middle thames yacht club

More From Forbes

The top 50 most exclusive yacht clubs in the world honored with platinum status.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Royal Yacht Squadron in England

The rich and famous are not merely looking for the best place to anchor their yachts; they are also seeking out exclusive memberships in stunning destinations, all offering luxury amenities and, of course, bragging rights. These exclusive yachting clubs with often outrageous initiation fees, provide luxurious clubhouses, and provide accommodations for yachties who want to get their land legs. Most of them provide high-end concierge service to its members as well as Michelin-star quality restaurants and more.

Yacht Clubs have been recognized in the Platinum Clubs of America elections for more than 20 years. According to the Platinum Club, “Recognition in the following categories is important in the selection of Platinum status; Tradition, history, and heritage, a respected membership, excellence in amenities, exceptional service, adapting to changing times, and overall experience.

I spoke with the President of Club Leaders Forum, David V. Smith, about the selection, and he says, “we created an alphabetical selection this time as opposed to by rank because we felt that it was challenging to compare a yacht club in Ireland with a yacht club in Singapore, as amenities, location and facilities do vary quite a lot. The yachting and boating world is a different and unique culture, typically a little more relaxed and not as formal as country clubs and golf clubs. However, many of the world’s finest yacht clubs have wonderful history and traditions, with a great sense of camaraderie among their members. Certain yacht clubs were selected by the Panel not necessarily for their facilities and amenities but in their recognition of hosting world class sailing regattas and events.”  

Here are the top 50 most exclusive yacht clubs worldwide being awarded the ultimate Platinum Status for 2021.

Annapolis Yacht Club

Surrounding the Spa Creek Bridge in Annapolis, the Club boasts over 75 wet slips and dry dockage. The club began in 1886 as an informal canoe club, and today has 1600 regular members active in social, racing, and cruising programs.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans.

Aerial view of Beach Point Club

Beach Point Club

Beach Point Club is a member-owned, family-oriented private club. The elegant and spacious clubhouse was built in the 1890s by an industrialist as a private home. In 1925 the property was purchased by the founding members with the purpose of establishing a club on the water. The club now has more than 600 members with a full service marina.

Chicago Yacht Club

Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. The Club is home to more than 1,400 members, including a winning America’s Cup skipper, and Olympic medalists.

The stunning Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Grosse Pointe offers a 261-slip certified Clean Marina, state-of-the-art Marine Activity Center, newly renovated Bowling Recreation Center and Family Recreation Center, new Fitness Center, and Olympic-sized pool. The 75,000-square-foot Clubhouse features Italian Renaissance architecture and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2015. Initiation fees can go as high as $12,500 with $650 monthly dues

Larchmont Yacht Club

Located in Westchester County, New York, the Club has been in existence since 1880 when it was purchased by Benjamin A. Carver, a railroad magnate. The original Carver residence was much smaller than the present clubhouse – the east and west wings were added following the purchase. The Junior Clubhouse was the Carver stable: the basement was the cow barn, while the first floor housed the horses.

Lauderdale Yacht Club

Founded in 1938, Lauderdale Yacht Club is invitation only and host to 65 dock slips that wrap around the marina. The club is also home to one of the most elite junior sailing programs in the nation.

Naples Yacht Club

Founded in 1947 and situated on Naples Bay, the Club has the proud distinction of being the city’s first and oldest private club and its marina has 75 concrete floating docks. Membership has grown from three founding yachtsmen to over 530.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club

Established in 1916, the club is located on the Balboa peninsula in Southern California. A newly remodeled clubhouse was also created to replace the original building. Initiation fees range upwards of $20,000

Palm Beach Yacht Club

Palm Bea ch Yacht Club

Founded in 1890, the marina has 45 slips to accommodate boats up to 150 feet. All annual dockage contracts (from $1 per foot per day), include a membership to the prestigious Yacht Club.

Pelican Isle Y acht Club

With 190 wet slips and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, the club can accommodate vessels up to 55 feet. Equity social membership is by invitation only with an initiation fee as high as $15,000, and annual dues at $5,500.

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club

Founded in 1959, the club has been part of the Boca Raton landscape for over 50 years with membership by invitation only. The state-of-the-art Marina boasts a TimberTech floating dock system, accommodating vessels up to 130 feet. 

Sailfish Club of Florida

The Sailfish Club of Florida was built in the early 1900s. It is the oldest continuously operating private club in the town of Palm Beach.

