Belmont 16s

What Belmont 16s does

Belmont 16s (legal name Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club) is a member-owned licensed sailing and hospitality club established in 1922 on the shores of Belmont Bay, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia. It is one of the largest clubs in the Hunter Region and the leading 16ft Skiff sailing club in Australia, offering learn-to-sail pathways (Tackers, SheSails, veterans), competitive racing, and junior development with Olympic-tier outcomes. The club operates five dining venues (Sails Eatery, SALT Kitchen, Martha Drink & Dine, Burger Bros, Blend Café), three bars (Bay Bar, Boat Shed Bar, plus the Star Lounge), and event spaces accommodating 40 to 585 guests for weddings, corporate functions, galas, and ticketed concerts.

The club's technology stack consists of conventional hospitality infrastructure rather than proprietary platforms: the Hydra Membership system issues digital membership cards via Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, the Ascent Rewards loyalty program converts points onto a GSL EFTPOS card usable outside the club, NowBookit handles table bookings, TopYacht manages race results, Revolutionise supports sailing program administration, and Untappd tracks craft beer tap inventory at the Boat Shed Bar. Sustainability infrastructure includes 276 solar panels across the main clubhouse and Brian Ellis Boat Shed.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: membership subscriptions ranging from $2.50 (concessional) to $100 (perpetual); food and beverage across the five venues and three bars; events and weddings; ticketed entertainment; raffles, bingo and gaming; local sporting sponsorships; and boat storage ($400 per season). The club is governed by a Board of Directors and led by CEO Scott Williams, President David Berryman, and Commodore James Griffiths. According to club disclosures, Belmont 16s employs 198 people (making it one of the largest employers in the Lake Macquarie region) and contributes $7M of business activity and $1.3M in donations, sponsorships and sustainability programs to the local community annually.

Name

Belmont 16s

Legal name

Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club

Website

https://16s.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Belmont 16s is a member-owned licensed sailing and hospitality club on Lake Macquarie, NSW, established 1922, offering sailing programs, five dining venues, three bars, event spaces, and ticketed entertainment to members, families, sailing enthusiasts, and event organizers in the Hunter Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Club & Hospitality

NAICS

Marinas (713930)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Sailing club services
• Destination dining
• Live entertainment venue
• Wedding event functions
• Learn to sail programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaumont

