bay head yacht club initiation fee

How Much Do Yacht Club Memberships Cost? (5 Helpful Examples)

Joining a yacht club is an important milestone in your life. It marks a certain degree of success and allows you to enjoy plenty of luxurious amenities. Setting sail on a yacht is the ultimate way to unwind from a hectic work week while you try to climb the corporate ladder.

Fortunately, there are yacht clubs all over the country that would love to welcome you as a brand-new member. You can enjoy an afternoon on the water with a beautiful yacht in exchange for a small sum of money.

But how much do Yacht Club memberships generally cost?

Prices for Yacht Clubs will vary based on your location, the fleet, and even the amenities that are offered at the marina. The average annual membership price is between $900-$4,000 depending on your level of luxury and needs.

To give you an idea of what you could expect to pay for your yacht club membership, here are some numbers gathered from across the country:

Table of Contents

What Does Each Yacht Club Offer?

Each yacht club is going to offer something that sets it apart from the others on this listing. To give you a better idea of where your money is going, here is a brief synopsis of what you can expect at each location.

Related Article: How Much Does Yacht Insurance Cost? (4 Examples)

Charleston Yacht Club

Charleston is a premier cruising destination with plenty of waterways for you to explore. They offer a launch hoist, dry slips, day dockage, free parking, and a long list of events scheduled throughout the year.

You also gain privileges at other yacht clubs around the world. If you don’t own your own yacht, they have plenty of members who often have room on their boats to accommodate a few extra passengers.

Florida Yacht Club

The Florida Yacht Club is a relatively exclusive club that features amazing amenities like fine dining and an array of aquatic activities.

You can play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or massage, or get in a rousing game of croquet from the shore. They also host events and permit you to extend your privileges to other locations scattered around the Florida coast.

Atlanta Yacht Club

The Atlanta Yacht Club is primarily geared toward sailors who are interested in racing. They have a fleet of more than thirty different boats that are designed to help you further your knowledge of sailing.

If you still have a lot to learn, you can even take classes at this location. Prospective members must be sponsored and co-sponsored by two club members for entrance.

Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)

Chicago Yacht Club

Members of the Chicago Yacht Club will find plenty of opportunities to get involved. With more than forty different committees, you can find a circle of friends that have common interests beyond just sailing and racing.

You also receive transient docking at both the Belmont and Monroe harbors, exclusive invites to private events, and reciprocity at more than 900 clubs across the country.

Related Article: Boat Clubs in Boston: 5 Clubs You Should Know

California Yacht Club

The California Yacht Club is home to both national and world championship regattas.

They host plenty of events from scuba club to book club to wine tastings. If you want to find a true community of like-minded sailors, this could be the place for you.

One of the best features is the reciprocity at locations not just across the United States but across the world. You can feel free to travel the world with your yacht and experience some of the same fellowship globally.

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Los Angeles: 7 Clubs You Should Know

What are the Cheapest Yacht Clubs?

The cheapest yacht clubs charge just under $1,000 per year for membership. While this does give you access to different types of experiences, you may be disappointed by the overall amenities.

Some yacht clubs are known for their extravagant country club styles that help you to embrace a particular lifestyle. They include Olympic-sized swimming pools, state-of-the-art tennis courts, and fine dining.

Everything has a beautiful waterfront view. It can feel like you are in the middle of an idyllic paradise without ever even having to leave the shore. If this is what you can gain from the most expensive yacht clubs, you should set your expectations much lower for the cheaper yacht clubs.

The cheaper yacht clubs lack the community aspect of these exclusive options. They feature dry slips and the occasional party, but not much more.

Some of them may have the feel of a county park with some picnic benches, outdoor grills, and a moderately sized swimming pool. Expect a much more casual atmosphere when you choose to go with a cheaper yacht club.

It is even possible that they are simply “paper yacht clubs” that do not even maintain a physical building of their own.

How Much Do the Most Expensive Yacht Clubs Cost to Join?

The most expensive yacht clubs can vary a great deal in price. Most of them will cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per year. However, you can certainly find more exclusive clubs that will cost above and beyond this.

Keep in mind that these more expensive clubs generally are not open to the public. They are offered by invitation only and you must have a member sponsor you to be considered for entrance.

When you are paying for a more expensive yacht club, you should make sure that you are really going to get your money’s worth. These expensive clubs promote a certain type of elegant lifestyle.

