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11 Most Exclusive Yacht Clubs in America
Private Club Marketing's editorial and research is conducted in conjunction with its advisory and development team.
- August 1, 2023
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In the quest to discover the epitome of maritime luxury and distinction, the search for the Most Exclusive Yacht Clubs in America takes center stage. Owning a yacht is not merely a symbol of opulence; it is the initial stride towards securing a coveted position within the global elite. Yet, within this realm, it is widely acknowledged that membership in a prestigious yacht club holds equal, if not greater, significance than yacht ownership itself.
Consider the tale of Roman Abramovich, renowned for possessing one of the world's most opulent private jets and the most lavish yacht. Astonishingly, even these credentials failed to secure him entry into the inner sanctum of the British elite, who maintain their exclusivity with unwavering resolve. British yacht clubs, with their hallowed traditions, have long been revered as bastions of exclusivity. An example that stands out is the Royal Yacht Squadron, the world's most esteemed yacht club, which only admitted women as members in 2013, exemplifying the enduring barriers to entry even in the face of societal progress. Remarkably, this exclusivity extended even to Her Majesty the Queen, their patron, who, despite her regal association with the club, was not granted membership.
To identify the Most Exclusive Yacht Clubs in America, we embarked on a meticulous journey. Beginning with a thorough examination of the Platinum Clubs of America's esteemed listing of the finest yacht clubs in the United States, we elevated select candidates by acknowledging their triumphs in prestigious yachting events, including the illustrious America's Cup and the Resolute Cup, often hailed as the unofficial club championship of America in yachting. The culmination of our pursuit presents you with the ultimate showcase of yacht club exclusivity on American shores.
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11. Southern Yacht Club
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Founded: 1849
Southern Yacht Club suffered greatly from the Hurricane Katrina. The club house was severely damaged by the fire that broke during the storm and it had to be demolished. Unfortunately, a large number of priceless yachting artifacts were lost in the process. Still, the club survived and in 2009, the members celebrated 160 years since its founding. The club played an important role in New Orleans’ social life throughout its history and continues to do so. Southern Yacht Club organizes the Race to the Coast, one of the oldest yachting regattas in the Western hemisphere. Its members won 4 golden medals in the Summer Olympics for the United States.
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10. Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
Location: Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan Founded: 1914
Founded by the group of 25 sailing enthusiasts in 1914, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club is located on the shores of Lake St. Clair. Its clubhouse, designed by Guy Lowell, is listed on National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, Lowell didn’t get to see his creation, since he died at sea before the building was finished. The most prominent feature is the 187-ft bell tower, which doubles as the radio far for sailors on Lake St. Clair. In 1997, in a survey among the managers of the yacht clubs across the United States, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club was named Number One Yacht Club in America.
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9. Palm Beach Yacht Club
Location: Palm Beach, Florida Founded: 1890 (re-chartered 1911)
What started as a local association of enthusiasts to promote sailing on Intracoastal Waterway soon developed into one of the best yachting clubs in America. Among other amenities it offers to the members, Pal Palm Beach Yacht Club takes great pride in their restaurant, which won several prestigious international awards, like the Epicurean International Award, limited to just 100 restaurants on the planet.
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8. Chicago Yacht Club
Location: Chicago, Illinois Founded: 1875
The Great Lakes offer some of the best freshwater sailings in the world and Chicago Yacht Club is taking full advantage of that fact. It hosts annual Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, which brings more than 3,000 sailors from the entire country to the shores of Lake Michigan and Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Although often teased by the other clubs about their lack of saltiness, members of Chicago Yacht Club are very proud of their club and its achievements. Among notable members are Robert Halperin and William Parks, the bronze medalist from the 1960 Olympics.
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7. Annapolis Yacht Club
Location: Annapolis, Maryland Founded: 1886
Annapolis, America’s Sailing Capital, is a home to a several yachting and boating clubs, but the premier spot goes to the Annapolis Yacht Club. Among other races, the club organizes the traditional Annapolis to Newport race, one of the most iconic races in America’s yachting history. Although the effects of a devastating fire that ravaged the clubhouse in 2015 are still visible, club’s 1600-strong membership body has come together to mend the disaster.
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6. Newport Harbor Yacht Club
Location: Newport Beach, California Founded: 1916
Newport Harbor Yacht Club is one of the several premier clubs on the West coast. The club played a vital role in the development of Newport Beach throughout its history. Its clubhouse, built in 1919, is considered as one of the most important local landmarks and is one of the oldest clubhouses on our list. Despite several enlargements and reconstructions, it struggles to offer top notch service to the club’s members and plans for a new one are under development. In 1986, the club sent a crew to try and qualify for the next year’s America Cup, but unfortunately, they lost to the San Diego’s boat, which eventually won the Cup.
