HomeAbout PPYC

About PPYC

Percy Priest Yacht Club (PPYC) is a club of sailing and racing enthusiasts who enjoy spending time together in racing and social events. The main purposes of PPYC are to promote the sport of sailing, enhance boat handling skills and safety on the water, and promote fellowship and association among its members. Not all of our members own a boat, many prefer to sail as crew with others. But all of our members share a love of sailing and we welcome all those who are similarly interested in sailing to join us.

PPYC sails on J. Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, TN, a Corp of Engineers lake only 15 minutes from downtown. We are primarily based at Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina in Hamilton Creek Park, but some of our members utilize other marinas on the lake. Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina is a facility of Metro Nashville Parks & Recreation Department. Because no private development is allowed on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, PPYC does not own a clubhouse. We instead utilize the clubhouse at Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina for meetings and social events. Driving directions are available here.

PPYC sponsors regattas and club races during the sailing season. We also sponsor a Basic Sailing Course for members and a Learning at the Helm (LATH) program for those new to sailing. The LATH group meets on Tuesday evenings and selected Saturday mornings from April through August for adults age 18 and older who want to learn about sailing. LATH participants are expected to join the club after the first two sessions if they want to continue participating.

Many yacht clubs around the U.S. allow guests that are members of other yacht clubs to use their facilities. Because PPYC is a recognized yacht club and a member of Yachting Clubs of America, our active members are granted access to many of these clubs.

Our dues are very reasonable and our members are very friendly. We welcome any who want to learn about sailing, participate in casual or racing sailing, and share some good times both on and off the water. We invite you to join us!

Meet our Officers & Directors

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What is PPYC

PPYC is a club of sailing enthusiasts. One of the main purposes of PPYC is "to promote the sport of sailing in all forms." Association with other sailors who share your interests and your love of sailing is important to the club. Another of PPYC's main purposes is to promote fellowship and association among its members.

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Do you have to own a boat?

No. Several of our members are not boat owners (they just like to sail). There are always members who can use an experienced crew member, and members who are willing to help new sailors.

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What kind of facilities are there?

Because no private development is allowed on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, PPYC does not own a clubhouse. We are however, very fortunate to have the use of a Metro Park facility, Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina, which is dedicated to sailboats. Most of our races, regattas and other sailing events are based out of Hamilton Creek. The marina offers a security gate, snack bar, ice sales, launch ramp, ample trailer parking, and hot showers.

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Do You Race?

We sponsor club races and regattas. These include informal Wednesday night pursuit races, Sunday club races, and regattas such as the Force Five, Grand Ole Open, Touch of Class (lady skippers), Music City Catalina Cup, Equalizer, and Oktoberfest. The racing rules require membership in a recognized yacht or sailing club or in US Sailing to be eligible to race.

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Besides Racing, What else?

For members who are interested in Cruising opportunities, our Cruising Sailing Committee schedules several events each year. Until detailed plans are made for each event within a week or two prior to its date, they appear on our Events Calendar as placeholder items so those interested can put them on their schedules. To get on the mailing list for Cruisers, send an email to cruising@ppyc.org.

The Luau party is one of the best parties you can attend without getting on a plane. The Christmas party is anxiously awaited by everyone. Other activities include mixers and Wednesday Night Series cookouts.

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What if I don't know how to sail?

We have a learn to sail group called Learning at the Helm (LATH) that meets every Tuesday evening from late March through September for beginner sailors. PPYC also offers its members a Basic Sailing Coursefor an additional fee.