Make sure that you are planning to take advantage of all the amenities available from one of these clubs before you sink too much money into the membership fees. The social aspect of these expensive yacht clubs is extremely important.

If you plan to simply rent a boat from time to time, you might be able to go with a cheaper yacht club.

Related Article: How Long Do Sailboats Last?

What Is Generally Included in the Membership Fee for Yacht Clubs?

Have you been wondering why you should join a yacht club? Many potential members want to know what they can expect from their membership fees before they commit to a year-long contract. There are many advantages to signing up for a membership with a well-known yacht club.

Amenities and Activities

First and foremost, you get access to activities and cruises planned by board members. These might be various sailing activities, dinners, get-togethers, tennis matches, or other events that take up a lazy Sunday afternoon.

You also gain access to any amenities that surround the yacht club’s marina. For many programs, this means a fitness center, pool, and tennis courts. Several locations also offer fine dining, meeting rooms, and more.

It is like a private oasis where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the regular world. Time moves slowly when you’re enjoying the amenities here.

Many yacht clubs have programs that introduce children (and adults!) to sailing. Take classes to learn more about improving your technique, sailing safety, and other important aspects of life on the open water.

Access to the Fleet

The main reason why most people join yacht clubs is to be able to rent out boats instead of purchasing their own. Joining a yacht club may give you access to an entire fleet of yachts that can be reserved for a day or weeks at a time. Some yacht clubs allow you to rent boats for up to ten days at a time.

Others do not allow you to rent out ships. They are primarily geared toward individuals who already own a yacht or will own a yacht in the future. Make sure you know the difference in advance.

Are There any Additional Costs Besides the Membership Fees?

Unfortunately, the membership fees are not the only cost associated with joining a yacht club. Most of the clubs in the United States also have a one-time initial fee that tends to cost thousands of dollars. Many will range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the location and the exclusivity of the yacht club.

This one-time fee should be the only additional money you pay except for fuel. Most yacht clubs do not cover the cost of the fuel used in the ship during your rental if renting is an option. Be prepared for what this could cost you.

If you cause damage to the ship, you can also expect some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance should cover the damage, but you will likely be asked to cover the cost of the deductible.

Be sure to inquire about how much you may be on the hook for before you sign up for any particular yacht club. Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced sailors. Make sure that you can afford the mishap in advance.

Is a Yacht Club Membership Right for You?

Understanding what the real cost of a yacht club membership is can be the first step toward determining if this is right for you. Many people love the luxuries available through the more expensive yacht clubs, but they may not be able to afford it. Consider what is most important in a club to you before deciding to sign on the dotted line for an annual membership.

Click to share...

• Yacht Clubs

Bay Head Yacht Club

bayheadyachtclub.org

111 Metcalfe Street

Bay Head , NJ 08742

(732) 899-2000

The Bay Head Yacht Club was established in 1888 in Bay Head, New Jersey. BHYC members were active participants in early sneakbox and catboat racing on the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay. In 1914 the club was a founding member of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association. That summer a BHYC sailor won the first BBYRA championship. Since then Bay Head sailors have won 175 championship flags in classes ranging from E Scows to Barnegat Bay’s splendid wooden A Cats.

Today the Bay Head Yacht Club has a vibrant membership of 850 families that enjoy active sailing programs.  The Club is proud to continue its leadership in the sport of sailing. The Club is located at the northern terminus of Barnegat Bay in New Jersey where several sailing Olympians and world champions have competed.

“Bay Head Yacht Club is proud to support the National Sailing Hall of Fame as a Founding Member. For over 120 years this sort of leadership has been central to the mission of our Club,” said Commodore Austin T. Fragomen.

The Bay Head Yacht Club was established on September 8, 1888 “to promote yachting and rowing and to foster athletic sports upon the water”. Bay Head was then emerging as a popular seaside resort that attracted prominent families from Philadelphia and New York. The first clubhouse was built in 1889 on pilings at the head of Barnegat Bay. The modest building was surrounded by marshes and reached from land by boardwalks. In 1893 the clubhouse was moved 100 yards east to its present location and in 1928 the current clubhouse was built to accommodate a growing membership.

BHYC members were active participants in early sneakbox and catboat racing on the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay. In 1914 the Club was a founding member of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association. Bay Head Commodore John V.A. Cattus was elected the BBYRA’s first commodore. That summer O.G. Dale of BHYC won the first BBYRA championship in his 20’ Sneakbox “Arran”. Since then BHYC sailors have won 175 championships in classes ranging from E Scows to Barnegat Bay’s splendid wooden A Cats.