San Diego Yacht Club

In June of 1886 a group of local boating enthusiasts joined together to found what has become this cornerstone yacht club. The racing history of SDYC is as significant as the history of its location. Several members were winning races all over the country in the early to mid-20th century, however, SDYC reached a turning point starting in the 1980s when Dennis Conner won the America’s Cup. In the early 1980s, Dennis Conner won the cup once and then lost it the next time to New York Yacht Club. In 1987, Dennis won again on behalf of San Diego Yacht Club. The America’s Cup was won a third time by SDYC in 1992 by Bill Koch on the yacht,  America .

With 600 wet slips and 100 dry slips, initiation fee is upwards of $24,000 plus $200 monthly dues.

Aerial view of the San Francisco Yacht Club

San Francisco Yacht Club

In the summer of 1869, a group of active, local yachtsmen formed the San Francisco Yacht Club. The oldest yacht club on the Pacific Coast, it’s one of the most elegant and exclusive yacht clubs in the U.S. The harbor consists of 190 berths and 50 dry-storage spaces, as well as a large youth sailing dock. Membership is by sponsor referral only.

Sarasota Yacht Club

Saraso ta Yacht Club

Sarasota Yacht Club was organized in the summer of 1907 and located on the north end of Siesta Key. Facilities include a 110-slip marina, fitness center, heated pool, two indoor bars, a pool bar, multiple meeting rooms, a grand dining room, waterside terrace, and lunch dock. Membership is by invitation only.

Savannah Yacht Club

The Savannah Yacht Club was originally organized on June 14, 1869. The private, members only club is by invitation only with only 1,000 members. Amenities include a figure 8 pool, an Olympic size swimming pool, as well as floating docks.

St. Francis Yacht Club

This club was founded in 1927 when the members of the San Francisco Yacht Club decided to move their clubhouse out of San Francisco to Belvedere, California. The 2,300 member club is considered to be the most prestigious yacht club in the western U.S. and has hosted over 40 regattas on San Francisco Bay. The Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse is in close proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoys views from the Bridge to Alcatraz Island and beyond.

Tampa Yacht & Country Club

Founded in 1904 as a place to race sailboats, ride and show horses, the marina now holds 31 covered slips and 50 open slips. Membership is sponsored and by invitation only.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Circolo Canottieri Aniene

Circolo degli Esteri

Compagnia della Vela

Playing host to 10 prestigious regattas this year, including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Yacht Club Costa Smerelda has been tied to the Italian Sailing Federation since the 1960s. Offering a wellness center and spa, the clubhouse overlooks the Marina and the Italian coast. The club has a panoramic pool terrace, al fresco dining, and a member’s lounge and bar. There are also 24 residential suites, including the popular Presidential suite that opened in 2016.

Yacht Club Italiano

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron

Royal Perth Yacht Club

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

Raffles Marina

Republic of Singapore Yacht Club

Real Club Nautico de Vigo

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has its marina close to the bustling Front Street at the heart of the historic city of Hamilton. It began as a meeting place for British military officers and Bermudian sailing enthusiasts.

Membership in the club extends to over 850 resident and non-resident members. The 130 berth marina has a full-service staff and can accommodate vessels of up to 150 feet in length.

Nassau Yacht Club

Royal Bombay Yacht Club

Royal Canadian Yacht Club

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Royal Victoria Yacht Club

Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world.

Royal Cork Yacht Club

Sometime in the early 1600s, sailing for private pleasure started to to become popular in the Netherlands. Later that century, during the Cromwellian years, King Charles II of England was in exile in the Netherlands and while there he became aware of this new and exciting pastime. According to Royal Cork Yacht Club, “By 1720, interest in the sport had progressed so much that his great-grandson, the 26 year old William O’Brien, the 9th Lord Inchiquin, and five of his friends got together to formalize their activities and in so doing established ” The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork.”

This club is known today as the Royal Cork Yacht Club and it is the oldest yacht club in the world. It was originally located on Haulbowline Island before moving to the town of Cobh and finally establisged in it's current location in Crosshaven.

Royal Irish Yacht Club

NEW ZEALAND

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Royal Southern Yacht Club

Royal Thames Yacht Club

The Royal Thames Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, founded in 1775. The exclusive Knightsbridge Clubhouse has two bars, an acclaimed restaurant, and accommodations for those staying overnight. Anyone looking to join must be recommended by current members.

The Royal Western Yacht Club of England

Royal Yacht Squadron

Royal Yacht Club Moscow

Société des Régates du Havre

Monaco Yacht Club

Yacht Club de Monaco

Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953, the Yacht Club De Monaco is a prestigious club that holds a unique position on the international yachting scene with more than 1600 members drawn from 66 nationalities.

