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.
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Rio Grande Yacht Club
PO Box 220
Elephant Butte NM 87935
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RIO GRANDE YACHT CLUB 2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Hello Sailors, Crew and families, who may wish to learn more about sailing opportunities at Elephant Butte Lake. 2025 marks the 65th year the sail club has been established at the lake with a primary interest for on the water sailing regattas. In addition we also offer “on board" sailing instruction and safety seminars for beginners who wish to improve skills or learn more about sailing.
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Again this year we will meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, unless otherwise posted, at the Mast Up Storage facility inside the State park up above the Marina Del Sur. The skippers meeting starts as 10 am for the purpose of discussing the day's racing event and assigning crew for anyone wanting to participate. The racing starts at noon and will as long as the conditions on the lake permit.
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Below is our Calendar of Events for the year and the corresponding "Full Moon" monthly cycle for those interest in recreation activities at the lake. In addition please check out rgyc.net under Boats for Sale which might wet your appetite to purchase a sail boat to join us on a monthly basis. Also don't forget to check the water level at Elephant Butte Lake at Google: "Lake Water Levels" as they can change substantially during the year. If you have any questions or wish for more information please call, text me or email me at your convenience as I'm always willing to discuss things sailing 24/7.
Ken Tighe Mast Up Storage Manager,
505 328 4826 or email tighekenneth@gmail.com
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 11, 2025, Frostbite Regatta Full moon is Monday 01/13/25 “Wolf Moon"
Feb. 08, 2025, Valentine Day Chute Out Full moon is Wednesday 02/12/25 “Snow Moon"
Mar. 08, 2025, Spring Series Race #1 Full moon is Friday 03/14/25 “Worm Moon"
April 12, 2025, Spring Series Race #2 Full moon is Sunday 04/13/25 “Pink Moon"
May 10, 2025, Anniversary Cup. Full moon is Monday 05/12/25 “Flower Moon"
June 14, 2025, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Wednesday 06/11/25 “Strawberry Moon”
July 12, 2025, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Thursday 07/10/25 “Buck Moon"
Aug. 09, 2025, Beach Party/Raft Up. Full Moon is Saturday 08/09/25 “Sturgeon Moon"
Sept. 13, 2025, Fall Series Race #1. Full Moon is Sunday 09/07/25 “Harvest Moon"
Oct. 11, 2025, Fall Series Race #2. Full Moon is Tuesday 10/07/25 “Hunters Moon"
Nov. 08, 2025, Commodore Cup. Full Moon is Wednesday 11/05/25 “Beaver Moon"
Dec. 13, 2025, River of Lights Cup. Full Moon is Thursday 12/04/25 “Cold Moon"
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Announcement
New State Park Fees
Upcoming Sailing Activities
MAP OF
ELEPHANT BUTTE
LAKE LEVEL REPORT
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We started our 2024 season in January with lake levels at an elevation of 4,339. ft of elevation which is 23% of capacity. Runoff brought our elevation level to 4,341. at the end of May which is considered 28% of capacity. Water goes over our spillway at 4,365. At present our elevation is 4,311.26 as 01/01/2025 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.
Rio Grande Experiences
BOATS For SALE
1994 Hunter Fisher 26' water ballast with swing keel sailboat.
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For Sale $18,500.00 (however all offers considered)
NEW PRICE $15,000.00
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Package includes Honda 4 stroke
electric start 9.9hp outboard motor and galvanized tandem axle trailer. This is an exceptionally well maintained vessel with current titles for boat and trailer in Texas. Boat previously sailed in Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico and San Carlos, Mexico. Boat is presently located in El Paso Tx. Package of equipment includes Autohelm ST50 Bidata display, Ritc-2 Compass, and Bulkhead 3.75" combination instruments all in working order. Boat also has
completely enclosed stand up enclosure for cockpit with Windows in addition to Bimini and dodger for sailing. Recent maintenance includes fresh bottom paint and repacking axle bearings on trailer. For more information contact owner by email: ritakay26@yahoo.com And thank you in advance for considering the sailing vessel “Golden Flyer”.​
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Suzuki 2.5hp, 4 stroke motor
For Sale $450 obo
To see motor or for more information contact email: darlene.stephanson@gmail.com
1990 Hunter 28’ Tall Rig, Wing Keel 3’ 6" Draft (estimated)
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For Sale $15,000 for both vessel, trailer and all sailing gear
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1990 Hunter 28’ Tall Rig, Wing Keel 3’ 6" Draft (estimated) Two Cabin Option with Full Head. Sail is Roller Furling by Hood, Auto Helm by Raymarine, Powered by Yanmar 2GM20F, 16 HP and Folding Prop. Sail Cover is Stack Pac in New condition with complete cockpit Bimini, ROCNA 22lb Anchor. Edison Pedestal with stainless Wheel. All lines aft for short hand sailing.
Trailer is built strong with 5 stands and keel guide, all electric brakes and V Stop to catch Hull when loading on trailer. Trailer has New Mexico title and boat is Documented Vessel with USCG registration.
Boat needs a good scrubbing in and out and mechanical needed on starter solenoid. Boat has been properly winterized but we recommend having a professional marine survey completed prior to purchase.
Boat has been sailed since new at Elephant Butte Lake but was also trailered North and Sailed in the San Juan Islands. Boat is very stable and a pleasure to sail. Boat can be seen at the Rio Grande Yacht Club,
Mast Up Storage facility at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Please call for appointment to view boat, Ken Tighe Mast Up Storage Manager 505 328 4826 or email tighekenneth@gmail.com
1971 Newport 17' 9" Swing Keel Cabin model
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For Sale $1,500 obo
TSale includes, New Mexico title for boat, trailer is registered in Texas. Trailer needs series 3 inspection by
New Mexico State Police, Bill of Sale and existing Texas Trailer Registration to obtain New Mexico title.
Sails (2) Main & Jib fair to good condition, Outboard motor, Mercury 4 stroke 2.5hp, very low operating
hours from new, and single axle trailer. (See title issue on trailer above)
Contact: Ken Tighe Mast Up Storage Manager, Rio Grande Yacht Club 505 328 4826 or email
tighekenneth@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Seller makes no representation regarding boat, motor and trailer condition or sea
worthiness. Buyer should exercise their own judgement regarding a professional survey at their own
expense.
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1999 MacGregor 26X
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For Sale $9,500 obo
Titled in NM
Located at Elephant Butte, NM
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This is a great family boat that I’ve enjoyed at both Elephant Butte and on the ocean for 25 years. I’ve sailed it to Catalina Island and around San Carlos Mexico on multi-day adventures. When the wind dies at Elephant Butte and the kids get restless, I empty the ballast tank and they go skiing with the mast up. The 75 hp Force outboard allows 20 mph speeds but is light enough to not affect sailing performance. Upgrades worth about $4K relative to stock 26X include: 1) double-axle trailer, 2) roller-reefing Genoa head sail, and 3) additional engine mount to allow temporary attachment of a small outboard.
The interior is in good shape relative to the 26X demo video that you can watch here.
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Catalina 27.
triple axle trailer, 9 sails (spinnakers, genoas, jibs, etc.), Yamaha 9.9 hp outboard.
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For Sale $5,500 obo
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Brad Bradley K. Smith 505-321-8641
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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
SOLD
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
SOLD
SOLD
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
