I Boat NorthWest - Cruising Club?

[SomeSailor]

There have been several people who have approached me with the idea of a "Yacht Club" or at least a more formalized "Club" type environment.

I'd like to open this thread to discuss those ideas. Please feel free to toss any ideas you may have.

Some of the discussion could be:



Yacht Club
Virtual or Actual
Cruising Club
Reciprocals
Membership costs, privileges, discounts, etc.
Administrative ideas (leadership structure, finances, etc)
By-Laws, Charter, Mission statement, etc

Lastly... since this is simply an exploratory thread, PLEASE keep the ideas positive and feel free to support the discussion.

This isn't an opportunity to debate whether or not it's happening, or even possible, but a place to discuss and explore the possibilities and benefits.

So... what are everyone's thoughts?

[Tedster]

Mike that is only because the few that do have aggreements with the ports of call that they are located with in most cases have a clubhouse, example the Navy at Everett. Now just where would that be for us......do you get my point. If for example you requested recip rights at Edmonds Yacht Club I would ask you what is in it for us, you would say nothing really and we would say no thank-you. This would be true of all the Grand Fourteen clubs and many more as well. Not an attitude, just reality my friend.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well the simple website Lea built for Sinclair Inlet Yacht Club has no club building but they call Port Orchard home... and have lots of recips...

http://sinclairinletyachtclub.com/

[sunnydude2]

Ted has a good point in getting reciprocal. Everett, Mukiteo and Milltown sailing all have 'dock' space at Everett. Two boats per night can use MYC as a reciprocal but MYC is on the hook for the bill.

[SomeSailor]

I was asked about this... I started a thread, and have since moved your posts to this thread.

As I asked in the first post, let's stay away from the "Won't work" type of inputs, to perhaps sharing some ideas.

To address your concerns though, MANY Yacht Clubs and Cruising Clubs do not have dock space. They still negotiate reciprocal agreements and honor them.

Several people have asked about a "Club" and I can understand the idea and welcome the inputs. Let's encourage those and discuss them as ideas.

[Tedster]

I'm just trying to point out that someone has to be on the hook to pay for the moorage. Sinclair has an arrangement with Port Orchard Marina to pay for all recips. So when I go to Port Orchard with my EYC burgee and ask to stay with Sinclair Inlet YC they allow me 24hrs free moorage. Then Port Orchard Marina bills Sinclair YC for my moorage. :)

[Play N Hookie Admiral]

I vote we cruse at will! :argh2 Kingston was so much fun partly becuase it was so unstructured. Erik and I have gone to several yachat club meetings trying to make new boat friends and found them so stuffy and boged down in rules that they were so removed from actually boating!

[sunnydude2]

Kristen...you haven't found the right club then. :)

There are great benefits to 'starting' a club. One or two nights of reciprocal moorage can pay for your dues (if we charge).

I like the idea of leaving IBNW as a "Cruising Club" much like the tollycraft club and others that I have seen burgees out there for. But if we are to make it a true Cruising Club then I think we should have a few more cruises.

Mike...I will do some research on how some of the cruising clubs are structured and how they go about obtaining the moorage if you would like. I also have the information on how a Yacht Club is set up as well.

[voyager]

I am not so sure the reciprocal moorage is that great of a benefit. In three years I have been able to use it exactly three times. The rest of the time it is full. Now maybe if you go to locations no one else is interested in, perhaps you can find a spot. Or you do your cruising during the week. But like most of you who have kids and jobs weekends are the time we cruise. I know I will be getting to the marina late and I will normally need a reservation, reciprocal moorage is not even a question.

[SomeSailor]

Yep.

It's also the one that has a $$$ value associated. Not off the table for discussion, but it does change the financial aspects of what is required.

Reciprocal agreements are not free.

[Tedster]

Yeh Mike gets it! :)

[sympilot]

I've tossed the idea of a virtual yacht club around, but it would take a lot more participation and commitment from a group to make it work.

The only real benefit is the idea of reciprocal moorage. But, that's not a financial liability I'd want to take on personally.

I'll start another thread if folks are interested in talking about it.

I would be interested in another thread I am also willing to take on the legwork to find out what it would all entail to form a club. I know for Heidi, myself and I think I also speak for Voyager and his Admiral, the main reason that I think a club should be formed is one word, children. It seems that the yacht clubs that are currently out there really don't have a lot to do with children although they all clain to be "child friendly". This past weekend really opened my eyes to what boating is all about and I feel as a "club" we can have more planned activites as well as being able to take advantage of privleges afforded to chartered clubs.
I would love to hear everyone else's thoughts.

[Play N Hookie Admiral]

I totally agree! We would love to be in a club that was more about the kids...they are the future of boating afterall!!

