For sailors and boat lovers, deciding on a yacht club can be a tough decision. Factors that may play a part in the decision include conveniences such as the distance between the sailing club and home or work, whether friends or associates belong to the club, and what privileges the club offers. The primary motivation, however, for joining one club over another may be solely dependent upon cost.
Many Toronto yacht clubs offer race nights, sailing lessons or recreational facilities for members such as pools, showers, restaurants, and bars, in addition to social activities. Below is a comparison of membership fees for popular yacht clubs in Toronto based on a 'senior' membership which is defined as owners of boats requiring mooring or a dock.
Yacht Clubs in Downtown Toronto
Yacht clubs in downtown Toronto may be more expensive, but they offer the convenience of going from land to lake in a short amount of time.
National Yacht Club, 1 Stadium Road, 416-260-8686, offers all boaters almost a full range of marine facilities, as well as social activities in their formal clubhouse dining room. Senior membership fees are:
- Initiation fee: $2,000
- Annual dues $1,600
- Swing mooring annual charge: $647 plus $24.25/foot
- Winter storage: $2.50 per sq. ft.
- Annual dock maintenance charges: $582-$2318
- Monthly restaurant minimum: $45
- Voluntary hours: 20 hours annually or $45 per hour not worked.
Queen City Yacht Club, Algonquin Island, 416-203-0929, is a not-for-profit community of sailors providing a club where boats can be moored in a sheltered lagoon. The clubhouse includes a restaurant, bar and Great Hall. Senior membership fees are:
- Initiation fee: $1,250
- Annual dues: $1,700
- Mooring fees: $67 per beam ft: Includes electricity, water, pump-outs
- Winter storage: $1.80 per sq. ft: Includes unlimited haul outs and launches
- Voluntary hours: 12 hours annually or $40 per hour not worked.
Yacht Clubs in Etobicoke
Etobicoke is only about 15 minutes west of Toronto so a sailing club in this area will still be fairly easy to reach after work.
Etobicoke Yacht Club, 300 Humber Bay Park, 416-259-1159, is located on 22 acres of parkland at the west end of Humber Bay. Equipped with a clubhouse and 350 docks, the sailing club also offers an extensive racing program, as well as 8-10 organized club cruises annually. A senior membership will cost:
- Initiation fee: $2,000
- Annual dues: $457
- Haul-out, winter storage, and launch: $16.62 per linear ft.
- Club debenture: $3,400 (redeemable after member resigns)
- Dock debenture: $1,400 (redeemable after member resigns)
- Launch and haul-out debenture: $900 (redeemable after member resigns).
Mimico Cruising Club, 200 Humber Bay Park Road, 416-252-7737, is a self-help club where members participate in a work-hour program to keep members' fees as low as possible. There are 500 members with docking facilities for 302 boats. Weekly club races, club cruises and many shore-based events. A senior membership will cost:
- Initiation fee: $3,386
- Debenture $3,000
- Annual dues: $1,085
- Haul-out, winter storage, and launch: $2.02 per sq. ft.
- Dock maintenance charges: $503-$4,561.
Yacht Clubs in the Beaches
For mariners who want to get a jump on a sail or cruise eastward on Lake Ontario, the Beaches area is a great place to dock a boat.
Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club, 416-698-4498, located at the foot of Coxwell Avenue at the west end of the boardwalk, has been in operation since 1932 and has a licensed dining room, outdoor patio, gas dock that also serves diesel, hydro and water on each dock, gas barbeques, picnic tables, and coin-operated laundry facilities. A senior membership will cost:
- Initiation fee: $4,000
- Annual dues: $1,145
- Winter storage fees: $1.10 per sq. ft.
- Mooring fees: $3.33
- Capital reserve charge: $100
- Monthly restaurant minimum: $25.
The decision to join a popular yacht club in downtown Toronto such as the National Yacht Club versus a not-for-profit sailing club such as Queen City Yacht Club will depend heavily on the cost of initiation fees, annual dues, winter storage fees, mooring fees, whether a debenture must be paid up front, and whether there are minimum voluntary work hours. As these fees and payment schemes vary significantly among Toronto yacht clubs, potential new members may wish to review these fees with their accountant.
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