Rockland Yacht Club Launch Service 

Enjoy Safe, convenient, reliable  seasonal launch service in Rockland Harbor. We also offer mooring rentals in Rockland Harbor. For our members launch service is included in their club dues. For transient yachts the fee schedule is below (and subject to change). We saw a need for our boating community and answered it with an economical safe launch service for boaters in Rockland Harbor.

2023 Summer Schedule

June 10th Through Labor Day Weekend

• Mon., Wed., Thurs. 1100 – 1900
• Tues. 1200 – 2000
• Fri., Sat., Sun.) 0800 – 2000

Weekends only after Labor Day ending the weekend of the Maine Rocks Race

• Fri., Sat., Sun. 0800 – 2000

Contact for launch Hail on CH9 – ‘RYC Launch‘ or cell phone (207) 233-2800 (Note:  The launch cell phone is not monitored during the winter months)

2023 RYC Launch fee Schedule – for Visitors/Transients

Note:  Per RYC By-laws:  Social members are not permitted to use waterside facilities belonging exclusively to RYC , including the launch. 

• $ 10 per individual – one way (from mooring to shore, or from shore to mooring) CREDIT CARD ONLY preferred; Square payment system in use.
• Three fare minimum - one way to North and South ends of Rockland Harbor (South end is an imaginary line running from the cement plant to the Breakwater light. North end is an imaginary line running from the North end of the Coast Guard station to the base of the Breakwater at the Samoset.)

Etchells Fleet Expansion

This past season, RYC Tuesday night race series saw three Etchells on the line most evenings for some fun competitive one-design racing, it’s always great to have one design boats on the course! It seems that there is a movement a foot as we are hearing rumors (many confirmed) that this class is growing! We understand that by next season, the 2023 Tuesday night race series might have a total of 7-8 boats on the line. Several new boats have been procured by club members, two by people who crewed on Etchells this summer!  And several other boats from as far as Belfast, are now planning to join the fleet on this news. It seems the excitement is infectious! This is an exciting time for our club to host one design racing on Penobscot Bay. 

Of course, other boats are welcome to sail PHRF, either spinnaker or cruising class.  It's a wonderful way to get out on the water and experience the camaraderie of being on the water with a fun group of people.  No or limited racing experience?   No worries- there will be a Racing Rules Seminar in the spring and there will likely be a lot of opportunities to crew on an Etchells and other boats.  Join the fun in this exciting time in our racing program development!

Are you thinking about the 2023 boating season? Are you making plans for short or long voyages on our beautiful Penobscot Bay?  If so add one more thing to your "To Do List". Start thinking about those iconic photos you will be taking.

Your favorite photos of 2023 could become part of the First Annual Rockland Yacht Club Photo Calendar.  RYC members will be voting for their favorite photos. We are excited about this project, it will become one of the first activities members can contribute in an online fashion on our new website.  Join the fun! Challenge yourself to improve your photography skills or share that lucky moment when you were in the right place at the right time.

2023 Photo Contest Rules

• All photos need to have been taken in the 2023 boating season
• Members will be allowed to upload up to 8 photos
• Photos upload will start July 1st and go to October 1st, 2023
• Photos resolution should be considered (see notes on image quality below)
• Photos in lanscape orientation will work best. If portrait pictures uploaded and selected may be combined with others
• Photos will have a short description, author and date taken
• Club members will have the ability to vote on images online between October 1st to November 1st.

Calendars will be on sale for $20 per calendar and proceeds will benefit the club.

Photo contest results to be published by November 5th and calendars available by Christmas. RYC reserves the right to do mild cropping or image exposure adjustment for calendar preparation.

Image quality note:  Pictures for the calendar will likely be enlarged to 6X9" to about 8X10" in size. Take this into account when taking your masterpiece.   If it enlarges on your computer nicely it will probably work well.   If the picture looks very grainy probably not best for this size print out.