One hundred and nine years ago fourteen gentlemen met in Melbourne to form a Motor Boat Club. This Club was to form the basis of the Royal Victorian Yacht Club. The RVMYC has been fortunate in the intervening years to have had a continuance of members with great foresight who saw the need for a club specifically catering for the needs of motor boat enthusiasts.

Steeped in tradition and history, this club has always been at the forefront of the Motor Boats Clubs on Port Phillip and enjoys links and friendships of all Motorboat and Yacht Clubs around the bay and beyond.

The RVMYC formed at a gathering at the Port Phillip Club Hotel in Flinders Street Melbourne, three doors from Young and Jacksons on 25 February 1904.

Present at this meeting were FM Linley, J McQuade, HBarker, C Atkins, E Huon, E James, C James, C Garner, L Garner, F Jackson,
F Rayson, G Knott, B Lowther and Capt GM Strong.

It was resolved by these gentlemen to meet on 4 March for the purpose of forming a Motor Boat Club.

At this meeting the Office Bearers were elected: Commodore - FM Linley, Vice Commodore - JM Quade, Rear Commodore - H Baker, Captain - C Atkins, Hon Secretary - E James, Hon Treasurer - B Lowther, Committee - E Huon, C Garner, F Jackson, F Rayson, G Knott and Capt GM Strong.

Other foundation members were; A Harvey, Dr. I Blitz, CO Dentry, V Cole, J Myer, A Woods and C MacIntoch of Geelong.

The Early Years

The Club was first called the Victorian Launch Club. This was later changed to the Victorian Motor Boat Club. The club met for some years at the hotel until new premises were acquired at a site near the present ferry terminal at Princess Bridge Wharf.

The opening day of the club in 1904, was held in June and took the form of a cruise down the Yarra River. Among the boats to take part were the Motor Launches, Cingalee, and Nanoya, steam launches, Alvina and White Knight, St. Omer and Peggy.

The first of many races to Geelong was held on 30 January 1909 and was won by Mr Dentry in his boat Iona. Mr G Thomas donated the first prize of 5 guineas. All boats started on a handicap. A resolution was adopted to see that all boats starting were properly equipped with the necessary life belts and and any boats turning back, must 'wire' the secretary at Geelong, so as to allay any anxiety as to their whereabouts.

The First Clubrooms

The Port Phillip Hotel served as our Clubrooms till 11 November 1913, when a discussion to have our own rooms at Princess Bridge was agreed.

It was resolved to request the City Council to grant us rooms in the vaults at Princess Walk. Number 6 vault was granted to the Club. The first monthly meeting at Princess Walk was held on 1 December, 1913.

Thank you for considering a membership to the RVMYC. Membership is open to boat owners and non-owners, and provides for both boating and social interests with particular emphasis on family and community involvement.

As a member, you are entitled to use the club facilities in our new club house, which boasts a Level 1 Members only Club Room, Private Dining Areas and an enclosed members BBQ area.

Membership fees (Paid Annually)

Full Membership $521.00

Clubhouse Membership $412.00

Country Membership $321.00

Partner Membership $208.00

Family Membership $130.00

Building Levy (Full & Clubhouse Members only) $150.00

Redeemable Levy (applicable to Full & Clubhouse members only) $50.00

Nomination fee (On application) $1,100.00*

The procedure for Full or Country membership is as follows:

Complete and return the Nomination for Membership form and Application for Membership form, together with a cheque for $1,100.00.ﾠ
(For Partner and Clubhouse membership, simply complete and return the 'Nomination for Membership' and 'Application for Membership forms'.)

Upon receipt of the above forms and cheque, a mutually convenient time will be arranged for an interview.  At this interview, you will be given some details on the Club, some of the expectations of members and we will give you the opportunity to ask questions.

At this meeting, you will need to bring:

 • Annual Full Membership fee

 • Annual Clubhouse Membership fee

 • Annual Country Membership fee

 • Annual Family Membership fee

 • Building Levy – (applicable to “Full and Clubhouse Members” only)

* Payable with application for Full Membership

Nominations for Membership will then be displayed on the Club notice board for 14 days as required by the Club Constitution.  Nominations will then go to the next General Committee Meeting for approval. After approval, you will be notified of the result and your membership card and key will be forwarded to you.

For membership approval:

Download membership documents >

Our 80 berths cater for boats up to 18 meters (60 feet) and offer permanent, casual and visitor accommodation. All berths have access to water and shore power, plus shower and toilet facilities in the clubhouse.

The Club provides excellent marina and yard facilities with access to a new travel lift that operates in Savage's Wharf adjacent to our club.

Only Members can apply for Club Berths. To apply for a Marina berth, download the Marina Berth Allocation Application Form, fill in the details and sign. Forward your completed and signed form to the Club for processing.

If you wish to apply for a marina berth, the Marina fee is a one-off non-refundable application fee and does not include any berthing fees.

All boats will be inspected by the Marina Sub Committee for sea worthiness before any application for a berth will be considered.ﾠ
The Marina Sub Committee meets regularly to assess the needs of the boat owners to the most efficient use of the limited berths.

Whilst the Marina Sub Committee does not guarantee a berth, they do try to meet all applications in order of waiting list as soon as a berth becomes available.

If you are a member of one of our kindred clubs or a visitor to our area and wish to book a berth, please complete and sign the visitors berthing request form available from our downloads page, click the link below.

All visitors must provide an Insurance Certificate of Currency with this request.

Download form  >

The Club provides excellent marina and yard facilities with access to a new travel lift that operates in Savages Wharf adjacent to our club.   Competitive rates and storage charges are available.   Boats must be booked into our yard in advance, the allocation of space is then managed by the Club in accordance with set rules.

To apply for a yard space, download this form, fill in the details and forward to the Club. Members are reminded that specific rules apply in the Yard, that ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.

Insurance and WorkCover insurance (where applicable) must be provided to the club with your application. Acknowledgment and acceptance of these rules is a requirement for access to the yard space.

Download form  >

All forms including club charges can be downloaded from the 'Downloads' tab at the top of the page

NB. Club Charges are reviewed every year as at 1st April. 
If the current Club Charges are not yet posted to the website, please contact our office for current details.