New ATYC website

If one wants to be really technical.
A Blazer is only worn by Crew the boat owner will wear a Reefer with black buttons.
To put a badge on the Blazer would be an absolute gaffe of the first order.
White trousers should never be worn after 7pm.
White shoes NEVER worn.
I can't find my old rule books from the 60s when I was a member of several prestigious Royal clubs but can remember many of the little quirks that we took for granted but modern boaters disdain.

Now your talking.
 
If you're wanting to be really technical, I'm owner as well as crew, so reserve the right to wear a blazer, as I smoked the reefer...

I'm aware of the White trouser thing, and always take a pair of dark ones for evening events, as I laugh at the churlish ignoramus still sporting their daywear ;)

The badge thing is new to me! Nearly every boating event has 90% blazer-with-badge, where does this one come from Byron?
 
Would this do?

View attachment 30012

It's only 333 Euro so I can afford it. That's just the jacket of course. Do I need the golden stripes on the cuffs? If so how many for being captain of a 16.5' cabin cruiser? But, frankly, I'd rather not have any stripes on mine because it might look like I was pretending to be a naval officer. Oh, wait...
 
Would this do?

View attachment 30012

It's only 333 Euro so I can afford it. That's just the jacket of course. Do I need the golden stripes on the cuffs? If so how many for being captain of a 16.5' cabin cruiser? But, frankly, I'd rather not have any stripes on mine because it might look like I was pretending to be a naval officer. Oh, wait...
Strangely enough NO! Many Royal Clubs have a formal club uniform, rarely seen these days it was based on a 'Nelson' type naval uniform. One thing that one could NEVER do is indicate fully what your naval rank was. This was because it might belittle the Club Commodore who may have had no rank what-so-ever. The way around this rule was to have the rings as a different shade of black or blue but inconspicuous. Imagine a jacket with the rings removed leaving traces of what was once there and you'll get the idea. The nicest Reefer you can get is an old Navy uniform jacket with the gold buttons removed and black club buttons put on instead.
 
Byron,

Aside from any differences of opinion and possible leg pulls that may occur in this thread I want to thank you for your comments - very interesting.
 
Byron,

Aside from any differences of opinion and possible leg pulls that may occur in this thread I want to thank you for your comments - very interesting.
I don't mind the leg pulls. If I give it out then I have to accept them, it's all part of the fun. Things have changed considerably since I was a sprog but then so has the world. I don't always approve of the changes but I have to say that in the dim distant past yacht clubs were the bastion of what was genteel. Whether one owned an ocean going yacht or a converted life boat (there were loads around after WW2). The club saw everyone as equal and the rules sort of levelled everyone.
Think of this... One rule most clubs still have in their hand book. A person can lose their membership if they brought the Club into disrepute. Is that such a bad hang over from the old days?
 
It's only at special club functions that it is 'asked' but not demanded one wears a Reefer or Blazer. These are few and far between, maybe the annual dinner or some such. The ladies enjoy tarting up for such occasions and who are we to deny them this right by appearing as their consort in an old pair of jeans a paint smattered smock and a bogie hanging from ones nose ;)

Even Royal yacht clubs are no where near as formal as they were when I was a young man.

I have been asked to leave some of the top yacht clubs in the world for wearing the wrong clothes. I am actually a little bit proud !
 
I have been asked to leave some of the top yacht clubs in the world for wearing the wrong clothes. I am actually a little bit proud !
Then more shame on you for disrespecting a Club where you are not a member. You don't have to agree with their rules but you are entering their 'house' and simple courtesy should prevail.
 
Then more shame on you for disrespecting a Club where you are not a member. You don't have to agree with their rules but you are entering their 'house' and simple courtesy should prevail.

Ok perhaps I should have explained a little more ... On each occasion I have been there as a guest or at a function that have not explained the dress code in full. So it was not actually my fault. The Royal Thames for example is happy to punt out their facilities (at a large cost ) but get shirty if the non member invited guest is not dressed as they wish.

Don't get me wrong I will always dress according to the code but sometimes you are not told of the code or be in a position to dress according to the code.

Applogies if I did not explain myself but I actually think Thames Yacht Clubs are great as long as they so not take themselves too seriously.
 
Applogies if I did not explain myself but I actually think Thames Yacht Clubs are great as long as they so not take themselves too seriously.[/QUOTE]
Hear Hear!
 
And to add most yacht clubs do need to drag themselves into this century as a good few (no names) do themselves no favours. The world I am afraid has moved on. Loosen up a bit and watch the new blood and money roll in.

Whilst you have me on a roll ... I had lunch the other day at a well know south coast yacht club with one person who had just rounded Cape Horn and the other who had done significantly more. Both well know individuals but the blazer brigade sitting next to use were more intetsted in slating those undesirable foreigners who have moved to London and rob and steal from the good ordinary folk .. With views and opinions like that they ain't going to attract any new members.
 
Ok perhaps I should have explained a little more ... On each occasion I have been there as a guest or at a function that have not explained the dress code in full. So it was not actually my fault. The Royal Thames for example is happy to punt out their facilities (at a large cost ) but get shirty if the non member invited guest is not dressed as they wish.

Don't get me wrong I will always dress according to the code but sometimes you are not told of the code or be in a position to dress according to the code.

Applogies if I did not explain myself but I actually think Thames Yacht Clubs are great as long as they so not take themselves too seriously.

Your rowings improving.
 
Applogies if I did not explain myself but I actually think Thames Yacht Clubs are great as long as they so not take themselves too seriously.
Hear Hear![/QUOTE]

The Royal Thames is entitled to take itself seriously. It dates back to the Cumberland Fleet (1775) and is Britain's oldest yacht club with a magnificent history in peace and war. You should see their splendid premises at Knightsbridge. I cannot locate my old rule book unfortunately, I bet there's some quirkies in there. ;)
 
To date my favourite is Antigua Yacht Club I have spent many a night there over the years mostly talking to owners whose yacht is valued far in excess of most African countries.

The dress code has been shorts and t shirts and the conversation has been easy and never ending. Something I have never experienced in any yacht club in the UK.

Anyhow I shall leave it there before I really get going !
 
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