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A Tale of Two Shorelines

By Carin Rubenstein

• Aug. 31, 2003

AT the Larchmont Yacht Club one day not long ago, near the wide veranda of an elaborate Victorian clubhouse overlooking Long Island Sound, well-dressed parents and well-mannered children chatted on the deck of a sparkling pool. In the seawater below, boats rocked gently on the tide as further out in the haze, in a scene that might have been a backdrop in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, a flotilla of sailboats raced in distant circles.

It was not quite as Gatsby-esque on an overcast Saturday at the minuscule Hudson River beach at the Philipse Manor Beach Club in Sleepy Hollow, just behind the Metro-North railroad station. There, a man wearing scruffy black water shoes climbed into a shiny white kayak and pushed off the muddy bank, while a pregnant woman played with her cranky 4-year-old in the coarse, sticky sand just north of the Tappan Zee bridge. Lifeguards watched languidly as a smattering of members ate at picnic tables, read or docked a small powerboat.

Westchester is surrounded by water and boats, and devotees of each side tend to resemble baseball fans who can root for the Mets or the Yankees, but never both.

The two shores have many differences: The Long Island Sound side features exclusive yacht clubs and big boats, as well as pollution caused by sewage runoff that causes sporadic beach closings. The Hudson River side is characterized more by simpler boat clubs and smaller sailboats, plus silted-in marinas, industrial pollution and several high-profile organizations devoted to cleaning up the river.

Beyond the navigation and pollution differences caused by the two shores' distinctly different physical features, each side has its own culture, the Long Island Sound side boasting something of a Gold Coast feel, and the Hudson side with a more economically diverse river-town culture.

On the Long Island Sound side of Westchester, there are about 40 marinas and yacht clubs, as well as 25 beaches, said Kimberly Zimmer, public outreach coordinator for the Long Island Sound Study at SUNY Stony Brook. From Pelham Manor to Port Chester, the wavy shoreline runs about 36 miles, she said. The harbors, on the whole, are deeper on the sound than they are on the river, and thus they tend to attract bigger boats.

On the Hudson River side of Westchester, there are 22 marinas and boat clubs and four separate beaches, the highest concentration anywhere on the river, said John Lipscomb, a boat captain for Riverkeeper, an environmental organization based in Garrison. From Yonkers to the Bear Mountain Bridge, the craggy Hudson River shoreline stretches 62 miles, said John W. Ladd, a board member of the Hudson River Environmental Society.

Water recreation on the New York portion of the Long Island Sound coastline, which includes southern Westchester to Montauk, may generate as much as $1.2 billion in revenue annually, about one quarter of which is spent in Westchester County, according to an estimate by Chris Squeri, executive director of the New York Marine Trades Association in Amityville.

A total of 14,064 boats were registered to Westchester County residents in 2001, the sixth highest county total in the state, according to the most recent data available, provided by Jennifer Morris, a spokeswoman for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany. (The leaders, in order, are Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island, Monroe County on Lake Ontario, Erie County on Lake Erie and Onondaga County on Oneida Lake.)

''Boating is perceived to be a small industry, but it really isn't,'' said Ginny DiForio of the Hudson Valley Marine Trades Association in West Haverstraw. ''People don't realize how much business it generates.''

Most water lovers are attached to one side or the other, either by geography or by convenience. The contest about which shore is better is ''the age-old question,'' said to Brian Plotkin, 24, who spends a great deal of time on his family's 48-foot power boat and helps his brother, Steve, run the Half Moon Bay Marina, on the Hudson side in Croton.

Mr. Plotkin is that rare, bi-coastal boater, a guy who docks on the Hudson but drives over to the Long Island Sound. This is no small decision, since it takes nearly $100 worth of fuel to get his three floating bedrooms and two baths to the other side.

But he enjoys his weekly trips, he said, because ''there's more to do on the sound, it has more coves and more restaurants.'' Also, his large boat is more well-suited to the wide-open Long Island Sound than to the relatively narrow Hudson, he said, echoing a common view that big boats belong on the sound.

Still, Mr. Plotkin and his boat, ''Never Enough,'' sleep on the Hudson. ''The Hudson River is very calm and easy and I always get a sense of relief when I turn out of Spuyten Duyvil on my way home,'' he said.

Part of the difference is in the water's character. Experienced boaters agreed that Hudson River waters tend to be more peaceful than the sound, which can be very temperamental.

