venice yacht club reciprocity

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

• COMPETITIONS
• SRQ DIRECTORIES

• Our Publications

SRQ Gives Back

• Our Platforms

With beautiful waters and many locations to explore, there is no wonder why Sarasota is one of the most popular sailing communities in Florida.

SRQ Magazine | July 2024

By Barbie Heit

In Recreation+Sports

Photography by Wes Roberts

The blue-green waters of the Sarasota region have always had a magnetic pull, drawing sailors and wannabes into the mesmerizing embrace of the waves, where dolphins dance, manatees graze and birds nest along the sandy shores. Set your sail to catch the Gulf winds and join us as we delve into the offerings of the local sailing communities catering to both beginners and seasoned sailors in our region.

Sarasota Yacht Club

A five-star platinum club of America and the world the Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) is one that is rich in history. Its location, minutes from downtown Sarasota in the protected flat water of Sarasota Bay on the west side of Bird Key, with quick access to the Gulf of Mexico through Big Pass, cannot be beat, offering the best in sailing and boating.

Dalton Tebo, the Sailing Director at SYC handles all of the logistics of running a race team. “We have five coaches and about forty-five sailors on our team who sail with us year-round,” says Tebo. “Our team practices most weekends and travels to a regatta about once a month. Most regattas are local and in Florida, although some of our sailors have qualified to sail in national and even international regattas all over the world.”

The Club has hosted many regattas, including the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) Team Race Midwinters for three years. They also host their very own Sarasota Yacht Club Invitational Regatta each year in November with close to one hundred boats participating. This regatta is a big event at the Club and continues to be a yearly tradition with great racing and a fantastic party. For those new to the world of sailing or for those looking to sharpen their boating skills, the Club offers private lessons for youth and adults. “The best option for young sailors is to join our summer camp, learn to sail and see how they like it,” shares Tebo. “Any sailor who wants to continue their sailing passion, coming out of camp or a sailor who already knows how to sail is encouraged to join our racing team and sail with us year-round.”

SYC member and sailing team parent, Ed Miersch is thrilled with the progress his son has made as a sailor. “In less than three years, our son Eddie went from not knowing anything about sailing, to being invited to join Team USA. This is all due to the amazing environment curated by SYC’s Dalton Tebo and Brett Putnam.” Every member every day, whatever it takes. That is the SYC staff motto. “What makes the club special to me is that it feels like home, and all of the members feel like they are your family,” shares Tebo. “It truly is a special place with an amazing staff and membership. It’s always a pleasure to be here at SYC.” Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, 941-365-4191, sarasotayachtclub.org .

Venice Yacht Club 

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of Venice Yacht Club, a club founded by sailors, weary of the long drive to Sarasota to get their boats. The sailors wanted to establish a maritime tradition in Venice for enduring friendships of common interests with fun on the water and on land and that they did. The history of The Club is a rich one, tied to and invested in the success of Venice. Founded in 1951 as semi-private, its business and social affairs were conducted in space rented at the Tarpon Center Resort, owned by George Gibbs, Jr., occupied by The Jetty Villas condominiums today. Two years later in 1953, converting to a private club, an addition was built at the resort’s main building for its larger functions. By year end 1951, there were 118 members. As membership continued to increase, more space was required. In 1957 an extensive search began for land with immediate access to water. By 1961, land had been acquired on Roberts Bay, and the new clubhouse was commissioned. In 1960 while constructing its new clubhouse, the Club was one of the 13 founding members of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, now made up of 37 yacht clubs. The Council monitors and promotes pending legislation for boating and water safety. Reciprocal privileges at all 37 clubs are enjoyed by individual members of the clubs when visiting other places in Florida. 

Through its 73 years, significant enhancements have been made to the property and clubhouse. From a single, small dining room, there are multiple dining venues today from formal to casual inside the clubhouse and outside under cover at the significantly expanded Tiki and all along the pool deck. Menus are refreshed often, and varied specials are offered daily. Steak nights, taco nights, seafood nights along with beverage specials add to members’ pleasure enjoying dining in a venue of their choice.   

A robust social and event calendar begun in 1961 has expanded through the years. Multiple clubs within the Club exist for special interests: golf, fishing, books, bridge, MahJong, the Joy sailing club, a wine club, bingo and many others. With its waterfront presence of 72 slips along 5 docks, a fueling station and dockmaster’s office, the club’s location is perfect with immediate access to the Gulf. There are kayaks for daily rental by members, and adult sailing is also available. The Club sponsors the U S Sailing-designated Community Sailing Center, Venice Youth Boating Association, Inc., that is always open to the public and was begun in 1952 as the “Pram Fleet.”  Here young sailors become captains of their ships long before they can drive a car.

“Investing in greater Venice for 73 years has been a priority,” shares General Manager, Bruce Furman. “Our members helped initiate the original volunteer corps at Venice Hospital with funding and volunteers, Sundowner Cruises for many years for the public, conducted by our boaters, were for the benefit of Venice’s chapter of the American Cancer Society, and founded in 2011, the Venice Yacht Club’s Charitable Foundation in only its first ten years has provided nearly $1 million in grants to charitable organizations in greater Venice. With a long-range strategic plan in 3-year segments in place and with continued diligence in financial oversight, the Club looks forward to the future with great excitement and confidence.  A resurgence in sailing is underway along with several other important initiatives.” The Venice Yacht Club, 1330 Tarpon Center Drive Venice, 941-488-7708, veniceyachtclub.com .

Luffing Lassies 

The Luffing Lassies are an accomplished group of women who sell real estate, teach and practice law, raise children and spoil grandchildren. They are healthcare professionals, they run businesses and thrive in the arts.  And….they love to sail. Created with a mission to establish a fun and welcoming atmosphere where women can come together, build relationships, and gain the confidence to explore the world through sailing, the Luffing Lassies was founded in 1972 by Lilly Kaighin. It is one of the oldest and most active sailing groups at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and with 125 women sailors of all ages and backgrounds, it is also one of the largest of any Sunfish fleet in the US, and possibly the world. It gains 12 new members each September through its Introduction to Sailing course. Then there’s the Introduction to Racing course for those Lassies who already know how to sail and aim for sportier aspirations.  “Sailing is an environmentally friendly activity and sport. Sailors are in touch with the health of the bay and consciously take care of our natural resources. None of our fleets use motors. We are powered by Mother Nature,” shares Judy Hodgson, Co-Captain of the Luffing Lassies and SSS Commodore 2019-2022.

Every Thursday during the school year, the Club meets to race against each other or sister clubs in the Florida Women’s Sailing Association on Sunfish boats and Hobie Waves, 420s. Many members learned to sail or polished their skills at the Luffing Lassies’ annual Introduction to Sailing week where women are teaching women to sail. At the end of every summer, Luffing Lassies veterans and instructors introduce a new crop of sailors to joy on the water. Each woman learns to skipper a boat, on her own, within a matter of days and she will be racing that boat after just a few weeks.  When not racing, rigging, learning or sailing for fun, Luffing Lassies are an integral part of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron which hosts many international and national regattas and competitive sailing qualifiers. Luffing Lassies help the Squadron host these events and serve in many volunteer capacities. The two organizations know the value of one another and have been partners for decades. Luffing Lassies, 1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, luffinglassies.org .

