Joined a Yacht Club 😱

[madhatter1]

Yep, Clearwater Yacht club. Was never ever interested in anything like it but new boating friends (over the course of a few years) assured us the “Thurston Howell the 3rd” deal was a thing of the past and things are more casual. So we went in for the weekends in Clearwater plus the reciprocity with many other clubs in Florida. After joining and going through the process we have found they have fine dining (very hard to find these days), an active boating community, and a lot of other people that are very active cruisers. It’s like being at a marina up north where everyone is trying to get the most out of the season. I miss all that down here. So it seems we are going to enjoy this.

Big bonus. We can stay at Key Biscayne yacht club waiting for our crossing to Bimini in June.

[Bob Bradley]

You're going to love it. Lots of fun like minded people. And probably a lot less costly than your marina. I'm in two clubs. I pay for a slip in both clubs for my 45 and its still half or less of what I'd pay at a commercial marina.

[Freestyle]

I have belonged to a Florida Council of Yacht Clubs reciprocal club to Clearwater YC for 33 years. I joined Tampa YC for business and networking reasons that worked well over my career. I stayed because it allows me access to dozens of really nice private not for profit membership clubs where we get one night free and the balance of our stay at very civil rates ($2-3 per foot). Plus the dockmasters answer their phones and bend over backwards to treat visitors better than members. Clearwater YC is one of the best price points to gain these privileges. I think you will be very happy with your decision.

There are a couple of FCYC clubs that will give you the Jackets Required treatment in the clubhouse. But even when I cruised a WellCraft, SeaRay, and my 1976 43 DCMY with 3 kids and two dogs, the marina people were as nice as family wherever we travelled. So buy the guidebook that has the house rules and avoid the clubs with rules you do not like and emjoy a better way of boating.

Bruce

Freestyle
1986 62 CPMY (54MY with ext)
Tampa

[Eddieclemons]

My Club experience here in Tennessee has been wonderful and while we are definitely not perfect, it's still a much better experience than other local Marinas. We have several members that have land residences on or near the water in Clear Water and we have a winter weekend at CWYC every few years. What is the clubs guest dock policy and rate for full members, and how Available are they???
An active and robust cruising community along with reciprocating and available guest dockage is kind of the dream for the retired cruising snow birder from TN. I will be curious to hear your experiences moving forward, I have talked to others that went the Club route and some that went the Safe Harbor membership route, and both have mixed reviews. Thanks for sharing

[Eddieclemons]

In full transparency, I have attached our guest dock policy for comparison

A Full or Social Member may use the guest dock free of charge, except for a $10 per night utility fee, for up to 7 consecutive days at a time. A boat must depart for at least 5 nights between free stays. Club Board approval is required for stays longer than 7 nights, and each night in excess of 7 consecutive nights will be charged $1.00 per foot per night, plus the $10 per night utility fee. 2) 3) Members or guests will be charged $1.00 per foot per night, plus the $10 utility fee. All non-members and visitors from other yacht clubs must guarantee payment with a valid credit card or prepay for their intended length of stay. Dockage shall be on a "first come, first served" basis except for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends, and other designated special event weekends. During these major weekends, reservations will be accepted, and may be required to assure availability of space

[Eddieclemons]

We have some muddy water and logs, but a nice guest dock with very few visitorsGuest Dock.jpg, except for Sunday Church on the lake.

[JD5652]

Yep, Clearwater Yacht club. Was never ever interested in anything like it but new boating friends (over the course of a few years) assured us the “Thurston Howell the 3rd” deal was a thing of the past and things are more casual. So we went in for the weekends in Clearwater plus the reciprocity with many other clubs in Florida. After joining and going through the process we have found they have fine dining (very hard to find these days), an active boating community, and a lot of other people that are very active cruisers. It’s like being at a marina up north where everyone is trying to get the most out of the season. I miss all that down here. So it seems we are going to enjoy this.

Big bonus. We can stay at Key Biscayne yacht club waiting for our crossing to Bimini in June.

I'm building a house in Treasure Island.

Could you PM me some details on fees, rates, etc?

[brettportzer]

The economics are very different to Florida up here on the Hudson in NY, but, we joined a yacht club a few years ago and it is great. The only way to go around here, imo.

Fees including winter storage amount to $3000 annually.

Not a fancy yacht club at all, no restaurant, etc, but it is a working boat club with all of the stuff we need to do it well.

The marina next door is $85/ft for summer dockage, and the next one down is $110/ft for summer dockage.

When I stored the boat for the winter next door, previously it was $4,500 just for the winter there, so big difference.

More $$ to spend on the boat, of course, no savings!

[madhatter1]

$6K initiation fee. $283 monthly including tax. Fantastic food and drinks at great prices. Reciprocity with 30 other clubs in Florida. And everyone so far is like one big welcome committee. Stop up this weekend if you have time. Music all day on Saturday.

[brettportzer]

That sounds like a good spot!