Is there a protocol for visiting a yacht/sailing club?

[BrianH]

What was he getting at? Blazer and tie, ubiquitous quartered rugby style shirt or tide marks in salt on the trouser?

I thought all you UK sailors don red trousers to go ashore?

What about RYA membership? I've always got my membership card in my wallet, seems a valid introduction to me.

 

[Babylon]

What about RYA membership? I've always got my membership card in my wallet, seems a valid introduction to me.

Might get you into a dinghy sailing club... but as soon as they find out you have a 'big' boat they'll wee in your beer.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I thought all you UK sailors don red trousers to go ashore?

What about RYA membership? I've always got my membership card in my wallet, seems a valid introduction to me.

CA membership card works well, especially out of UK.

 

[Daedelus]

What was he getting at? Blazer and tie, ubiquitous quartered rugby style shirt or tide marks in salt on the trouser?

Deck shoes, smart female type trousers (but a bit creased) musto snug jacket. Unmistakeable.

 

[Robin]

Deck shoes, smart female type trousers (but a bit creased) musto snug jacket. Unmistakeable.

And white owl eyes from being behind shades in the sun.

 

[Gordonmc]

So... it appears there is no established protocol for all.
Certainly in the case of the Royal Malta I used to wander in for a meal both at their previous Manoel Island HQ and their new spiffing clubhouse in Gzira. Last week, however, I was turned away on being told it was members only or members accompanied guests. I could have presented an affiliate cub membership card but they weren't interested.
It's their choice of course but a shame nevertheless.

 

[dunedin]

If you want to benefit from the custome of club reciprocity, you should at least join a relevant club yourself. Being a crew is no different from a skipper in this respect

 

[drakes drum]

As I'm only crew I am not a member of any yacht or sailing club. I've sailed with my usual skipper to visit Seaview and the Royal Victoria where he has intimated that they have affiliations with his club (which shall remain anonymous) so we can go in. I suppose as we've paid for mooring we're also temporary day members sort of thing.

I've visited the RSYC in Ocean Village when we raced a keelboat in their winter series once. However when a fellow course attendee and myself wanted to take our Day Skipper instructor out for a thank you pint I rang the RSYC and asked if we could come in although not members and was told no, members only. As I travel round the country a fair amount but not always by boat, I would like to take the opportunity to pop into clubs and frequent their establishments rather than the boozer nearest the b&b.

So what's the protocol? Do I rock up boatless and knock on the door? Am I likely to be let in or escorted from the premises?

Depends entirely on how stuffy the club is and how scruffy you are. I have never been refused entrance to a club though I admit that I've never tried the RYS. The Royal club of which I am a member has reciprocal membership arrangements with other such clubs but itself doesnt hesitate to serve non members who comes in through the door. I suspect that if you asked, my club might be bit stuffy but if you dont ask then no one seems to bother.

My experience of clubs is that they operate on a similar basis to our legal system. People enthusiastically make up all sorts of silly rules, but the enforcement is casual unless you draw attention.

 

[Daedelus]

And white owl eyes from being behind shades in the sun.

Oh, you've met her.

 

[cliveshelton]

I blagged my way into the Rio yacht club last year with an RYA card. Very nice and quite a few eyebrows raised. The Commodore made himself known and offered the four of us a beer. We were severely underdressed compared to the other present who may have owned the super yachts on the moorings. There were dinghies there though as well. Nice views of Sugar Loaf mountain.

 

[marklucas]

I've always been made more than welcome at the clubs I have visited.

I simply ask the the first club official (typically the bar steward - not an insult) where the visitor's book is and there's no problem at all. Indeed, some members have come over to say how great it is to see parents taking their relatively young children out on a yacht, and by the way, just round the corner is a toy box to help keep them quiet. You can't ask for more than that as the parents relax of a well earned drink whilst taking in the view over the river / estuary / bay and swap a few tales of derring do with our new hosts.

I normally have a Musto dry bag over my shoulder to carry valuables / towels etc. in the dinghy - this seems to provide the relevant authenticity.

 

[laika]

Well sorry to be an ignoramus but this is my first (and last with this one) year of membership of a club and I haven't yet exploited that by visiting elsewhere. What's the "reciprocal arrangement" thing? In the past I've seen signs up about welcoming members of other clubs and assumed that applied to all RYA-affiliated clubs. Is it like Star Alliance vs One World? How does it work?

 

[Leighb]

I can't speak for other clubs, but mine works on the principle that all "visiting yachtsmen/women are welcome". Visitors should sign the visitors book, but no need to be signed in by a member. Dress is pretty casual, but we don't like anyone to be topless in the clubhouse.

The main reason for the requirement to sign in and be a bona fide visiting yachtie is to comply with licensing regs. We could be in trouble if we serve anyone who poles up, altho' having said that if someone comes in, signs the book and looks as if he/she might be off a yacht there is unlikely to be any sort of challenge.

When we visit other clubs we always sign in and have never met with anything other than friendliness - this is the East Coast though, I have no experience of the Solent etc.

AFAIK we have no formal reciprocal agreements with other clubs. I can recall during my time as Commodore being asked by one or two members who were travelling to far off places such as Hong Kong or Australia if we could provide an "Introduction" so that they could visit Royal clubs in these locations, I believe this worked satisfactorily.

 

[chrishelen]

Why would you go out of your way to drink at a yacht club?

 

[Angele]

Why would you go out of your way to drink at a yacht club?

Because (usually) the prices are cheaper than a pub.

 

[Daydream believer]

Well sorry to be an ignoramus but this is my first (and last with this one) year of membership?

Why?

 

[basic]

Were you already too old for him?

I was trying to think of a comment along those lines but you beat me to it! A+

 

[VO5]

Well sorry to be an ignoramus but this is my first (and last with this one) year of membership of a club and I haven't yet exploited that by visiting elsewhere. What's the "reciprocal arrangement" thing? In the past I've seen signs up about welcoming members of other clubs and assumed that applied to all RYA-affiliated clubs. Is it like Star Alliance vs One World? How does it work?

All Royal Clubs have a list in which they list each other and particular Royal Clubs with which they have reciprocal arrangements.
The Club Secretary has the list.
The process involves issuing of a card and an introduction carried out in advance of a visit by means of a telephone call, a letter or by email.
It works fine.

 

[Robin]

All Royal Clubs have a list in which they list each other and particular Royal Clubs with which they have reciprocal arrangements.
The Club Secretary has the list.
The process involves issuing of a card and an introduction carried out in advance of a visit by means of a telephone call, a letter or by email.
It works fine.

I don't think that is only 'Royal' clubs. My YC inPoole has/had ( I'm an overseas member now) reciprocals with some others and it allows those clubs discounted overnight berthing where it is available, even with a couple of French YCs including Cherbourg. We never had any problem going to any other clubs just as ordinary visiting yotties. I do remember the main reason for visitors being signed in as being a legal licensing requirement primarily which is understandable as it is a 'club', not a 'public house', the clue being in the title.

 

[l'escargot]

All Royal Clubs have a list in which they list each other and particular Royal Clubs with which they have reciprocal arrangements.
The Club Secretary has the list.
The process involves issuing of a card and an introduction carried out in advance of a visit by means of a telephone call, a letter or by email.
It works fine.

That tends to be the case outside of the UK. Back in the UK my club (ISC) isn't royal and has reciprocal arrangements with other royal and non royal clubs during the winter months. No additional cards or introductions required, just show up and have your own club card to show if required. It gives more "temporary membership" as opposed to "guest" status so that you can use all facilities rather than those offered to visitors.