sarasota yacht club initiation fee 2023

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:

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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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Boat Clubs: Are They Worth It?

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Last Updated on May 3, 2024 by Boatsetter Team

On the surface, boat clubs seem like a great idea. Instead of buying a boat, you pay a monthly fee and have access to a range of different vessels. The problem is that, in reality, things don’t work out quite that smoothly. Here are five major drawbacks to joining a boat club that they keep secret from you. 

• Limited selection of boats
• Too much pressure
• Limited locations and blackout days for boating
• Overcrowded club and a false-promising waitlist
•  Unreasonable costs

Let’s look at these together to save you loads of money and get you the best boating experience .

Explore on the water destinations & experiences with Boatsetter

What is a boat club

A boat club is a membership-based organization that provides individuals with access to a fleet of boats without the burdens of ownership. While boat clubs offer convenience and cost savings, it’s important to consider certain limitations before joining. Joining a boat club means paying a regular fee and booking boats according to availability, which gives members the chance to enjoy boating experiences. Nevertheless, it’s important to consider some possible disadvantages.

What are the drawbacks of a boat club membership?

1) Limited selection of boats

When we join a boat club, there is this idea that one weekend we can take out a family-sized pontoon and the next, a luxury catamaran . The problem is that most clubs really only offer a pretty narrow selection of boats. And, with most people having the same free time as in being off—weekends, holidays, and summertime—then you may find yourself standing empty-handed.

2) Too much pressure

One big problem with joining a club is you feel pressure to get the most out of it. The average annual boat club is $275 per month. If you don’t boat that often or have a hectic month, it feels like money just is thrown down the drain and just another wasted expense.

3) Limited locations and blackout days for boating

While some clubs have locations worldwide, you’re pretty much chained to one location, typically a touristy spot. Freedom Boat Club, for example, is one of the largest boat clubs in the world, and most of its locations are in the US. On the other hand, smaller, more affordable local-based boat clubs may only have one or two locations that make getting the most out of the boat club, to be blatant, difficult!

While boat clubs may offer you different tiers of membership based on where and when you plan to go boating, keep in mind those plans come with restricted access. One option might be a week day only membership, another may be limited to your city’s club. As life changes and your schedule along with it, you soon come to realize being locked into these plans isn’t the best bang for your buck.

4) Overcrowded club and a false-promising wait list

This is what they really don’t want to tell you: the club is full! Instead, they’ll put you on a waiting list and have you pay an upfront fee without having enjoyed anything yet. If you do get into a club that is overcrowded, getting on the water might be really difficult because there are too many other people trying to do the same thing as you.

5) Unreasonable costs

It all comes back to cost. At the end of the day, the price of joining and maintaining a boat club membership is simply unreasonable. Typically you pay several thousand dollar initiation fees and several hundred dollar monthly fees, so often it’s cheaper to own your boat or just rent one!

Pro tip : Read our comprehensive guide if you’re interested in owning a boat: How Much Does It Cost to Buy & Own a Boat? 

Ding, ding, ding : Boatsetter V. Boat Clubs (Comparing Costs & Benefits)

Instead of dealing with all this consider renting a boat through Boatsetter! You have a huge range of unique boat brands and models to choose from, a network of USCG-certified captains, and trip planning tools like Add-ons , Multi-day booking, and more. While you think some more about it, let us show you the differences between our proud peer-to-peer (P2P) boat-sharing community and a few popular boat clubs in the US.

Find available boat rentals near you on Boatsetter

Boatsetter V. Carefree Boat Club 

Carefree Boat Club operates on a membership-based model. Individuals pay a one-time initiation fee and monthly dues in exchange for access to a fleet of boats.

These fees vary depending on the location and may even be monthly. According to some of the Care Free Boat Club websites the upfront costs range from $1,950 to $4,450 and the monthly costs range from $150 to $375. 

As you can see, the costs associated with boat clubs get pricy, quickly. You might get the full value out of Carefree Boat Club, but it won’t be easy. By renting a boat with Boatsetter, you can avoid all inflated fees! Just pay each time you would like to take out a boat, and you are all set for a fun day out on the water. With over 4500 active boats on our platform across the country, you can find the perfect boat for your needs.

Boatsetter V. Nautical Boat Club

Like many other boat clubs on this list, Nautical Boat Club has an initial one-time membership cost and an ongoing monthly cost. The monthly membership cost may vary depending on the boat and the location. The total for your first year with Nautical Boat Club can range from $4535 to $14,355.

