Right Side Up on the Water — and In Life...

Founded in January 1952 at the Venice Yacht Club, guided by its commitment to you in the words in its charter, the “Pram Fleet” first sailed into Roberts Bay in “Prams,” constructed of plywood and then highly varnished, by yacht club members. Though established by the new private yacht club, from its beginning the youth sailing was open to the to all boys and girls of greater Venice as it is today.

Volunteering yacht club members, experienced sailors, were the instructors and coaches in rowboats to insure safety for the beginning sailors.

Today, our U S Sailing-certified instructors and coaches are on the water in Boston Whalers under power to provide instruction and whatever assistance may be needed.

The “Pram Fleet” was incorporated in 1969 as “Venice Youth Boating Association, Inc., as an organization and separated from the private yacht club. In 1972 it was designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. That enabled it to receive tax deductible donations from individuals and businesses who understand the value and importance of “investing in youth.”

Those changes were important steps for the future because today our tuitions for our programs cover only our part time coach costs.

All other costs must be covered by voluntary donations and fund raising activities conducted by our board of directors.

VYBA is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors chartered with exercising a serious fiduciary responsibility to insure vitality of the organization now and for the future.

Over its 65 years, more than 4,800 area youngsters have enjoyed the VYBA experience at the only sailing center in greater Venice.

Click Here to visit the VYBA site!