''The Hudson is very calm, but the sound can go from nice to windy to really, really scary,'' said Steve Plotkin, manager of the Half Moon Bay Marina, which is unusually deep for the Hudson, about 8 1/2 feet at low tide. The marina has 173 slips, with a minimum starting price of $30,000.

Other mariners agreed that boating on the Hudson is more scenic. But there is a great deal of commercial traffic there, including tugboats and huge tourist boats that can create large, dangerous wakes. The sound features hidden nooks and crannies, restaurants and serious fishing.

Then, there's the thorny, and truly unresolvable, issue of which side is truly better.

''We don't have train tracks like they have over there that separate them from the water,'' said Bernard Rosenshein, president of the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club. The Metro-North commuter line tracks run right up the riverbed on the Hudson line, making long stretches of shoreline difficult to reach for the Hudson River water clubs. (The flat riverbed made railroad construction relatively easy, and the Hudson River Railroad reached Peekskill by 1849, eventually driving the steamship companies out of business, according to the Westchester County Historical Society.)

The boats on each side tend to be different, too. The water at many marinas on the Hudson is quite shallow at low tide, and is silting in at the rate of seven inches a year, which means the clubs can't accommodate large boats with a deep draft, said John H. Vargo, publisher of a monthly magazine, ''Boating on the Hudson and Beyond.''

''Big sailboats have difficulty in most marinas on the Hudson River, and the silting is a serious problem,'' Mr. Vargo said.

Dredging marinas on the Hudson River is costly, since the silt must first be tested for toxicity, and then treated and removed, Mr. Vargo said, which is why most river marinas choose not to fight the battle of the silt.

It takes money to own any kind of boat, of course, but it takes bigger money to have a boat on the sound, many boaters said.

''The corridor on the sound from Larchmont to Greenwich is economically one of the highest in the country,'' Mr. Rosenshein said, adding that, ''I can't say the same for the Hudson side.'' His view of the difference between boats on the sound and on the Hudson, he said, is ''a question of whether you have a Ferrari or a Chevrolet.''

Clubs on the Hudson tend to be working clubs, in which members donate their time to maintain the property. Eugene Manzella, 82, who lives in Peekskill, keeps a 25-foot fishing boat at the Cortlandt Yacht Club, which has 170 boats on the Hudson River. ''We all chip in with work,'' Mr. Manzella said. He added that he spends nearly all day at the club during the summer, answering phones and handing out homemade coffee and store-bought cake.

The seven-acre club has no restaurant, no cocktail lounge, no snack bar. Membership is limited to 100 members who share ownership, and 50 associate members.

Yacht and boat clubs on the sound, for the most part, tend to be clubs in which members pay other people to do chores.

''The clubs are far more expensive on the sound,'' Mr. Vargo said. At the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, for example, ''our food is known throughout the area,'' Mr. Rosenshein said.

The Larchmont Yacht Club, which was built in 1880 and has 625 members with 316 boats, has three dining rooms, a bar, a grill, a snack bar, and an outdoor veranda.

These are the kind of clubs where a love of sailing, as well as club membership, are passed down from generation to generation. John Lyons, a 56-year-old banker and a member of the Larchmont Yacht Club who lives in Mamaroneck, has been a member since his father joined in 1951. His oldest daughter, 13, races her own 14-foot sailboat, as did Mr. Lyons when he was a teenager.

Several yacht club managers on the sound refused to discuss membership fees. One member of the Larchmont Yacht Club, who asked not to be identified, said that the initiation fee is $10,000, annual dues are $3,300, and there is a dining minimum of $120 a quarter, plus a mooring rental fee

A manager of the American Yacht Club in Rye, one of the most exclusive on the sound, refused to discuss the club with a reporter.

Fishing on the two waterways also differs. Both sides have commercial fishing, including lobsters and oysters on the Long Island Sound and shad on the Hudson River, but recreational fishing is bigger business, said Mark Tedesco, director of the Environmental Protection Agency for Long Island Sound. Anglers there fish for striped bass, bluefish, tautog, flounder and porgies, although there are advisories on how much of the fish is safe to eat for pregnant women, he said. On the Hudson, the catch is striped bass, and shad during a brief spring season; women of childbearing age are advised to limit the amount they eat.