Bay Head has had many prominent sailors in its history including Slade Dale, winner of the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal for 1929 for a cruise to Cuba and back in “Postscript”, a 23’ cutter designed by Dale himself. Also Sam Merrick, champion E Scow sailor, who managed the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team to its best showing ever: an unprecedented three gold and two silver medals in 1984. Sam was honored later that year with US Sailing’s most prestigious award, The Nathanael Herreshoff Trophy.

BHYC’s campus is a “key site” in Bay Head’s historic district. It includes two buildings separately listed on the National Register as “contributing structures” within the historic district: our clubhouse and the boat shed, formerly known as Dale’s Yacht Basin, on Lake Avenue. Our facilities suffered significant damage during Superstorm Sandy. We have completed repairs on everything but the clubhouse. Plans for its restoration are underway and we hope to re-open the clubhouse in 2014.

Quick Links

Getting Here

The Sailing Museum & Hall of Fame

365 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

401.324.5761

[email protected]

Please upgrade your browser to use this application.

Enjoy the club for a day on us*. BOOK A TOUR

Enjoy the club for a day on us*.

*Restrictions apply.

Membership Information and Guidelines Copy

Bay club membership information and  guidelines.

The Bay Club Company, along with its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, the “Bay Club”), have adopted guidelines, procedures, rules, and regulations (“Guidelines”) to provide for the safe, enjoyable, and healthy use of our clubs, premises, and events by you, our members, and guests.

The Guidelines apply to your conduct at all Bay Club locations which includes your access to our clubs, sports amenities (including but not limited to golf, tennis, squash, racquetball, pickleball, basketball), all outdoor areas, including parking lots, sidewalks, and outdoor pools, and indoor and outdoor children’s play areas (collectively, the “Premises”). The Guidelines also apply to the use of any of the Bay Club’s online, mobile, or interactive offerings or websites. They also apply to your conduct during Bay Club programs, training, events, or other Bay Club-sponsored activities off the premises (“Events”).

In addition to these Guidelines, the Bay Club may post or otherwise communicate additional Guidelines in our clubs, on our web or mobile sites, or at our Events, including Guidelines applicable to a single club. In some instances, government regulations may establish different requirements applicable to certain clubs that may not be outlined here. To the extent of a conflict with other Guidelines, the more restrictive Guideline applies.

If you violate any of these Guidelines, you may be subject to membership consequences including the restriction, suspension, or termination of your membership or club access.  Members are responsible for their actions as well as the actions of their guests and children under their supervision. Should damage arise—whether property or personal injury—you are liable for all resultant costs. Please note that not all rules may apply at all Clubs if a specific department is not onsite.

The Bay Club may change these Guidelines at any time at its discretion. As a member or guest of the Bay Club, you are responsible for reviewing and complying with these Guidelines.

For questions, please contact Customer Service through  Bay Club Connect .

To review our current Membership Guidelines, click  here .

To review our current membership guidelines – golf supplement, click  here ..

Last updated 01.01.24

We could tell you all about the world-class amenities and memorable moments that await you at the Bay Club, but we'd rather you experience it all for yourself! Come visit us with a 3-day pass. Try a new workout class, check out our fantastic selection of dining options, or spend an hour hitting balls on the court--it's all here waiting for you.

WE WANT TO MEET YOU!

We’d like to invite you to visit a club so we can learn about what matters most to you and so you can discover what it’s like to be a part of our unique community. Fill in your information below and we’ll get in touch to schedule your visit.

All fields required unless otherwise noted.By providing your physical address, we can better tailor your Bay Club experience and make sure you enjoy all the amenities in the campus closest to you. Please note, we will not use your physical address for any direct mail or advertising purposes. First-time visitors only; must be 18 years or older and a local resident. Please note, the appointment date selected is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation from a Membership Director.--> Thank you!

WE’RE SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE.

At the Bay Club, we strive to craft experiences that create a robust and active lifestyle for our members – with a focus on sports, fitness, hospitality, and family. A key piece of our success is listening to the needs of our members and using their input to influence our programming and amenities. And, we have found it is just as important to listen early – before the membership has even started.

So, please tell us a little about what brought you here today and what you would like your Bay Club experience to look like. We thank you for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself and look forward to assisting you.

