Island Sailing Club
Sailing club in Cowes, Isle of Wight. For harbour, berth and tide information see our The Solent guide.
- Location
- Cowes, Isle of Wight
- Region
- The Solent
- Type
- Sailing club
- Founded
- 1889
- Website
- islandsc.org.uk
- Details checked
- 2026-10-19
About the club
The Island Sailing Club was founded in Cowes in 1889 by General Charles Baring, a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron who wanted a club that would welcome sailors of all kinds. The founding meeting was held in March 1889 at the Marine Hotel, and the club had 50 members by the end of its first month. Its clubhouse on Cowes High Street was designed by the architect Richard Barrow, and the club's burgee is a yellow castle on red. It is still known locally as 'The Friendly Club'.
What it runs
The ISC organises the Round the Island Race, which the club says regularly attracts around 1,500 boats and 15,000 sailors. As a member of Cowes Combined Clubs it also helps run Cowes Week. Each summer its members play a cricket match against the Royal Southern Yacht Club on the Brambles Bank.
Sailing and facilities
The club runs training and regular racing, and keeps a professionally maintained fleet of nine Sonars that members can hire one at a time or as a fleet. Ashore there is the Lounge Bar, the Beken Room, a dining room and a conservatory overlooking the Solent. Members can tie up free on the club's pontoons for up to three hours.
How to join
The club offers adult, joint, family and cadet membership. Details are on the club's membership page.
Contact
Clubhouse bookings: +44 (0)1983 296 621.
Related guides: Cowes Harbour guide · Round the Island Race guide · Cowes Week guideSources
- islandsc.org.uk/about-us/
- islandsc.org.uk/history/
- islandsc.org.uk/membership/
- islandsc.org.uk/contact/
Details checked against the club's own website on 19 October 2026. Contact the club to confirm prices, times and visitor arrangements before you go.
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