Not into Yacht Clubs

Maybe our situation is unique - maybe it is common.

Our boat is remote to where we live. We fly 2 hours to get to the nearest airport, then drive another 45-60 minutes based on traffic.

Not there every weekend. Typical pattern is 4 weeks in Texas, 1.5-2 weeks in Florida.

When we get to the boat - rarely stay at any single place more than 1 or 2 nights. Rare trip that we do not log 200 + miles cruising. Don't hang out in a "home" marina. Tend to spend our time with other couples - max 2 couples at a time.

We love cocktail hour - but don't gravitate to group social events when we are boating - enough of that when we are home. This is our get away from the crowd time.

All that said - I have been considering joining a Yacht Club - not for docking the boat or social events - purely to be able to use reciprocal agreements. Opens up more marina options. Some Yacht Clubs along the Atlantic coast will only allow transient if there is a reciprocal in place.

Haven't done anything yet - but that is the scenario where we would consider joining a Yacht Club.

FootballFan said:

Maybe our situation is unique - maybe it is common.

Our boat is remote to where we live. We fly 2 hours to get to the nearest airport, then drive another 45-60 minutes based on traffic.

Not there every weekend. Typical pattern is 4 weeks in Texas, 1.5-2 weeks in Florida.

When we get to the boat - rarely stay at any single place more than 1 or 2 nights. Rare trip that we do not log 200 + miles cruising. Don't hang out in a "home" marina. Tend to spend our time with other couples - max 2 couples at a time.

We love cocktail hour - but don't gravitate to group social events when we are boating - enough of that when we are home. This is our get away from the crowd time.

All that said - I have been considering joining a Yacht Club - not for docking the boat or social events - purely to be able to use reciprocal agreements. Opens up more marina options. Some Yacht Clubs along the Atlantic coast will only allow transient if there is a reciprocal in place.

Haven't done anything yet - but that is the scenario where we would consider joining a Yacht Club.

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We can reciprocate with almost every yacht club on the Great Lakes with our membership. It is definetly a perk worth taking into consideration when joining a yacht club.

While I do appreciate all responses, it appears that the majority of you took me as bashing Yacht Clubs, which was certainly not my intention. My Yacht Club experience was in Marblehead, MA and Palm Beach County, FL. Perhaps not your typical Clubs. My true intention was to try to muster up anyone that may be interested in cruising as a flotilla without having to pay dues to do it....simple fun on the water without the formality of a club. What could be more fun after a day of cruising (or being anchored out somewhere), rafted off together and having the pleasure of each other's company while making new friends. What can I tell you guys, my wife and I are social people and we enjoy the camaraderie of like minded people who enjoy their boats and being out on the water.

45Gunner said:

While I do appreciate all responses, it appears that the majority of you took me as bashing Yacht Clubs, which was certainly not my intention.

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I didn't take it that way... I think in general people are saying join the right kind of club locally.... I think that would be a better way to find a group of like minded people to boat with

I’ve been in a yacht club for the last 13 years But I’ve also been in Marina’s before this and will tell you that the advantages of Yacht Club far outweigh a regular Marina in my opinion. From being able to work on your own boat ,the schedule of events and parties ,being able to utilize the club for your own family events or worth admission alone . It’s all about finding the right fit for you . The one that I’m in is member owned and member maintained yacht Club .I don’t mind doing the work in a place like this because it something that we have built it’s been here since 1937 and one day will pass on to the next generation of boaters , there is something to be said for that. I came into this place when I was fairly young and the knowledge that I have learned on everything from maintaining buildings and grounds to working on my own boat and becoming a more knowledgeable captain from this group has been amazing. Yes there are groups within the group like most organizations so you can’t be thin skinned. I have seen some of the yacht clubs that you speak of and they are definitely not for me. look until you find the right fit for you. One day when the kids are off to college I would love to take a trip like “Havana shamrock” from New York down to Florida and hopefully utilize the reciprocating Yacht Club’s along the way !!

My yacht club is a member of the Delaware River Yachtsmen's League (DRYL) and Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club Association (CBYCA). We've stayed at other DRYL clubs many times and have always been warmly welcomed. We haven't had a chance to stay at a CBYCA club yet but hopefully will get a chance to do that in the future. Reciprocity is one of the best benefits of belonging to a yacht club.

FootballFan said:

Maybe our situation is unique - maybe it is common.

Our boat is remote to where we live. We fly 2 hours to get to the nearest airport, then drive another 45-60 minutes based on traffic.

Not there every weekend. Typical pattern is 4 weeks in Texas, 1.5-2 weeks in Florida.

When we get to the boat - rarely stay at any single place more than 1 or 2 nights. Rare trip that we do not log 200 + miles cruising. Don't hang out in a "home" marina. Tend to spend our time with other couples - max 2 couples at a time.

We love cocktail hour - but don't gravitate to group social events when we are boating - enough of that when we are home. This is our get away from the crowd time.

All that said - I have been considering joining a Yacht Club - not for docking the boat or social events - purely to be able to use reciprocal agreements. Opens up more marina options. Some Yacht Clubs along the Atlantic coast will only allow transient if there is a reciprocal in place.

Haven't done anything yet - but that is the scenario where we would consider joining a Yacht Club.

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You should be able to join any member of the Yachting Club of America and get reciprocity at other member clubs.

You could even join mine!

MM

endless seas said:

We were in an active Yacht Club years ago and at first is was cool then it became a royal pain in the A**
It became so political and most officers thought they were KINGS. It ruined it for so many and now the 2nd oldest club in the USA is barely hanging on by a thread.

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That sounds awful!