Our daughter had such an awesome time this weekend playing with the other kids (and the kayaks!) it just made a great boat trip all the better. The main purpose behind the purchase of the Hookie was family time and giving her something cool to do with mom and dad, cause apparently we are not as cool as we thought. :?

[voyager]

I have to wonder what the privileges afforded to chartered clubs actually amount to?

1. Reciprocal moorage
2. Opening day
3. Tacoma Daffodil thing?
4. Using others clubs club houses?
5. Outstations

What other things do chartered clubs have?

[Pau Hana]

Yacht club affiliation can be used to negotiate a discount for vessel insurance; the logic is that there's ongoing training (USCG Aux, guest speakers, etc) and yacht club members are perceived to be more responsible in vessel upkeep and maintenance.


Just my dos centavos.....

[SomeSailor]

I totally agree! We would love to be in a club that was more about the kids...they are the future of boating afterall!!

Agreed. Very good point. I think that would be an important part in planning cruises. Providing a family oriented environment is a worthy pursuit.

[SomeSailor]

I have to wonder what the privileges afforded to chartered clubs actually amount to?

1. Reciprocal moorage
2. Opening day
3. Tacoma Daffodil thing?
4. Using others clubs club houses?
5. Outstations

What other things do chartered clubs have?

I think while these types of benefits are possible, they're probably outside the scope of anything that would be an immediate benefit. (not to mean they couldn't be realized as the "club" grew)

[Go Aweigh2452]

I totally agree! We would love to be in a club that was more about the kids...they are the future of boating afterall!!

:?

Even us older folk are fine with that...

kind of like having grandkids around that you can send home if they become whiny... Only kidding folks.. about the whiny part... :cool:

that's why during the dinghy races I wanted someones child to be the bottle catcher and get involved... the more involved, the better the experience...

[Nehalennia]

Even us older folk are fine with that...

kind of like having grandkids around that you can send home if they become whiny... Only kidding folks.. about the whiny part... :cool:

that's why during the dinghy races I wanted someones child to be the bottle catcher and get involved... the more involved, the better the experience...

Yep, and the kids did have a blast.
I do kind of like it the way it is. If the pursuit is to re-experience the great trip to Kingston and the camaradarie we shared there, we can re-do that simply by posting another Cruise idea and making sure all the Kids, food, Kayaks, Great boats, people and weather show up.

If we form a Club, Cruising or Yacht, what else do we want.

The glue to these good times is the people. For those of us with kids an opportunity for them do be kids on the dock hunting Jellyfish or floating in a dinghy (or in the weekend's case Kayak's~ Thanks again Garry and Lorraine) playing with other kids while us adults have an event like the poker run with them but also socialize as adults. It was well rounded, well organized, but relaxed.

The other issue raised which to me is somewhat overrated it reciprocal moorage. Many reciprocals are not close to many of the destinations "hot spots" or could be full.

Anyway's I'm not against it, but I kind of like it how it's gone.

[Tedster]

[QUOTE=Nehalennia;31232]
I do kind of like it the way it is. If the pursuit is to re-experience the great trip to Kingston and the camaradarie we shared there, we can re-do that simply by posting another Cruise idea and making sure all the Kids, food, Kayaks, Great boats, people and weather show up.

Todd you are on it!

[SomeSailor]

OK guys... like I said; This isn't a thread of whether or not a "club" is a good idea or not, just what are some of the thoughts about things that would be important.

I know some have personal thoughts on this, but talking about the benefits doesn't hurt anything.

We've come a long way as it is, but the idea of some more formal organization has merits as well.

[Nehalennia]

OK guys... like I said; This isn't a thread of whether or not a "club" is a good idea or not, just what are some of the thoughts about things that would be important.

I know some have personal thoughts on this, but talking about the benefits doesn't hurt anything.

We've come a long way as it is, but the idea of some more formal organization has merits as well.

I'm not trying to knock it. I do like the idea, but I like the simpler side of it. I feel we're off to a great beginning session of brainstorming.

[voyager]

Brainstorming, that is exactly what I was attempting with my questions about what chartered yacht clubs could offer.

In other words what do you gain from the affiliation with other yacht clubs.

I know as a member of Edmond's Yacht club I receive a discount at Fisheries.

I can attend opening day.

I can attend the daffodil festival

etc.etc.

Do the marinas give special consideration to yacht club cruises? I do not think they particularly do, they normally have group facilities which can be reserved or rented by any group. The moorage is not free or discounted.

As an example the last time we were in Port Ludlow Bellevue yacht club was using the fire pit area. We asked the marina staff if it was open, they said absolutely, Bellevue had not reserved it, so it was open to everyone.

