Yacht Club - Yes or No ?

[SuddenVibe]

I am interested In feedback from cruisers on the benefits of belonging to a yacht club. We will be sailing Mexico and the sea of Cortez from san Diego. Is membership something that we shouldn't leave home without?

San Diego, CA

[Sailmonkey]

Only if you feel the need to wear shoes and have a drink in an expensive bar.

[daddle]

I think San Diego's Southwestern YC is the last YC you will see on your trip. My YC membership was never an issue south of the border.

[boatman61]

White ducks a funny Boston accent, gin & tonics and everyone wil think your in a YC.... save the membership fee...

[SuddenVibe]

Thanks for the feedback guys... I'll cross that off the list!

San Diego, CA

[Pblais]

Is membership something that we shouldn't leave home without?

Given I'm on the Board of Directors of one I would say no. Belonging to a club is about being part of the club. If you are traveling, the benefit of being able to crash at another club free is not worth the annual dues in most cases if that is all you can get out of it. The really nice clubs require an exchange of letters from the Commodore's that extend the right in a reciprocal fashion. There are 2 or 3 places I've been that it is required. Most of the really good places work that way. Its not to say there can't be more extended when you show up and they like you. Being sponsored by a member will usually get you the same for free too.

When traveling there is a lot to be said for the diplomatic practice of sucking up once in a while.

I can get a free night in a lot of places but after that there isn't much. The benefit usually is only one night per year per club. Generosity has it's limits.

[Capt Phil]

I'm not the the club type but if you are going to cruise in mexican waters there is a travel club called 'vagabundos del mar' that for around $35/year offer insurance, medivac service and a host of other goodies that you might find useful. They are not exclusively cruisers, in fact many are RV types, I believe but the connection can be useful if emergencies arise in Mexico according to a good friend who needed help in La Paz a few years ago. Cheers, Capt Phil

[captain465]

Spend your money on towing insurance instead.........much better return on investment!!!!!

[S/V Alchemy]

Not all clubs are full of pretentious wine snobs puking over the side of dock queens.

Just most of 'em.

That said, the "free night" thing looks good if all it costs is a copy of a letter of introduction and the trade of a burgee.

My YC has a scheme whereby the annual fees of "on cruise" members drops to $100/year. You automatically resume your seniority upon return. To my mind, simply having that entree (burgees and bonhommie) is worth a hundred bucks, because in some places, it's the YC and not the marina where you will find the good contact. So if the anchorage is full, or the evening is late, and we are coming in after a rough passage, then sure, put us on the fuel dock, Admiral, and we'll sort it out in the morning. And no, we aren't American, so no politics, please.

[atoll]

ssca, and latitude 38,rorc are great clubs,and now cf,sharing loads of stuff,i allways try to tie up to some one flying the burgee,they make the best martinis,genaraly have more money than the average cruiser,so tend to discuss less mundane things,like why are my batteries flat all the time.

instead its do you know someone who is good at fixing things?

please can more people fly club burgees

[boatman61]

Only one good way to make a Martini..... just wave the Bianco over the gin and add the lemon twist... throw the olive overboard....

[James S]

You're in a club...Cruisers Forum may be the largest yacht club in the world.

You need to buy a CF Burgee, hoist that baby and hold your head high.

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by James S

You're in a club...Cruisers Forum may be the largest yacht club in the world.

You need to buy a CF Burgee, hoist that baby and hold your head high.

Now you're talking!

You know though, there are some tiny adorable sailing clubs that have perks like incredibly cheap slip fees and some really awesome club members. Count me as a member of one. Otherwise, I don't see a reason to join. The best wine is served in the hammock hanging over my foredeck at sunset - no club required.

[Minggat]

jeeezzz

I have never been a joiner of anything that my mother didin't make me join. Looking back I think I've missed out on a lot of good stuff that my friends enjoyed that didn't cost "yacht club" membership fees.

Look at these links. See the lack of blue blazers and captains hats? For like $10 (not even $35) you get something of value. Just the little disccount card I get from Club Cruceros in La Paz made that worthwhile in the local grocery store.

I'm really surprised at the stereotyping here. I guees we should thank Thirston Howell for that?

Club Cruceros de La Paz Home Page

Welcome to the HPYC

[SuddenVibe]

Originally Posted by Pblais

When traveling there is a lot to be said for the diplomatic practice of sucking up once in a while.

When I worked for Clearchannel in advertising I watched teams of salesmen starve to death working on trade deals and favors... I on the other hand quickly paid a fair price for whatever I wanted and instead invested my time enjoying life and finding paying clients... Long and short of it... I'd rather gargle broken glass then get a freebie and owe the giver one... Even if it's just sucking up for an hour.

San Diego, CA