Welcome to the
Rio Grande Yacht Club
Let the fun begin!
As the Rio Grande winds South it makes a stop in Elephant Butte Lake. This marvelous lake is the largest body of water in New Mexico where many different species of fish live including: Striped bass, White bass, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Grab your rod, set your sail or go for a cruise and enjoy what the Rio Grande has in store for you.
NEWS
Come back and check out if there is anything new going on.
LAKE LEVEL REPORT
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We started our season in January with lake levels at an elevation below 4,295 ft of elevation which is 4% of capacity. Runoff brought our elevation level to 4,333 at the end of May which is considered 40% of capacity. Water goes over our spillway at 4,365. At present our elevation is 4,325 but we expect it to start dropping more rapidly because the slope of the lake causes loss of elevation faster the lower it gets. I use a website, Elephant Butte Lake Water Levels on Google to follow the managers projections. Right now they have told our State Park Officials that they will not stop the water released through the dam until the end of October. What this means to me is that the elevation will be back below 4,300 ft, however even at 4% of capacity we can still use the full lake for sailing from Dam Site Marina to the South to Kettle top North, which is about 8 nautical miles. The channel is narrow but we can still sail all year around. Hope this helps, I appreciate your reaching out.
Ken Tighe Mast Up Storage Manager,
tighekenneth@gmail.com, or text 505 328 4826.
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Click here to see the current Lake Levels of Elephant Butte form the Water Data for Texas.
Message from Past Commodore
Rio Grande Yacht Club
PO Box 220
Elephant Butte NM 87935
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RIO GRANDE YACHT CLUB 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Hello Sailors, Crew and families, who may wish to learn more about sailing. 2024 marks the 64th year the Rio Grande Yacht Club has been established as a sailing organization with a primary interest of on the water sailing regattas at Elephant Butte Lake. In addition we also offer “on board" instruction and safety seminars for beginners who wish to improve skills or learn more about sailing.
We meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, unless otherwise posted, at the Mast Up Storage yard we manage as a concession for the Elephant Butte Lake State Park. The yard location is inside the State Park at Marina Del Sur area. This area has a boat inspection service, necessary prior to launching your boat, a launching ramp and a large mast pole to assist in raising a sailboat mast. All of these facilities are available free of charge to the public.
Below please find our Calendar of Events for this year. New this year is the date of the full moon cycle to assist in other plans you might make in overnight recreation opportunities at the lake. In addition please check out rgyc.net “Boats for Sale" as we have several which might wet your appetite to purchase a sailing vessel. And finally, check out our lake water level as the water managers brought over 200k cubic feet of water to store in our lake. The lake is near 23.7% full, at this writing and still rising. This is very close to our high water level of last year. If you have any questions or wish additional information please call or text me at your convenience.
Ken Tighe Mast Up Storage Manager,
505 328 4826 or email tighekenneth@gmail.com
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 13th, 2024, Frostbite Regatta. Full moon is Thursday “Wolf Moon" 01/25/24
Feb. 10th, 2024, Valentine Day Chute Out. Full moon is Saturday “Snow Moon" 02/24/24
Mar. 09th, 2024, Spring Series Race #1. Full moon is Monday “Worm Moon" 03/25/24 (note, Spring Forward March 10th.)
April 20th, (3rd Saturday), Sunrise Regatta Distance Race. Full moon is Tuesday “Pink Moon" 04/23/24
May 11, 2024, Anniversary Cup. Full moon is Thursday “Flower Moon" 05/23/24
June 8th, 2024, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Sunday “Strawberry Moon” 06/21/24
July 13th, 2024, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Sunday “Buck Moon" 07/21/24
Aug.10th, 2024, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Monday “Sturgeon Moon" 08/19/24
Sept. 14th, 2024, Fall Series Race #1. Full Moon is Tuesday “Harvest Moon" 09/17/24
Oct. 12th, 2024, Fall Series Race #2. Full Moon is October “Hunters Moon" 10/17/24
Nov. 9th, 2024, Commodore Cup. Full Moon is November “Beaver Moon" 11/15/24
Dec. 14th, 2024, River of Lights Cup. Full Moon is December “Cold Moon" 12/15/24
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Rio Grande Experiences
Boats for Sale!
