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The Yacht Club Life — A Variety of Styles

Say “yacht club” to the “person on the street” and they think ascots, megayachts, blue blazers and hoity-toity social affairs. That’s true on occasion, but far rarer than the many more casual clubs that simply help like-minded sailors find space on the waterfront to go sailing with friends. The approximately 110 clubs in the Northern California Pacific Interclub Yachting Association (PICYA) run the full spectrum of membership styles, and, regardless of style, clubs are united by a common commitment to sailing. This is the reason we enjoy all the clubs we get a chance to visit.

We appreciate the low-key nature of smaller, volunteer clubs that are a gathering place for sailors and good times. We thought we’d offer a little “yachting attire” (a Latitude 38 hat) to the first Northern California “yachtsperson” who can tell us in our comments section below which local club is home to the members’ refrigerator/freezer pictured here.

Club-Refrigerator
This club refrigerator is a meeting place for members along with the club docks, the club bar and the club waterfront.
© 2022 Latitude 38 Media LLC / John

Dues at this club are $75/month, which is the price we found online for a Brooks Brothers Ascot.

There are more expensive and less expensive clubs in the Bay Area, so we’re sure you can find one that’s right for you. They’re all a lot of fun, and when you join one, and with reciprocal privileges, you really join almost all of them.

If you’re ready to embrace your inner “yachtsperson” you can visit the Pacific Interclub Yachting Association website to find one that suits you. (Ascots not included.)

9 Comments

  1. Shana Bagley 2 years ago

    Berkeley YC!

    • John Arndt 2 years ago

      Another guess needed. Unless the yacht club bought BYC’s old one!

  2. dennis deisinger 2 years ago

    Aolean YC?

    • John Arndt 2 years ago

      Good guess but afraid not.

  3. Bill Huber 2 years ago

    I was gonna say Berkeley! Shana Bagley beat me to it.

  4. Rea 2 years ago

    My beloved HMBYC – Half Moon Bay Yacht Club!

    • John Arndt 2 years ago

      You’ve got it! We had a fantastic time being welcomed at the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club after the OYRA one-way to Half Moon Bay race last Saturday. A great sail down the coast and great dinner on the beach. Send your mailing address to [email protected] and we’ll get a Latitude 38 hat in the mail to you.

  5. I. Sargin 2 years ago

    At Berkeley YC we actually have a fancier sign than this on our member freezer/fridge, but then we lag behind in other ways, I’m sure.

  6. Karen Allanson 2 years ago

    John, so glad you and all the racers had a great time at HMBYC! We love our all-volunteer club with over 20 club-owned boats that members can sail any time they want. We sure enjoyed hosting the OYRA Race to Half Moon Bay and seeing everyone have a great time. Please come visit again soon!
    Cheers,
    Karen Allanson, Rear Commodore

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