Sarasota Youth Sailing

Founded in 1980 to help promote sailing to the youth of the Sarasota area, a Sarasota Youth Sailing (SYS) is a local 501.c3 organization that offers opportunities for kids to learn to sail and continue to grow in their understanding of the sport, the environment and the lifelong activity of sailing. Through summer camps for kids aged 6-17, and with year-round training and competitive racing programs, young sailors learn to compete as they continue to gain an understanding of the sport that unlike many others, they can participate in for their entire lives. Over the years, SYS has continually provided young sailors the foundation needed to grow in the sport, with several going on to represent the United States in international youth championships all around the world. Current US Rolex yachtsman of the year, Ravi Parent, is an alumni of SYS and Halle Shipman, Young Women Sailor of the Year is currently training for an Olympic campaign. 

“The mission statement of Sarasota youth sailing speaks to supporting kids in going as far in the sport as their hard work and drive will take them,” says Board President Travis Yates, an experienced competitive sailor himself. “Just as importantly, I believe Sarasota Youth Sailing works to give access to the water and the sport of sailing to students who otherwise could not get that, whether it be for financial reasons, or in some cases physical or emotional reasons.” Throughout the year, SYS hosts children from local schools, homeschool communities, therapeutic support programs, and the general public. “This is an important part of the positive impact that SYS has on our local community,” shares Yates. “We have routinely worked with organizations like Visible Men’s Academy, Sarasota School of Arts and Science and our local community, supporting students with autism, which we do through an organization called Spectrum Sailing.” Yates recalls sailing with one young man from Visible Men’s Academy who had grown up in Bradenton but never touched water other than in a swimming pool. “I was blown away to learn that this boy had never been to a beach, but some of these kids just don’t have access to resources and for us to be able to provide these experiences is just amazing.”

In partnership with the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and the Luffing Lassies, SYS hosts two major youth sailing regattas that bring kids from all over the nation to Sarasota to compete. SYS also hosts a number of regattas for the interscholastic sailing association which organizes the sport of sailing for high school students nationwide. Through the generous support of parents of students involved and wonderful local benefactors, SYS provides a great service to the community and raises the funds necessary to try to make sailing  as accessible as possible.  SRQSarasota Youth Sailing, 1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, 941- 504-4236, sarasotayouthsailing.org .

“The Sarasota Sailing Squadron boasts the best sunrise skyline vista in the county. We are a performance sailing club that is uniquely 100% volunteer driven. In fact, our members volunteered 8,882 hours last year, among the highest of many not-for-profit organizations in Sarasota County. We have nine different fleets of boats, including a robust youth program. In the last five years, we’ve had three female Commodores, including myself. I am proud to be listed among this group of women leaders.” —2021-2024 Commodore Ingrid Summers 

Sarasota Sailing Squadron (SSS) is a special place that teaches, supports, and provides sailors with a community of like-minded people who love to sail. The Squadron has a rich history that spans 76 years and currently has 800 voting member families and almost 2,000 sailing members who enjoy this gem on Sarasota Bay.  SSS makes sailing accessible by removing the barriers of getting on the water. Sarasota Youth Sailing and the Luffing Lassies are two sailing groups hosted by the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

Dig for Fossils Along the Peace River

Dylan Campbell | Aug 22, 2024

The Sarasota Paradise Take a Big Step Toward Turning Pro

Dylan Campbell | Aug 8, 2024

U.S. Olympic Gymnast Bronze Medalist in Pommel Horse Stephen Nedoroscik Returns Home to Sarasota

Wes Roberts | Aug 7, 2024

The Sarasota Paradise Celebrate a Strong Second Season

Dylan Campbell | Aug 1, 2024

• Subscribe to the magazine
• Our Platform
• Internships
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Subscribe Today

Celebrate the sprit of our hometown with SRQ Magazine. Published 10x a year, SRQ Magazine captures the people, tastes, culture, boutiques and philanthropic hearts of Sarasota, Bradenton Area and the Barrier Islands on the West Coast of Florida. We invite you to experience living and loving local—in print and online. Welcome to the SRQ family!

SRQ Media transforms what it means to live and love local through its portfolio of hyper-local print and online publications including its flagship city regional SRQ Magazine, its documentary, and video production division Moving Stories and non-profit development division Story Project. The SRQ Media team leverages its strong audience footprint to catalyze visionary community programs such as SB2: Regional Symposia Series, Women in Business, SMARTgirl, SkillSHARE and ProjecThinkby engaging individuals to positively impact their hometown of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area situated on the vibrant West Coast of Florida.

SRQ Media supports regional charitable, cultural and education organizations and not-profits throughout the year with custom programs and sponsorships.

Follow Our Instagram

© SRQ MEDIA | Live Local. Love Local. All rights reserved. 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236

Member Clubs

What does your council do for you, “multiple club privileges with first class experiences”.

 The Florida Council membership offers multiple club privileges without having to pay multiple club dues. Enjoy social and dining privileges at a collection of 36 private clubs in the state of Florida, offering excellent marina facilities as well as casual and fine dining options. Some clubs offer golf and tennis as well.

Each one of the Council Clubs offers the caliber of service you would expect the amenities and family events that make visiting a pleasure.

We invite you to experience for yourself the convenience, variety and fun that make Council membership so special.

More Clubs, More Choices, Welcome to Council Life! On behalf of all of the Council Clubs, we look forward to the pleasure of serving you. Be sure to make reservations and ask about any dress code or restrictions.

Learn About Our Member Clubs

Sarasota Yacht Club

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• All Topics Sailing
• General Sailing Discussions
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Reciprocal Yacht Clubs - Is it worth it?

• Add to quote

Membership in a particular yacht club can certainly be beneficial in many ways. But for cruisers who are gone more than they are near their home club, is reciprocity really worth the membership fees associated with the home club?  

It depends upon your particular club's policies. We've belonged to our "home" yacht club since the late 1970's but have been "away" since the mid-80's. Our membership fees have been only $50 per year sine we've been away. Another club to which we belonged for several years had a policy of a "Cruiser's Leave" whereby if one was away from the Club (=>100 miles) for at least 4 months or more, one's fees were much reduced during one's absence. Then there's our local Club which makes no such accommodation and as a consequence has lost many members that really added to the Club in the long run. So, your call...  