Swimming differs, too. While there are more swimming beaches on Long Island Sound than on the Hudson River, both sides have pollution problems and occasional beach closings. Swimming on both sides became appealing only in the mid- to late 1980's, when effective sewage plants were built and industrial pollution was curtailed.

Now, however, the public beach at Playland Park in Rye, one of the busiest on the Long Island Sound side, attracts about 2,600 swimmers each weekend, according to Peter Tartaglia, the park's director of marketing.

From early spring to late fall, both river and sound are patrolled by police units, including Hudson River police departments in Yonkers and Peekskill, and the Long Island Sound police departments in New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Rye City and Port Chester.

''People stop and ask me how they can get my job,'' said Andrew S. Landau, commanding officer of the village of Mamaroneck Police Marine Unit, who has been a water cop for 19 years, armed with a shotgun and a rifle, and the authority to enforce laws on any body of water in New York State.

''Any vessel with a motor has to be registered. If you have a log with a motor it has to be registered.'' He also enforces more obscure violations, such as ''possession of mutilated lobsters,'' creatures missing a claw, for instance, and a ban on ''water skiing between sunset and sunrise.''

On an overcast Sunday in August, Lieutenant Landau turned on the blue flashing lights of his 26-foot working boat with a 250-horsepower engine and pulled over a pale, blank-faced man smoking a cigar who said he did not know that a registration was supposed to be affixed to his inflatable boat. The lieutenant gave the man a warning.

Marine units are also responsible for most water rescues.

''It can be hellish on the water if you are not expecting a summer squall,'' said Sergeant Heine. He has sometimes tuned into the marine rescue channel and heard ''wails and screaming from people on boats who think the world is ending,'' he said.

One place you won't find water cops on their days off is on the water.

''When I'm off the boat, I'm off the boat,'' said Lieutenant Landau. He avoids water, he said, ''unless I'm swimming in it or playing over it on a golf course.''

The Water's Cleaner, but Still ...

At the Philipse Manor Beach Club, on the Hudson River, the head lifeguard, Arley Morton, 18, said he has found a skinned cat, a headless seal and syringes.

At the Manursing Island Club, on the Sound, an occasional dead deer, dead raccoon, or syringe washes up, said Alison Plati, longtime beach and pool director. Still, both bodies of water are cleaner now than they used to be.

''The Hudson River is in magnificent condition,'' said John H. Vargo, publisher of a magazine about boating on the Hudson. Decades ago, he said, ''I remember when you had to swim with one hand in front of you to push the debris away.''

In the late 1960's, ''the Hudson River was a virtual biological desert,'' agreed Cesare Manfredi, a retired engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Several decades ago, he said, there was a continuous oil sheen on the water, and a factory near Peekskilldumped molasses waste into the river that was so thick ''you couldn't get a boat into the water.''

During the 1900's, Hudson pollutants included waste from the General Motors plant in Sleepy Hollow, the Anaconda Wire and Cable Company in Hastings, Standard Brands in Peekskill and General Electric in Fort Edward. Between 1947 and 1977, the General Electric plant leaked 1.3 million pounds of toxic PCBs into the river, and was ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up 40 remaining hot spots by the end of 2012, according to Manna Jo Greene of the Hudson River Sloop in Poughkeepsie, a group working to improve water quality.

In the 1960's, several rivers flowing into the Sound ''were literally open sewers,'' said Mr. Manfredi. The four Sound-side sewage treatment plants in Westchester County dumped barely treated sewage into the water. The water has improved, he added, although Mamaroneck still has sewage spills.

Until the blackout on Aug. 14, only seven beaches, all on the sound, had been closed this summer, including Harbor Island, Shore Acres, Beachpoint, Mamaroneck Beach and Cabana, Orienta, Echo Bay and Hudson Park, according to the Westchester County Department of Health. After the blackout, the county closed all 56 county beaches as a precaution, including all those on the Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, and on inland lakes, according to Gabe Sganga, beach program director for the Bureau of Public Health. By Sunday, Aug. 17, all county beaches had been reopened, he said. CARIN RUBENSTEIN

• Yacht Clubs

Larchmont Yacht Club

larchmontyc.com

1 Woodbine Avenue

Larchmont , NY 10538

(914) 834-2440

The mission of the Larchmont Yacht Club is to instill and enhance an interest in yachting and the spirit of sportsmanship in members and their families; Encourage and provide programs for members and their families to promote and support yacht racing in the Corinthian spirit; Support a program of yacht racing events that meets the expectations of members and their families and enhances the reputation of the Club as a prestigious center of yachting and yacht racing; Encourage and provide compatible leisure and sporting activities, including intra- and interclub competitions; Provide an active and enjoyable family-oriented social environment which members and their families will support, and in which they can participate, with pride and enthusiasm.

