Ilfracombe Yacht Club (IYC) was founded in 1962 by a small group of local sailing enthusiasts to promote sailing and motor cruising along the Bristol Channel.

The club's earliest members met only during the summer months in the Skittle Alley of the Pier Hotel before moving to a permanent home inside part of the historic former Seaman’s Bethel located on The Quay. The structure itself dates back centuries (with origins attributed to the 17th century and earlier local maritime/religious expansions), providing the club with direct views overlooking both the harbour and the Bristol Channel.

The club has grown to become an active and respected member of the Bristol Channel boating community, building a strong reputation for friendliness. As well as regular club sailaways to local destinations such as Clovelly, Swansea and Tenby, IYC also hosts the iconic Round Lundy Rally which is both a fun and challenging event. IYC is fully affiliated with the RYA and most weekends visitors from other RYA affiliated clubs are made to feel very welcome in the clubhouse.

IYC is fostering the future generation of sailors in Ilfracombe by incorporating a youth sailing project, Y-Sail, designed for ages 8 to 21 to learn sailing on the Bristol Channel using dinghies like Toppers, Picos, and Laser 13s with tuition from RYA qualified instructors.

Although the club is focused on sailing everyone is welcome - many of the 100’s of members don’t even own a boat! This could be something to do with the fantastically located bar recognised by CAMRA as the 2026 North Devon club of the year. Additionally many local groups and societies make use of the lovely clubhouse to host their own meetings and events