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5. Carolina Yacht Club
Location: Charleston, South Carolina Founded: 1883
Located in the beautiful historic setting of Battery in Charleston’s downtown, Carolina Yacht Club looks like Scarlett O’Hara will come in any second accompanied by Captain Butler. The fact that the clubhouse is in the old cotton factor’s office, with Greek columns on the waterfront, only reinforces the impression of the Old South. Members like to boast that their club has the best yachting facilities on the East Coast. While there are quite a few clubs that would disagree, Caroline Yacht Club’s location with the access to Charleston Harbor is certainly among the best in the nation. It is one of the reasons for its high placement on our list of 11 most exclusive yacht clubs in America.
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4. San Diego Yacht Club
Location: San Diego, California Founded: 1886
San Diego Yacht Club is one of the most prominent clubs in America’s yachting history. Its crews and boats won the America Cup two times, making it the only America club besides New York Yacht Club to take home the much-coveted Auld Mug. In their third attempt, they lost to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in 1995. It is also the original home of the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup, a prestigious regatta held annually since 1904. In order to provide its members with an excellent service, San Diego Yacht Club employs over 100 people in its clubhouse. The club runs one of the most successful youth programs in the country, which has a great appeal to members and wannabe members with kids.
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3. The San Francisco Yacht Club
Location: Belvedere, California Founded: 1869
Founded in 1869, San Francisco Yacht Club is the oldest yachting club on the West Coast. The clubhouse was moved several times, until it finally settled in its current location, in Belvedere Cove, in 1926. The move split the membership and one group decided to form a new club, called St. Francis Yacht Club. Despite the controversy surrounding the relocation, it proved to be the right move, as Belvedere Cove is an excellent harbor and it allowed the club to create world-class amenities for its members and their guests. The clubhouse went through an extensive reconstruction in 2007, modernizing existing features and adding some new ones, in order to bring it up with the times.
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2. St. Francis Yacht Club
Location: San Francisco Founded: 1927
Formed by the dissatisfied members of the San Francisco Yacht Club who opposed the move to Belvedere, St. Francis Yacht Club has quickly gained a reputation of a premier yacht club, often ranking higher than their rivals at the San Francisco Yacht Club, much to their chagrin. It is generally considered the most prestigious yacht club on the Western coast. One of the reasons for its popularity is the club’s location near the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the most notable members include James David Zellerbach, Tom Blackaller, Pamela Healy, and Roy Disney.
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1. New York Yacht Club
Location: New York, New York Founded: 1844
The top spot on our list of 11 most exclusive yacht clubs in America goes to the New York Yacht Club. It has about 3,000 members and the only way to become one of them is to be invited. New York Yacht Club is the essential part of the iconic America Cup, having won it 25 times. It is officially the longest winning streak in the history of sports. The cup itself is named after America, NYYC schooner which won the first cup ever held in 1851. Its rivalry with London’s Royal Yacht Squadron is one of the greatest in the history of the sport and certainly the greatest among yachting clubs of the world. New York Yacht Club is regularly listed among the top 3 best yachting clubs in the world.
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Top 10 Yacht Clubs in America: A Guide to the Best Sailing Communities
Table of Contents
Introduction
Yacht clubs are exclusive organizations that offer a range of benefits and services to their members, including access to luxury amenities, social events, and world-class facilities for sailing, boating, and water sports. In America, yacht clubs have a rich history and cultural significance, dating back to the early 19th century when wealthy ship owners and merchants established private clubs to socialize and showcase their maritime prowess.
Today, yacht clubs continue to play an important role in the American boating and sailing community, attracting members from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the sea and a desire for camaraderie and adventure. Whether you’re an experienced sailor, a casual boater, or a fan of waterfront dining and entertainment, joining a yacht club can be a rewarding experience that offers many benefits beyond just access to a boat dock or a sailing school.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 yacht clubs in America, based on a range of criteria that reflect their prestige, history, facilities, amenities, and location. Whether you’re looking to join a club or just curious about the best places to sail and socialize in America, we hope this guide will inspire you to explore the many wonders of the American coast and its vibrant yachting culture.
Criteria for Selection
To identify the top 10 yacht clubs in America, we considered a range of criteria that reflect their overall quality, reputation, and value for members.
Membership benefits
Yacht clubs offer a variety of benefits and services to their members, including access to facilities, events, social networks, and other perks. We evaluated the quality and diversity of the membership benefits offered by each club, such as sailing instruction, regattas, dining, fitness, spa, and other amenities.