What are you looking for in reciprocity? There are plenty of public marinas. Are you hoping for access to the exclusive marinas? If so, it may be helpful, but not all yacht clubs provide reciprocity across the spectrum. Secondly, the rules usually require someone from the home club to call ahead for you. However, if you're personable, you can often get transient space on your own. Once there, you may feel like the center of attention, because you sort of talked your way in. More likely, you'll feel like you don't belong, as everyone knows each other but you. The restaurant or bar can be difficult to navigate, as most don't take cash/plastic and you don't have a member account to charge. You'll most often pay a transient fee too, so it's probably not much of a money savings plan. So, back to the initial question. What are you looking for in reciprocity?  

We find that simply belonging to a yacht club is sufficient to secure an available berth at most of the clubs we visit between Connecticut and Maine. They don't care what club we belong to, so long as we mention that we belong to one. That makes membership worth it to us. Belonging to a club implies that one is socially respectable, and the club one visits hopes its members are similarly received when they might visit your club. "Reciprocal privileges" implies being able to run up a tab at the club you're visiting and have them bill your club for you, which does call for much more involved arrangements between officers at both clubs. That is not what most cruisers need or want, so it is not something to get hung up on. We cruised up to Maine for four weeks last summer and were turned down once, when the club we wanted to visit was hosting their major annual regatta and had no moorings available. Having a club membership greases the ways that might otherwise hang you up.  

We don't maintain a yacht club membership, but have stayed at several anyway. Many of which welcome transients, reciprocal or not. Some are even on Dockwa now. One of my methods of "talking my way in" is to anchor nearby and dinghy to the club or walk over from a nearby dinghy dock. I have nothing against yacht clubs, we consider it from time to time. Although, we already belong to a country club, a sportsmans club and an collegiate club in NYC. I don't need more club dues. I'm genuinely curious. What do you find more appealing about yacht clubs (when transient) over a public marina? Is there a camaraderie you enjoy? When I've stayed at them, they're usually the only game in town. It seems like you use them more as a rule and the OP is considering the same. I'm wondering the advantage.  

Minnewaska said: .... I'm genuinely curious. What do you find more appealing about yacht clubs (when transient) over a public marina? Is there a camaraderie you enjoy? When I've stayed at them, they're usually the only game in town. It seems like you use them more as a rule and the OP is considering the same. I'm wondering the advantage. Click to expand...

Sounds like the social aspect of a club is the theme. That makes sense. We're very social, having guests along most weekends of the year. In fact, we chose our current boat, with it's large deck salon for that exact reason. However, when transient, there are two factors that cause me to see a yacht club differently. First, if I'm entertaining my own guests, I would find it cumbersome to engage strangers, as their guest. My guests may feel uncomfortable or burdened doing so as well. Second and more likely the case, when I'm looking for transient facilities (we anchor 90% of the time), its at the end of a passage or hop. We're exhausted and typically just looking for a place to eat, sleep, recharge, take on water and maybe clean up a bit. Cleaning up and mixing in with the club would feel like more work to do. As a minor example, we sailed down from Portland, ME to Portsmith, NH, which took something like 6+ hours in lousy wind and we hadn't left until mid day. We tried to anchor across from the Portsmouth Yacht Club, but the holding was awful and the anchorage full of lobster pots. Just before sunset, I called the PYC to see if they had any transient space, which I already understood was accessible to the public, if available. If they were full, we were heading back out to sea, to either overnight or heave to and chill. The sun was just about to set and they had one mooring ball open. We motored over and grabbed it. The tender came out and took a few bucks for the fee and we never even went to shore. Dinner and sleep. Our plan was to depart at 6am to make the CC canal. We were actually hit at 4am, while sleeping, but that's another story......... PYC was awesome about paying to fix our damage, btw. They deserve some serious cred for that. Spoke to the Commodore, who complimented our boat, which he saw pull up while eating dinner. I have no doubt, had we gone to shore, the reception would have been exactly as you describe. I've been in others, however, where you seem to get "who are you" glances.  

If you are a social type... and don't anchor and want to use guest moorings (for free???) and use their club facilities... go for it. How do you put a value on this? What does you yacht club membership and dues cost? What do they expect from you, if anything in sweat equity? I have been invited to dine at some yacht clubs which was handy at the time... but without a membership in any club.  

Minne-- One can become as involved or remain as completely uninvolved as one chooses when visiting another club. On a recent cruise we had made arrangements to stop at the Venice Yacht Club after a long passage north from the Keys. We encountered pretty crappy weather on the trip and had to heave too for awhile to sit out some of it, so arrived very late, just before mid-night. With that, we pulled up and moored to their outside face dock, set our springs, and hit the sack. To make our tide at our next Pass, we awakened and departed by 0630 the next AM. The only words that were ever exchanged with anyone at the Club were "good mornings" to the few early risers we passed on the dock while headed to the head before departure. The stop cost us nothing. Had we done the same at the Crows Nest face dock, it would have cost us $125 and, for a stop in Venice on a boat of our size and draft, one needs a mooring dock as there is no place one can anchor. N'any case, one can argue the merits of Club membership in either direction. As I mentioned earlier, our home club membership has only cost us $50/year while our local membership is about $550 per month--including our slip and power and water--which is less than the mooring fee alone in the near by commercial marinas which have few of the amenities offered at our club. If we were to go cruising on a full time basis, we could dispense with the local club entirely tho' we would not. To us, it's worth it. Different Ships, Differe long-splices eh? Cheers!  

CLubs are as diverse as boats. I was the Commodore of one and a member for 10 years. In the beginning it was a great place for my wife ( new at the time to sailing) to meet other women who sailed. Marinas people really rarely get to know each other or interact on the water I have found. Yes social aspect was there. On the Chesapeake our membership allowed us to stay in any yacht club and most of the nice ones for $25 per night. That’s a bargain big time. Never do you have to feel you have to be social when there though. It allowed us to also stay in Yacht Clubs on the LI Sound and Newport as part of Yacht clubs of America , many restricted from transients. When we no longer wanted / needed the social aspect and the club fell into financial issues we left. Their slip rates became excessive to other places. We also wanted to be further down the Bay. We rarely take slips as we enjoy anchoring. We’ve got a good dinghy on davits so we can get ashore easily. Many of the friends we made at the club we still get together with on the water. CLubs are all different. We still maintain a club membership in the off chance we want to pull into one traveling. One example . Solomon’s marinas are e going to cost over $140 per night. We stay at the yacht club for $25. St Michael’s costs almost $200 per night. We stay at the yacht club for $25. Those savings alone pay for the membership. We can go to the parties particularly New Years without the drunk masses. So for us there were/ are advantages.  

Great information! Since being sailboat owners, we've been invited to the local club. We've never really been members of any clubs. We don't golf, which is what most country clubs revolve around. As new sailors, the interaction with sailing club members would be beneficial. Thanks again for the information!  

