While owning a yacht is important, belonging to the right yacht club is crucial. Getting into the top U.S. private yacht clubs isn’t always as simple as filling out an application or having the right figures in your bank account. You need to know the right people and have the right kind of kind of clout. And, having a private jet membership to get to these clubs never hurts.
New York Yacht Club | New York, New York and Newport, Rhode Island
Photo by Jazz Guy
Founded in 1844, the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) has its headquarters on West 44th Street in New York City, which is now a National Historical Landmark and the home to the largest collection of model boats in the world. The NYYC began with a circle of friends who made a three-day yacht-club cruise to Newport. The club expanded to Rhode Island in 1988, making the Harbor Court clubhouse in the former home of Commodore John Nicholas Brown. Now you can take your yacht to either marina or charter a private jet.
Modern yacht racing would not be what it is today without the NYYC’s involvement. From hosting the first transatlantic race in 1866 to holding the America’s Cup title from 1851 to 1983, the club is one of the most influential yachting institutions in the world. It’s also notorious for being one of the most difficult clubs to get into. Membership is strictly invitation-only.
Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia | Essington, Pennsylvania
Photo by Twoqster
With its history dating back to 1892, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia (CYCC) is one of the oldest continually operated clubs in the country and the founder of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. It’s located on the Delaware River and serves as the homeport for its club members, who enjoy year-round sailing in the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean.
When you fly to the clubhouse in a private charter plane, you’ll find an extensive collection of maritime-themed artwork, artifacts and half-models, which the Corinthian Historical Foundation maintains. The club hosts races and is home to one of the most unique trap shooting ranges in the Delaware Valley.
San Francisco Yacht Club | Belvedere Cove, California
Photo by Durant Weston
As the oldest yacht club on the West Coast, the San Francisco Yacht Club formed in 1869 and is hailed as the premier yacht club on the U.S. Pacific Coast and one of the leading clubs in the country. It’s also close to Solairus Aviation in Petaluma, CA. The club’s original home was in San Francisco’s China Bay. After a couple relocations, the club settled on Belvedere Cove in 1934, where its regattas take in the best sights of the San Francisco Bay.
The San Francisco Yacht Club’s year-round facility includes a 190-berth harbor, dry sail area, junior sailing program and a full-service restaurant and bar. Slip rentals are an exclusive membership perk. Membership is strictly invitation-only.
St. Francis Yacht Club | San Francisco, California
Photo by Brad Coy
Established in 1927, the St. Francis Yacht Club was part of the original San Francisco Yacht Club. After the San Francisco Yacht Club moved, about half of its members stayed behind and formed the St. Francis Yacht Club. Today, the club is one of the most prestigious on the West Coast and was recognized at the top five-star yacht club by Platinum Clubs of America in 2014. The club hosts over 10 annual trophy and cup events and is close to our aircraft charter rental company. Membership is invitation-only.
The St. Francis Yacht Club has a satellite clubhouse on Tinsley Island, just west of Stockton, where the children of members train and learn to sail. The club is also a member of the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, which provides reciprocal privileges to members in participating yacht clubs. Members of the New York Yacht Club, Royal Thames Yacht Club, Yacht Club de Monaco, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Outrigger Canoe Club and the Société Nautique de Gèneve also enjoy reciprocity benefits at the St. Francis Yacht Club.