So as I think about this. I think what stage or level would IBNW need to move to. Do we need a full fledged yacht club right now? Or perhaps a cruising club with people paying basic cruise fees to cover any rentals they would use at a marina, or perhaps any supplies if the group decided to cook hamburgers for everyone or something like that. Or just a group of committed boaters who enjoy everyones company.

And what would be the focus of the cruise. For me it is about the kids, if my daughter does not have fun, then the admiral does not have fun. That means I do not have fun, generally for the next week after the cruise.

So cruises with planned outings to a casino, or to play golf, or wine tasting, etc, etc. do not work for me. They are not kid friendly, now that does not mean we can not do a wine tasting on the dock with everyone putting a bottle in a paper bag and them everyone votes for the best. Or a friendly game of poker on someones boat, etc.etc.

OK hopefully I have said enough but not too much.

[SomeSailor]

I don't think that a club of any sort is necessarily a departure from the current form that we're in. I'd like to think of it as a natural compliment to it.

I've been here through several ebbs and flows of this place. I've seen new people come and go.

I've also given a lot of thought over the years about the true values that a place like this has to offer.

Long time friends have been made, lots of great memories, etc. The common thread is the thing that gets people the excuse to be here. If there is more to be offered, then I only think the place will benefit.

Showing up at a IBoatNorthWest cruise is usually just the catalyst people need to make more trips, make more friends and make more memories.

There are any number of benefits that could be gained from a club membership.

- discounts can be secured
- marinas generally cater to clubs (grouping, facilities, reservations, etc)
- group purchases
- more excuses to get out there. :)

[II Lucky]

Great discussion. Portland is listening. The more weekend cruises and events you guys up north do, the more opportunities we have to participate.

[sympilot]

I agree with Voyager as for us, it is all about the kids. That is why the Admiral and I just resigned our membership at TYC after only a short 6 months. Be it a yacht club or a cruising club for us boating is for family and like minded people to get together and share company. The main advantage of a yacht club for Heidi and myself would be for recipricol moorage which this year I think we saved well over $200 using. A cruising club would also be good if there was someway we would be able to get group discounts. As for fees/dues these could be minimal to cover any costs required for recips.

[SomeSailor]

As for fees/dues these could be minimal to cover any costs required for recips.

If everyone saved $200... then guess what... your dues would be greater than $200. :)

As Ted said earlier, reciprocals require payments to be made monthly. Imagine if you had a reciprocal agreement with another club. You're also offering to pay their bill somewhere in exchange.

I suspect they aren't as minimal as you'd think.

[Tedster]

.....ummm ya, dats right!

[Five C's]

If the IBNW were to be a cruising club, you could do anything that a yacht club does except have reciprical. Many cruising clubs go to Opening Day, Daffodil weekend, any other thing that you can think of. Also this way you can keep control of your cruises and keep them kid focused.

Sympilot - sorry to hear you were unhappy with TYC. On Labor Day we had a great cruise to Oro Bay with so many activities for the kids that weekend that they all had a great time.

We hope to one day make a cruise with you all, think Gig Harbor for the next one....I personally think a cruising club would be very beneficial to everyone.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, we already have the yacht club pennant and do we really need recips?

I am sure if we told a marina that we were a new club, they would welcome us as a club... Recips are OK but normally only one yacht club member can use a facility at a time. Most of them are away from the other guest docks... In Poulsbo, you are on the breakwater.

The only other item I'd recommend is a IBoatNW club biz card to flash at a marina employee... If someone made a template and posted it for download, we could all do our own... We can keep it on line here or on one of our websites some of us have... I print out my biz cards all the time. Same basic info, just change the name to protect the not so innocent..

So, anyone want to suggest a design or two? We can vote on the one we want and wal' la' a club is born...

[Stompor]

The only thing that keeps IBNW from being a "true" cruising club is the lack of regular scheduled cruises.

Right now, all of the rendezvous are ad hoc and lack "club" organization.

If someone volunteered to be a cruise captain / host, and set up a list of rendezvous date, and held them on those dates, it would be a cruising club.

JMHO, take it as you see fit. :argh

[oh_wells]

The only other item I'd recommend is a IBoatNW club biz card to flash at a marina employee... If someone made a template and posted it for download, we could all do our own... We can keep it on line here or on one of our websites some of us have... I print out my biz cards all the time. Same basic info, just change the name to protect the not so innocent..

So, anyone want to suggest a design or two? We can vote on the one we want and wal' la' a club is born...

That is a good idea and easily set up in Acrobat to insert text and to keep it "uniform".

I created some boat cards last Christmas for my FIL/MIL. I've never heard of them or seen them before, but they hand them out all the time on their cruises. It basically is a photo of their boat on one side and their contact info on the other side. Maybe it is more of a sailboat thing? I don't know.

[Go Aweigh2452]

When I ask for recips, I just flash my club card, they check their "roster" of clubs and I'm accepted.

