belle harbor yacht club membership cost

How Much is a Yacht Club Membership? 3 Common Price Ranges

The cost of an annual yacht club membership can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the location of the club, the amenities offered, the exclusivity of the membership, and the size of the yacht being accommodated. We’ve compiled a set of guidelines below to help you estimate what you can expect to pay for an annual yacht club membership.

Local or Less Exclusive Yacht Clubs

These clubs might offer basic amenities such as docking facilities, a clubhouse, and some social events. Annual fees can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Membership fees could be as low as $500 to $2,000 per year.

Mid-Range Yacht Clubs:

These clubs may offer more extensive amenities, including high-quality dining facilities, repair and maintenance services, fitness centers, and a busy calendar of social and boating activities. Annual fees for these clubs can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.

Prestigious or Exclusive Yacht Clubs

The most exclusive yacht clubs, often located in prime locations with extensive facilities and services, can have annual membership fees that are significantly higher. These can range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more per year, with some of the most elite clubs costing even more. Additionally, these clubs might have initiation fees that can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It’s also important to note that many yacht clubs have additional costs beyond the annual membership dues. These can include initiation fees for new members, monthly minimum spending requirements at the club’s facilities, and additional fees for docking, storage, and maintenance services.

Additional Considerations

Some yacht clubs require yacht ownership as a prerequisite before being accepted into the club. Hence, while the yacht club membership itself might only be between $500 and $2,000, the true price of a yacht club membership might be tied to the cost of ownership of your yacht as well.

Bottom Line: Simply Ask If Interested

If you’re interested in joining a yacht club, make a list of yacht clubs that you might be interested in joining, and reach out to them via email or phone to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. Most yacht club members are quite friendly and are willing to help those who are interested in joining.

We wish you good luck in your yacht club search, and hope that you were able to find this article helpful.

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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.

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Bay Harbor Yacht Club

4300 Vista Drive, Bay Harbor, MI 49770

231.439.2100 | [email protected]

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Enrollment: You and your spouse can become members of HYC for a one-time enrollment fee of $399 . Membership is on a month-to-month basis, and there is no annual committment. Membership includes the US SAILING Basic Keelboat group class for one person.

Membership Program Choices : To ensure that you will get the most out of your club membership, we currently offer 2 membership program options that you may choose from designed to suit your sailing preferences:

OPTION 1: Monthly Minimum Program

This membership program is designed for the sailor who plans on sailing every month. With this program, we collect $45 on the first of the month , all of which may be applied towards the cost of a boat rentals in San Diego during that month. The $45 does not roll over to the next month.

OPTION 2: Sailing Bank Accrual Program

This membership program is designed for sailors who may not be able to rent a boat every month. With this program, we collect $45 each month – $20 in dues and $25 of which may be applied towards rentals in San Diego. If you don’t use that $25 credit towards a sail with us that month, that money will roll over to the next month, accumulating in your sailing bank until you use it. We limit the sailing bank accumulation to a maximum of $300, which is a year’s worth of credits. So, as long as you go sailing at least once a year, you’ll never miss out on any of your monthly sailing bank contributions.

Change Your Mind? If you are enrolled in the club with either Option 1 or 2 and later decide to change programs, you may do so one time by notifying the club in writing.

SAILING CLUB

• Sailing Club
• Referral Program

INSTRUCTION

• Basic Keelboat (Beginner)
• Basic Cruising (Intermediate)
• Bareboat Cruising (Advanced)
• 3 Day Liveaboard – Intermediate
• 3 Day Liveaboard – Advanced
• 5 Day Liveaboard (Beginner & Intermediate)
• 5 Day Liveaboard (Intermediate / Advanced)
• San Diego Fleet Rates
• San Diego Fleet Specs
• Multi-Day Pricing
• Submit Sailing Resume

Club History

1904 - 1908 +.

Nov. 1904: Several Brooklyn men interested in forming a yacht club contacted the West Rockaway Land Company; owners of new property in Belle Harbor, Long Island to purchase land in order to build a yacht club.

Dec. 1st, 1904: A group of boaters and yachtsmen mostly from Brooklyn, NY organized themselves and called a meeting at 8:30 pm in the Superba Rooms on Fulton and Franklin Ave, Brooklyn N.Y. The meeting was for the purpose of considering the organization of a yacht club. The organization would be known as the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. (Minutes from that meeting are archived)

"The majority of the members of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club are secessionists from the long-established Jamaica Bay Yacht Club who were angered because “Ed” Corey, former owner of The Haymarket, (a brothel) was elected Vice Commodore. They are all cottagers of Arverne, Edgemere, and Far Rockaway, and owners of some of the finest sailing sloops and motor yachts in the Jamaica Bay fleet.

