Joining SYC
Seattle Yacht Club welcomes applications for membership from Northwest boaters ages 10+ who would like to join our active community.
Our membership is large and draws from boaters with a wide variety of backgrounds, interests and talents. All members are encouraged to access the Club in ways that are most beneficial to them, their families, and friends. The Club does not have any volunteer requirements. The Club does take pride in the fact that it is run “from the bottom up”, not the “the top down.” This means that the members, acting through the Commodores, Trustees, and Committees, select the General Manager, set the rules, create and plan events, set the budget including monthly dues, decide what maintenance will or will not take place at our substantial real estate holdings, and determine what the menu at our restaurants will be and hours of operation, to name just of few. The hundreds of decisions needed to operate the Club are dynamic and challenging and depend upon the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteer members. The friendships and experiences while working with members are well worth the effort.
Members of the Club are entitled to use our Portage Bay Clubhouse with casual and fine dining restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, guest moorage, and permanent moorage (subject to availability). Members are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of regattas and cruises, and enjoy activities and dining events at the Club. Members have access to a Duffy electric boat, a fleet of six J/22 sailboats, 13 Vanguard 15 sailboats, two kayaks and four stand-up paddle boards (SUPs). Membership offers use of our Elliott Bay clubhouse facilities and discounted Elliott Bay moorage (subject to availability), use of nine additional Outstations (listed below), moorage at Mill Bay Marina Group's marinas*, and reciprocal privileges to 250 other yacht clubs around the world.
SYC Outstations
Cortes Bay – Desolation Sound, B.C.
Eagle Harbor – Bainbridge Island
Elliott Bay – Seattle
Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands
Ganges – Saltspring Island, Gulf Islands, B.C.
Garden Bay – Pender Harbor, B.C.
Gig Harbor – South Puget Sound
Henry Island – Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands
Ovens Island – Dunsmuir Islands, Gulf Islands, B.C.
Port Madison – Bainbridge Island
Membership Types
Several levels of membership are available based on the age and marital status of the candidate. For an individual membership, the initiation fee is determined by the age of the new member on the date the application is completed. Monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another. We encourage married couples to apply for joint membership. There is one initiation fee, which is determined by the age of the older spouse on the date the application is completed. The monthly dues are determined using the birthdate of the older spouse.
Each membership application needs one primary sponsor and three other members to serve as recommenders (all must be voting or Surviving members of SYC). The application process begins when a voting member of SYC checks out an application packet and becomes the applicant’s sponsor.
Interested in learning more?
Please complete and submit a Prospective Member Interest Form if you are interested in exploring membership, receiving a brochure and chart of fees and dues in the mail, and receiving an invitation to SYC's next Open House.
Membership Brochure & Benefits of Membership Video
For an overview of the Club, review SYC's membership brochure. Enjoy the video below about the benefits of membership with SYC featuring the Club, our Outstations, activities, and some of the people who make the Club special.
Questions?
Below you will find a list Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about membership with related answers. If your question is left unanswered, please email SYC's Membership Director.
Fees & Dues
Initiation Fees & Membership Dues
For an individual membership, the initiation fee is determined by the age of the new member on the date the application is completed. Monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another.
We encourage married couples to apply for a joint membership. For a joint membership, there is one initiation fee, which is determined by the age of the older spouse on the date the application is completed. Monthly dues are determined using the birth date of the older spouse. As with an individual membership, monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another.
To request a chart of initiation fees and membership dues, first submit the Prospective Member Interest Form then contact SYC's Membership Director.
Initiation Fee Payment Plan
If a final candidate* does not want to or cannot pay the initiation fee in full, they may opt to participate in a 36-month payment plan. To do so, the final candidate must submit a signed payment plan installment agreement with a check for 20% of the initiation fee, along with the signed final application.
There is a fee to participate in the payment plan, which is equivalent to four months' dues (based on the age of the final candidate on the date of application completion). Therefore, the equation to calculate the monthly payment is as follows:
Initiation fee - 20% down + 4 months' dues = Principal Balance ÷ 36 months = monthly payment
*available for final candidates ages 21+
Membership FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions About Membership at Seattle Yacht Club
Q. What do I need to do to become a member of SYC?
A. The application process begins when a member of SYC checks out an application online and becomes the Sponsor. Each application needs one primary Sponsor and three other members to serve as Recommenders (all must be voting or Surviving members of SYC). Applications must be completed within 90 days from the date of issue. All completed applications must be reviewed by the Membership Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees to be considered for membership. Processing time takes 30-60 days once the completed application has been received.
Q. What if I'm new in Seattle and I don't know any SYC members?
A. If you are active in boating and get involved with local boating activities, you will most likely meet someone who is a member of SYC and they can introduce you to others - simply start asking around. Social Media, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, can help provide connections based on employers, professional associations and others within your network. If you find that you do not know any members of SYC, you can attend one of the Prospective Member Open House events held at SYC to meet members and/or you can request to be connected with an SYC Ambassador.
Q. How much does it cost to become a member?
A. For an individual membership, the initiation fee is determined by the age of the new member on the date the application is completed. Monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another. For a joint membership, there is one initiation fee, which is determined by the age of the older spouse on the date the application is completed. Monthly dues are determined using the birth date of the older spouse. As with an individual membership, monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another.To request a chart of initiation fees and membership dues, please contact SYC's Membership Director.
Q. Is the initiation fee refundable if I decide to resign my membership?
A. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Seattle Yacht Club membership is a non-equity membership.
Q. Does SYC offer a payment plan?
A. Seattle Yacht Club offers new members ages 21+ the opportunity to pay the membership initiation fee over 36 months by participating in a payment plan. Contact SYC's Membership Director for terms and conditions.
Q. Is there a social membership, family membership or business membership?
A. SYC does not offer social, family nor business memberships. Candidates may apply for an individual membership or, if legally married, a joint membership. SYC welcomes membership applications for junior members starting at age 10. Kids may accompany members as their guests. Guests must be in the presence of members at all times. Membership will not be approved if applying for business purposes.
Q. What does a membership with SYC include?
A. Access to an amazing community of boaters, use of the Club's casual and fine dining restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, guest moorage, permanent moorage (subject to availability; contact SYC's Moorage Administrator for information on slip availability and rates), Elliott Bay clubhouse facilities and moorage (subject to availability), use of our 10 Outstations (listed below), and reciprocal privileges with more than 225 other yacht clubs around the world.
SYC Outstations
- Cortes Bay – Desolation Sound, B.C.
- Eagle Harbor – Bainbridge Island
- Elliott Bay – Seattle
- Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands
- Ganges – Saltspring Island, Gulf Islands, B.C.
- Garden Bay – Pender Harbor, B.C.
- Gig Harbor – South Puget Sound
- Henry Island – Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands
- Ovens Island – Dunsmuir Islands, Gulf Islands, B.C.
- Port Madison – Bainbridge Island
Q. I live out of state. Can I join as an Out of State member?
A. You can join the Club in your age-appropriate class, then after a minimum of five years as a member in good standing you may apply for a transfer to the Out of State membership class (does not include access to Outstations) or Non-Resident membership class (includes access to Outstations).
Q. What is the initiation fee schedule for younger members?
A. Seattle Yacht Club strongly supports our younger members who have made an active commitment to boating in the Northwest. To this end, the Club offers significantly reduced initiation fees for applicants under 21 years of age.
If your question hasn't been addressed above, please contact SYC's Membership Director.