Visit a Club

Offer valid through April 1, 2020. $25 gift card will be sent digitally following your Bay Club visit; limit one per household. Current and alumni members not eligible. Initiation fee savings and gift card amount based on membership level at joining; offer valid on select memberships only. Gift cards delivered digitally on March 1, 2020; valid at any Whole Foods Market location; cannot be redeemed for cash. Cannot be combined with any other offers; other restrictions may apply.

Bay Head Yacht Club

Stories from the Bay Head Yacht Club

Bay Head Yacht Club 111 Metcalfe Street Bay Head, NJ 08742 (732) 899-2000

Website: http://bayheadyacht.clubhouseonline-e3.com/Home.aspx

The Bay Head Yacht Club was established in 1888 in Bay Head, New Jersey. BHYC members were active participants in early sneakbox and catboat racing on the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay. In 1914 the club was a founding member of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association. That summer a BHYC sailor won the first BBYRA championship. Since then Bay Head sailors have won 175 championship flags in classes ranging from E Scows to Barnegat Bay’s splendid wooden A Cats.

Today the Bay Head Yacht Club has a vibrant membership of 850 families that enjoy active sailing programs.  The Club is proud to continue its leadership in the sport of sailing. The Club is located at the northern terminus of Barnegat Bay in New Jersey where several sailing Olympians and world champions have competed.

BAY HEAD YACHT CLUB BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

“Bay Head Yacht Club is proud to support the National Sailing Hall of Fame as a Founding Member. For over 120 years this sort of leadership has been central to the mission of our Club,” said Commodore Austin T. Fragomen.

Video: Moving the Bay Head Yacht Club

The Bay Head Yacht Club was established on September 8, 1888 “to promote yachting and rowing and to foster athletic sports upon the water”. Bay Head was then emerging as a popular seaside resort that attracted prominent families from Philadelphia and New York. The first clubhouse was built in 1889 on pilings at the head of Barnegat Bay. The modest building was surrounded by marshes and reached from land by boardwalks. In 1893 the clubhouse was moved 100 yards east to its present location and in 1928 the current clubhouse was built to accommodate a growing membership.

BHYC members were active participants in early sneakbox and catboat racing on the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay. In 1914 the Club was a founding member of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association. Bay Head Commodore John V.A. Cattus was elected the BBYRA’s first commodore. That summer O.G. Dale of BHYC won the first BBYRA championship in his 20’ Sneakbox “Arran”. Since then BHYC sailors have won 175 championships in classes ranging from E Scows to Barnegat Bay’s splendid wooden A Cats.

Bay Head has had many prominent sailors in its history including Slade Dale, winner of the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal for 1929 for a cruise to Cuba and back in “Postscript”, a 23’ cutter designed by Dale himself. Also Sam Merrick, champion E Scow sailor, who managed the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team to its best showing ever: an unprecedented three gold and two silver medals in 1984. Sam was honored later that year with US Sailing’s most prestigious award, The Nathanael Herreshoff Trophy.

BHYC's campus is a "key site" in Bay Head's historic district. It includes two buildings separately listed on the National Register as "contributing structures" within the historic district: our clubhouse and the boat shed, formerly known as Dale's Yacht Basin, on Lake Avenue. Our facilities suffered significant damage during Superstorm Sandy. We have completed repairs on everything but the clubhouse. Plans for its restoration are underway and we hope to re-open the clubhouse in 2014.

• Call Us 862-244-5897 Email Us [email protected]

Bay Head Yacht Club

Bay Head Yacht Club, Bay Head, NJ Website: http://www.bayheadyachtclub.org/Home/Hosting_Private_Events

Bay Head Yacht Club is a private club offering beautiful facilities for member and member-sponsored celebrations. One of the oldest yacht clubs in the United States, BHYC has hosted wonderful parties in spectacular surroundings for over 125 years, with unparalleled views of Barnegat Bay, attentive service from our dedicated staff and the special flavor of historic Bay Head, nestled between the ocean and the bay. BHYC offers different venues to reflect your party's style and guest list. The Club’s Ballroom accommodates large receptions and cocktail parties. For more intimate settings, consider the Ward Room, Barnegat Room & Flying Bridge or the Olson and Rogers Rooms, all of which offer great views and comfort. Whatever the occasion, BHYC is dedicated to excellence and strives to ensure that you enjoy your event as much as your guests, from the first planning stages to the end of the evening

