To join a yacht club?

[David M]

I was wondering from a cruisers perspective. Is it worth joining a yacht club. Are there reciprocal privileges available for US members of yacht clubs at overseas yacht clubs? I understand the racing aspect of yacht clubs in that you cant race in one of their races unless you are a member of a club.

What are the benefits of joining a yacht club?

[GordMay]

I don’t think there are many benefits to Yacht Club membership, for the long-distance cruiser.
However, if you are cruising locally, you could benefit from reciprocal agreements, where offered. These benefits would be specific to your local, and prospective yacht club(s).

[Adaero]

I recently had a quote from a marina in Madeira that offered 15% discount for Cruising Association membership. I would be interested to know how many other marinas offer these sort of discounts?

Originally Posted by GordMay

I don’t think there are many benefits to Yacht Club membership, for the long-distance cruiser.
However, if you are cruising locally, you could benefit from reciprocal agreements, where offered. These benefits would be specific to your local, and prospective yacht club(s).

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Adaero

I recently had a quote from a marina in Madeira that offered 15% discount for Cruising Association membership. I would be interested to know how many other marinas offer these sort of discounts?

Which "Cruising Association"?

Cruising Association Home Page

[Adaero]

Gord

Yep thats the one.
I have just read the email again from Quinta do Lorde marina in Madeira and it's actually 20% see: -
If you are member of Cruising Association - CA or RORC we offer 20% discount over berthing fees.

I was wondering how common these sorts of discounts are in the Atlantic Islands and the Med as at these rates it might be worth joining one?

Originally Posted by GordMay

Which "Cruising Association"?

Cruising Association Home Page

[Joli]

Nationally there always seem to be reciprocity, I would assume the same would hold true internationally. If you join a yacht club or sailing club chances are you will also be a member of US Sailing. Flashing a card at any location we visit seems to be helpful. Bringing a club burgee as a gift when visiting a club seems to be helpful. All the sailors I know that have done this were welcomed and treated well.If you can find a true sailing club that is is active in US Sailing that will be fairly inexpensive but they are rare. We are members of on ILYA yacht club and one US Sailing (sailboats only) sailing club. I have yet to be denied admitance to any club I have visited when they discover we are active members of either club.

The sailing club is our favorite, we grew up there, I met my wife there, my kids race for the club but the yacht club is very nice also and everyone at both clubs has been friendly and fun to be around. I'm hard pressed to see a downside to membership in either. Total annual dues are maybe $1000?

[Hud3]

We were members of a small yacht club in Irvington, Virginia, when we lived in the States. It wasn't exclusively a sailing club, but most members were sailors. The activities included a monthly social/dinner, organized cruises, PHRF racing (fairly low-key), one design racing (Flying Scotts and Cape Dory Typhoons), seminars on sailing and racing topics, a junior sailing program (instruction and regatta), and a lot of informal socializing. The club had a small clubhouse, slips for rent by members, and a pool.

Our club had reciprocal privileges with the clubs in the Yachting Club of America register, Yachting Club of America , so that when you were traveling, by boat or by auto, you could enjoy the facilities at other yacht clubs and meet new fellow boaters.

Well worth the $450/year dues.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha David M,
I and a friend started our local yacht club, Na Hoa Holomoku of Hawaii Yacht Club. I've been a member of 2 so far. When I was a member of Pearl Harbor Yacht Club I used my club card to get into the Manaco Yacht Club, in Manaco on the Rivierra. Membership in the PHYC was at that time $25 a year. So reciprocity is a big thing.
Many clubs allow you to race with them if your club belongs to such things as HYRA and US Sailing and that information is stamped or printed on the back of your card. It is up to each club who they allow to race with them. Sometimes it is a liability thing. I've gotten into the Waikiki Yacht Club and the Hawaii Yacht Club using my card.
Our club charges $50 a year (up from $35 last year) for family membership. No initiation fee. We have no club house, but have access to boats for an additional cost and we have a club site where we can stow dinghies. Last year we had 185 family, student and association memberships. We keep the costs as low as possible to introduce people to sailing/boating and our biggest emphasis is on boating safety. All of us are volunteers so we must work to make the club work.
There is no marina here on the East (windward) side of Hawaii (Island) just for information.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Holding Pattern]

For example, some yacht clubs in Florida want only membership in another Florida yacht club that offers reciprocal benefits... then again, there are the "Welcome, y'all" places too.
The yard we hauled out in has their own Green Cove Springs Marina Yacht Club... if they like you, you get a membership card and a burgee. We have never attempted to use it (I want to laminate it to make it look more official) but somehow I doubt a high-end joint will accept it (sort of like a kid with a fake id in a strip joint)
We'll have to try it and report back...