This is Sri Lanka - the Paradise Island and there is no better place to discover it’s enchantments than at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club (CMYC). Sri Lanka is full of fantastic sailing waters, both lake and offshore, making her the ideal place for beginners to learn to sail, or for experienced sailors to compete in regular races with a competitive but always friendly and welcoming group of fellow sailing enthusiasts.

Established in 1929, the CMYC has operated from its current location on the shores of Lake Bolgoda since 1936 and continues exactly the way it was always intended to be - a true haven of tranquility. The Club has always been at the centre of dinghy racing in Sri Lanka, with many of its Members representing the country in various world events. But even as the billowing spinnakers of battling GP14s dominate the waters of Bolgoda on a Sunday afternoon, the Club continues to serve as an important sporting and social hub for sailing families and motorboat enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. CMYC is a quite remarkable oasis, where just a few kilometres from Colombo, Members can take refuge from the bustle of urban life and enjoy to the full ‘the soft and spicy breezes’ for which Sri Lanka has for so long been famous. This is a real Club for sailing enthusiasts or would-be sailors and has always been run by the Members for the Members.

We warmly welcome visitors from other sailing Clubs and all those who wish to race, sail or just mess about on the water. We have a full racing calendar as well as regular social events throughout the year.

The predominant class of boat in the Club for sailing by adults is the reliable GP14, a class that has withstood the test of time and is still very much loved. However, you will often see Enterprises and Lasers out on the water and any class of boat is welcome. There are some Club boats available for hire to new Members and Guests and usually some second-hand boats are available for purchase. The Club employs expert carpenters and craftsmen to take care of everything – from that little ding out at the start line to full-blown renovations and even construction of boats from scratch. Dry berths are provided by the Club at a very reasonable monthly rental. We have races every Sunday on Bolgoda Lake and sometimes venture onto the ocean for a weekend of fun, the longest race being the 3 day Colombo-Galle race with stopovers in Bentota and Hikkaduwa.

For children aged between about 6 and 14 years of age, there is a very active fleet of 30 Optimists. The ‘Oppies’ can often be seen on the water on Saturdays as well as Sundays, with expert tuition available to an exceptionally high standard, provided by the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka.