About Us

The Harper Lake Model Yacht Club (HLMYC) is a Denver area club whose members build and race model yachts. The club is sanctioned by the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) as club #56. We meet to race our boats every Saturday from 10:00am - 1:00pm, lake and weather conditions permitting, at Harper Lake in Louisville, Colorado.

To join the club, please visit our Membership Info page.

Our racing season runs from the first Saturday in April to the third Saturday in November, but we continue sailing for fun and practice December through March as long as the lake is not covered in ice and there is not enough snow on the banks to make for hazardous footing.

We sail three standard One Design Class club boats: the Thunder Tiger Victoria, the ODOM, a slightly larger higher performance class boat, and the DragonForce 65 that was added to the fleet in 2018. These boats rely completely on the wind for their propulsion and have only two small servo actuators on board - one to control the position of the sails, and another to control the rudder. The models are operated from shore using radio-control (R/C) transmitters. Visit our Boats page for pictures and more information about these boats.

The principles involved in sailing these models are exactly the same as for full sized yachts. If you've sailed before, you'll find that the models handle amazingly true to life. If you don't know how to sail, the skills come quickly and easily, and it's great fun.  Our members are encouraged to review the HLMYC Sailing instructions which cover some of the rules and procedures we use in our regattas.

For more information, check out our club flyer (PDF Word).

Take a few minutes to explore our site and learn more about model sailing and the Harper Lake Model Yacht Club!

News

July 25, 2026 - July DF 65 Regatta

The heat continues. With temps reaching into the upper 90s, we held the July DF65 regatta today. Skies were mostly sunny but the clouds started to roll in at the end of the regatta. Seven skippers came out to compete and we completed 11 races. I would like to thank Barry for helping set some of the buoys and Barry and Rod who helped bring in the buoys at the end of the day.

-Don

Full Report

July 18, 2026 - July ODOM Regatta

Today we held the July ODOM regatta under sunny skies and temperatures very similar to last week’s Victoria regatta, starting in the low 80s and reaching 90 at the end of racing. Seven skippers came out to compete and we finished 11 races. The results are shown below and are also attached. I would like to thank the following for helping bring in the buoys at the end of the day: Greg L, Greg N, Dick, and Rod!

- Don

Full Report

June 20, 2026 - June DF 65 Regatta

Under mostly cloudy skies, we raced the June DF65 regatta today. The temperatures stayed mostly in the 70s while we were racing, thanks to the cloud cover. We did get a few sprinkles during two of the races but they were short-lived. Once again, we had 9 skippers come out to compete, including a new DF65 skipper, Rich Bryan. Rich just finished building his boat this morning with the A rig and did quite well against all the A+ rigs out there today. We completed 8 races. I would like to thank Rich, Rod, Dick, and Chet for helping me with the buoys at the end of the regatta.

Full Report

June 6, 2026 - June Victoria Regatta

Summer has arrived at Harper Lake. The June Victoria regatta was held today under mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s, reaching into the 90's at the end of the regatta. We had 5 skippers compete today, including Rod Miller racing Chuck's Victoria and Rod's brother Chet racing his new Vic for the first time. Welcome Chet! We completed 12 races. I would also like to say thank you to Rod and Karl for helping to bring in the buoys at the end of the regatta.

Full Report

May 30, 2026 - May DF 65 Regatta

We held the 2nd DF65 regatta of the season today. We had mostly good weather with mostly sunny skies and temps in the 60s and mid-70s. Nine skippers came out to compete including Jarod Hindman, who sailed a couple of times with us last year, and Sam Pratt, who is a new member this year. Welcome Jarod and Sam! We completed 9 races today. I would like to thank Doug, Rod, and Sam for helping me with the buoys at the end of the regatta.

Full Report

Since this regatta was the closest in proximity to Memorial Day, we maintained our long-standing tradition of remembering those club sailors who are no longer with us. After I read off the list shown below, we observed a moment of silence to honor these sailors.

1) Pete Clements – Founder – 1st Commodore

2) Art Parmalee

3) Ken Earnshaw

4) Kurt Plache

5) Lee Dong

6) Jim Barr

7) Kent Broadhead

8) Rick Schmunk

9) Bill Bogusky

10) Ken Hegy

11) Dick Ball

12) Geri Paxton

May 16, 2026 - May ODOM Regatta

The May ODOM regatta was held today. We sailed under partly cloudy skies and the temperature was very steady at around 70 for the whole regatta. Ten skippers came out for the regatta for another great showing. We completed 14 races. I would also like to thank Barry for helping set some of the marks. In addition, thank you Dan and Barry for helping to bring the buoys in at the end of the day.  Full Report.

May 2, 2026 - May Victoria Regatta

The May Victoria regatta was held today. Just like in April, we had a cloudless day for sailing. But this time it was warmer - temperatures started in the 60s and ended in the 70s – a gorgeous spring day. We had five skippers at the regatta again, too. We finished 14 races.  Full Report.

April 25, 2026 - April DF 65 Regatta

We held the season opener for the DF65 fleet today. Despite it being even colder than last week’s ODOM regatta, we had a good turnout of 9 skippers to compete. The skies were overcast when we started with temperatures right around 40. It warmed up a little as the clouds started to thin and eventually we had some sunshine, raising the temps to almost 50. We completed 11 races. We had a new member, Bruce Lawson, join the fleet – welcome Bruce! Before I forget, I would like to also thank Barry and Dick for helping bring in the buoys at the end of the day.  Full Report.

April 4, 2026 - April Victoria Regatta

Today we held the inaugural Victoria regatta of the 2026 season. We had a great spring day for sailing under an absolutely cloudless sky and temps in the 50s. The wind coming off the cold lake was a bit chilly at times. Five skippers were on hand to compete in this regatta. We completed 15 races.  Full report.

March 7, 2026 - March Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

February, 2026 - February Meeting and Workshop

This is a reminder that Saturday the 14th of February will be our first get together of 2026. A business meeting will be followed by Doug McKnight's presentation and discussion of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

This year we have a new meeting location. We will be at the City of Louisville Colorado Public Library,  951 Spruce St. Louisville, CO 80027 [map], in the first floor meeting room. The building opens it's doors at 10:00am and we will begin our meeting shortly thereafter. There is parking available adjacent to the building and immediately across the street to the east.

Next month's meeting, on the 7th of March, will be at the same time and location.

We still have some unclaimed trophies and participation plates from the 2025 season that can be picked up. And, if anyone still has unpaid dues for this current year, those would be welcomed as well. 

Old News

News from previous years can be found here: 2025 2024 2023