From the Commodore:

The Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Yacht Club voted to become a Founding Member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland. Larchmont Yacht Club joins other prestigious yacht clubs in the United States in supporting the National Sailing Hall of Fame as it moves forward to construct new facilities in Annapolis, where it is destined to become “a home for the Sport of Sailing” in the United States.

Larchmont Yacht Club, founded in 1880, and located on Western Long Island Sound in Larchmont, New York, has a long and successful tradition of yachting and yacht racing, fostering generations of sailors who have and who continue to excel in sailing. Commodore Carl Olsson confirmed that “sailing and competitive racing at the Larchmont Yacht Club prevails as a way of life today as it did 131 years ago and the Club is proud to support the National Sailing Hall of Fame as a Founding Member in the spirit of that tradition.”

When the Larchmont Yacht Club was founded, in 1880, the United States had been a nation for 104 years. Its total population was 50 million. The Civil War had ended 14 years earlier.  The village of New Rochelle was settled in 1688; Mamaroneck, as part of Rye, had also long been existence; but in between these two, there was no Larchmont.

The story of the origin of the Larchmont Yacht Club has often been told. In the early evening of Memorial Day in the year 1880, five young men were warming themselves over a bonfire built in a cleft of rocks on the shore of what is now Horseshoe Harbor, in Larchmont Manor. These five loved boats and they had just finished a hard racing day. Since a bonfire is scarcely the most comfortable way to close a hard day at sea, it is not surprising that these young men fell to discussing the possibility of organizing a yacht club.  They were Frank L. Anthony, Fred W. Flint, William C. France, Loring Lothrop and Charles E. Jenkins.  Their boats were part of a small mixed fleet of jib and mainsail sandbaggers, sloops and cat boats moored in Horseshoe Harbor.

It was decided that evening to organize a yacht club to be called the Larchmont Yacht Club and to invite others to join.  The problem of a Clubhouse was resolved quickly.  Fred Flint was elected a committee of one to approach his father, T.J.S. Flint, who was President of the Larchmont Manor Company and owned most of the property in Larchmont Manor from the Post Road south to the shore line. On this property was the small Union Church. The young charter members made a deal with the elder Mr. Flint for the use of the church as a clubhouse and signed a lease for $1.00 per annum.  However, it was made clear that the newly formed Club would have use of the church every day except Sunday when the clubhouse would be opened to them only after church services were over.

The club membership grew so fast, however, that a larger clubhouse was soon needed, and in the fall of 1881 the club leased the Fleming residence near the church for the annual rental of $1,500 per year.  The club continued to expand so it became necessary in 1884, to lease the Shepard House.

Three years later, in 1887, the year of the incorporation of the Larchmont Yacht Club, the present site of eleven acres was purchased at a cost of $10,000 from Benjamin A. Carver, a railroad magnate.

The original Carver residence was much smaller than the present clubhouse – the east and west wings having been added subsequently to the purchase. The Pandemonium was built fifteen year later in 1902. Our present Junior Clubhouse was the Carver stable and the basement was the cow barn while the first floor housed the horses.

Thus, the origin of the Larchmont Yacht Club.

Quick Links

Getting Here

The Sailing Museum & Hall of Fame

365 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

401.324.5761

[email protected]

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Larchmont Yacht Club

Review Highlights

“ The view of Long Island Sound did compensate and I felt the price was fair for the location. ” in 4 reviews

“ This yacht club is historic as members obviously come from old money . ” in 3 reviews

“ Perfect place for Sunday brunch overlooking the water, wearing Lilly Pulitzer, and storing your expensive sailboat. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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1 Woodbine Ave