A lot varies with what your local "club" is. Some simply call themselves "boat clubs" and they're basically a private marina with a picnic area, maybe a pool, and someone puts together holiday bbq's. Some are literally country clubs complete with full size pool, tennis courts, and a dining room that regularly is rented out for catered affairs. Some have a restaurant on premises for light lunches and dinner--and a required monthly restaurant expenditure, whether you eat there or not, so make sure it can pay for the cook and front staff. Or a bar with full liquor license. Clubs with reciprocity agreements will tend to aim for a certain "social club" level, on the higher end of the scale I'd think. The kind of places where people go to mix and mingle, not just to park their boats and maybe grab a fast bite.  

• ?            
• 176.5K members

Top Contributors this Month

Yacht Dreaming

Yacht Clubs of America Reciprocity

Understanding Yacht Clubs

Yacht clubs are organizations that are dedicated to promoting and facilitating yachting activities. They are places where yacht owners and enthusiasts can come together to share their passion for sailing, boating, and other water sports. Yacht clubs are known for their exclusive nature, as they are often viewed as a symbol of luxury and prestige. These clubs offer a wide range of amenities, including docks, clubhouses, dining facilities, and other recreational opportunities.

The History of Yacht Clubs

The history of yacht clubs dates back to the 17th century when the first yacht club was established in Venice, Italy. The first yacht club in America was established in 1844 in New York City. Since then, yacht clubs have become a popular destination for yacht owners and enthusiasts around the world. Today, there are thousands of yacht clubs in America alone, each with its unique history and culture.

The Benefits of Joining a Yacht Club

Joining a yacht club comes with a range of benefits. Firstly, yacht clubs provide a sense of community and camaraderie among members, creating opportunities to meet and socialize with like-minded individuals. Secondly, yacht clubs offer access to exclusive facilities, such as docks, clubhouses, and other recreational amenities that are not available to the general public. Additionally, yacht clubs provide educational opportunities for members, such as sailing lessons and navigation courses, allowing members to improve their skills and knowledge about yachting.

What is Reciprocity?

Reciprocity refers to the practice of allowing members of one yacht club to use the facilities of another yacht club. This practice is common among yacht clubs, and it allows members to enjoy yachting activities even when they are far from their home club. Reciprocity agreements are typically established between clubs that are located in the same geographic region or have similar membership requirements.

How Reciprocity Works

When a member of a yacht club visits another club that has a reciprocal agreement with their home club, they are allowed to use the facilities of the visiting club. This includes access to docks, clubhouses, and other recreational amenities. The visiting member is expected to follow the rules and regulations of the host club, and they may be required to pay a fee for using the facilities.

The Benefits of Reciprocity

Reciprocity agreements provide many benefits for members of yacht clubs. Firstly, they allow members to continue enjoying yachting activities even when they are traveling away from their home club. Secondly, reciprocity agreements allow members to experience the unique cultures and facilities of other yacht clubs, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new experiences. Lastly, reciprocity agreements promote cooperation and friendship between yacht clubs, strengthening the community of yachting enthusiasts.

Yacht clubs in America have established reciprocity agreements with each other to provide their members with access to a variety of facilities and experiences. The Yacht Clubs of America (YCA) is an organization that facilitates these agreements between clubs. The YCA was established in 1922 and has been promoting cooperation and friendship among yacht clubs ever since.

The Benefits of YCA Reciprocity

The YCA offers many benefits to its members, including access to a network of over 700 yacht clubs across America. Members of YCA-affiliated clubs can use the facilities of other member clubs, allowing them to enjoy yachting activities wherever they go. Additionally, the YCA provides educational opportunities for members, such as seminars and workshops on yachting-related topics.

How to Use YCA Reciprocal Privileges

To use YCA reciprocal privileges, members must present their membership card and a letter of introduction from their home club to the club they wish to visit. The visiting member is expected to follow the rules and regulations of the host club and may be required to pay a fee for using the facilities.

Yacht clubs are an important part of the yachting community, providing members with exclusive access to facilities and experiences. Reciprocity agreements between yacht clubs allow members to enjoy yachting activities even when they are far from their home club. The Yacht Clubs of America facilitates these agreements between clubs, providing members with access to a network of over 700 clubs across America. Reciprocity agreements promote cooperation and friendship between yacht clubs, strengthening the community of yachting enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned yachting enthusiast or just starting, joining a yacht club and taking advantage of reciprocity agreements can enhance your yachting experience.

Understanding the Importance of Boat Storage in West Kelowna

When Fishing My Hook Is Always Baited

© 2024 Yacht Dreaming

Snag-A-Slip Booking

Venice Yacht Club

+1 (941) 483-3625

[email protected]

http://veniceyachtclub.com

Monday - Sunday 8a - 5p

Monitored: 16

Venice, FL | N 27° 06.550' / W 082° 27.650'

1330 Tarpon Center Drive

Venice, FL 34285

Mile Marker

Miles Wheeler

Suggest Edits

Marina Login

Contact Request

Your request has been sent to the dockmaster at Venice Yacht Club

Last Marina Login : 01/15/19

Full reciprocity to all FCYC members

Call ahead to confirm as prices are always subject to change

Diesel Price

Noteworthy:

PRIVATE CLUB

• Download The App
• Destinations
• Knowledge Center

Apple Sign-In

Sign up to get Navigation Alerts and News delivered to your inbox!

Invalid Email

Invalid Captcha

Check out our latest newsletter

Newsletter Sign-Up

A is a facility where you can keep your boat tied in a slip.

The captcha question was answered incorrectly.

The email is invalid. Please close the modal window and try again.

Signing-up...

At the Venice Yacht Club we embrace family, friendship and community above all. Founded in 1951, VYC has long been recognized as a traditional yacht club whose member privileges include boating, social activities and events, waterfront dining, and holiday celebrations for all ages, young to the young at heart.  Our partnership with 36 fellow private clubs in the Florida Council of Yacht clubs ( FCYC ) insures you can sail, dine and dance in style across our beautiful state. 

Introduction

The origin and growth of the Venice Yacht Club is a remarkable legacy for its members today. It is the story of extraordinary founding members, people with desires, visions, and dreams, coupled with perseverance and commitment to establish a place in a maritime tradition for like-minded people. The story embraces people who love the sea and the waters around Venice, who love sailing and boating and water sports, and people who appreciate and value enduring friendships of common interests and having fun together.

Melding Dreams to Reality to Success

Melding the dreams into reality, with a constant focus to members’ desires coupled with astute financial management are challenges, but they are the challenges that Venice Yacht Club has managed with excellence through all its years. Today the Venice Yacht Club enjoys an outstanding reputation in the Florida sailing and boating community of private clubs.

Story of the VYC by John Sammet

In the Beginning

Our history is closely tied to the development of Venice. Standing in Pearson’s Cove today, looking south, it is hard to envision that in 1950 all there was to see was sand and scrub pines, no intracoastal waterway existed then, and only minimal development underway. The south jetty today was then known as Casey’s Pass and was little more than an inlet to Roberts Bay. On the south side of the inlet was a Florida fishing camp, known as the Tarpon Center Resort. It was a relatively small place, with several docks in the inlet, a restaurant called “Happy Land” and a few rooms for overnight visiting fishing families. Tarpon were abundant in the waters in the Gulf, and thus people came annually to this place for tarpon fishing. And it was the local gathering place for friends and laughter after time on the water.

