News / Articles

PPYC Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clean up our club's boats. Then a large contingent set sail and were rewarded with mild temperatures and a sporty breeze.

Commodore Brian wiped a coat of speed polish on the . . .

The final WNR was all too familiar for this unusual year.

Eager sailors came out to experience sailboat racing at the Rookie Race last Saturday. The wind was challenging but thanks to a creative race committee we were able to get in a race.

Two perspectives from the event of July 8th that remind us what makes our sailing community so special

...“boys, we will be doing a Port Tack Start whether I like it or not ‘cause it’s too
late to get to the other side of the line”.

It was a great day on the water at the 2026 Double Double

Our 2026 Luau was an incredible night!

Ten J/22s took to Percy Priest Lake for the 2026 Galen Freeman Regatta, including
three visiting boats from Atlanta and Indianapolis. The fleet was treated to a spectacular
weekend of sailing with conditions that kept everyone on their toes. I am pretty sure we
all needed Motrin on Monday morning!
Winds ranged from a brief lull near five knots to spirited bursts of 15 gusting 25, with the
shifty Percy Priest breeze adding an extra layer of challenge. Scores varied widely
across the fleet as sailors worked to crack the ever-changing conditions.

Last weekend, we celebrated a cornerstone member of our sailing club, Galen Freeman.

Yes, you read that right - 100, as in miles. Read all about the adventure!

This season's LATH started strong - with full registration and wait lists. Thank you to our LATH skippers who dedicate Tuesday nights from April through September to teaching others how to sail and enjoy Percy Priest lake. Please visit our events page to sign up for an upcoming LATH session!

Thank you to the 25+ members who came out on Saturday, April 4th to clean the fleet and our clubhouse. It was a beautiful day for some spring cleaning.

The first One Design Race Academy was held on Saturday, March 21st. Sailors were introduced to One Design racing, spinnakers, foredeck, boat balance, max trim, ducking, dousing . . .

Congratulations to the 2026 Force Five Winners!

Jackson Miller on Ambush 1st
Paul Latour on Itch 2nd
David Curtze on Scooter 3rd

On Saturday, March 11th, PPYC welcomed the new Commodore, Brian Dougherty, and celebrated George Heintz, Past Commodore, and Richard Lewis, outgoing Social Director, with commemorative flags thanking them for their service to PPYC.

Richard Lewis (Capt. Hook) does a wonderful job for our organization. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, attentive to detail, punctual and always willing to help.

Keep your hots hot and your colds cold!

The weekend of February 13-15th, Ambush participated in the St. Pete Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta for the J22 Mid-Winter Championship, with Jackson Miller at the
helm, me trimming and George Darling on foredeck.

Ready to swap Percy Priest for the Caribbean? ⚓

In our latest PPYC recap, veteran instructor Kurt Berger breaks down the essential transition from inland lake sailing to blue-water bareboating. Whether you’re eyeing the BVI, Belize, or the challenging swells of St. Martin, this guide covers the "new rules" of 2026.

Learn why catamarans are dominating the charter fleets, how to master "silent" docking with hand signals, and why your electrical breaker knowledge is just as vital as your navigation skills. From managing USVI-BVI cross-border regulations to keeping your crew harmonious in cramped quarters, we’ve got the strategy you need to move from the slip to the sea.

Read the full briefing and check out our Charter Readiness Checklist!

Wednesday Night Racing is going strong in 2024. We had 12 boats out, but we have room for more to join in. We compete on the water then many take it to our local cantina to enjoy some tacos and each other's company.

The 2024 Force Five regatta took place on March 23.

Two boats and crew attended the S2 7.9 Mid-Winter championship at Saint Petersburg in February. Then two other boats participated in the J/22 Mid-Winter championship in March at the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans.

Sam, David and George lead a "rules" class to help sailors prepare for Wednesday Night Races.

Inspirational video for Wednesday Night Racing

Hello! I’m David Rohrer and I love vehicles of every sort. I work as a pilot flying the 767 from New York to lots of cities in Europe, and on my off days I race my crusty yellow 1982 Hobie 16 in a regatta now and then, or just bum around the lake showing friends how to sail. I recently got my RYA Day Skipper certificate in Mallorca. Thank you for letting me be a member — I love Jesus and promise to take good care of the boats too!

My name is Brent, and I’m excited to be joining Percy Priest Yacht Club as a provisional member.

I grew up sailing with my parents and brother in Pensacola, Florida, mostly on small boats like Lasers and Sunfish.

I've been an active sailor and racer my entire life, learning to sail from my parents on Lake Dillon, Colorado. My wife, Becca, and I have been crewing occasionally on J/22's at Percy Priest on and off for the last 10 years or so, and we own a J/27 that we keep on Old Hickory Lake. I have a passion for teaching sailing, having previously formally taught youth sailing, and I regularly informally coach adults for improving their racing or just learning to sail.

I've attached a photo of myself racing earlier this year with Jackson Miller and Alicia Noble on Jackson's boat, Ambush.