Larchmont, NY 10538

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Attended two multi day Regattas at Larchmont. The staff were very respectful and helpful, even though they knew that I was not a member. I had an issue with a lost rain jacket and they had a very well designed lost and found system which resulted in the retrieval of my jacket. BTW is you need a high quality foul weather jacket, there are several that are unclaimed. Had numerous meals there from grab and go lunches, continental breakfasts and social dinner buffets. One day the coffee was so good, I thought they had put cocaine in it. The next day it had grounds. Stayed in Commodore suite for three days. The room was small with twin beds. The bathroom doors did not close. The view of Long Island Sound did compensate and I felt the price was fair for the location. My only complaint if continental breakfast was that hot pots should have been primed. They had a couple of different models and it took a minute to figure how to pump and then the next day my beverage of choice would be in a different style pot. Too early in morning to be doing trouble shooting in an un caffeinated state. They will not sell Larchmont Yacht Club branded merchandise to non members. That is their prerogative. I have plenty of LYC SWAG from regattas. The boat staff are very professional and respectful. Being in a regatta on LYC and American Yacht Club loaned boats, I was looking at every minor deficiency to win in One Design Racing. They were supportive where possible and within the Regatta sailing instructions.

See all photos from Duane S. for Larchmont Yacht Club

Classic, elegant yet beautiful overlooking the Long Island Sound. I attended a wedding reception held here nearly a decade ago with my former love and his family. The service is somewhat attentive as well as the food is catered. Sunday brunch wearing Gucci and Burberry bags with Manolo Blahnik shoes complete with Tiffany jewelry of men and women, which envisioning it is very common yet a staple to old money to this historic yacht club. The view is amazing as well as the surrounding houses. The lawn is always freshly cut and well maintained. This yacht club is historic as members obviously come from old money. There is an elephant shaped plant on their lawn that is picturesque. I rate it four stars as the service and food are not superb.

Easy going Yacht club on the Long Island Sound. Interior is clapboard paneled and there are wood tables to have lunch at. Plenty of boat-themed paraphernalia hanging from walls. Staff quizzical: underage, they have no answers! Parking is tight. Magnificent views from front lawn over shimmering water. Rebel: 4

Attended a rehearsal dinner here recently. The building is gorgeous and very nicely inside...even the bathroom was beautiful! The cocktail hour was very nice with lots of appetizers being passed around and plenty of cheese, crackers, and drinks. The staff was friendly and attentive. The seated dinner was nice. I had the chicken francese which was really good and the portion sizes were great. I loved the view from the dining room and only wish we could have seen it during daytime so I could've gotten an even better view of the water!

Rude employees! The tennis courts and tennis shop were so disorganized. The manager of the tennis facilities did not accommodate me and my needs at all. Will not come back here again!

Classy, Elegant, and Breathtakingly beautiful! My boyfriend's company has a company/family picnic here once a year and this year I decided to attend his company picnic with him since I've never been to any of his company functions. This place is massive with lots of grass area for little kids to run around and others to take a nice stroll. There's a gorgeous view overlooking Long Island. The staff here are very friendly and kind. There was lots of of food - such as lobster with butter, pasta salad, burgers, hot dogs, salad, dessert, ice cream, and open bar. The lobster was so moist, tender, and just amazing! I had two for myself. The pasta salad we had was delish as well! I really enjoyed the picnic and it was nice to meet his colleagues and it was a nice escape from the city for a few hours. I look forward to his company function next year at Larchmont Yacht Club.

We had a luncheon there following my grandmother's funeral two days ago. My aunt and uncle are members there and it was a very nice, yet emotional time with my family. Honestly, I have no idea how much I can put in this review without losing it. This place is absolutely beautiful and has so much history. It's been around for over 200 years and this place IS old money. The staff was extraordinary and the food was quite pleasing. My mom has told me stories about how her proms were here. She is a real-life Lorelai Gilmore, rebelling against her debutante destiny and posh upbringing. Maybe I should fill in the fact that I'm adopted and that is how my connection to this place lies. Anyway, the view from the dining room is amazing. Overlooking the Long Island sound and just thinking of the really nice homes surrounding this place. I guess I really like it here. Quiet, peaceful and I'm sure that I would most likely get mistaken for staff here too. I left off the fifth star because even though I have a connection with this place...I will never be a member here. I'm too dark; too poor... don't mind me...I'm not myself right now...

An Oasis - as good as it gets. Tons of rich people, sure, but very few bad attitudes. Old money, classy people.

See all photos from Jim K. for Larchmont Yacht Club

Great location and great place... Staff is helpful and kind. Good $ connections to be made here... Best part is it is 40mins away from Manhattan yet feels like Rhode Island... Will def come back again.