Land to the north of Casey’s Inlet and land to the south of what today is the Venice airport was owned by O. W. Casperson. Land in the majority of what is Venice today from Roberts Bay to the north and south to the southern boundary of today’s Venice airport, was owned by Robert Baynard, the land having been purchased from Dr. Albee’s estate in one transaction. Land along Tarpon Center Drive south to Venice Beach was primarily dunes and sand and was in large part owned by George Gibbs, Jr., the owner of the Tarpon Center Resort.

Chronological Timeline

In the series of following sections, identified by year or years, are highlights about this amazing legacy with a focus to the story of the Club’s beginning and the clubhouse and all its modifications and enhancements through the years. 

Early Fall:  Weary of the drive to and from Sarasota to sail, five Venice sailors and their spouses, later known as the “organizing group,” gathered at the Casey Key home of John & Mary Winslow in late summer. Conversation focused on establishing a boating club in Venice. Sept – Nov: Gathering at the restaurant of the Tarpon Center Resort, a fishing camp owned by George Gibbs, Jr. – where Jetty Villas are today:

• Conversation continued about creating a boating club in Venice.
• Organizing group led an informal survey of Venice residents to determine interest.
• Discussed possibility with George Gibbs, Jr. about using the resort as headquarters. Gibbs offered space on an “if and when” basis.
• Gibbs offered newly completed lounge of his restaurant.  Caveat: Dining room would continue to be open to the public.
• Final language agreed by organizing group for charter application to State of Florida.
• Charter application sent to Tallahassee.

February 9, 1951 Charter was granted by Florida’s State Department with the name of Venice Yacht Club

• Lease was signed with George Gibbs, Jr. for the lounge to be club’s headquarters.
• 25 members including the organizing group sent membership invitations to 150 in Venice.
• 25 initial members elect officers and set dues: $25/year + $5 tax.
• By mid November, 118 members were on the club’s first roster.
• Monthly business meetings occurred along with social events.
• Local merchants solicited to fund materials for building “prams” for youth boating.
• The Club advertised a new sailing opportunity for Venice area youth at no fee.
• Club’s burgee was designed and registered.
• First sailboat racing calendar is published for the members.
• First Commodore’s Ball held for Commodore John Winslow and his wife, Mary.
• A formal, gala affair, it has continued annually through the years in January.
• 40 area youngsters take swim test and practice capsizes at Venice Beach.
• Youth sailing begins in Roberts Bay with volunteer instructors of the new club.
• With only 8 sailboats, “prams,” youngsters take turns sailing in the bay weekly.
• Board meetings and meetings and social events continue monthly.
• Social events include monthly theme parties.

