BUILD THE FUTURE
MAKE HISTORY

THE BEACON OF LAKE MINNETONKA

Sailing is thriving on Lake Minnetonka, and we’re just getting started. The sport’s growing popularity has outpaced the capacity of our undersized and deteriorating Minnetonka Yacht Club (MYC) and Lake Minnetonka Sailing School (LMSS) buildings on Lighthouse Island, which has served us since 1944.

Our vision is to foster a vibrant and inclusive sailing community for all ages and abilities that celebrates the spirit of adventure and connection.

By nurturing a passion for sailing and strengthening bonds within the sailing community, we aim to inspire generations to embrace the challenges, lessons, and joys of the sport of the waters of Lake Minnetonka – and beyond.

THE PILLARS OF OUR VISION

  • EDUCATION

    Sailing teaches skills necessary for lifelong success: critical and creative thinking, independence and teamwork, self-confidence, resilience, and communication. Beyond learning the mechanics of sailing a boat, the sport teaches physics, mathematics, and meteorology. Sailing is a lifelong sport and fosters the pursuit of learning new skills from youth to adulthood.

  • RACING

    The thrill of competitive racing is our central focus. Racing instills the will to win, but also good character and sportsmanship, incorporating complex rules of fairness and civility. These lessons can be applied to all areas of life.

  • COMMUNITY

    Community is at the heart of our identity. A place to connect, have fun, and get out on the water. Sailing is an intergenerational sport where sailors age 7 to 70 and beyond can compete in the same race, and even on the same boat. We celebrate the grandparents, parents, and veteran sailors who pass on their skills and insights, while new sailors of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to try out the sport and become part of the community.

HISTORY OF LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND

Founded in 1882, we are one of the oldest yacht clubs in the country.

For more than a century, our sailing school and yacht club have created spaces for education, competitive racing, and community for sailors of all ages and backgrounds. Together, we’ve fostered a love for the open water, teaching the values of teamwork, discipline, and respect for the water.

While rich in history, our current facilities built in 1944, no longer meet the evolving needs of our growing membership and the increasing number of students who wish to experience the joy of sailing. We may have the best piece of real estate on Lake Minnetonka, but our limited space and outdated infrastructure are holding us back from reaching our full potential.

The time has come to update and improve our space.

We face an extraordinary opportunity to build a facility that will not only serve our immediate needs but also ensure that MYC and LMSS thrive for future generations.

The new Lighthouse Island Development Project aims to create a space that inspires racers and community members alike.

PROJECT PLAN & TIMELINE

ABOUT US

Dedicated to promoting and supporting sailing, the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School and Minnetonka Yacht Club create a culture of passion for the sport of sailing, skill development, and community - on and off the water.

Contact

Please use the contact form below and we’ll be in touch soon.