This place is so classic and old school. Everyone has money oozing from their veins. Perfect place for Sunday brunch overlooking the water, wearing Lilly Pulitzer, and storing your expensive sailboat. I still give it 5 stars since it has a great history and sometimes it's the perfect place for traveling back in time. Also the "ladies' powder room" is nicer than my house.

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Founded 1888​

Horseshoe harbor, yacht clu b,   40° 55.03 n   73° 44. 49w ​, check current weather.

Memberships

Horseshoe harbor yacht club offers flexible sailing memberships with a variety of options. members pay a one-time initiation fee, annual dues, and fees based on their participation in the sailing options listed below. for more information on memberships,  fill out this form   and we will contact you. ​​.

Day Sail & Ideal 18s

Hhyc has a fleet of four capri 22s and three ideal 18s. this membership provides all the fun, excitement and relaxation of day sailing without the expense and hard work associated with boat ownership. membership includes launch service to and from your boat. qualification on a club boat required. ​​ day sail release form   ​​   daysail boat use procedures, boat mooring membership, ​ mooring is for members who keep a boat on a mooring in the club’s mooring field off the southwestern point of manor park. membership includes launch service to and from your boat during launch service hours and annual maintenance of your mooring., boat-on-dock, boat-on-dock is for members with small sailboats which can be pulled up, out of the water, onto the club’s docks. boat-on-dock members have the convenience of being able to walk up to their boat, slide it into the water and start sailing.​.

Kayak Storage

Kayak and stand up paddleboard storage is available to our sailing members. to be eligible for a storage spot, you must have a mooring, a boat-on-dock, or a day sail/ideal 18 membership. there is limited availability.  .

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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Call us (856) 778-0827

291 Larchmont Blvd, Mt Laurel, NJ 08054

Membership Rates

2024 Membership & Fee Info

Membership Application

•  A Club Member must ALWAYS accompany guests.
•  A Membership is defined as a group of people living together at the same address. Proof of address may be required on memberships with more than 3 adults.
• SENIOR RATE (65 and above) – all NEW senior membership applications must provide a copy of a driver’s license in order to be eligible for the senior rates. Both seniors must be 65 and over to qualify for a Senior Family of 2.
• WEEKENDER MEMBERSHIP – Valid only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Guest Fee applies on any other day of entrance. Not a valid option for Swim Team Memberships or Monday Holidays.
•  Anyone entering the Swim Club, regardless of whether they use the pools, is subject to paying the appropriate guest fee.
•  Children under the age of 1 by Memorial Day will be admitted free for the season but must be included on the application.
•  Children under 13 years old, who are members, may only bring in guests 15 years of age or older.
•  Memberships are not transferable between family members or friends.
•  Refunds are not available for unused memberships after Opening Day.
•  No restriction on the amount of times you may bring a guest.
• Half Season members may use the Swim Club before Half season but must pay the daily Guest Fee.  Weekend Members may use the Swim Club during the week but must pay the daily Guest Fee.
• There is a 3% credit card processing fee added for credit card payments.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MEMBERSHIP?

• Complete the attached 2024 Membership Application in full. (Adobe PDF Format – download the free reader here).
• Enclose your payment in full. View LSC Membership rates 2024 .
• NEW MEMBERS : Please enclose a wallet size (or smaller) photo of each applicant. Please make sure your first and last names are on the back of the photos. Membership cards will not be issued to anyone who does not supply a photo or a birth date.
• EXISTING MEMBERS:   Only send pictures IF you need new membership cards.  Otherwise we will update your membership in our database for the Summer and you use your existing membership cards.

Don’t keep a good thing all to yourself. Pass along the good word about Larchmont Swim Club to your neighbors, friends and family. As a “thank you” for referring a new FULL* season family (has never been a member), we will reward you with a guest book for 10 visits – an $120.00 value. Just indicate on your application the family you referred and, if that family joins for the full season, we will have your guest book ready and waiting for you when you pick up your membership cards.

*Half Season referrals receive 5 guest passes.*

Mail photos, application and payment to:

Larchmont Swim Club,

291 Larchmont Blvd., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 — 856-778-0827

Quick Links

• General Information
• Swim Lessons

Copyright © 2021

[email protected]

Great Place To Have A Party

Have your next party at Larchmont Swim Club! Call us today (856) 778-0827 to reserve your spot!