back to top

• Club changes from semi private to private with a membership now of 135 and growing.
• VYC became a member of the Florida Ocean Racing Association.
• Monthly newsletter begins, “The Log.”
• Board of the club to begin seeking property for its own clubhouse and docks.
• Board establishes several committees for both boating and social activities as well as a finance and entertainment committee
• Youth sailing is organized into the Pram Fleet of the VYC
• Red Tide hit the Gulf coast again in 1954, and information about it was published to the membership of the club.
• “Prambulators,” a new ladies sailing group was begun led by Mrs. Sidney (Ginny) Schroeder
• Monthly board meetings and social events occur monthly as the property search continues.
• Membership continues to grow in the VYC.
• Club holds benefit dinner dance to raise funds to build more prams-youth sailing growing.
• Tarpon Center Resort owner, Gibbs, tells board he needs the space occupied by the club.
• Board and Gibbs agree on a 60-day cancellation clause in the club’s lease.
• Expansion committee formed to seek a site for the club, accelerating the property search.
• One site, south end of Casey Key was a good prospect, affording bay to the gulf property.
• Negotiations failed for that parcel with disagreement about the price and terms.
• Board of directors realizes VYC needed incremental funds to purchase land and build.
• VYC is under some financial stress with number of functions being supported monthly.
• The probability of a bank loan for the club to make the purchase was unlikely.
• The board agreed to develop a proposal for the membership regarding the funding needed.
• Board meetings and monthly social events continued with great attendance.
• Boating “rendezvous” to other clubs also become a monthly event.
• January 1959, Annual Meeting: Membership approved a $270,000 building program.
• Also authorized forming the Venice Yacht Realty Corporation. Charter required for it.
• The intent: a separate corporation for a property purchase and costs for the clubhouse.
• October: Purchased the Col. Vincent Dixon property on the east side of Tarpon Center Drive, but declined to purchase the Dixon property on the west side of the road.
• Part of the northern part of the property, owned by George Gibbs, was also purchased.
• Later the Club would sell part of the northern segment.
• The Charter for the new Venice Yacht Club Realty Corporation was received in April from the Securities and Exchange Commission of the sate of Florida.
• Highly unusual and a first in Florida at that time for a charter for a corporation to be funded privately, with funding predicated on the sale of debenture bonds.
• Final drawings of the clubhouse were completed, and construction of a new clubhouse on the former Dixon-Gibbs-owned property began in August 1960 in a major ground breaking ceremony with club officers and all members present.
• Funds for construction were raised by yacht club members’ subscriptions to Venice Yacht Club Realty Corporation debenture bonds and a bank mortgage on the land along with additional option monies provided by board members.
• Club’s monthly publication changed from “The Log” to “Currents.”
• VYC joined the St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s invitation to discuss forming a representative body to encourage the sport of yachting and encourage reciprocity among clubs.
• With membership at approximately 300, the new clubhouse was commissioned and opened in a major celebration of persistence with great success on March 4, 1961.
• The celebration included local dignitaries, and the Venice High School ban.
• The harbor filled with boats blowing whistles and sirens in celebration.
• Young skippers of the “Pram Fleet,” with colored sails unfurled, tacked back and forth in the bay, greeting arriving, visiting watercraft.
• The American flag was raised on the gaff of the new flagpole, a gift from the board of directors’ members, joining the club’s burgee on the masthead with signal flags flying from the halyard and club officers’ flags at the yardarm.
• Kentucky Military Institute cadets fired gun salutes, and the club’s miniature cannon fired a shot in a grand celebration of accomplishment and commitment by all members of the club.
• In July VYC became one of the 13 founding clubs of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs.
• Boating “rendezvous” with other yacht clubs began under reciprocity agreement of FCYC.
• The Fort Myers Yacht Club’s boaters were the first to “rendezvous” here in December.
• VYC is re-incorporated as a private club with revised By Laws.
• Not resting or satisfied with the VYC clubhouse, the VYC added a swimming pool and an outside veranda on the east side of the clubhouse, an outdoor snack bar, dressing rooms for visiting boaters, added storage space, and a dock master’s office was constructed.
• The VYC also began sponsorship of “Windjammers,” a junior and senior high school student sailing group, providing its VYC members as instructors with no fee as the “Pram Fleet” continued. Both Windjammers and Pram Fleet were open to all youth in Venice.
• Costs of sponsoring the youth sailing groups are growing.
• Tuitions of 25 cents per sailor for the school year began in the late 1960s.
• The original Prams had to be replaced and were with funds provided by local merchants.
• Social activities continued with monthly theme parties.
• Flag “etiquette” and protocols are established for the VYC for Retreat Ceremonies.
• Board of Directors agreed the VYC must adhere to new 1961 IRS guidelines for non-member functions and as well the IRS new guidelines for exemption applications and approvals.
• VYC passes and publicizes its Resolution against Drilling for Oil in the Gulf.
• VYC member William T. Pearson provided a gift of $25,000 to build an addition to the south side of the clubhouse.
• Later Mr. Pearson added an additional $7,000 to his original gift due to funding shortfall for the addition to the clubhouse.
• Earlier, he had donated the funds for new carpeting in the clubhouse.
• Accompanying his gift was a simple request: that “He has a place to enjoy his cigars and read his newspaper.”
• Accommodating Mr. Pearson’s request: The new room was available only to men until 2 pm during weekdays, but open to all members afterward.
• With construction completed, the room was dedicated on December 19, 1967 and simultaneously named Pearson’s Cove by the board of directors.
• A major event occurs: VYC receives the title to the land, the building and all facilities with all financial obligations (debt) having been met in full in such a short number of years.
• Plaque authorized by the Board of Directors honoring William T. Pearson.
• VYC continues to grow in memberships.
• Delinquent account letters are initiated, authorized by the board of directors.
• VYC agrees to for reciprocal agreements of the FCYC with member clubs.
• Employee job descriptions are initiated for the first time.
• Given increasing costs, including increasing insurance requirements and costs the VYC did not think it could continue to underwrite entirely the youth sailing programs
• The “Pram Fleet” was incorporated, separate from the VYC, as the Venice Youth Boating Assn., Inc. with a separate board of directors of 5 VYC members.
• Articles of Incorporation were approved by the state along with ByLaws
• VYC members continued the sailing instruction, open to all youth of greater Venice.
• Older, experienced young sailors assisted in the sailing lessons coaches and instructors along with some high school VYBA sailors as coaches on the water.
• New fuel tanks are installed at the dock replacing the original ones.
• Bingo games began weekly, adding to the club’s social calendar.
• VYC initiates advanced swimming and life saving classes with US Red Cross-certified and US Sailing Assn.-qualified VYC members as volunteers instructors.
• Bingo on Tuesday evenings at the VYC became a social highlight of the week with women in long dresses and men, always in coats and ties.
• A change in Florida law required private clubs hosting Bingo games, viewed as gambling in private clubs, to donate 10% of the proceeds to a charitable organizatio
• The VYC immediately directed 10% of Bingo proceeds to help support the VYBA.
• Annual minimum charge for dining began.
• Tables at varying heights were corrected to improve appearance in the main dining room.
• Chairs with casters were deemed appropriate for its members’ convenience.
• “Chargers” or service plates were designed by a VYC board member:      o The gold rimmed, blue border plates, with a white center and burgee in the middle.
• Simultaneously, the Venice Youth Boating Association, Inc. was designated by the IRS in March, as a 501(c)(3) organization, now legally able to receive donations.
• 10% of weekly Bingo proceeds were directed to the VYBA
• Kitchen revamping plan was presented and executed by VYC House Committee members.
• Reincorporation again was required because between 1962 and 1971, both charter and by laws revisions had been made without notifying the state of Florida
• In 1976 the outside veranda was enclosed with jalousie windows and air conditioned, creating more needed dining space and was named the Veranda Room.
• Five VYC members organized the Venice Women’s Sailing Squadron that was to be open to non club members and would be informally called the “Bitter Ends,” sailing in VYBA prams.
• Swimming pool is rebuilt and enlarged, and deck on the south side of the pool is enlarged.
• Dock rental agreements for slips are revised and strengthened.
• VYC’s insurance was upgraded and expanded significantly.
• The board of directors authorized a new employee orientation manual.
• The former, enclosed veranda was enlarged, floor to ceiling solar windows were added, and formerly the Veranda Room, it was re-named the “Bay Room.”
• John and Pearl Conard provided a $25,000 check directly to the VYBA for it to construct a building on the south side of the VYC property to house the “Pram Fleet.”
• A sailboat was donated to VYBA and sold to add to the building fund. The Conards added some additional funding shortly thereafter, based on final cost estimates for the building.
• The building, designed by member, Mort Levine. It was completed entirely by funds from VYBA with concurrence and support from the VYC board of directors and dedicated in November 1982. A plaque commemorating the Conards was placed at the southeast corner.
• Originally planned for the sole use of VYBA, the VYC needed storage and office space and VYC and VYBA agreed that VYC would occupy the second floor and VYBA the first floor.
• Non-resident membership rules are implemented.
• An addition called the “Ward Room” and adjoining small out door deck were added east of Pearson’s Cove.
• The dining room was enlarged at the north end, and the skipper’s “Ready Room” was created on the north-east side of the dining room.
• Membership rules for widows are implemented enabling widows to remain members as single members at a single member monthly dues rate.
• Survey of membership was initiated for long range planning to address future needs.
• A major dock expansion proposal was approved by the membership.
• Dock expansion proposal was presented to the Venice Board of Zoning Appeals by year-end and circulated to various other agencies and the county government.
• VYC begins its own chapter of the International Order of the Blue Gavel, a worldwide organization of past commodores of yacht clubs.
• Hurricane preparedness plan is initiated for the first time.
• VYC began “sundowner cruises” to benefit the South County’s American Cancer Society.
• A wooden deck and outside a small Tiki Bar was constructed outside by the pool.
• A new, larger dock master’s building was constructed.
• Parking lot was resurfaced with new parking lanes, expanding capacity of the parking lot.
