Grande Mariner
Member
Does anyone have experience with reciprocity from YCOA? I was wondering if it is worthwhile joining a club for this benefit. I live in FL, so same question for Florida Council of Yacht Clubs.
I have wondered about the same thing. The idea of reciprocity would be "I'll let you visit my club, if you let me visit yours". It would seem one sided with a 'virtual club'. The virtual club members reap the benefits and extend little in regards to reciprocity n return.
I can see how a physical club with marina might not want to extend such reciprocity to a virtual club.
My yacht club is a member of both Yachting Club of America (YCA) and the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association. YCA publishes a book each year that list all of the member clubs and what reciprocal privileges they offer to other clubs. This information is also published on their website and your club is given an ID and password so it can be accessed by club members anywhere. Members of my club have made use of the Yachting Club of America all over the US. I personally have made good use of this privilege. Danderer's info is correct so it just depends on where you cruise. As another example, my club is located on Southern Chesapeake Bay and we've had members use the San Diego Yacht Club on occasion, so the system does work.
The members using reciprocal privileges, which are they finding of these:
1. Free transient dockage for one or more days and access to facilities.
2. Discounted dockage and access to facilities.
3. Just access to the facilities.
as you can see I have some discretion in the yes and no dept.
You've just hit the high point, if you're nice and pleasant with your approach odds are good you'll get in if they have room, you have to remember that the only thing that is in it for the club is if you spend money in their facility. Every club budgets a percentage of annual income from reciprocal revenue. Help them out and spend that "free night" in the clubhouse.I've found that true with most clubs if you approach correctly. Discounts or free dockage is nice, but all we really are after is to be allowed to dock at whatever they want to charge and to be allowed to use the club. It's typically how you present your request coupled with simply their available space. If you approach like you're demanding, I imagine issues, but if you approach as asking and letting them know it would be greatly appreciated, good chances. Also, if docking free, do you intend to spend money there.
Our Club charter does not allow us to accept money from visitors. In the event we host someone who absolutely must help us out we point to the ever hungry beer fridge at the outer end party deck.