Our goal at Boatsetter is to make boating accessible to everyone by not tying our customers to recurring fees. All of our boats across the country are available for rent—no catch!

Boatsetter V. 321 Boat Club

321 Boat Club is a Florida-based boat club with initiation costs ranging from $975 to $3,450 and monthly costs ranging from $149 to $249. 321 Boat Club membership levels largely depend on what day and time you would like to take out a boat. With 321 Boat Club’s fleet being limited to specific parts of Florida, this may not be the best option for everyone. With Boatsetter, you can rent boats across the country on any day of the week!

Boatsetter V. Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club has a one-time entry fee and monthly membership plans that vary by location. The club offers access to boats, free training, insurance coverage, and special events. Fuel costs are not included. It emphasizes the club’s transparency and commitment to providing a great boating experience for its members.

Boatsetter, on the other hand, is a boat rental marketplace where individuals can rent boats directly from boat owners. The cost of renting a boat on Boatsetter varies depending on factors such as the type of boat, location, duration, and any additional services or amenities requested.

Boatsetter offers a wide range of boats to choose from and provides insurance coverage for both boat owners and renters. The rental fees generally do not include fuel costs, which are the responsibility of the renter. The biggest benefit of using Boatsetter vs Freedom boat club is that there is no long-term commitment or costs!

What to read next: How to Rent a Boat

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List. Rent. Earn—Only at Boatsetter  

Editor’s Note: Prices and information are accurate as of last date of publish.

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Sarasota Yacht Club

Organized in 1907 and established in 1926, Sarasota Yacht Club is a Distinguished Elite Club, a Platinum Club of the World, and a Platinum Club of America. The Club offers impressive amenities including indoor and outdoor dining, a pool and pool bar, a 110-slip marina, and a fitness center, all with panoramic views of Sarasota Bay.

Enjoy the quintessential Sarasota experience by taking advantage of our kayak and paddleboard rental fleet, enjoying a poolside cocktail, or indulging in an artfully prepared meal with the perfect sunset view. Whether you’re seeking adventure or craving an award-winning culinary experience, Sarasota Yacht Club prides itself on exceeding expectations for both members and reciprocal members.

• Swimming Pool

Waterfront casual and formal dining with banquet capacity up to 500 persons 110-slip marina Swimming pool Fitness Center Watersports Rentals Including: Kayaks and Paddleboards

• Dress Code Casual and formal dining.
• Age Restriction -No Age Restriction
• Dogs -In Designated Outdoor Areas Only
• Smoking -In Designated Outdoor Areas Only

Opening Hours

• Clubhouse & Front Desk:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed (May – September

Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm

• Porthole & Waterfront Terrace Dining:

Tuesday: Closed (May – September)

Tuesday – Sunday: 11:30am – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 08:30pm

• Spinnaker Bar & Grill:

Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday: 11:30am – 7:30pm

Friday & Saturday: 11:30am – 08:30pm

• Happy Hour:

Wednesday & Sunday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Friday: 5:30pm – Close

More Information

Additional Charges Service charge: 20%, sales tax: 7%.

Parking Covered and Uncovered Parking Available, Tesla Charging Stations on-site

• Tel +1 941 3654191
• Fax +1 941 3730121
• Web http://www.sarasotayachtclub.org
• Mail [email protected]

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best small sailing yacht

Moriah Taliaferro

Living in Sarasota Luxury

Sarasota’s BEST CLUBS for Membership

Joining a membership club in sarasota.

One of my favorite things about living in Sarasota is all of the great things to do here! And that includes the clubs that offer special amenities for tennis, golf, aquatics, boating, and more .

Sarasota's membership clubs offer amazing things to do. My absolute favorite club is the Longboat Key Club , but I also love the Sarasota Yacht Club, Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, and one of our newest clubs, Waterworks.

Joining a membership club in Sarasota is a wonderful way to enjoy our local amenities and to add to your social calendar . There are many options, from beachfront dining and award-winning golf courses, to clubs that are specific for boaters.

Reciprocity is a special advantage to consider , especially if you enjoy leisure in other markets. If you have questions about joining a Sarasota club or would like an introduction to one of my club contacts, please let me know!

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We live and work in Sarasota, Florida, and we LOVE helping real estate clients with buying, selling, and moving.

Would you like a consultation on your home’s market value or on purchasing property in Sarasota?

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Sarasota Yacht Club

Address: 1100 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236

Phone: (941) 365-4191   

Fax: (941) 337-0121

Website: www.sarasotayachtclub.org

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