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About the Vanguard Sailing Club of Workington
History
- The club is RYA affiliated and has been at Workington since the 1960s and was established with the aim of making sailing affordable for working men and women. The club provides access to sailing and boating in the beautiful but demanding Solway Firth.
- The club has fore and aft moorings in a sheltered basin for yachts up to 33ft and has its own slipway for launching various types of craft including small fishing boats. All boats moored, or launching from the slipway, must be insured and registered with the Port of Workington https://www.portofworkington.co.uk/
- There is a club building on land next to the mooring and slipway used by members to store dinghies and there is also a workshop, small kitchen and toilet. The moorings are tidal with roughly 2½ hours either side of high tide to access the moorings. The slipway is also accessible for the same time period.
- The outer harbour is accessible at all stages of the tide, but care has to be taken to keep out of the way of commercial traffic.
- There is a wealth of information about the club on this website including details of how to join us, we also have an active FaceBook page .
- Visitor berthing - unfortunately there is no visitor berthing available at Vanguard Sailing Club. Yachts visiting the area the area are recommended to berth at Maryport Marina https://www.maryportmarina.co.uk/visitor-booking
Boats and Bits For Sale
Sadler 29 for sale £10,500.
Built in 1986 by Sadler Yachts in Poole. Vega is a well-loved Sadler 29 with bilge keels, allowing it to enter shallower spots and to dry out. The Sadler 29 is a well-proven and exceptionally seaworthy family cruiser with impeccable manners and crisp performance. Vega has been our boat since 2017, where we have used it for day sailing, coastal cruising and some club racing. Its previous owner was more adventurous and sailed her to St Kilda, such is the versatility of this boat. She is a great boat, easy to sail and very re-assuring.
Vega is located at Solway Yacht Club in Dumfries and Galloway allowing easy viewing and any survey to be conducted. Craning in is planned at the yacht club for Saturday 4th April 2026.
Vanguard Sailing Club's helpful guide to buying and selling
Buying or Selling a boat at Vanguard Sailing Club
Here is a quick checklist for selling and buying a boat, the full guide is available as a download in the members area
- Mooring and Insurance: When selling a boat, inform buyers that mooring does not transfer with the boat, and they will need to either remove the boat or apply for a new mooring. Also, cancel your insurance as it does not transfer with the boat.
- Advertising and Registration: Advertise your boat on the club website for free and remind buyers about the £10 annual harbour registration dues if they intend to keep the boat in Workington.
- Third Party Insurance: Prospective buyers should be reminded that all boats kept in Workington harbour must have a minimum of third party insurance.
- Mooring Chains: New mooring holders are advised to replace the mooring chains immediately, although sellers are entitled to take their chains with them.
- Safety Considerations: Sellers should be responsible by ensuring that buyers are aware of the challenges of sailing in the Solway Firth, especially for novices.
- Informing the Club: After selling a boat, inform the Club Secretary of the new owner's details for emergency contact purposes.
- Learning to Sail: Buyers should learn to sail first and do thorough research to determine the type of boat that suits their needs and budget.
- Club Membership and Mooring: Joining the Vanguard Sailing Club early can provide valuable experience and put buyers in a better position for applying for a mooring.
Useful Sailing Information
Lights and Marks approaching Workington
Workington Bank, least depth 5.5m, is 2 mile west of harbour entrance and is marked by North Cardinal and South Cardinal lit buoys.
Longitude lights 132° both fixed red 10/12m 3 mile range on west pyramidal towers with red bands.
Two sets of fixed blue lights in line mark NE and SW edges of the channel.
There are 16 wind-turbines on shore between ¾ mile and 2 mile NE of harbour entrance.
Radio Channels
Port authority channel 14
Vanguard Sailing Club Channel 8
Local Marinas
Maryport marina - https://www.maryportmarina.co.uk/marina
Whitehaven Marina - https://whitehavenmarina.co.uk/
Visit my harbour
Boat Services
Glasson Marine Services
https://www.aquavista.com/find-a-marina/glasson-waterside-marina
Bill Higham Marine - Outboards and Ribs
https://www.billhigham.co.uk/?sld=105
UK Marine Electronics Ltd
Tel: 01946 693847 e: chris@ukmel.co.uk
Maiden Marine Chandlery
https://www.maiden-marine.co.uk/whitehaven-office/
Aurora Marine Engineering
https://www.auroramarineengine ering.co.uk/
Rigger & general boat mtc
Alex Evans - 07880 791438
North West Marine Services
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587010513781&locale=en_GB