Membership Information
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Membership Information

The Harlem Yacht Club has three classes of membership: active, intermediate, and associate. Each has different rights and responsibilities. We also offer a summer affiliate program for people who want to try the club out before deciding to join.

Active Member

J/24 Polar Express
The Active member is a boat owner with full privileges of the club including full voting rights on all issues. The By-Laws of the Harlem Yacht Club very clearly put the seat of power with the members. The Board of Trustees exists at the Harlem Yacht Club for the purpose of leadership and guidance, but no charges can be assessed to the members, no serious action taken, no major decisions or changes made without the membership's voting to approve it

This is a very important part of the club. It means that every member has a responsibility to keep involved in club activities, events and decisions, for they will have to vote on them. It's a charge that our members take seriously and that is what engenders a love of HYC.

The active member also has full use of all club facilities including the clubhouse, grounds, and marine facilities. The active member is permitted to moor his/her vessel in HYC's special anchorage, the well protected end of Eastchester Bay. Furthermore, the active member has full use of the club's 24 hour launch service which patrols the fleet at night as an added measure of security.

Intermediate Member

The intermediate member is defined as one who owns a boat, but does not keep it moored at the HYC on a regular basis, or is a member who is part owner of a vessel with an Active member.

Intermediate members are entitled to participate in the social events of the club, have use of the club grounds and limited use of the marine facilities. An Intermediate member does not have a vote.

Associate Member

The Associate member is defined as one who does not own a boat, but would like to use the clubhouse and enjoy the many social activities the club has to offer. Associate members cannot vote and are not entitled to use the marine facility.

Summer Affiliate Program

Harlem Yacht Club's Summer Affiliate Program is being offered for the summer of 2008. It's a way for the prospective member to find out if a yacht club is right for them. For $800 the affiliate is able to use all the facilities of the club. Included in that $800 is a proper mooring for your vessel, full use of the club's launch service, use of the club's restaurant and bar and an open invitation to attend all the club's social functions.

The affiliate program was developed as a vehicle for the club to invite the prospective member to "try us out". We feel that with its rich historical heritage, the Harlem Yacht Club has so much to offer that a summer spent sailing, cruising, and having fun with our members, is the best way to show it.

If, after a summer of enjoying the fellowship and good company that is found at HYC you find that it's the right place for you, then $200 of the original $800 fee will be credited as a down payment toward your mooring. It's hard to define what's kept this club going for over one hundred and twenty five years, but once you spend some time here, we think you'll understand.

Interested in Joining?

If you're interested in joining the Harlem Yacht Club, and would like to stop by for a tour and get some information, please contact our Membership Chairman Evelyn Butler at membership@hyc.org. She'll be glad to show you around and discuss all that the club has to offer.

HYC dining room
One of the most wonderful things about the club is the unique sense of belonging. The range of members, from all backgrounds come together like a big family. Advice on racing, maintenance, sailing, power boating, fishing, dancing, you name it, is shared with enthusiasm at the tables in the dining room or at the bar in the twilight of the day. As you sit there enjoying your favorite libation, you watch the sun set over Eastchester Bay. The twinkling lights, glimmering like jewels, come shimmering across the water from the New York City skyscrapers. To your left the beautiful arcs of light follow the graceful path of the suspension bridges at Throgs Neck and Whitestone.

How about enjoying them from the water? Because of the city lights at night, it never gets terribly dark and many of our members will take their boats out for an evening cruise after work. With 24 hour launch service, no matter when you return, you're assured of getting in safe and sound.