There
is a certain camaraderie amongst the
yacht clubs and boat clubs that populate
this wonderful California Delta, a
little bit of scratching each other's
back. There are a few dozen of them
here. Some have been here 60 years
or more and are well entrenched, with
strong clubhouses and solid memberships.
Others are still the
"new kids on the block," earning
their stripes, so to speak. Most belong
to the Pacific Inter-Club Yachting Assn.
(PICYA) and may extend reciprocal privileges
to members of other clubs belonging to
the association.
Many
have clubhouses and most often have
the welcome mat out for members of
other clubs. Thus, yacht club or boat
club membership most often extends
your possibilities of places to cruise
in to and have some fun. A few clubs
have floating clubhouses, that make
a visit something special. Others have
clubhouses located on islands out in
the Delta and the only practical way
to get to them is via boat. This, we
think, enriches the cruising experience.
Some
clubs have no clubhouse and consider
themselves to be strong cruising clubs.
Yet these clubs generally are welcome
to have cruise-ins to those clubs that do have
clubhouses. The cruising clubs' members
generally make sure they patronize
the facilities of the clubs they cruise
in to, being sure to keep the cash
registers ringing at the club bar and
restaurant. You might say that in this
manner they help pay the clubhouse
rent.
Clubs
promote safe boating, both in their
newsletters and by sponsoring boating
safety events at their facilities.
Other club-sponsored events may include
the public, such as opening day boat
parades, lighted boat Christmas parades,
nautical flea markets, and fundraisers
for worthwhile charities.
Joining
a yacht club generally is not difficult.
If your idea of yacht club membership
in the Delta area is like what it can
be at some exclusive country clubs
(expensive, exclusive and high-society
oriented) you are in for a surprise.
Here in the laid-back Delta, the idea
is to have fun while being a responsible
boater. At most clubs, the folks with
a 28-foot pontoon houseboat are as
welcome as the folks in the latest
60-foot Bertram.
Membership
in most clubs can be quite affordable.
Membership requirements may vary from
club to club. You may need to be recommended
by an existing member (usually not
difficult to arrange) and generally
there is a probationary period. Most
clubs charge an initiation fee and
also charge dues, most often on a annual
basis. Some clubs have Websites you
can visit to learn details on membership,
and you may be able to arrange attending
a club function as a guest via e-mail.
We
suggest you poke around a bit and find
a club that has the facilities and
the sort of lifestyle you appreciate,
then inquire about membership and perhaps
attend a club function as a guest.
You will be glad you did.
Marque
Clubs
These are clubs whose members all must
own a certain brand of boat. A Sea Ray,
Bayliner, Uniflite, etc., you get the
idea. If a member sells his or her boat
and goes to another brand, the member
generally also must give up membership.
Some marque clubs are a little soft on
the last aspect, and might let a long-standing
member retain his or her membership when
changing boat makes. Some are not soft
on this requirement.
No
Boat No More
Some clubs accept as members persons
who do not own a boat. They are in the
club for its social aspects. Members
sometime might sell a boat and be boatless
and may retain their membership. Sometimes
the spouse of a member dies and owning
a boat is no longer practical, but a
strong friendship has developed over
the years with the other club members.
Some older members go from boating to
RVing and take their
"land yacht"
on cruises via the asphalt sloughs. |
