Murray Yacht Sales
Date: July 1, 2026
Lake Pontchartrain is one of the premier sailboat racing destinations in the Gulf South, featuring a highly active racing community split between the South Shore (New Orleans) and the North Shore (Mandeville/Slidell).
Whether you own a boat or are looking to hop on as crew, here are the primary hubs where you can get on the water:
1. The South Shore (New Orleans / West End)
The historic West End harbor is the absolute epicenter of sailing activity on the lake.
- Southern Yacht Club (SYC): Established in 1849, SYC is the second-oldest yacht club in the United States. It runs a successful racing program featuring active one-design fleets (such as J/80s, Viper 640s, and Storm 18’s) as well as handicap/offshore fleets. They are also the organizing body for the historic Race to the Coast, the oldest point-to-point regatta in the Western Hemisphere.
- New Orleans Yacht Club (NOYC): Known for its incredibly popular, high-energy Wednesday Night Racing Series. This casual yet highly competitive twilight series draws upwards of 40–50 boats each week during daylight saving time. NOYC has a famously welcoming, laid-back atmosphere.
- Corinthian Sailing Association (CSA): If you are looking for a non-profit club heavily focused on grassroots racing and education without the traditional yacht club overhead, CSA organizes around 26 races a year on the lake, including a dedicated championship series.
2. The North Shore
If you are across the puddle, the North Shore offers great open-water racing.
- Pontchartrain Yacht Club (Mandeville): Situated right in Mandeville’s historic lakeshore district next to Bayou Castine. They offer an incredible, unobstructed launch area that gets sailors out into open water in under five minutes. They run active Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) races and One-Design fleet competitions.
- Tammany Yacht Club (Slidell): Located out of the Oak Harbor Marina, TYC handles the eastern side of the lake, hosting regular regattas and promoting local handicap racing.
How to Get on a Boat (Even Without a Yacht Club Membership)
You do not need to own a boat or even be a member of these clubs to start racing. Sailboat racing relies heavily on “crew,” and captains are almost always looking for extra hands to pull lines or act as a movable weight (ballast).
- Show up for Wednesday Night Racing: Go to the New Orleans Yacht Club or New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor docks on a Wednesday afternoon, around 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Wear non-marking closed-toe shoes, bring a life jacket if you have one, and walk the docks asking if anyone needs crew.
- Use the Virtual Crew Boards: Check the websites or Facebook groups for NOYC, SYC, and the Corinthian Sailing Association. They frequently maintain “Crew Wanted” forums where captains post open slots, and beginners can list their availability.
- Expolre West End – Click Her to Visit the Friends of West End
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