• Increased docking is proposed and reviewed with various agencies, as required.
• Dock expansion denied by City of Venice. There were submerged land lease questions and issues from other involved agencies. So the VYC was forced back to the drawing board.
• VYC purchased 11 boat slips plus the rental apartment building from Kermit Paxton, on the south side of Higel Park.
• VYC names the apartment building, Fleets Inn, with members having priority in renting apartments for visiting families or friends.
• VYC celebrates its 35th anniversary of its founding.
• Monthly board meetings continue, as did monthly social events in high gear.
• Continuing to grow, the membership in the club has grown to almost 800.
• Summer memberships initiated.
• Annual fishing tournament begins.
• First Venice Christmas Boat parade begins with VYC boaters as the major initiators and participants, 1989.
• Mortgage burning celebration occurs. (Mortgage on original clubhouse construction.)
• $900 annual minimum for food and beverage charges instituted.
• VYBA changed, as a requirement of U S Sailing, from volunteer to paid instructors who were US Sailing-certified and also holding Red Cross Life Saving certificates.
• VYC celebrates its 40th anniversary.
• Space constraints were beginning to create challenges for the VYC, and the board had begun considering how to accommodate the larger membership for meals and monthly events.
• Docking committee continues to work on dock expansion applications and appeals.
• P/C George Goodwin funds front wall along Tarpon Center Drive and port cochere at the clubhouse entrance, and board of directors authorizes a plaque in memory of Goodwin’s wife, Ellan Goodwin, at to the right of the exit from the club parking lot where it is today.
• New awning was placed over the pool deck walkway between the clubhouse and the Tiki that also was enlarged again.
• Challenges regarding constrained space heightened, and the board of directors began considering in earnest an expansion of the clubhouse to meet members’ expectations.
• A member survey was initiated by the board of directors for feedback on clubhouse expansion under consideration to gain a deeper understanding of members’ desires.
• By year-end 1995, with the feedback from the membership, and suggestions from architects, coupled with visits to other yacht clubs, the board had agreed to a plan for expansion that would require a vote of the membership.
• VYC had a potential opportunity to acquire Higel Park and had general support of the membership. The final decision to sell the park was rejected by the city of Venice.
• Friday nights became “the night” to be at the VYC, and “Steak Nights” were begun that later would become “Galley Night.”
• Burgeoning at its seams, the VYC membership approved the plan for a complete renovation of the entire clubhouse, to cost $1.2 million, knowing it would take about a year.
• From the closing date in September through the completion of the new clubhouse, the VYC continued food and beverage service by a tent erected on the VYC property. Fuel dock also remained open. This was an amazing accomplishment designed to keep the club’s employees working and to retain members during the major construction project.
• Women’s Sailing Squadron “Bitter Ends,” celebrates its 20th anniversary.
• On November 1, 1997 the significantly expanded clubhouse opened with the new 2nd floor addition, the Sunset Room, an adjacent conference room, two restrooms upstairs, two elevators, one in the front entrance hall, and one in the kitchen to provide food service to the new Sunset Room overlooking Roberts Bay and the docks.
• An expanded burgee store opened.
• With a new bar upstairs in the Sunset dining room and the newly expanded main bar downstairs, adjacent to Pearson’s Cove, food and beverage services at the VYC were increased significantly. More space was available for multiple, simultaneous events at the VYC.
• Proposal was presented by the board of directors to make VYC a non-smoking club.
• Approved by the membership, smoking was limited to the outside of the clubhouse.
• VYC establishes a website, accessible by the public, and a members only section.
• Celebration of the VYC’s 50th anniversary occurred.
• VYC board of directors holds a fund raising and social event including raffles for a new sound system, a new dance floor in the main dining room, and another Tiki Bar expansion.
• First woman in VYC’s history is elected Commodore who later became Commodore of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs.
• Plans for expanding the VYC docks fails to receive approval again. Undaunted, the VYC used the wisdom of mariners, and VYC changed courses in pursuit of expanded docks in the future for members and visiting guests.
• Effects of the beginning of an economic downturn in Florida were starting to be experienced at the VYC in reduced number of meals service and some members resigned due to economic circumstances.
• VYC was flourishing though finances were being impacted by the downturn.
• Simultaneously the docks adjacent to the immediate south of Fleets Inn went on the market, and VYC seriously considered acquiring them, giving VYC the docks all along Tarpon Center Drive. However, borrowing the funds for the purchase had become a consideration, but bank appraisals of the property were lower than the asking price. The seller would not amend the asking price.
• VYC declined to proceed further with that purchase.
• VYC’s marine is designated a “Florida Clean Marina” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, being only the 5th marina in Sarasota County to be so designated. The year=long effort had been undertaken by the Dockmaster and the VYC’s general manager.
• A major dock expansion was approved in a standing room only crowd at a meeting of the Sarasota County Commission, following a massive engineering and design effort involving numerous VYC marina committee members and the board of directors. Construction of the new C Dock, ending in a major T at the east terminus began shortly there after and was completed in 2011.
• Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation is established, now only the second club member of the FCYC to have a charitable foundation.
• Logo is established for the new charitable foundation along with a foundation committee inviting VYC members to contribute to insure success of the goal of giving back to our community with grant priorities: youth boating, health and education, veterans and active military, the environment, and civic improvement.
• C dock is completed and officially opened.
• Initial grants are provided of $50,248.
• The outside Tiki bar’s food and beverage business was the highest growth area in food and beverage sales at the VYC. That called for expansion of the Tiki and resulted in a major reconstruction and expansion to accommodate the ever-growing desire of the VYC’s membership for outdoor ambience and food and beverage service at the Tiki and all along the pool deck. New tables, chairs, and bar chairs were purchased.
• Grants provided from the VYCCF were $29,915.
• Equipment was purchased to replace old kitchen equipment to enhance the food service capability of the Club’s kitchen, especially needed due to the increase in the number of meals being served outside at the Tiki.
• Dining menus were expanded.
• Redecorating both the downstairs and upstairs of the clubhouse was completed.
• Pavers were installed for the entire pool deck and dining area outside.
• New outdoor chairs and tables were purchased increasing the seating capacity outside all around the pool.
• The swimming pool’s interior surface was renewed.
• Grants provided from the VYCCF grew to $76,808
• On New Year’s Day, the VYC’s general manager was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. A large crowd attended a Celebration of Life for him in the clubhouse that included many of his motorcycle friends.
• By April the search committee, led by the Commodore, had selected a new general manager.
• Wi-Fi extended throughout the clubhouse and docks.
• Security cameras installed around the clubhouse with plans to include dock coverage.
• Major construction required for A Dock: seawall rebuilding
• New, portable dance floor purchased for main dining room.
• New sound system with separate capabilities for various areas in the Club.
• Wi-Fi capability enhanced again.
• Major project for A Dock: Widened slips and installed lifts resulting in all slips rented
• Significant repair required to seawall adjacent to fuel dock to rebuild the seawall and insure fuel tank security and safety to prevent possibility of forward fuel leakage
• Major construction occurred once again in the VYC’s clubhouse.
• Pearson’s Cove was expanded to enable more casual dining inside the clubhouse.
• New chairs and tables were purchased for “the Cove.”
• Main dining room carpeting, window treatments, and chandeliers were replaced.
• Movable glass wall of doors separates “the Cove” from reception desk new sitting area.
• Burgees from many visiting yacht clubs and VYC’s members’ former clubs re-installed in the main bar.
• Commodore’s Room, with a glass wall of doors was created at north end in dining room to enable small dinner parties and meetings.
• When the doors are opened for major clubhouse events, the Commodore’s Room becomes an expanded part of the main dining room.
• Incremental storage was made available in the expansion of Pearson’s Cove along with a complete renovation of the reception desk and a separate storage closet.
• Entrance hall floor completely replaced with attractive tile.
• Plantation shutters installed, enhance the up to date, tropical appearance.
• The VYBA completely revamped the boatyard by installing new boat racks all at its own expense to increase the boat storage capability and added an attractive wall at the south end of VYC property, all funded entirely by the VYBA.
• VYBA completely renovated the interior of the first floor of the Pram Shed, all at its own expense.
• The “Commodore’s Wall” of portraits was moved from the first floor to the second floor, complete with a new tradition of a portrait of the board members to be continued annually.
• VYCCF grants total $111,60.
• The Sunset Room is refurbished with new carpeting, matching the carpeting on the first floor and up the stairway. Sunset Room’s window treatments were enhanced.
• New trophy case at the north end of the Sunset Room was installed.
• Downstairs mens’ and ladies’ restrooms were completely renovated.
• New artwork was installed all around the first floor.
• Driveway completely resurfaced with new parking space lines.
• Tiki renovation:  bar equipment replaced, second computer added for servers, and new, concrete bar top installed
• Major air conditioning units replaced on Clubhouse
• Recoated port cochere entrance surface with long-lasting coating
• Replaced entire wooden walkway outside, all around the main bar
• Entire asphalt parking lot was patched and re-sealed
• VYC introduced a new staff position: Member Relations Manager
• VYC’s “story” accepted and posted at National Sailing Hall of Fame
• Two new boat lifts installed on D Dock
• Pizza oven installed in kitchen
• New website established for VYC enabling online reservations
• “Currents” printing moved to Venice Print Center where it is printed electronically, enhanced photo quality, now each issue is 28 pages vs. 24, has new square binding, and mailing addresses printed
• New truck purchased to replace the old van
• Major oven replaced in kitchen
• Computer replacements required were installed
• Long Range Planning Committee set new mission and objectives with plans for a members’ survey and focus groups in 2021
• Added 3 more boat lifts to D Dock
• Roll doors replaced at Pram Shed
• VYC Sailing Task Force established to create new sailing initiatives