So long as Corey kept beneath the surface of club affairs, members who objected to his membership were content to accept the explanation of his sponsors that they did not know of his Haymarket associations when put up for election. But, when persons whom Corey used to entertain at his Sixth Avenue resort began to call at the club, the membership was divided. This caused many members to resign their club membership and form a new club.

The Belle Harbor Yacht Club member's asserted, they will absorb the yachting prestige of Jamaica Bay before this summer is over." (NY Times, 4/24/1905)

1905: A grant [agreement] was made between the West Rockaway Land Co. and the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, stating that the grant was intended to convey 20 plots of upland and that to such extent the West Rockaway Land Company guaranteed. The purchase price for the Belle Harbor property was $4,000. which include 200 square feet on land. BHYC was granted corporation status by the State of New York on March 5.

June 17th, 1908: Inter-club Ocean Races of the Belle Harbor, Canarsie and Bergen Beach Yacht Clubs began. Each race was 15 nautical miles with 6 hour time limits and 2 of the 3 races would be around the Sandy Hook and Scotland lightships and back to the Jamaica Bay start/finish line. (NY Times, 8/23/1908)

1909 - 1922 +

1914-1915: BHYC hired club member and lawyer, Franklin Taylor Esq to investigate the property issues pertaining to the Club and New York City. (New York Times Article July 26th, 1914)

In the 1920's, before the depression, family activity at the club reached its first peak. there were 300 members were on the roll. There were multiple tennis courts and the BHYC was a member of the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association, playing matches with other clubs every Sunday. Social life was lively on the bay. Entertainment committees were always planning, they hired an interior decorator to make the clubhouse festive for dances and enlisted the steward to serve as a bootlegger for the parties each summer. Sailing, of course, was also a key activity. In 1921, the club hosted the 14th Annual Inter Club Races.

1922: The Yacht Racing Association of Jamaica Bay, L.I., N.Y. consisted of several nearby yacht clubs including Canarsie YC, Rockaway Park YC, Old Mill YC, Motor Boats of Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Point YC, Midget Squadron, Broad Channel YC, Diamond Point YC and the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. Boating Classes were given at each club, regatta racing fees were $1., to qualify for prizes, each entry must compete in at least 60% of all races. YRAJB headquarters was located at the Invincible Club on Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.

1923 - 1959 +

1938: Among the most notable of events in the 1930's, not only at the B.H.Y.C. but in the country, was the great hurricane of 1938. Occurring before hurricanes were named, the 1938 storm is still today considered the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the northeastern United States since 1869. Along the East Coast of the United States (north of Florida) only Hurricanes Hazel and Hugo were more intense at landfall.

The storm of '38 (Category 3) destroys BHYC's 500 foot pier. The army corp of engineers re-supported the coast line with granite barriers. The title for this area was vested to the City of New York in February 1938. The NYC Economic Corp / Ports & Tunnels took authority and over the years transfer the management to the NYC Small Business Development . This is the land directly in front of the BHYC property.

1934-1959: Robert Moses was named NYC Parks Commissioner. Improvements in transportation, under the direction of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930’s, led to the population growth of Rockaway. The completion of two bridges, the Marine Parkway Bridge in 1937 and the Cross Bay Bridge in 1939, connected Rockaway to mainland Queens and Brooklyn. Innovations in railroad service and the development of the elevated subway allowed popular access to the peninsula. Subway access stimulated Rockaway’s transition from a vacation area to neighborhoods with permanent residents. Robert Moses oversaw the Beach Channel Park Project which included Beach Channel Drive. Mr. Moses was a supporter of coastal highway design. He changed Bayside Ave. (Cronston Ave.) as the main road between bridges to Beach Channel Drive, along the water.

1960 - 1970 +

September 12, 1960: Hurricane Donna (Category 3) pounded New York City with winds gusting up to 90 miles per hour, dumped five inches of rain, and flooded lower Manhattan almost to waist level on West and Cortlandt Streets (at the southwest corner of what later became the site of the World Trade Center). The water level at the Battery tide gauge (in lower Manhattan) registered 8.4 feet above mean sea level. Normal travel was disrupted as airports sharply curtailed service, subways shut down, and highways closed due to flooding. Hurricane Donna devastated the Rockaway Peninsula. This storm destroyed the BHYC floating dock and pilings and led to the construction of the bay wall in front of the club, in 1963.

