OUR FLEET

We offer sailing for all abilities, from junior and adult learn to sail, to racing for experienced sailors. We also have a wide range of classes and fleets. From the junior Optimist class through to the fast paced Paper Tiger catamaran. Check out all the classes and fleets that sail at the club below, maybe one of them is a perfect fit for you?

OPTIMIST

The Optimist is one of the most popular classes in the world. Sailed by juniors under the age of fifteen, the Optimist is a great class to learn and develop in. The club has three Optimist fleets, Learn to race / rainbow fleet, Green fleet (for more experienced beginners), and the Open fleet for the experienced sailors. During the season, the Optimist fleets are sailed on Saturday mornings. Many of New Zealand's best sailors started out in the Optimist. Could you be the next Alex Maloney or Peter Burling?

STARLING

The Starling is a class sailed by New Zealand teenagers after Optimist class. The larger sail area and sharp bow allow the Starling to go faster and slice through the waves. The Starling is sailed in the mornings along with the Optimist fleets.

420

The 420 is used for both adult learn to sail and racing. The 420 is sailed on Saturday afternoons in the senior fleet. Thanks to Taranaki Youth Sail, the club has seven 420's which are used by the members on Saturdays. 

LASER

The Laser is an Olympic class. Lasers have different sized sails and masts depending on a sailors experience and size. Radial sails are smaller which makes the Laser easier to manage in a heavy breeze. Full sails are bigger and allows the Laser to go faster.

PAPER TIGER

New Plymouth has one of the biggest Paper Tiger fleets in New Zealand. The Paper Tiger is a competitive, fast paced catamaran which flies around the race course. The Paper Tiger fleet is very social outside of the club and have a great time at the annual National Paper Tiger Regatta.

HARTLEY 16

The Hartley 16 has two sailors, the Skipper and the Crew. The Skipper helms the boat and controls the main sail while the Crew controls the jib. The New Plymouth Yacht Club has one of the biggest Hartley 16 fleets in New Zealand, and the fleet are often going to regional and national regattas all over the North Island.  

NOELEX 22

The Noelex 22 is a trailer class sailed in the senior fleet. These yachts are typically launched from the boat ramp at the Lee breakwater. It is one of the few classes at the New Plymouth Yacht Club that has the large spinnaker sail to take it downwind.