Lloyd’s Yacht Club is a yacht club focused on club racing, cruising weekends, and private charters, operating from Haslar Marina and catering to members connected to the insurance market.
Lloyd’s Yacht Club is a yacht club centred on the 55‑foot X‑55 cruiser‑racer Lutine, operated for club racing, cruising weekends and private charters from Haslar Marina at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour.
Founded formally in 1938 and named after the Lutine bell, the club campaigns Lutine in JOG and RORC offshore races, Cowes Week, the biennial Fastnet and the annual Finn Trophy, emphasising teamwork, learning and logbook experience rather than aggressive competition.
Membership is open to those with a connection to the insurance market and includes social events, use of Little Ship Club facilities and reciprocal club access.
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Operation and chartering
Lloyd’s Yacht Club’s operation centers on the yacht Lutine, which is used for club racing, club weekends, and private charters.
Lutine is described on the club website at lloydsyachtclub.com.
History and the name Lutine
Lloyd’s Yacht Club was officially formed in 1938, after informal racing activities began in 1936.
The club’s first boat to bear the name Lutine was a Swordfish dinghy presented in 1949, according to the club’s history page (history of Lloyd’s Yacht Club and Lutine).
The name refers to the bell from the wreck of the frigate Lutine, which sank in 1799, displayed in Lloyd’s.
Subsequent club yachts named Lutine include: a 60-foot ocean racing yawl launched in 1952 (designed by Laurent Giles) that raced in Newport to Bermuda and won multiple ocean races, including the Fastnet in 1953 and 1955; a Nicholson 55 launched in 1970 that raced in the 1979 Fastnet; a Swan 53 owned from 2000–2014 that was refitted in 2009/2010; and the current X-55 berthed at Haslar Marina.
Yacht capacity and guest arrangements
Lutine is registered to take up to 12 guests and 2 crew, although most people prefer to sail with between 8 and 10 guests.
Charter details are described on the club’s page for Lutine (charter Lutine).
Mooring location and access
Lutine is moored in Haslar Marina, Gosport, Hampshire at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, with easy access to the Eastern Solent.
Mooring and charter information is described on the club’s Lutine page (charter Lutine).
Boatyard and maintenance
The club does not operate its own boatyard or marina.
Lutine is maintained by the club’s skipper with assistance from club members and is berthed at a commercial marina.
Club facilities and membership access
No dedicated waterfront clubhouse is described on the site; administrative/club contacts are provided from Oxted.
Membership benefits include access to the facilities of the Little Ship Club and use of many other sailing clubs in the UK and worldwide, as described on the club membership page (club membership).
Racing approach, training, and typical events
The club’s racing activities are presented as accessible to members of all ages and experience levels, emphasizing teamwork, learning, and enjoyment rather than aggressive competition.
Typical events include JOG and RORC offshore races (Alderney, St Malo, Cherbourg, Guernsey) with overnight passages and watch systems (usually 8 crew plus skipper).
Cowes Week is also listed, with members able to race on the first weekend contributing to the overall results.
The biennial Fastnet Race is described as having a crew of 13 plus skipper, using a two-watch system, over 690 nautical miles.
The Finn Trophy is described as annual Solent racing in September, followed by dinner and prize giving.
Racing is said to provide logbook experience useful for RYA qualifications, and to emphasize social activity and developing cohesive, well-trained crews.
Training and racing opportunities are described on the club’s racing page (club racing).
Racing events highlighted
Racing via Lutine/LLYC is presented as focused on experience, learning, and enjoyment rather than aggressive competition.
Events include JOG & RORC offshore races (Alderney, St Malo, Cherbourg, Guernsey) with overnight sailing and watch systems.
Cowes Week weekend racing is described as contributing to the overall week’s results.
The biennial Fastnet Race is described as 690 nm and operated with full crew and two-watch operation.
The annual Finn Trophy is followed by dinner and prize giving at the Royal Yacht Squadron.
These racing events are summarized on the club’s racing page (club racing).
Cruising weekends and longer overnight charters
Lutine is described as a 55-foot X-55 cruiser-racer (16 tonnes, carbon fibre rig), owned and maintained by Lloyd’s Yacht Club.
It is used for club cruising weekends and longer overnight charters, welcoming all abilities with experienced volunteer or professional skippers.
Members can book club weekends and invite up to two non-members for a small charge, and more details are provided on the club’s site (lloydsyachtclub.com).
Seasonal operation and booking
The club runs a seasonal events calendar with high- and low-season booking categories.
Racing and club weekends operate during the sailing season, and Lutine is also available for weekday charters outside peak weekends.
Seasonal booking and charter information is described on the club’s booking page for Lutine (book Lutine).
Membership and social activities
Membership is open to anyone with a connection to the insurance market who is interested in sailing.
Members can apply online; members of Lloyds can automatically join, while others need a proposer and seconder.
Benefits include participation in club weekends and events, social events, flying the Club burgee and defaced red ensign, using Little Ship Club facilities, and voting at the AGM.
Membership details are described on the club membership page (club membership).
Facilities & Amenities
- Cruising
- Sailing training
- Yacht charter
- Racing
- Yachting
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Facts on this page are drawn from the club’s official website and Wikipedia. Individual sections link to their supporting sources. Last reviewed: 10 June 2026.