Inexpensive Club for Reciprocal Privileges ?

[sailor12]

We are planning on heading south in August from Washington and are looking for a reasonably priced club that we can get reciprocal moorage in California as we make our way down to Mexico. Does anyone have a suggestion? So many of the yacht clubs are very expensive and we are on a tight budget.

[TaoJones]

Get in touch with the San Fernando Valley Yacht Club in the northwest suburts of Los Angeles. I haven't lived full time in LA for awhile, and haven't talked to anyone at that club for years, but last I knew you could join the SFVYC for $70 initiation plus $70 / year. Since they have no facilities, nor overhead, just a shared passion for sailing though they live miles inland from the coast, there's no reason for expensive dues.

As a member of the Southern California Yachting Association, however, they enjoy reciprocal privileges with other member clubs. Here's a link to their site: San Fernando Valley Yacht Club

TaoJones

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

... Since they have no facilities, nor overhead, just a shared passion for sailing though they live miles inland from the coast, there's no reason for expensive dues.
As a member of the Southern California Yachting Association, however, they enjoy reciprocal privileges with other member clubs. Here's a link to their site: San Fernando Valley Yacht Club
TaoJones

Since they have no facilities, any privileges other clubs might extend, would certainly not be "reciprocal" (by definition).
Nonetheless ...

[markpierce]

Interestingly, the shorter your expected remaining life span, the higher the initiation fee is at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. I think the highest fee is over $20,000 for the oldest initiates. Monthly dues are hundreds of dollars.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Since they have no facilities, any privileges other clubs might extend, would certainly not be "reciprocal" (by definition).
Nonetheless ...

Well, it actually refers to an extension of common courtesy, not just bricks and mortar facilities, and the members of the SFVYC are nothing if not polite. There are members there who actually belong to other Southern California clubs, as well, and all-in-all, it's a fairly small community of sailors in the Southern California area. Most of the members of the local YCs treat one another with respect and in a friendly manner regardless of an individual sailor's economic circumstances.

The SFVYC has actually been named Yacht Club of the Year before by the SCYA in years past.

TaoJones

[Paul L]

You're in Washington, so try Corinthian Yacht Club of Edmonds. Home They are a low cost club and have decent recips in the Puget Sound area. I found that a lot of clubs in northern and southern Cal were happy to give a few days recip with this club, even if they weren't formally setup as a recip.

Paul L
http://svjeorgia.blogspot.com

[markpierce]

Check out this site which has links to most California yacht clubs.

P.I.C.Y.A. Member Clubs

There are two club associations: PICYA for central California and YCYA for southern California. Most clubs offer reciprocity among their respective association members. Some clubs are open to members of "foreign" (non-associate) clubs.

Many clubs advertise their fees. The ones that don't, well maybe if you have to ask you can't afford it.

Clubs usually publicize their membership application process. Usually, one needs to have two sponsors who are already club members. Some clubs appear to be more open to new members than others. Regardless, one needs to "rub elbows" with club members before applying. While I haven't researched all the clubs, I didn't notice any instances where an applicant can just mailed in an application and was automatically accepted as a member.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Paul L

You're in Washington, so try Corinthian Yacht Club of Edmonds. Home They are a low cost club and have decent recips in the Puget Sound area. I found that a lot of clubs in northern and southern Cal were happy to give a few days recip with this club, even if they weren't formally setup as a recip.

Corinthian's website lists clubs it has reciprocity with, including some in central and southern California.

CYC Reciprocal Clubs Index

[sailor12]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I am going to look into the Corinthian YC's and also the SFVYC. This site is such a wonderful resource for cruiser's!

[Buslog]

I know that this is an old thread but another club to consider is Los Gatos YC. $10 per month if 2 years dues paid up front. Initiation fees are waived during the current promotion. Reciprocal privileges included. This small, friendly club meets in Los Gatos, CA, about 60 miles south of San Francisco in a meeting room at a nice restaurant with an optional dinner beforehand. One of the great things about the club is the monthly speaker program -- great speakers every time, discussing topics like coastal cruising, racing, Pacific Cup, weather, lighthouses, Baja Ha-Ha, onboard WiFi, using an iPad for navigation and racing, America's Cup, and the list goes on.

Yes, I promote the club since I'm vice commodore, but it's definitely worth checking out. If interested see losgatosyc.com and send email to membership@losgatosyc.com

[Heart of Gold]

As you enter San Fran Harbour, hang a left to Sausalito and check out the Sausalito Yacht Club. They have a few mooring balls, a great clubhouse, cool little member pub and nice hot showers. We tied up for a week and the first night was free(reciprocal) and not sure what the nightly charge was. They were first class in their hospitality to us. Take a few of your clubs burgees with you as they make great bartering tools, even if it is to trade for one of theirs.

[Buslog]

Sausalito YC is a great club in a scenic, touristy location, but as I recall the monthly dues are over 10X higher than those at Los Gatos YC.

[Heart of Gold]

Originally Posted by Buslog

Sausalito YC is a great club in a scenic, touristy location, but as I recall the monthly dues are over 10X higher than those at Los Gatos YC.

Your probably right about that, I guess I was thinking of a place to land, get your bearings for a short time as that what reciprocal means to our club, not long term.

[Buslog]

Heart,

On another topic I see that your boat is a Hunter 34. I have a H340, and am interested in knowing how well your boat sails as well as what you like/don't like about it (I'm considering a change). Any comments appreciated - you can contact me at buslog123@gmail.com.

Thanks,

John