We welcome new and returning members for the 2026 season. It’s important to know Diamond Island Yacht Club is unique—not your typical yacht club! While our club’s physical location is on the grounds of Point Bay Marina in Charlotte, Vt., about one-third of our members keep their boats at other locations, from the Champlain Bridge to the Lake Champlain Islands.
DIYC is not an “exclusive” yacht club, meaning you may join for a low annual fee and we have no stuffy vetting process for new members—this is our way of building an “inclusive of all” boating community. We also have no paid employees: All the work of running the club is done by the membership.
For that reason, we ask all members to volunteer in some capacity each year. There is a required field on our membership forms for selecting a volunteer opportunity.
So check the information on “DIYC Volunteerism” and the “Event Descriptions,” including dates, at the bottom of this page. Then fill out the appropriate membership form, selecting your volunteer role.
We have about 115 members and put on 42 events. There’s something for everyone. We host 12 sailboat races including the widely revered Diamond Island Regatta. We welcome power boat owners (approximately a quarter of our membership) and sailors of any kind with no obligation to race. Our fleet features boats from 14 to 44 feet, including everyone from day boaters to long range cruisers. The club maintains nine moorings in desirable anchorages from Converse Bay to North Bay for exclusive use of our members.
You’ll be joining a welcoming, casual, supportive and fun-loving group of boaters, comprised of families, couples and singles of all ages who enjoy getting together for social activities, boating education, cruising, racing, rafting up—enjoying anything having to do with boats. Our mission is to enhance our members’ fun on the lake, first by helping them stay safe through educational activities. Activities both on shore and on the water provide opportunities to meet other boaters, exchange knowledge and have a great time.
To join Diamond Island Yacht Club for the 2026 season, use one of the links below to reach our application forms. There are two separate forms this year: one form is for new members, and one is for renewals by current members. Annual dues are $80 if paid before March 1; thereafter, dues increase to $90.
> DIYC Membership Form for 2026: Renewals
> DIYC Membership Form for 2026: New Members
DIYC Volunteerism
DIYC succeeds because of our members’ willingness to help coordinate and run club events and take care of our facilities. The expectation of all members is that you will volunteer to help with at least one activity each year. Volunteering enriches your DIYC experience because you’ll make new friends and feel more connected to the club. As you join this year, we’re asking you to choose the activity or event you are willing to help with.
We hope to make volunteering fun and easy! We ask that you start by using the club’s website calendar and choosing an event that works in your schedule. Note that many events have “planning tasks” that can be done from your home with a phone and are done in the weeks prior to the event. Full descriptions for each volunteer option are available below. Note that we will remove options when they fill up, so join early to make sure you get your first choice!
We’ve been using iVolunteer for the last couple of years. This tool allows us to break up events into many small roles and allows volunteers to select their specific assignments, like “bring a step ladder to the tent raising,” or “pick up charcoal for the Chicken BBQ.” Your Welcome Letter will provide a link to iVolunteer for the option you selected. Take the opportunity while this is fresh in your mind to pick the task you’re willing to do and then put it on your calendar so you’ll remember. You’ll get emails from iVolunteer to prompt you for what you need to do.
You’ll note that the Chicken BBQ and Diamond Island Regatta are listed first. These are the most complicated and most rewarding events of the year. Please help us make sure these are fully staffed in 2026!
Thanks in advance for your active participation in DIYC!
2026 Event Descriptions
Chicken Barbecue & Vessel Christening | Diamond Island Regatta & Split Rock Race | DIR Post Race Party & DIR Fundraising | Lobster Fest Dinner | Fast Sail Series | New Member Welcome & Open Boats | Vessel Safety Check | Cruise Week | Cruise/Destination Weekends | Cidertini Race & Celebration | Spring Work Day/Tent Raising | Fall Work Day/Tent Takedown | Winter Activities
Chicken BBQ & Vessel Christening (need 20 volunteers; June 20)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
This is our longest-running event that continues to be very popular. The volunteer work involves tasks such as: picking up supplies and food; setting up; cleaning up; serving (in shifts); and helping with planning before the event. The vessel christening ceremony is performed by the commodore for new boats or those receiving new names. The only task is picking up supplies—mostly champagne!
Diamond Island Regatta Weekend, August 15-16
This is a complex weekend with two Lake Champlain Championship Series Races on Saturday and Sunday, a Lobster Fest dinner for DIYC members and the racing crews from other clubs. We run the weekend as a fund raiser for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Last year we made a $4,500 donation. We divide the activity into three events listed below.