History and prestige
Many yacht clubs have a rich history and heritage that reflects their role in the local and national boating culture. We considered the age, reputation, and significance of each club in the context of its local and national history, as well as its contributions to the development of sailing and boating in America.
Yacht clubs often have impressive facilities that include marinas, docks, slips, boat storage, repair services, and other amenities. We evaluated the quality, size, and condition of each club’s facilities, as well as their accessibility and convenience for members.
Yacht clubs are typically located in scenic and strategic waterfront locations, offering easy access to the water, nearby attractions, and transportation. We considered the location of each club in terms of its natural beauty, cultural significance, and practicality for boating and sailing.
Yacht clubs often offer a range of amenities and services beyond their core boating and sailing facilities, such as restaurants, bars, lounges, pools, tennis courts, and other recreational options. We evaluated the quality and diversity of each club’s amenities, as well as their appeal to members and guests.
By considering these factors and conducting extensive research, we identified the top 10 yacht clubs in America, which we will discuss in detail in the next section.
Top 10 Yacht Clubs in America
After evaluating the criteria listed above, we’ve identified the following 10 yacht clubs as the best in America:
A. New York Yacht Club, New York, NY
B. St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, CA
C. Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, IL
D. Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA
E. San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, CA
F. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA
G. Annapolis Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD
H. Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Newport Beach, CA
I. Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle, WA
J. San Francisco Yacht Club, Belvedere Tiburon, CA
These clubs were selected based on their outstanding reputation, impressive facilities, beautiful location, and diverse membership benefits. While each club is unique and offers its own charm and style, they all share a commitment to excellence and a passion for sailing, boating, and waterfront living.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the top 3 yacht clubs on this list, highlighting their history, facilities, amenities, and location.
Top 3 Yacht Clubs in Detail
New york yacht club, new york, ny.
Founded in 1844, the New York Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. Located in the heart of Manhattan, the club boasts a magnificent clubhouse that overlooks the Hudson River and offers stunning views of the city skyline. With a rich history that includes winning the America’s Cup a record 25 times, the New York Yacht Club is a symbol of excellence in American yachting.
The club’s facilities include a marina, a sailing center, a fitness center, a pool, a dining room, a bar, and a library, as well as a range of social events, regattas, and sailing programs. The club’s location in the heart of New York City makes it an ideal destination for members and guests who want to combine their love of sailing with the excitement of the city.
St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, CA
Located on the picturesque Marina Green in San Francisco, the St. Francis Yacht Club is renowned for its stunning waterfront views and world-class facilities. Founded in 1927, the club has a rich history of hosting prestigious regattas, including the Rolex Big Boat Series and the America’s Cup. With a focus on promoting the sport of sailing and fostering a sense of community among its members, the St. Francis Yacht Club is a beloved institution in the Bay Area.
The club’s facilities include a marina, a clubhouse, a bar, a dining room, a fitness center, a pool, a spa, and a range of sailing programs and events. The club’s location on the shores of San Francisco Bay makes it an ideal destination for sailors and boaters who want to experience some of the best sailing conditions in the world.
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Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, IL
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the Chicago Yacht Club is a premier destination for boaters and sailors who want to experience the beauty and excitement of Lake Michigan. Founded in 1875, the club has a long and distinguished history of promoting the sport of sailing and fostering a sense of camaraderie among its members. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for the sea, the Chicago Yacht Club is a beloved institution in the Midwest.
The club’s facilities include two locations, one in Belmont Harbor and one in Monroe Harbor, both of which offer marinas, docks, slips, boat storage, and a range of amenities such as a clubhouse, a bar, a dining room, a fitness center, and a pool. The club’s location in downtown Chicago makes it an ideal destination for boaters and sailors who want to enjoy the city’s vibrant culture and attractions.
Honorable Mentions
While the top 10 yacht clubs we’ve highlighted in this article are undoubtedly some of the best in America, there are a few honorable mentions that deserve recognition as well. These clubs may not have made our top 10 list, but they are still exceptional institutions that offer outstanding facilities, programs, and services to their members.
Corinthian Yacht Club, Tiburon, CA
Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, the Corinthian Yacht Club is a picturesque and welcoming club that offers a range of sailing programs, events, and social activities.
Royal Hawaiian Yacht Club, Honolulu, HI
Founded in 1901, the Royal Hawaiian Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Hawaii and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head.
Bay Head Yacht Club, Bay Head, NJ
Situated on the Barnegat Bay in New Jersey, the Bay Head Yacht Club is a family-friendly club that offers sailing programs, swimming lessons, and social events for members of all ages.