1974 Hull Model Sailing Dinghy
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For Sale $3,500 obo
This is a like New, indoor kept boat and trailer which has just come to our Mast Up Storage facility at Elephant Butte Lake. The boat was built by Diller-Schwill (DS Yachts) in Odessa, Ontario Canada as a limited edition DS-16 designed by G. Diller and Herman Schwill, first built in 1970. This is a 1974 Hull and Trailer, the Model is a Sailing Dinghy, with covered cabin, weighs in at 500 lb, and with Centerboard down draft is 4.00 ft and can be towed by any vehicle. The boat and trailer have New Mexico Titles.
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For additional information, please contact Ken Tighe, mast up storage manager, 505 328 4826, text ok or e-mail tighekenneth@gmail.com
Sunfish sailboats
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Listed June 3, 2022
The club has several (6 total) Sunfish sailboats that we are selling. The basic boats (5 of them) are complete having spars, sail, rudder and dagger board. Some may need more work but they all will float and sail. They are sold as is for $250. They don’t have a trailer but they are titled. To transport them it’s probably best put it on the car roof or in the bed of a truck or buy a small trailer like the ones sold at harbor freight or northern tool.
Then there is one with a titled trailer, a nice sail and a new rudder and dagger board that is $1000.
For more information please contact
Rick 575-649-6385 or
Past Commodore Ken Tighe
Text or call: 505-328-4826
Email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
20 ft Balboa Sailboat
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$2,000.00 1969 Balboa 20ft swing keel sailboat and trailer. Recent maintenance included installation of a new keel winch, cable and hardware. Also the trailer has been modified with an extended tongue for launching. Equipment includes 3 1/2hp, 4 stroke outboard motor and depth sounder/fish finder with house 12 volt battery. This is a ready to sail boat including all sails, rigging and hardware. Boat and trailer have clear New Mexico titles. Boat is in mast up storage at Marina Del Sur. Call Terry at phone number on for sale sign. Or Ken, mast up storage manager, 505 328 4826 or email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
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For more information please contact
Rick 575-649-6385 or
Past Commodore Ken Tighe
Text or call: 505-328-4826
Email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
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1979 Bahama Islander 30' with trailer included.
This boat has been rebuilt and prepared for blue water cruising. Recent upgrades include all new standing rigging, new bottom paint and a new dodger which matches the existing binimi. In addition new electronics has been purchased for installation. This boat is exceptionally clean and is capable of crossing oceans and sellers are asking $14,900.00.
For more information or to view this boat, contact: Gayle Jones 575 740-1136.
20 ft Balboa Sailboat
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$2,000.00 1969 Balboa 20ft swing keel sailboat and trailer. Recent maintenance included installation of a new keel winch, cable and hardware. Also the trailer has been modified with an extended tongue for launching. Equipment includes 3 1/2hp, 4 stroke outboard motor and depth sounder/fish finder with house 12 volt battery. This is a ready to sail boat including all sails, rigging and hardware. Boat and trailer have clear New Mexico titles. Boat is in mast up storage at Marina Del Sur. Call Terry at phone number on for sale sign. Or Ken, mast up storage manager, 505 328 4826 or email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
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For more information please contact
Rick 575-649-6385 or
Past Commodore Ken Tighe
Text or call: 505-328-4826
Email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
1983 Merritt 22 Sailboat
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Listed April, 2023
Boat and trailer are in very good condition, ready to hit the water. Dry berthed at EB Yacht Club fenced storage yard just 100 yards or so from the Marina del Sur a drop-in ramp. Includes the main sail, jib sail and storm sail. All rigging is in good functional condition, ready to sail. Has a 6HP Evinrude outboard motor with rebuilt carburetor last year, runs great. Has a five or six gallon fuel tank. The interior has like new cushions and some new floor coverings installed. Keel can be raised and lowered for shallow water if needed. Tires on the trailer are in good condition, with a spare wheel/tire included.
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FYI "A.D.I.D.A.S" stands for All Day I Dream About Sailing.
Asking $4,300. Call Caden with any questions on the boat.
575-640-8312
Catalina 22
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Listed November, 2023
1992 Catalina 22 wing keel. 135% roller furling head-sail, Autopilot, pop top with enclosure, tohatsu outboard, 2 mainsail, one with 2 sets of reef points, 1 storm jib, 2 Genoa, 1 cruising spinnaker in furling sock, vhf radio, whisker pole, stainless steel rail mounted grill, much other gear. Can change forestay if desired to use hanked on sails instead of roller furling.
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$8,000 or best offer.
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For more information please contact
Ken Tighe Text or call: 505-328-4826
Email: tighekenneth@gmail.com