2021  

• Member Satisfaction Survey Results Published
• Long Range Planning Committee announced the new VYC Strategic Plan
• Bayside Bar (Main Bar) completely renovated, including bar top and all appliances
• First Project of the VYC Strategi Plan Identified:  Replace kitchen and Clubhouse roof
• Fuel tanks and pumps replaced at fueling station
• Additional boat lifts installed on D Dock
• Channel dredged along A and B Docks
• Build Committee for Project # 1 established
• Membership Approval Process Revamped
• Bylaws Studies continued through the entire year
• City of Venice issued Proclamation:  Venice Yacht Club Day
• 70 th Anniversary gala party delayed from February to November (due to Covid)
• Major exhibit of our past in one case and another in a 2 nd case in Venice Library entrance for the month of November, 2021
• VYC 70 years of history documented by VYC Historian in the first book published about our history, “Past, Present, and Future.”

  2022  

• Bylaws revisions are presented in Membership Meeting.
• Bylaws are approved by Membership by membership-wide voting.
• Full study of Rules and Regulars gets underway to bring consistency with Bylaws.
• First project of VYC Strategic Plan: implementation is slated for July 1 – December 31.
• Build Committee & Commodore conduct Membership Meeting to communicate the status and the construction plan, the largest project ever undertaken by the VYC
• Build Committee & Commodore initiate $2 million loan with Bank of America, the largest loan for a ten-year term ever taken from a financial institution by our Club.
• VYC will remain open through the entire construction period.
• Temporary kitchen to be installed in front of Clubhouse during construction.
• Food / beverages to be served in the Bayside and Cove dining rooms, Bayside Bar, and Tiki throughout the construction period.
• VYC Membership capped at 750 members with a waiting list implemented.
• Summer Memberships eliminated for summer 2022 due to construction.
• House committee refurnished the outside stairway.
• House Committee refurbished the Flagpole and Compass Rose beautifully.
• East exterior, Clubhouse window frames and railings beside doors are refurbished.
• By year-end the roof replacement was completed.
• By year-end the kitchen renovation was almost completed, and the Commodore hosted an early “peek” at the new kitchen on December 29 th .  Final steps in the kitchen renovation project are expected at the end of January 2023.

Reciprocity

Local country clubs.

Members of the Bird Key Yacht Club can indulge in the best of both worlds with the ultimate land and sea lifestyle. Members enjoy golf privileges at two prestigious Sarasota country clubs: Laurel Oak Country Club and historic Sara Bay Country Club. With a challenging 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross in 1925, Sara Bay offers an unforgettable golfing experience, while Laurel Oak boasts two of the most challenging courses in Sarasota, designed by golf legends Gary Player and Rees Jones.

Yachting Club of America

Bird Key Yacht Club offers its members exclusive privileges at yacht clubs across the United States as a proud member of the Yachting Club of America. Our members experience the best of what other YCA clubs have to offer, from exciting destinations to top-rated amenities and services, by taking membership with them across the nation.

At Bird Key Yacht Club, our commitment to providing exceptional experiences both on and off the water includes enhancing the benefits for our membership through our YCA affiliation. Discover the benefits of our Yachting Club of America reciprocity program by visiting Bird Key Yacht Club today!

The Florida Council Of Yacht Clubs

The Bird Key Yacht Club is a distinguished founding member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. Our affiliation with FCYC offers our members access to reciprocal benefits at clubs throughout the state of Florida, providing limitless opportunities to explore new destinations and experience exciting adventures.

Our members enjoy the perks of complimentary first night's dockage and access to club activities at FCYC Clubs, with charges conveniently billed through their home Club, Bird Key Yacht Club.

We hold our relationship with the FCYC in high regard, and take pride in preserving its rich history and tradition. As you enter our Club, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful display of burgees from our esteemed fellow FCYC Clubs in the stunning atrium.

Bradenton Yacht Club

Captiva Island Yacht Club

Carlouel Beach & Yacht Club

Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club

Clearwater Yacht Club

Coral Reef Yacht Club

Coral Ridge Yacht Club

Davis Island Yacht Club

Eau Gallie Yacht Club

Florida Yacht Club

Fort Walton Yacht Club

Halifax River Yacht Club

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club

Isles Yacht Club

Key Biscayne Yacht Club

Lake Beresford Yacht Club

Lauderdale Yacht Club

Marathon Yacht Club

Marco Island Yacht Club

Naples Sailing & Yacht Club

Naples Yacht Club

Oyster Bay Yacht Club

Pelican Isle Yacht Club

Pensacola Yacht Club

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club

Sarasota Yacht Club

Smyrna Yacht Club

St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club

St. Charles Yacht Club

St. Petersburg Yacht Club

Tampa Yacht & Country Club

Tarpon Springs Yacht Club

The Field Club

The Moorings Yacht & Country Club

Venice Yacht Club

Vero Beach Yacht Club