The reigning Club President since 1984 has been His Royal Highness, Prince Sovereign Albert II, and a suitably formal dress code for day and evening wear is enforced at all times. Membership is limited and very, very exclusive: prospective candidates must submit an application form to the club committee and be introduced by two sponsors, both of whom must be existing members. The successful applicant will be welcomed with an ice-breaking cocktail party and gala dinner in their honor.

The futuristic clubhouse was redesigned in 2013 and overlooks Port Hercules, it offers up very popular cocktail bar and Mediterranean restaurant.

Yacht Club Santo Amaro

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• Create Account

Signed in as:

[email protected]

• Member Clubs
• River Thames
• Online Shop
• Meeting Minutes

Association of Thames Yacht Clubs

To the on-line home of the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs. We represent nearly 40 Thames based Yacht Clubs on both the tidal and non-tidal stretches of the river. 

Browse at your leisure and discover all that's on offer. 

The AGM is almost here!

The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. 

Don’t miss out!

Mins Minutes

Secs Seconds

Our Member Clubs

Find out all about ATYC Membership, who we are and what we do and how we represent the recreational boating community on both the tidal and non-tidal reaches of the Thames 

 Learn all the about the creation of the Nonprofit Association back in 1949 when three Thames boat clubs got together to speak up for the river Thames users and their interests

 The ATYC represents nearly 40 river Thames boat clubs on both the down river tidal stretches and upriver and non-tidal reaches. Find out here which is your nearest club.

Meet the Team

 The Association is managed by a hard working team of volunteers who ensure the smooth day to day running and work tirelessly within their committee roles.

Publications

 The ATYC offers various RYA courses at RYA affiliated training centres who are members of the association. Find out about the selection of the RYA courses below

 The Association recommends a selection of publications available to leisure boaters on the Thames. Visit our bookshop to purchase these titles that are useful tools onboard   

Competitions

Atyc constitution.

Boat handling competitions and demonstrations to member clubs are also on offer at the ATYC. These usually take place at one of our rallies but can also be held at a member club or one of their events.  

Each month the Association produces an electronic newsletter which is distributed to each club representative who then forwards it on to their membership. Click the link below to read the latest and back dated copies

How do we do what we do and by what are we governed? Find out exactly how it all works by reading our constitution. The link below will take you to a downloadable link and a handy PDF viewer

News Bulletins

Sign up to hear from us with the latest news bulletins and events.

Copyright © 2024 Association of Thames Yacht Clubs - All Rights Reserved.

• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Middle Thames Yacht Club

Location & hours.

Suggest an edit

Kingsmead Avenue

Sunbury On Thames TW16 5HE

United Kingdom

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Basketball Near Me

Other Sports Clubs Nearby

Find more Sports Clubs near Middle Thames Yacht Club

Village Matters

New Ferry Crossing at Sunbury

This is definitely good news for you walkers out there. Sunbury is following in the footsteps of Shepperton and Hampton and introducing a ferry to join it to the Walton bank and the footpath along the Thames. 

Made possible because of a lot of cooperation and support from various parties, including Spelthorne Council, The Middle Thames Yacht Club, LoSRA, the Environment Agency, local residents and a hardy group of volunteers, the final preparations are underway. Jetties have been finished and the new boat has arrived. The service launches on the 3rd July. 

So look out for the service which is bound to prove very popular. There is a lovely new website where you can get more information, but in essence the price of a crossing is £2 for an adult and a bike only £1 extra. Children under 11 will go free. It will operate Saturday and Sunday 10-5pm, approximately every 15 minutes. To access the ferry take the pathway to the river from opposite the Riverside Arts Centre. www.sunburyferry.co.uk 

Royal Dart Yacht Club

• Getting Here
• Opening Times
• Dress Guidance

Club History

• Club Officers and Staff
• Mooring at the Club
• Merchandise
• Job Opportunities
• Useful Links
• About the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust
• How to use your Smart Club Card
• RDYC Rules and Regulations
• Membership Fees
• Useful Information for Members
• The Cottage
• Hire The Club Spaces
• Racing News
• RDYC Racing Programme
• Racing Noticeboard
• Racing Results
• Racing Information
• Racing Sponsors
• Corinthian Class
• Dartmouth Classics 2023
• Classic Channel Regatta 2024
• Dartmouth Royal Regatta Sailing Week
• Train with us
• RYA Powerboat Training
• RYA Dinghy Instructor Course
• Safety on and off the water
• Safety Documents and Protocols
• Using RDYC Motor Boats
• Ladies Afloat
• Boys in Boats
• Cruising (Sail and Motor)
• Junior Sailing
• Junior Sailing Saturday Programme

Junior Sailing Week

• Hospitality-Overview
• Dining at RDYC
• Reciprocal clubs
• Boats and Gear for Sale

Sunbury Lock Ait is a long island above the lock, separating the Left bank Lock Cut from the weir stream. The Right bank Sunbury Weir is above Sunbury Lock Ait. The weir stream continues on the right bank behind Wheatley's Ait and is joined by the River Ash. Small boats could go more than a mile up this weir stream eventually reaching the Tumbling Bay at the head of Wheatley's Ait.