Austin Yacht Club, Austin, TX
Despite being located in the landlocked state of Texas, the Austin Yacht Club offers a vibrant sailing community on the shores of Lake Travis, with a range of sailing programs, regattas, and social events.
Columbia Yacht Club, Chicago, IL
Housed in a historic 1893 building on the Chicago waterfront, the Columbia Yacht Club is a unique and charming club that offers a range of amenities and services, including dining, events, and sailing programs.
While these clubs may not have made our top 10 list, they are still exceptional institutions that are well worth exploring if you are interested in joining a yacht club in America.
In conclusion, if you are a boating enthusiast looking to join a yacht club in America, you have plenty of excellent options to choose from. The top 10 yacht clubs we’ve highlighted in this article offer outstanding facilities, programs, and services to their members, as well as a strong sense of community and camaraderie among fellow sailors.
Whether you’re looking for a club on the East Coast, West Coast, or somewhere in between, there is sure to be a yacht club that fits your needs and preferences. From the luxurious facilities of the San Francisco Yacht Club to the historic charm of the New York Yacht Club, each of the clubs on our top 10 list has its own unique character and appeal.
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Platinum Clubs of America
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List of yacht clubs This is a list of yacht clubs across countries.
List of American Yacht Clubs Yacht Clubs of America has 949 registered members Search Users Club Name City State Website Reciprocity Courtesy
Discover the epitome of exclusivity with our list of the 11 most exclusive yacht clubs in America. From prestigious championship wins to Platinum Club of America recognition, these elite clubs are where luxury and high society converge.
Platinum Clubs of America bestows its coveted status on yacht clubs around the world from California to Australia and beyond.
Discover the top 10 yacht clubs in America, from the luxurious San Francisco Yacht Club to the historic New York Yacht Club. Explore outstanding facilities, programs, and services for boating enthusiasts.
Top 30 Yacht Clubs | PCOA Top 30 Yacht Clubs 2021-22
Annapolis Yacht Club. One of the oldest yacht clubs in the country and internationally recognized with its long history of sailboat racing and world-class events. The club organizes the famed ...
The Yachting Club of America was founded in 1963 as the first National Association of Yacht Clubs. The founding principles set forth by the Board of Governors and Founding Members, were designed to serve the advancement of Yachting.
T. Transpacific Yacht Club. Categories: Yacht clubs in North America. Sailing in the United States. Sports clubs and teams in the United States. Yacht clubs by country. Yachting associations in the United States. Hidden categories:
The yacht Cygnet won, earning fame as the first winner of North America's longest-running sailing regatta. Today, the New York Yacht Club has its signature clubhouse, a National Historic Landmark, on West 44th Street in New York, and a waterfront clubhouse, Harbour Court, in Newport. The Club's first clubhouse survives.
The REGISTER OF AMERICAN YACHT CLUBS includes, along with the club burgees: Name of club Mailing address Telephone number Club House address Calendar period of operation Courtesy dockage available Reciprocity status Restaurant and/or lounge facilities The REGISTER also includes a geographical listing for each yacht & sailing club by city and state.
America's oldest yacht clubs, showing us the history of boating, rowing, and sailing in the U. S., range from New England to the West Coast and throughout the Midwest into the South and Gulf Coast.
A yacht club is a social membership sports club for boaters. Yacht clubs are typically located near lakes or the sea with local members that are boat owners or people, leasing or renting boats. There's a monthly or yearly membership fee.
Map of Member Clubs View larger map to see the complete list and locations of clubs. FCYC Clubs
Yacht clubs are mostly located by the sea, although there some that have been established at a lake or riverside locations. Yacht or sailing clubs have either a marina or a delimited section of the beach or shoreline with buoys marking the areas off-limits for swimmers as well as safe offshore anchorages. On shore they also include a perimeter ...
The St. Petersburg Yacht Club offers something to entice every member of the family every day. With two clubhouses, three marinas, full service catering, a fleet of sailboats, live entertainment weekly and a long list of programs and events. Full/Active (single/dual); Non-Resident; Intermediate (ages 34 and under) and Pass-a-Grille only.
Yacht clubs are exclusive social membership organizations for boaters and sailors, typically located near lakes or the sea. These clubs offer a wide range of facilities, including marinas, pools, tennis courts, restaurants, and spas, making them a popular destination for both members and visitors. Contents show.
The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen.
Regattas Address: 11 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | 2301 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 Phone: 727-822-3873 Pass-a-Grille 727-360-1646
List of yacht clubs that have competed for the America's Cup This is a list of yacht clubs that have competed for the America's Cup, or in the related Challenger series held since 1970.