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual and multi-year membership fees ranging from $2.50 to $100 depending on membership type. Provides access to member discounts, promotions, and exclusive offers.
2. Food and Beverage Sales: Revenue from five dining venues: Sails Eatery, SALT Kitchen, Martha Drink & Dine, Burger Bros, Blend Café, and three bars. Members receive minimum 10% discount on all ground floor offerings.
3. Events and Weddings: Revenue from hosting weddings, corporate events, galas, memorials, celebrations, and baby showers in various function spaces accommodating 40-585 guests.
4. Entertainment and Ticketed Shows: Revenue from headline concerts and live entertainment shows including ticketed events like The Angels, Chocolate Starfish, INXS tribute shows, and free weekly live music.
5. Raffles and Gaming: Weekly raffles, meat raffles, bingo, cash housie, and member draws generating regular entertainment revenue.
6. Sponsorship and Advertising: Sponsorship revenue from local sporting clubs and community organizations, including Lakes United Rugby League, Valentine Eleebana FC, Belmont Baseball Club, and AFL Hunter Central Coast.
7. Boat Storage: Annual boat storage fees for racing class boats in the boatshed storage facility, $400 incl. GST per season.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Belmont 16s is a member-owned sailing and licensed hospitality club operating on the shores of Belmont Bay, Lake Macquarie. It offers destination dining across five restaurants, three bars, live entertainment and concerts, learn-to-sail and competitive sailing programs, event and wedding function spaces for up to 585 guests, boat storage, and member loyalty benefits under the Ascent Rewards program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sails Eatery Bistro-style dining venue within the Belmont 16s clubhouse, serving members and the public waterfront meals with member discounts.
• SALT Kitchen Counter-service dining venue within the club for casual meals with waterfront views.
• Martha Drink & Dine Upscale dining venue offering Italian-influenced cuisine, cocktails, and premium waterfront dining experiences for special occasions.
• Burger Bros Casual burger-focused dining outlet within the clubhouse offering quick, family-friendly meal options.
• Blend Café Café venue serving coffee and light meals for casual visitors and members.
• The Boat Shed Bar Craft beer bar with waterfront views and live craft beer taps integrated with the Untappd app for live tap updates.
• Bay Bar Waterfront bar within the club's ground floor offering drinks with alfresco lake views.
• Wedding and Function Venue Hire Event spaces including the Auditorium (up to 585 guests), South East View (up to 350 guests), and Boat Shed Bar terraces (40-250 guests) for weddings, corporate events, galas, memorials, and celebrations.
• Live Entertainment and Ticketed Concerts Headline concerts and ticketed shows featuring Australian artists (e.g., The Angels, Chocolate Starfish, INXS tribute shows) plus weekly free live music in the Star Lounge and acoustic Sunday sessions.
• Learn to Sail (Tackers) Program Structured junior sailing program for children aged 7-12 progressing from beginners to competitive racing; part of Australian Sailing's Tackers pathway.
• SheSails Initiative Australian Sailing initiative established at Belmont 16s to promote and support female participation across all sailing activities, with dedicated representatives on the Sailing Committee.
• Boat Storage Annual storage for racing class boats in the Brian Ellis Boat Shed facility at $400 incl. GST per season, with refund conditions tied to club race participation.
• Club Membership Annual, multi-year, and perpetual membership subscriptions ranging from $2.50 (concessional) to $100 (lifetime) providing member discounts on food and beverage, loyalty points, and exclusive event access.
• Ascent Rewards Loyalty Program Digital loyalty program where members earn points on transactions, can boost points value up to 3.3x, and convert points to GSL EFTPOS card for spend outside the club.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.3M contributed to local community through donations, sponsorships and sustainability initiatives
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Got Your Back SistaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Organization that rolled out staff training to help crew identify warning signs of domestic and family violence, understand safe first responses, and know where to direct people for professional support. Created practical response roadmap for staff.
• Lake Macquarie Liquor AccordminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Local hospitality industry collaboration. Hosted local industry lunch during May with proceeds supporting Survivors R Us, funding frontline support services for domestic violence victim-survivors in local community.
• Mark Hughes FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Charity partnership through Beanies for Brain Cancer campaign. Raised $11,216.40 exceeding $10,000 goal. Foundation funds vital brain cancer research, improves treatment options, and brings hope to affected families.
• SheSails (Australian Sailing initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Australian Sailing initiative to recognize female contributors to sailing and encourage women of all ages to enjoy sailing. Established at Belmont 16s to promote and support female participation across all sailing activities. Has dedicated SheSails representatives on Sailing Committee.
• SailabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor support of Sailability Belmont chapter for 28 years. Not-for-profit allowing people with physical and intellectual disabilities to enjoy sailing. Operates adjacent to Club four days per week for 48 weeks per year, run solely by volunteers. Club provides facilities and funding.
• LandcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for weed removal funding in Green Point Reserve as part of environmental sustainability initiatives.
• ClubsNSWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPeak body for registered clubs in NSW. Partner in Purple Friday initiative against domestic and family violence. Administer ClubGRANTS scheme which Club participates in annually.
• The Shepherd CentreminorOthersClubGRANTS recipient receiving $2,000 funding. Not-for-profit providing wraparound care for deaf children. Supported 27 local families across Newcastle and Hunter region from new Charlestown centre opened June 2025.
• Lakes United Rugby League ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sporting club sponsorship recipient.
• Valentine Eleebana FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal football club sponsorship recipient.
• Belmont Baseball ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sporting club sponsorship recipient.
• AFL Hunter Central CoastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional Australian Rules Football organization sponsorship recipient.
• XP CoastalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal private lake tour charter company. Club works with XP Coastal for lunch and lake tours, with information available through the Club.
• Hunter Heart SafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization offering free hands-only CPR training to local community members at Club venues. Coordinator Dr Mark Miller is local Emergency Medicine Specialist. Training covers cardiac arrest recognition, CPR, AED use, and bystander response.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Toronto Workers Club: Large licensed club located in Toronto, just minutes from Belmont, with comparable dining, entertainment, gaming and function offerings. Competes for the same Lake Macquarie discretionary spend even without a sailing heritage.
• Club Forster: Regional NSW licensed club with dining, gaming, functions and live entertainment. Comparable hospitality and events offering to Belmont 16s, though without the sailing heritage.
• Wests Group Australia (Newcastle): Established Newcastle-based hospitality, entertainment and events group with dining, gaming and function venues. Competes with Belmont 16s for weddings, corporate events and live entertainment audiences in the Hunter Region.

Regional players

• Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron: Major Queensland sailing club combining racing, cruising, marina and hospitality. Comparable multi-vertical club model, but in a different Australian state.
• Middle Harbour Yacht Club: Sydney-based sailing club with strong 16ft Skiff heritage and on-water dining/function offerings. Comparable sailing category and club model but operates in a different (Sydney harbour) geography.

Direct peers

• Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club: Major sailing and social club in Newcastle with dining, function spaces and active sailing program. Overlaps directly with Belmont 16s on sailing heritage, hospitality and event hosting in the Hunter Region.
• Woollahra Sailing Club: Sydney-based sailing club with active racing, learn-to-sail and clubhouse social facilities. Closely comparable as a membership-based sailing club with social/dining programming.
• Manly Yacht Club: Sydney sailing club offering racing, junior sailing programs and clubhouse hospitality. Comparable member-owned sailing club model with community focus, though in a different geography.
• Royal Motor Yacht Club (Toronto, NSW): Multi-venue sailing and hospitality club on the shores of Lake Macquarie, very close in geography and offering. Combines marina/berthing, F&B, functions and community programming in the same regional catchment as Belmont 16s.
• Lake Macquarie Yacht Club: Sailing club based at Pelican on Lake Macquarie offering racing, learn-to-sail and clubhouse hospitality. Directly comparable as a regional sailing competitor sharing the same body of water and member base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/16sau
• Facebookfacebook.com/Belmont16sSailingClub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/belmont16ft
• Instagraminstagram.com/belmont16ssailingclub
• Xx.com/belmont16s

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Belmont 16s