Kate & John

Kelsey & John

Meghan & Michael

Brielle & Colin

Lauren & Kevin

• Friendly Links
• Officers and Directors
• Our History
• Our Mission
• Past Commodores
• Reciprocal Clubs
• The Masthead
• Dining Room
• Banquet Menu
• Summer Menu
• Sunday Cookout Menu
• Winter Menu
• Annual Events
• Social Calendar
• Summer Music Calendar
• Event Photos
• SBYC Slip Rental Agreement
• House Rules
• Membership Incentive
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Saginaw Bay Yacht Club

Yacht Club Since 1894

Initial memberships of this Club shall be classified as follows:

• Full Membership
• Social Membership
• Junior Membership (18 years – 28 years old)

An unmarried individual of any membership category shall have the ability to designate, in writing, a “significant other” one time per year. The designee shall have use of the House and grounds as a guest without the member being present. The member will accept responsibility for all actions and charges incurred by the “significant other”. This designation must be reaffirmed in writing each year prior to the opening of the Club.

Membership initiation fees are as follows:  

• Full Membership-$500.00
• Social Membership-$250.00
• Junior Membership-$0.00

Monthly dues:

• Full Membership-$138.00
• Social Membership-$96.00
• Junior Membership-$40.00

The first step in becoming a member of the Saginaw Bay Yacht Club is to obtain a membership application and filling it out. Then, not less than two (2) voting members shall propose prospective members to the Saginaw Bay Yacht Club. One of which will submit a written letter of recommendation for the prospective new member. The properly completed prospective membership review form and supporting recommendations must be accompanied by full payment of the current Initiation Fees and must be submitted to the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will properly investigate the prospective new member(s) prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Membership Committee shall post the names and residences of prospective new members, together with the names of the recommending members, on the Club bulletin board at least seven (10) days prior to being acted upon by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall act upon the Membership Committee’s proposals at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. Any prospective new member shall be accepted or rejected by a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors present. A rejected prospective member shall promptly be refunded the initiation fee received with the prospective membership review form. The rejected prospective member may reapply after six (6) months from the date of rejection.

Monthly each member shall receive by US Mail a notice of indebtedness as soon as possible after the first of each month. As per the credit policy of the Board of Directors, failure to pay the monthly indebtedness in a reasonable and timely manner may result in corrective action by the Board of Directors. Such action may include, but is not limited to a monetary fine, interest on the outstanding balance or expulsion of the member from the Club. All prospective new member(s) in the Saginaw Bay Yacht Club shall be treated equally and no person shall be denied membership based on the prospective new member’s religion, race, color, national origin, age, gender or marital status.

Full Membership A Full Membership of the Club will be extended to a single person or legally married couple who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years of age. The rights and privileges of this membership include:

• The use of the Club House and all Club facilities
• The ability to own, launch and moor a yacht on Club property
• To hold a dock
• To serve on the Board of Directors or as a Flag Officer
• Interest in any Club property or assets either while the Club is active or is in dissolution.

A legally married couple will be considered to hold a joint membership, however they may hold only one dock and only one may serve as a Director or Flag Officer at a time. For the purpose of these by-laws the couple is considered one (1) Full Member. In the case of the dissolution of a marriage, the Club must be notified in writing as to which spouse will retain the membership.

The unmarried daughters and sons under age twenty-one (21) years and/or children who are dependent students also enjoy the use of the Club House and Club facilities (1 above). top

Social Membership A Social Membership of the Club will be extended to a single person or legally married couple who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years of age. The rights and privileges of this membership include:

• The use of the Club House.
• To serve on the Board of Directors.

A legally married couple will be considered to hold a joint membership. For the purpose of these by-laws, the couple is considered one (1) Social Member. In the case of the dissolution of a marriage, the club must be notified in writing as to which spouse will retain the membership. top

Junior Membership Junior membership is limited to daughters and/or sons of a Full Membership. It shall be restricted to people eighteen (18) years of age through the calendar year of their twenty-eighth (28th) birthday. The rights and privileges of this membership include: The use of the Club House and all Club facilities The ability to own and launch a yacht on Club property When the Junior Member reaches the end of his or her twenty-eighth (28th) birthday calendar year, his or her membership and all rights and privileges incident thereto shall terminate. The Junior Member may choose to be recommended for a Full Membership or Social Membership by the Membership Committee at that time. Upon approval of the Board of Directors, the member will be charged ½ of the initiation fee charged a Full Member with credit given for any initiation fees already paid. top