Platinum Clubs  of America

Top 30 Yacht Clubs 2021-22

All Are Welcome

We encourage newcomers and not-so-newcomers to purchase an annual membership starting in September all the way through to the spring. All residents of Larchmont, New Rochelle, and Mamaroneck (including Rye Neck residents with a Mamaroneck address) are welcome! That said, there are several categories of membership:

*NOTE: There is not an additional fee to participate in Playgroups but you must first purchase a Family Membership. 

The Family Membership costs $60/year and covers annual dues for families (up to 2 adults and all dependent children).

The Single Membership costs $40/year and covers annual dues for an individual.

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Larchmont Yacht Club

Stories from the Larchmont Yacht Club

Larchmont Yacht Club 1 Woodbine Avenue Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 834-2440

Website: http://www.larchmontyc.org/

The mission of the Larchmont Yacht Club is to instill and enhance an interest in yachting and the spirit of sportsmanship in members and their families; Encourage and provide programs for members and their families to promote and support yacht racing in the Corinthian spirit; Support a program of yacht racing events that meets the expectations of members and their families and enhances the reputation of the Club as a prestigious center of yachting and yacht racing; Encourage and provide compatible leisure and sporting activities, including intra- and interclub competitions; Provide an active and enjoyable family-oriented social environment which members and their families will support, and in which they can participate, with pride and enthusiasm.

LARCHMONT YACHT CLUB BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

From the Commodore:

The Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Yacht Club voted to become a Founding Member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland. Larchmont Yacht Club joins other prestigious yacht clubs in the United States in supporting the National Sailing Hall of Fame as it moves forward to construct new facilities in Annapolis, where it is destined to become "a home for the Sport of Sailing" in the United States.

Larchmont Yacht Club, founded in 1880, and located on Western Long Island Sound in Larchmont, New York, has a long and successful tradition of yachting and yacht racing, fostering generations of sailors who have and who continue to excel in sailing. Commodore Carl Olsson confirmed that “sailing and competitive racing at the Larchmont Yacht Club prevails as a way of life today as it did 131 years ago and the Club is proud to support the National Sailing Hall of Fame as a Founding Member in the spirit of that tradition.”

When the Larchmont Yacht Club was founded, in 1880, the United States had been a nation for 104 years. Its total population was 50 million. The Civil War had ended 14 years earlier.  The village of New Rochelle was settled in 1688; Mamaroneck, as part of Rye, had also long been existence; but in between these two, there was no Larchmont.

The story of the origin of the Larchmont Yacht Club has often been told. In the early evening of Memorial Day in the year 1880, five young men were warming themselves over a bonfire built in a cleft of rocks on the shore of what is now Horseshoe Harbor, in Larchmont Manor. These five loved boats and they had just finished a hard racing day. Since a bonfire is scarcely the most comfortable way to close a hard day at sea, it is not surprising that these young men fell to discussing the possibility of organizing a yacht club.  They were Frank L. Anthony, Fred W. Flint, William C. France, Loring Lothrop and Charles E. Jenkins.  Their boats were part of a small mixed fleet of jib and mainsail sandbaggers, sloops and cat boats moored in Horseshoe Harbor.

It was decided that evening to organize a yacht club to be called the Larchmont Yacht Club and to invite others to join.  The problem of a Clubhouse was resolved quickly.  Fred Flint was elected a committee of one to approach his father, T.J.S. Flint, who was President of the Larchmont Manor Company and owned most of the property in Larchmont Manor from the Post Road south to the shore line. On this property was the small Union Church. The young charter members made a deal with the elder Mr. Flint for the use of the church as a clubhouse and signed a lease for $1.00 per annum.  However, it was made clear that the newly formed Club would have use of the church every day except Sunday when the clubhouse would be opened to them only after church services were over.

The club membership grew so fast, however, that a larger clubhouse was soon needed, and in the fall of 1881 the club leased the Fleming residence near the church for the annual rental of $1,500 per year.  The club continued to expand so it became necessary in 1884, to lease the Shepard House.

Three years later, in 1887, the year of the incorporation of the Larchmont Yacht Club, the present site of eleven acres was purchased at a cost of $10,000 from Benjamin A. Carver, a railroad magnate.

The original Carver residence was much smaller than the present clubhouse – the east and west wings having been added subsequently to the purchase. The Pandemonium was built fifteen year later in 1902. Our present Junior Clubhouse was the Carver stable and the basement was the cow barn while the first floor housed the horses.

Thus, the origin of the Larchmont Yacht Club.

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