Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • Yes. 

    We have started to offer Hobie training courses. Please see our Instagram for upcoming courses.

    If you’ve no sailing experience at all, we recommend some training at Hong Kong’s excellent Government Sail Training Centres or directly with the HKSF at Little Palm Beach in Clearwater Bay (and of course the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Aberdeen Boat Club).

    Please visit our Sailing Courses page under the Resources tab for further information.

    If you already know the basics of sailing, or have just finished a beginner’s course, the club is an excellent place to improve your skills and have fun on the water. You can begin by crewing on someone else’s boat. Or better still buy your own (whether brand new or one of the second-hand boats advertised on the Classifieds page of this site, or on Lantau Boat Club’s website).

    There are always sailors around who will be happy to share tips and answer questions. The club also arranges informal training days from time to time.

  • Saturdays, Sunday and public holidays. On these days, the speedboat shuttle service runs from 9:30 am through to 6:00 pm (6:30 pm in summer).

    Members are free to sail on other days but must make their own way to the club and be aware that there is no club speedboat rescue service. Get into difficulties and you’ll have to call the Marine Police!

    For those who want to go sailing mid-week, we keep a key to the clubhouse in a locked box: call our Club Secretary for the combination.

JOINING / BRINGING A BOAT TO THE BEACH

  • It depends on what space is available on the beach.

    The club policy favours Formula 16 & 18 beach catamarans on our beach for two reasons: First, the club wants to promote class racing, and we don’t have the beach area to accommodate numerous types of boat. Second, we are the local Class Association for Hobies (Fleet 179 of the 600+ around the world!), and therefore guardians of the Hobie Way of Life in HK.

    However, we do want to encourage all kinds of sailing. If you own another type or brand of boat and wish to store it at our club, please communicate your interest. If space allows, the committee will do its best to find a home for your vessel.

FINANCES

  • The cost of a new boat depends on the current Aussie dollar value (Hobie 16s) or Euro (Wildcats) and which accessories (beach wheels, cover etc.) are included. A new Hobie 16 costs around HK$90,000; an F18 Wildcat around HK$225,000. Check with Tong Shing at Bluefin Sea Sports (Tel: 6337 2267, info@bluefin.com.hk or visit:  www.bluefin.com.hk).

    There’s a healthy second-hand market too, with prices going up and down according to supply and demand. See the Classifieds page for the latest listings.

  • Saturdays, Sunday and public holidays. On these days, the speedboat shuttle service runs from 9:30 am through to 6:00 pm (6:30 pm in summer).

    Members are free to sail on other days but must make their own way to the club and be aware that there is no club speedboat rescue service. Get into difficulties and you’ll have to call the Marine Police!

    For those who want to go sailing mid-week, we keep a key to the clubhouse in a locked box: call our Club Secretary for the combination.

  • Have a look at the Club Membership section of the site.

  • The main items are the speedboat (fuel is an ever increasing expense), staff (one coxswain and a club secretary) and utility bills, etc. A portion of the joining fees are put aside for our club renovation fund.

    If you want to know more, please ask a committee member – the AGM is the formal place to do this. If you want to influence things, why not volunteer for the committee yourself?

  • The club introduced autopay (direct debit) payment in 2007 to simplify collecting monthly fees and any extra payments (e.g. for guest day passes, regatta entry fees etc.).

    Existing members have (almost) all transferred to autopay (if you are still paying by standing order please make the change today – and enjoy your discounted monthly subs). New members must complete autopay forms when they apply to join the club.

GUESTS

  • Of course! A sail followed by a barbecue with friends on a friendly, sandy beach – life doesn’t get better. We do have a few important guest rules though:

    You must accompany your guests on the speedboat over to the club, and sign them in on the speedboat log. You’ll be charged a modest HK$60 per adult and $30 per child aged 5-12 years old – this contributes to fuel for the speedboats (a major club expense).

    Please ensure your guests behave responsibly, and don’t inconvenience other members or damage club property (let kids bounce on your trampoline, not anyone else’s!)

    Lastly, remember that friends may not be experienced sailors. So do look out for them. Teach them to keep clear of swinging booms both on the water and the beach. Carefully assess wind conditions before sailing and make sure everyone wears a buoyancy aid, even if they’re strong swimmers.

    Your guests are welcome at the club. But once they’ve come four or more times, please encourage them to become paying members.

    Thanks in advance, and wishing you and your friends heaps of Hobie fun!

SPEEDBOAT RENTAL

    1. Yes, but only full/ family members can book the boat. They must make a request through the club committee or secretary 2 weeks in advance.

    2. One booking session is for a half-day, either am or pm. Two sessions is considered as one full-day.

      1. AM session: 9am-1pm

      2. PM session 2pm-6pm

    3. The committee will estimate the cost for each rental based on the destination and distance covered.

    4. The club reserves the right to cancel any bookings due to club emergencies or adverse weather conditions.

    Boat rental includes the coxswain.