Be great to have a biz card that we could all add our boat photo and name to in a field and print it out... Then we all have a unique card for each boater, IBNW biz card...

I just like the idea of having a boat card to hand out. Keeps my play time somewhat separate from my work time... ;}:cool:

[Tedster]

What club are you with Doug?

[Play N Hookie Admiral]

That card thing is a good idea...I think Ill do that. A few weeks ago when in La Connor we saw a boat tied up to the dock with a tag in the window with the owners name and their cell phones...it occured to me that was a good idea incase the Hookie got free or something so they knew how to contact us. They just printed off their info onto like a 3x5 card and maybe lamited it and taped it to the inside of the window.

[sunnydude2]

We had a guy in our club make up laminated plaques for each boat owner listing the boat, name and our YC. Most people added an emergency contact number to these and have them in the windows. It is a good idea although not sure how our boat might float away being out of the water. :)

Another guy won an auction at a school and had business cards made up of his boat with his information on it. They look nice.

[Tedster]

Yacht Clubs with moorage require that info is case of an emergency.

[Play N Hookie Admiral]

We had a guy in our club make up laminated plaques for each boat owner listing the boat, name and our YC. Most people added an emergency contact number to these and have them in the windows. It is a good idea although not sure how our boat might float away being out of the water. :)

Another guy won an auction at a school and had business cards made up of his boat with his information on it. They look nice.

I assume you put your boat in the water sometimes? :roll: The Hookie is dry docked at Dagmars but I was more thinking while at a marina..on the hook..while Erik is diving...stuff like that. We do like to float our boat sometimes, dont know about you. ;)

[sunnydude2]

I know...:D When docked it is a good idea to have them.

Our boat is currently floating somewhere in the Islands returning home tomorrow.

[SomeSailor]

Be great to have a biz card that we could all add our boat photo and name to in a field and print it out... Then we all have a unique card for each boater, IBNW biz card...

I just like the idea of having a boat card to hand out. Keeps my play time somewhat separate from my work time... ;}:cool:

I have those already drawn up. When I get home I can get them so people can download.

[Salmon Troller]

Showing up at a IBoatNorthWest cruise is usually just the catalyst people need to make more trips, make more friends and make more memories.

Well said Mike - the old "if you build it, they will come" thing. Maybe we start off slow, say quarterly cruises and if demand builds, go monthly. Count me in as one of the cruise coordinators - I would be pleased to work on pushing one of the cruises or working with a small standing group to organize them. The rest of the "club" stuff is better offered by any of the established clubs. For my interest, the board itself is an existing virtual club with meetings everyday. As far as more formalities of a "club", the landbased meetings, physical facilities, work parties etc. I am not as interested - I have enough on my plate already without looking for more.

Jim

[Eagle Lady]

I have those already drawn up. When I get home I can get them so people can download.

I create/print our own cards too for each new EagleCam season. They're pretty easy with bc programs and some of the nice business cardstock out these days. I planned on doing the same with an "Eagle Lady" picture but where can we find your download? We have several cards saved from boaters we've met here and there through the years so would like to put one together someday soon to give out in return. Thanks!

:) Eglldy..

[SomeSailor]

I have an older version here, but I'd like to standardize certain parts of it, Gimme a couple of days to finish it up and I'll show you what I have.

.

[SomeSailor]

I added a whole new section for the Club portion of IBoatNW.

CLUB AREA (http://www.iboatnw.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28)

Are you all able to see that OK?

I've not gotten a single email, or idea about anyone wanting to help in this. Is this a waste of my time?

[sunnydude2]

Mike...I saw your new section. First time today it just had the new section and then later you had the nomination posts. Personally was waiting for tomorrow to see what else you added. Don't think it is a waste of time.

[SomeSailor]

No problem... I'd just seen 20+ views on the threads and no one had any ideas on nominees or volunteers.

Just looking to see who people think would be best for what and who might like to volunteer.

Volunteers are easier for me since they don't have to confirm they'll do the job before we vote.

There will be more coming once the Board looks over the by-laws and we get the duties figured out. It'll be fun though. I think it'll give us many more organized opportunities to get together rather than just a few ad hoc cruises.

[Play N Hookie Admiral]

I have an older version here, but I'd like to standardize certain parts of it, Gimme a couple of days to finish it up and I'll show you what I have.

.

Id like a copy of that as well when your ready!

[SomeSailor]

I've gotten several of the old timers (still could use a few more) to step up and we're discussing it right now.

The by-laws are important part of it all, and when we get it closer, I'll post it for everyone to see and people can decide if they'd be interested in joining.

Once we have a membership. We'll vote on the by-laws and they'll be approved and off we go.

It'll be fun.

Still need more nominations... (hint)

Send your ideas to: nominate@iboatnw.com