below for details) to helm through the whole race. This doesn't mean only one person can helm; in fact, we encourage crews with several eligible helmspeople to rotate through who is at the helm!

Everyone who races will receive one raffle ticket and additional tickets will be given to those who helmed, if it's your first time helming a race, and if your whole crew consists of qualifying helmspeople! Tickets will be passed out at the awards and after-party on the marina plaza after the race. Thank you to those who have sponsored our event so far, including Maiven Sailing, Ballard Sails, Seattle Marine Canvas, Backstay Logbooks, Rough & Tumble Pub, Fisheries Supply, and CSR Marine! **UPDATE: Join us on the marina plaza at 6:00 PM (the day's racing permitting) for the after-party with snacks and drinks! The awards will be announced at 6:30 PM and we will have the raffle right after awards!**

We are also excited to announce that once again we are planning a pre-race social the night before the race at Rough & Tumble Pub, to coincide with the skippers meeting. Come hang out starting at 5:30 PM and grab some snacks and drinks with your fellow racers prior to the skippers meeting at 7:00 PM! Note, we will still have the virtual skippers meeting running for those unable to attend in person.

Race entry is free for STYC members and $35 for non-members.

Fall Regatta (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Fall Regatta is an annual STYC event that features up to three races in one day, each with a 2.5 hour time limit, during a time of year that the wind commonly allows for some exciting and dynamic courses.

Race Your House (20 Sep 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Join us for the Annual STYC Race Your House event on September 13!

Check the race page for more information! Race Your House

Board Meeting (8 Oct 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

NEW: Everett Marina Fall Cruise (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Registration to open Mid-Sept.....

Everett Marina Fall Cruise

Oct 17/18

Everett Marina Webpage: https://cms9.revize.com/revize/everett/marina/rendezvous___events.php

Great Pumpkin Race (31 Oct 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Calling All Spooky Slooper Troopers!

2025's Great Pumpkin Race is almost upon us. We've made some calls and asked the Great Pumpkin to bring us wind for the now penultimate race in our season. Check out the SI's on the website for more information. We can't wait to see you out there squashing the competition!

Your event coordinators have put together a fun event this year, "an" amount of candy and possibly some additional treats. We hope you can carve out some time to join us.

In case you don't podium in this race, there is an extra chance to satiate your Halloween gourd. We invite crew to join the costume contest with a special prizes going to the boats with:

The Best Boat Crew Costumes
Scariest Costume
"Sloopiest" Slooper for the individual who really squashes the rest of the competition

Please Join us for awards and celebration. Time and location TBD.

Skipper's Meeting will be held on Friday, October 17th at the Fall Membership/Volunteer Appreciation Party held at Salmon Bay Eagles. An online option will be available.

See you all on the water!

Board Meeting (12 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:00:00 GMT

2026 Cruising Bingo (5 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Take a photo of yourself and/or your crew and/or your boat(s) at the location and email it to reciprocal@styc.org. Please be aware that photos may be used to promote the Sloop Tavern Yacht club!

If you're shy a photo or screenshot of your chartplotter is also okay.

If you use social media, please post and tag with #STYC

Instructions:

Travel to five destinations in a row/column/diagonal and take photo evidence you were there to make bingo! Remember to take advantage of our excellent reciprocal moorage program.
If you complete a single bingo, you can continue to complete additional bingos on the same card or request a more difficult card for an additional challenge.
Volunteer! STYC is an all volunteer club. Email volunteer@styc.org for great opportunities including:
- PRO
- Party Helper
- Committee Boat
- Appointed Board Position
- Elected Board Member
STYC Social Events include Spring & Fall Membership Parties, Volunteer Appreciation Party

Notes:

All STYC Cruise Registrants and their guests are expected to adhere to STYC Community Guidelines during the event, and follow proper reciprocal etiquette
Many reciprocals require you to fly your club burgee, some require you to present your member card.
Not all bingo locations are suitable for all boats - you are always responsible for safe operation of your vessel
Cruising Bingo is free to participate, but does not include moorage costs, and reciprocal requirements vary.
Some STYC organized cruises may have additional costs that are optional based on the activity.
No need to actually use reciprocal moorage at the locations - we're just highlighting our Reciprocal program. Just be sure and and get to the location and get some evidence.
Travel by boat is expected except to Sloop on land social events like the Volunteer Appreciation party.

Awards will be presented at the Holiday Party after our final cruise of the year, the Kingston Dark & Stormy

Board Meeting (10 Dec 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Kingston Christmas Lights Cruise (12 Dec 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Register in early November.....

Kingston Marina Christmas Lights Cruise

December 12th