Sailing Clubs
We have been a member of Windward Sailing Club in Newport Beach, CA since about 1990. Given the cost of owning and maintaining a mid-size cruising sailboat in Southern Califiornia (we usually sail boats in the 36 to 44 foot range), we probably would not be doing this type of sailing if it were not for clubs like Windward. Given the large number of other interests we have and the limited time available for any one recrereactional activity, we typically only sail about 10-14 days a year. Given the cost of a boat mortgage, insurance, leasing a slip, maintenance and the many other costs that go along with boat ownership, the cost per sailing day of owning a boat is simply prohibitive for us.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to sailing clubs like ours and it is certainly not for everyone. A brief summarty of the advantages and disadvantages (as we see them) is listed below.
Advantages
Variety of Boats - There are many different boats and sizes to choose from, each providing different sleeping accomodations and features. If it is just the five of us sailing, we select a different boat than if we have others going with us. This flexibility is a great benefit to us.
Sailing Education - Most clubs provide some sort of sailing education to make sure that members meet a minimum set of standards before using club boats. Although there is usually a cost associated with the classes, they are typically much less expensive than a commercial "sailing school" since the primary purpose of the club is to expand membership, not make money on classes. Quality of the education will vary considerably from club to club and is usually directly a function of the instructor. Most clubs allow experienced sailors to "challenge" the classes and go straight to a "checkout sail" to demonstrate their abilities.
Experience on Different Boats - Although all the boats in these types of clubs usually fall into the same general "class" of boats (i.e., coastal cruiser), the differences between boats can be significant. Nearly every boat has differences in rigging, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and instruments. This can be frustrating at times when trying to figure out a boat that you have never been on before, but it also allows you to gain experience with a wide variety of rigging and mechanical systems. Once you have sailed 15 or 20 different boats, you have experienced 90+ percent of the systems and equipment you are likely to see on any similar boat - old or new. Boats are in and out of the club on a regular basis and a quick review of our log book indicates that over the past 17 years we have sailed 25 different boats ranging in length from 26 to 48 feet. Of course we have had favorites over the years that we sailed numerous times.
Learn What You Like - Sailing a wide variety of boats with different cabin layouts, rigging setups, mechical systems, etc. allows you to determine what you like and dislike in real world situations. This can be invaluable if you decide later to buy your own boat.
Cost - This is the most obvious benefit and the main reason why most people join a club like ours. Originally when we joined the club we figured that we would stay in the club for 3-5 years and eventually buy our own boat. What we discovered is that unless we have much more time to sail, it simply doesn't make sense for us to own a boat. Our dream of boat ownership is not dead, but we will be staying in the club at least until the kids are grown and we have more free time (maybe?). For those interested, our club charges $130/month dues with $35 of the dues going to management and fleet upgrades and $95/month accumulating in a club account to be applied toward sailing time. The cost of sailing time varies from roughly about $100/day to $400/day depending on the size, model, and age of the boat being used. On average, we probably spend about $4000/year and sail an average of 12 days. You can spend less by using smaller boats.
Ease of Use - Let's face it - spare time for most people is almost non-existant. When one owns a boat, a certain amount of maintenance is required and unless the owner can afford to have someone else manage and perform the maintenance it takes a significant amount of the boat owners time. In most clubs, that is all taken care of. They maintain the boats, they clean the boats upon return, and our club even refuels and pumps out the holding tank if needed. In short, all you need to do is unload your gear and trash upon return - everything else is taken care of. In some cases that might be the difference between staying out an extra day or coming back a day early to work on and clean up the boat.
Disadvantages
Scheduling - Most clubs work on a first come, first serve basis in terms of scheduling. In the summer months, the boats tend to be reserved weeks or months ahead of time and you can't simply decide at the last minute to go sailing.
Boat Modifications - I can't tell you how many times my wife or I have said "This boat would be great if it just had ... [take your pick of instruments, accomodations, accessories, etc.]. Maybe you wish the boat had a dodger, or a better GPS, or one more berth, or a autopilot, or a new VHF. In our club, all of the boats have everything you need, most of the boats have the majority of what you want, but none are setup exactly as you would like them to be and you can't make modifications - you have to take them as they are.
Each boat is different and learning the quirks of each boat can be frustrating sometimes. As stated above this can also be an advantage in making you a well rounded sailor though. It all depends on your point of view whether this is an advantage or disadvantage.
Maintenance - Depending on the club, maintenance of the boats may or may not be well managed. Our club is pretty good about maintenance and repair but we are aware of some clubs that are not. Even our club sometimes has issues when members don't report maintenance problems when they return from sailing.
Other Options to Outright Ownership
There are other options to outright ownership - the most common of which is a fractional ownership program. Sailtime is the largest of the fractional ownership programs in the U.S.. Fractional ownership is more expensive than most clubs because the cost is spread over a smaller group of people, but for that same reason there is more flexibility in scheduling. Because Sailtime is affiliated with Hunter Marine, they only offer Hunter boats and only the 33 and 36 foot models. The Benneteau Fractional Program offers some very nice larger boats but the cost is even higher. Given how few days a year we actually sail, the club approach is still a much better deal for us especially because we have the added flexibility of selecting from a fleet of boats and boats much bigger than the largest offered through Sailtime. Nevertheless, we have friends who are Sailtime "Owner Members" in San Franscisco Bay and they love the program.
Last Updated: 29 Dec 2007