HOW do I start a Yacht Club?

[Greg Stebbins]

As I stated in my post concerning yacht clubs, my marina has no yacht club. Well, it does have a small J22 club but there’re a little too exclusive (about 9 total)for my taste (you gotta own a J22 for crying out loud!). I’ve been thinking about my particular situation this morning and have come to the conclusion that it's ridiculous.I called the marina owner at lunch and we’ve decided to start a yacht club. Ok, I’ve got the finical backing, office equipment, a small staff, a neighborhood club house available which includes restaurant, bar, Ball Room, Meeting rooms, Repair shop, weight room, aerobics room, Swimming Pool, Tennis courts, children’s areas, boat hoist, mast tower and a marina full of boats that hardly ever go out.Just how do I go about starting a yacht club? Are there organizations I could contact? A how-to packet would be helpful. Greg StebbinsCommodore (till I can get somebody)(Name to be decided later) Yacht ClubChandlers Landing

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

The cart and the horse

Greg, I don't claim any special expertise in starting yacht clubs. However, during a stint as newletter editor(and chief reporter) for Triton YC, I researched and wrote a series on TYC's beginnings. It seems the primary need is for a bunch of people sharing an interest in "messing about in boats," who look to share friendship and activities not otherwise available by forming and being active in a club. The question you have to answer is what will the club offer to people to entice their spending time and engery making it work? TYC's early newletters mentioned a variety of social activities, and made a point of providing a warm welcome to new memebers, which I assume reflected how new and potential new members were treated. The activities quickly began to include scheduling races and cruising activities as club functions. One thing I have noticed is that the active core of TYC, and of Eugene YC, the other local club, are almost all racers. If other clubs have the same experience, then it will be important to provide club racing, with socializing afterwards, as a part of your draw. Another thing, newletters. It seems that they provide not only information on what's happening, but a sense of being part of the group. You can give copies to propective members to show what's happening. If you can post a copy on the marina bulletin board, it will serve as adveristing to your best target audience, other local boat owners. Make publishing a monthly newletter a priority.  Finally, remember, the whole idea is having fun as a group. Good luck. Keep everyone posted on your progress.Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[Greg Stebbins]

Power & Sail??

I initiating a "Yacht Club", which works best, all boats or just sail? I ask because 'all' increases the possible member base by a factor of 10 at least.Can power and sail co-exist in the same club? Sailboats race and cruse. What do powerboats do? Given the difference in speed, how does power/sail cruising work? It seems that natural segregation would take place do the differences. What’s really going on out there?

 

[Darrel Richards]

Yacht Clubs/Sailing Clubs

Sounds like you have a great basis for the start of a good thing. As previouspost stated, having a GOOD monthly news letters is a must. Also, youneed a strong volunteer network to get involved. You can have power boats'and sailboats in the same club, but call it one or the other. I am on the board of governers for the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club, in Lighthouse Point, Fl.The club is very strong and has been around for 28 years. Building a trandition is also very important. Membership dues need to be affordable and a lot of activities need to be planned to encourage participation. Talkto US Sailing for ideas, insurance and sanctions.Good luck with your club. Let us know how it goes so maybe if we are everup your way we can drop in to say hello. Oh yes, design a great burgee.

 

[Darrel Richards]

By-Laws

Forgot to include a couple more thoughts from my previous post.You'll need to formulate some club By-Laws, and really should also haveclub purpose. ie: To create interest in the sport of sailing.