Middle Thames Yacht Club

Website . Access to the club is possible by club ferry from Sunbury or by using the club car park and a short walk on the Walton side.

1889: Jerome K Jerome -

We reached Sunbury Lock at half-past three. The river is sweetly pretty just there before you come to the gates, and the backwater is charming; but don't attempt to row up it. I tried to do so once. I was sculling, and asked the fellows who were steering if they thought it could be done, and they said, oh, yes, they thought so, if I pulled hard. We were just under the little foot-bridge that crosses it between the two weirs, when they said this, and I bent down over the sculls, and set myself up, and pulled. I pulled splendidly. I got well into a steady rhythmical swing. I put my arms, and my legs, and my back into it. I set myself a good, quick, dashing stroke, and worked in really grand style. My two friends said it was a pleasure to watch me. At the end of five minutes, I thought we ought to be pretty near the weir, and I looked up. We were under the bridge, in exactly the same spot that we were when I began, and there were those two idiots, injuring themselves by violent laughing. I had been grinding away like mad to keep that boat stuck still under that bridge. I let other people pull up backwaters against strong streams now.

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

2021 Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup - Overall: Southern Yacht Club wins for second time

Related Articles

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Carmela Cup 2024 requests for invite open

Related Articles

Upcoming Events

The History of MTYC

If you are interested in reading about the history of our Boating Club, please download the PDF below.

Mid Thames Model Boat Club

We have a very active Yachting section who build and race model yachts. Racing activities are organised into four groups:

Fiesta, Victoria & DF65

International One Metre

Competitors are awarded points at each of the season's race meetings (Regattas) which are counted towards the Club Championships.  Trophies are awarded for the Championship winners and runners up at the end of the year.

Please see the News & Events page for dates and times of Yachting Regattas.

Information on sailing rules, regatta scoring and race results can be found by clicking the links below:

Sailing Rules >

Regatta Scoring >

Results 2020 >

Results Archive >

Group Description

A description of the four racing groups can be found below together with links to additional information and class rules.

Fiesta, Victoria & DF65

This group comprises three classes of yacht, all of which can be built from a kit or purchased second hand. All three classes have a similar performance and are raced together.

The Fiesta is responsive and yet forgiving, can sail in almost any wind with one suit of sails and it will fit into the smallest of cars without de-rigging. What more could anyone ask for! Contact Alan Woodroffe at Schooner  RC Group who makes hulls, sails, spares and sometimes has second hand boats for sale by clicking on the Fiesta photo.

Fiesta Rules >

The Victoria One Design is a simple, affordable, ARF sailboat manufactured by the Thunder Tiger Model Company, and distributed world wide. The kit's low cost, ease of assembly, and good sailing characteristics make it a great first yacht, while remaining fun to sail and race for old hands as well.

Please click on the photo of the Victoria  for more information on the  class.

Victoria Rules >

T he Joysway DragonForce 65, or DF65 for short, is based on the Ice RG65 by Mark Dicks. Produced by Joysway Hobby Co in China the DF65 has been an instant hit and to date (early 2016) there are over 12,000 boats out there sailing and racing. 

Please click on the photo of the DF65  for more information on the  class.

Please note: The extra large A+ sails and rig are NOT allowed when racing in our Fiesta/Victoria/DF65 class. 

DF65 Rules >

International One Metre (IOM)

The International One Metre  (IOM) is one of the most popular RC Racing yacht classes in the World and is raced in over 30 Countries Worldwide. Although Carbon fibre is allowed in the construction of the Fin and Rudder, construction of the hull must be of either wood or Glass fibre. This makes the class very popular for the amateur builder and most of the professional builders have plans and kits for home completion.

Please click on the photo of the IOM  for more information on the  class.

IOM Rules >

The Joysway Dragonflite 95, or DF95 for short, is a new "plug and play" 950mm Sailboat designed by RC sailors expressly for racing in all conditions This RC sailboat project follows on the success of the Joysway Dragon Force DF65.

Please click on the photo of the DF95 for more information on the class.

DF95 Rules >

The handicap racing normally comprises a variety of  yachts which fit into one of the classes listed above. Depending on conditions the yachts will race around different length courses, with the faster yachts having to sail further than the slower yachts. This makes for some interesting finishes!

Schooner "The Last"