Sutton Bingham Sailing Club welcomes dinghy sailors to the largest sailing club in South Somerset.

Situated only three miles south of Yeovil, sailing on the 42 acres ‘T' shaped reservoir is allowed on Wednesdays to Sundays all year round from 10am to 8pm or 30 minutes before sunset (whichever is earlier).  The only restriction is that there must be rescue cover whenever anyone is sailing.  Rescue cover is provided by members on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm, at all other times it must be run by those sailing.

The club runs three races on Sundays, starting at 11.30am (all year round).  There is also a Thursday evening series starting at 6.30pm April to end of August with novice crews given a five minute start.  We also hold open meetings for various classes and general handicap opens, including a pursuit race in aid of the RNLI normally held in November. We have also held inland national championships for the smaller classes.

Not all members race, a number are cruising sailors and join with the racers for an annual weekend away camping and sailing.  For the last couple of years this event has been held in the Falmouth area.

Current favourites in the racing fraternity are Lasers, Phantoms, Wanderers and Streakers with the Cadet (Junior Section) using the Club's fleet of Oppies, RS Teras and RS Fevas.  Club races are run on Club amended PYs as General Handicaps.  The Club also owns two Comet Trios, two Lasers and a Kestrel which may be hired by members and are used on RYA training courses.  Boats not recognised by the RYA or not having a Portsmouth Yardstick may be accepted after application to the committee.

There are also several Corporate Members including several schools, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets and the Apollo Physically Handicapped Swimming Club who have the use of an 18foot open keelboat sponsored by our landlords, Wessex Water.  The Club hopes to increase the sailing facilities for people with physical disabilities as we already have pontoon access to the water.

The Clubhouse has a good view of the sailing area and the galley serves food and drinks on Sundays and Special events.  The usual ladies and gentlemen's changing rooms complete with showers and toilets are at either ends of the Clubroom and the galley is operated by members who prefer to carry out galley duties in preference to Officer of the Day duties.  Alongside the Clubhouse is an elevated Race Office from which Race Officers can start and finish races with a view over 90% of the water.  For Race Officers wishing to start races on the water there is also a Committee Boat.

Sutton Bingham Reservoir was built over 4 years in the early 1950s at a cost of £1m.  The most southerly end of the reservoir is a nature reserve and a site of national importance being the home of wildfowl and migrant birds.  Since its early days, the reservoir has also become the home for fly fishermen a Canoe Club and us, and in 2010 we celebrated 40 years of sailing at Sutton Bingham.