Small Boat Racing Facilities
The Hampton Yacht Club is located on Hampton Creek, near historic downtown Hampton, Virginia. The main clubhouse has an air-conditioned, full-service bar & grill and showers. The Tom Brady Sailing Center on club grounds has a classroom, and restrooms and showers for competitors.
Launching In 2004, HYC completely renovated the floating docks, hoist launching facilities, and bulkhead. The new hoists accommodate larger vessels and pierside floating docks make launching easier for everyone. Larger dinghies (such as Hamptons and Lightnings) are launched from one of two electric hoists mounted on the bulkhead near the Sailing Center. Other dinghies (505s, Lasers, Vanguards) and junior boats (Optimists, 420s) are launched from the hardtop and floating docks adjacent to the main clubhouse and dock. J-22 and J-24 owners launch from the large electric hoists at the described above.
Racing The racing venue is in Hampton Roads. The starting area is typically about a 1 1/2 mile sail from the clubhouse in an area known as Hampton Flats, which was the sight of the famous Civil War naval battle between the Monitor and Merrimac on March 9, 1862, also known as the Battle of the Ironclads. Typical race conditions are 6-12 knots from the southwest and current, generally under 1 1/2 knots.
Parking Ample parking is available for most regatta events; however, racers should be prepared to follow the instructions of regatta organizers upon arrival. Specific instructions for separating cars and boats, storing trailers after launch, and parking non-member cars will be provided and strictly enforced. Beware of overhead power lines when entering or exiting the parking lots.
Launching Spectator Boats The club does not have a boat ramp for launching spectator boats. Boats with appropriate lifting harnesses can be launched from one of the two hoists with permission from the club manager. Public boat ramps with easy access to the racing venue include: Sunset Boat Ramp and Anderson Park/Peterson Yacht Basin. Spectators on land may enjoy the view from the Monitor-Merrimac Overlook at Anderson Park, or anywhere along Chesapeake Avenue in Hampton.
Accommodations
Housing Regatta housing is typically made available through the generosity of HYC members. Please contact Leigh Chapman at (757) 726-9640 well in advance of a regatta in which you plan to participate. Every effort will be made to accommodate sailors at members' homes, but for obvious reasons, the availability of member housing cannot be guaranteed.
Camping Local campgrounds include Gosnold’s Hope Park ((757) 850-5116) about 5 miles from the club, and Newport News Park ((757) 886-7912). Both of these facilities are city parks; therefore, camping arrangements must be made during business hours.
Hotels/motels There is a long list of hotels and motels in the Hampton area. Note: The Strawberry Banks Motor Inn and The Chamberlin Hotel are no longer in operation. Some perennial favorites include:
• Courtyard by Marriott near I-64 (757) 838-3300
• Fairfield Inn near I-64 (757) 827-7400
• Hampton Inn near I-64 (757) 838-8484
• Holiday Inn near I-64 (757) 838-0200
• Quality Inn near I-64 (757) 838-5011
Directions from Nearest Major Highway
From I-64 West Take the 2nd exit after the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, the Woodland Rd exit (Exit #267). At the bottom of the exit ramp, take a left on Settler's Landing Rd. Cross the bridge over Hampton Creek, travel past Air & Space Museum on the left, turn left at Bridge Street. Go about 1/2 mile, the Hampton Yacht Club will on the left, behind the big cannon.
From I-64 East Take the Hampton University/Settler's Landing Rd exit (Exit #267). At the bottom of the exit ramp, take a right on Settler's Landing Rd. Cross the bridge over Hampton Creek, travel past Air & Space Museum on the left, turn left at Bridge Street. Go about 1/2 mile, the Hampton Yacht Club will on the left, behind the big cannon.
Area Attractions
The Hampton Yacht Club is located in downtown Hampton, a short walk from the Virginia Air & Space Center, numerous shops, and a large selection of restaurants and bars. The links and phone numbers below provide a variety of activities for landlubbers and old salts alike! Most of these activities are within a 30-minute drive of the yacht club.
Hampton History Museum
Downtown Hampton
120 Old Hampton Lane
800/800-2202 or 757/727-1102
120 Old Hampton Lane
800/800-2202 or 757/727-1102
NEW! The museum’s ten galleries share Hampton’s history from its early occupation by the Kecoughtan Tribe through the 20th-century. A changing gallery is located on museum’s second floor. Home to the Hampton Visitor Center and gift shop. Open Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm; Closed Sunday. Fee $5 adults, $4 active military, active NASA & Senior citizens and $3 children and group tours.
Hampton Waterfront Parks, including Buckroe Beach, Fort Wool, and Blue Bird Gap Farm
Fort Monroe, Casemate Museum (757) 727-3391 Hours: Daily, 10:30am - 4:30pm
The Casemate Museum was established in 1951 to display the prison cell where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was confined in 1865. The museum's mission has since been expanded to depict the history of Fort Monroe and Old Point Comfort, with special emphasis on the Civil War period. The exhibit area includes many displays of uniforms, weapons, photographs, drawings by Frederick Remington and R.F. Zogbaum, and other items relating to the war (including the 49,000-pound Lincoln Gun which overlooks the parade field). There is no admission charge.
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