Dec. 10th, 1964-Dec. 9th, 1971: The BHYC was given permits (yearly) by the NYC Dept. of Ports and Terminals to construct and maintain 30 linear feet of bulkhead, together with 1800 feet of upland inshore, together with 1800 square feet of lands under water outshore between B126 & B127 with a floating dock. Diagram on file.

1960's: Some BHYC members, looking to make a few bucks, rented out their homes in the neighborhood to vacationers and moved into the club's rental rooms during the summer months. The club was open 24/7 with a full kitchen and bar to accommodate these entrepreneurs.

1966: The Tri-State Transportation Commission recommended construction of the $35 million Shore Front Parkway. The Shore Front Parkway was slated for completion by 1975. Unlike earlier parkways built by Moses, the Shore Front Parkway was to be built through densely populated neighborhoods in the Rockaways that would have been sacrificed by its construction.

Milton Mollen, who in 1960 was counsel for the newly created New York City Housing Redevelopment Board, was deeply concerned: Mollen recalls, "He once called me to the Randall's Island headquarters of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) and showed me plans for building a new highway along Beach Channel Drive, but it would have displaced people who had already been relocated (from earlier Moses projects) with the promise they would not be moved for at least five years. He said he didn't care. They can be moved again. He left a legacy of distrust we're still dealing with". (Excerpts from www.NYCroads.com )

1968: Moses was removed from his NY State government position.

August 1970: BHYC holds their 5th Annual Family Regatta. A young, Peter Galvin wins the Junior Commodores Cup.

1971 - 2007 +

1992: Clubmembers pursued the possibility of installing a swimming pool to add to the benefits of membership. $25,000. was raised. After proposals were made, permits estimated, architect plans drawn (Drawing on file) and projected costs were discussed, the pool project was postponed until operating expenses could be met.

1998: During financial hard times, the Board voted to sell a portion of the property to pay off debt and renovate the BHYC building. Several investment companys and groups made offers but were ultimately voted down during a special meeting of the club membership. New found support and a membership drive in '99-'00, led by Kevin Ward, helped alleviate the financial difficulties.

Jan. 2003: At the Annual General Meeting, the newly elected board of directors devise a 10 year plan to stabilize the club financially, begin clubhouse renovations, create a social calendar and attract new members.

May, 28 2005: The BHYC celebrated their 100th Anniversary with a well attended Opening Day Ceremony and Party. Over 250 people celebrated the club's longevity.

Nov. 2006: The rear of the club caught fire and destroyed the rear of the building / kitchen storage area. The building was reconstructed and repaired within a few months.

Jan. 2nd, 2007: The BHYC gets a new "facelift" with a new interior look and repaired infrastructure. 1st floor carpet and old bar were replaced. The repairs are countless due to years of neglect. Major work and redesign will continue of the next 10 years.

2008 - Present +

Oct. 29th, 2012  - "Superstorm" Sandy hits the Rockaways. History repeats itself ... 1938, 1960, 1993 and now 2013 ... Hurricane/ Superstorm causes significant damage to the entire peninsula. Local residents took refuge at the club as water level rose and fires spread on neighboring blocks. Supplies from all over the country are sent to the club for distribution.  Local Organization, Rockway WISH spearheads charity efforts at the club.  BHYC becomes a community HQ's during recovery efforts. "Our doors never closed during this difficult time", stated by a board member. Club suffers $75,000 in damages, mainly in the basement utility rooms.

Feb. 2013 - Four months after Superstorm Sandy, the BHYC was back to "normal" club business. Damage to the club was extensive. Repairs continue.

May 2015 - Board plans to celebrate the 110th Opening of the BHYC. The newly renovated "Member's Lounge" opens to rave reviews. Dining room received major renovations. Entertainment calendar reaches 25 events. Membership peaks over 275.

Historical Documents

Historical Views of the Rockaways 1886 - 1947

BHYC First Meeting December 1, 1904

BHYC Clubhouse begun April 24, 1905

A Rescue off the BHYC May 8, 1905

Edmund Lang history Second BHYC Commodore 1906

Belle Harbor Sports August 23, 1908

Joseph W. Masters history BHYC Commodore 1909 - 1915

Waterway League Election February 9, 1910

New York Athletic Club Regatta August 28, 1910

Belle Harbor boats in Jamaica Bay regatta July 26, 1914

BHYC Water Rights November 24, 1915

Edmund Lang Dies November 2, 1940

1967 Family Sailboat Regatta

BHYC Events

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