- Running the Races
- Lobster Fest Dinner
- Post Race Party (includes the fund-raising effort)
Diamond Island and Split Rock Races (16 volunteers; August 15 and 16)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
We provide the committee boat, race committee, mark boat and photographer boats for the races. Race instructions also need to be prepared and distributed to racers.
DIR Post Race Party & DIR Fund-Raising (10 volunteers; August 15)
DIR weekend is a fund-raising activity for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. This comes together at a Saturday morning breakfast and at the post-race party in the afternoon. A number of volunteers are required at these two events. In addition, we need volunteers to work as a team to coordinate and complete multiple tasks over the three months leading up to the DIR weekend.
Lobster Fest Dinner (16 volunteers; August 15)
Like the Chicken BBQ, this is a big event but, in this case, we don’t do any of the cooking. The dinner is held Saturday evening following the Diamond Island Regatta. It’s a popular event that always sells out. Volunteers help plan the event (get quotes, set pricing, coordinate volunteers), pick up food, set-up, serve and clean-up. Volunteering won’t make you miss dinner or eat a cold lobster!
Fast Sail Series (4 volunteers; all season)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
Fast Sails are casual races organized for DIYC members. Volunteering means you will help run races, score and report results. Volunteering will not require missing a race!
New Member Welcome and Open Boats, (4 volunteers; June 6)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
The New Member Welcome is a breakfast reception where new members can meet and learn from those of us with more DIYC experience. A few volunteers are needed to set up a simple breakfast. Open Boats follows the reception. This is a fun event where members agree to open their boats to the public. Volunteers will coordinate with PBM for slips and help boats get to their slips.
Vessel Safety Check (2 volunteers; June 13)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
Vessel Safety Check is an opportunity for DIYC members and Point Bay Marina customers to get a free inspection from Coast Guard-trained volunteers, without any downside risk. Volunteers coordinate with Point Bay Marina and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, monitor sign-ups and help on the docks on the day of the event
Cruise Week (6 volunteers; July 24-August 2)
Cruise Week is an opportunity for power boaters and sailors to cruise together, exploring great anchorages and marinas on our wonderful lake! Volunteers will work as a team to plan the event. They’ll establish a theme, plan the route and destinations; plan and coordinate fun and educational events. This is a great opportunity to make sure Cruise Week works for you. Volunteers will participate in a couple of planning meetings and typically take the lead for an activity during the cruise
Cruise/Destination Weekends (5 volunteers; 5 weekends)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
We have the Destination Burlington weekend that includes a Fast Sail pursuit race, and three cruise weekends, like mini-Cruise Weeks on summer holiday weekends. Volunteers will work as a team to make these events fun for our membership. Tasks include coming up with fun activities and destinations, communication to members and coordination with marinas. Volunteers should plan to participate and enjoy one or more of these weekends.
Cidertini Race and Celebration (10 volunteers; September 19)
This is the final race of the season—the Cidertini—followed by a mellow after party. This race has a traditional start so a committee boat and mark boat are required (volunteer opportunities). It’s a friendly race with fun competition for simple prizes and bragging rights at the party. All members are invited to attend the party after the race for camaraderie. The party simply takes volunteers to pick up snacks and drinks, a little set-up and clean-up work all while trading yarns with fellow boaters on a fall afternoon.
Spring Work Day, Tent Raising (14 volunteers; May 16)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
This is always a fun event and a great kickoff to the season. Although strength is needed for some things, there is plenty to do that doesn’t require much muscle including: cleaning the A-frame, bringing treats and/or coffee, tidying up after. Typically takes a couple of hours, so there’s plenty of time to socialize!
Fall Work Day, Tent Take Down (16 volunteers; October 10)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
This is always a fun but poignant event marking the end of the boating season (except for the Change of Watch Dinner!). Volunteer opportunities include bringing treats and/or coffee, tidying up after, and figuring out who can store the tent over the winter!
Winter Activities (2 volunteers; 5 evenings)
THIS ACTIVITY IS FULLY STAFFED. THANKS!
Help plan Pub Nights and the Mid-Winter Raft-Up for next winter. Volunteers find venues for Pub Nights, reserve the Charlotte Senior Center for the Mid-Winter Raft-Up, collect RSVPs, and help communicate about the events with the membership.