sarasota yacht club members

Non-boating events include Travel Talks, Wine Tasting Events, Fitness Classes, and even a weekly Trivia Challenge

The club is run entirely by club member volunteers. VSS organizes races, cruises, and monthly potluck dinners, which include informative programs related to sailing.The latter are held on the second Wednesday of each month from October through April. Our May meeting is our Change of Watch or "COW". This is a picnic meeting where we recognize racing and cruising achievements, the election and induction of new officers and board members and hold the all-important “gutter boat” regatta. The Squadron owns no real estate, so the overhead costs are kept very low.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in sailing, sailboats and boating in general. We do have members that are former sailors and are now power boaters. Anyone with an interest or affinity for sailing is welcome. For more information check our Membership page

Sarasota Yacht Club

Organized in 1907 and established in 1926, Sarasota Yacht Club is a Distinguished Elite Club, a Platinum Club of the World, and a Platinum Club of America. The Club offers impressive amenities including indoor and outdoor dining, a pool and pool bar, a 110-slip marina, and a fitness center, all with panoramic views of Sarasota Bay.

Enjoy the quintessential Sarasota experience by taking advantage of our kayak and paddleboard rental fleet, enjoying a poolside cocktail, or indulging in an artfully prepared meal with the perfect sunset view. Whether you’re seeking adventure or craving an award-winning culinary experience, Sarasota Yacht Club prides itself on exceeding expectations for both members and reciprocal members.

• Swimming Pool

Waterfront casual and formal dining with banquet capacity up to 500 persons 110-slip marina Swimming pool Fitness Center Watersports Rentals Including: Kayaks and Paddleboards

• Dress Code Casual and formal dining.
• Age Restriction -No Age Restriction
• Dogs -In Designated Outdoor Areas Only
• Smoking -In Designated Outdoor Areas Only

Opening Hours

• Clubhouse & Front Desk:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed (May – September

Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm

• Porthole & Waterfront Terrace Dining:

Tuesday: Closed (May – September)

Tuesday – Sunday: 11:30am – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 08:30pm

• Spinnaker Bar & Grill:

Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday: 11:30am – 7:30pm

Friday & Saturday: 11:30am – 08:30pm

• Happy Hour:

Wednesday & Sunday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Friday: 5:30pm – Close

More Information

Additional Charges Service charge: 20%, sales tax: 7%.

Parking Covered and Uncovered Parking Available, Tesla Charging Stations on-site

• Tel +1 941 3654191
• Fax +1 941 3730121
• Web http://www.sarasotayachtclub.org
• Mail [email protected]

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People & Business

Sarasota yacht club honored with ‘platinum club of america’ status.

March 10, 2023 – Sarasota

Sarasota Yacht Club announced it has once again been selected as a Platinum Club of America, one of only 30 yacht clubs in the country to earn the distinction from the esteemed Club Leaders Forum. Platinum recognition is given to the top five percent of private clubs. Sarasota Yacht Club ranked 14 th  in the U.S., up two spots from its previous ranking.   

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the finest yacht clubs in the country,” said Sarasota Yacht Club Commodore Tim Clarke. “It reflects the Club’s commitment of excellence to our members, employees and community.” 

Platinum status has been the pinnacle of recognition in the private club industry since it was established in 1997 by John R. Sibbald. The panel considered seven areas of excellence as a guideline, including the club’s universal recognition, respected membership, amenities and facilities, exceptional service, governance and fiscal management.  

Sarasota Yacht Club was also designated by the Club Leaders Forum as a ‘Platinum Club of the World’ in 2022, one of only 50 private yacht clubs selected internationally.  

“Our exemplary staff and outstanding membership make Sarasota Yacht Club a very special place,” said Karen Harmon, Sarasota Yacht Club’s GM/COO. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts.” 

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Sarasota Boat Clubs Are Booming

Photography by Allison Forsyth March 5, 2021 Published in the March-April 2021 issue of Sarasota Magazine

Image: Everett Dennison

What’s better than spending the day on the water in your boat? How about spending the day on the water in someone else’s boat? That’s the appeal of boat-sharing clubs, which have been doing stupendous business since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Freedom Boat Club , for example, has seen unprecedented growth over the past year. The company, which was founded in Sarasota 30 years ago and has clubs all over the U.S., Canada and Europe, with 37,000 members, grew from 209 locations in 2019 to 253 last year, a 21 percent surge. In the past year, the company booked more than 400,000 boating trips.

“Individuals and their families are attracted to our business and have been calling and visiting us nonstop to see what we are all about,” says Scott Ward, the vice president and general manager of Freedom’s Sarasota locations.

Overall, Freedom owns 3,100 boats, including more than 60 in Sarasota and 50 in Bradenton. Since last March, each of those local boats has been used regularly.

Members call ahead of time to reserve a date, time and type of boat, but, lately, they have been put on a waiting list or have been forced to schedule their trips weeks in advance. Ward says that because of the spike in interest in the club, Freedom is looking for new locations and moving to buy more boats.

The cost of memberships at Freedom varies. There is a base entry fee of $7,000, then, for $389 a month, you can boat as much as you like all year long. Other Freedom plans are less expensive, but may restrict use on holidays and weekends. There are no extra fees, but you do pay for the fuel you use.

Freedom isn’t the only local boat-sharing club. The boating and social club Waves on Siesta Key ($4,900 join-up fee, with monthly fees varying depending on the length of commitment) and the national boating club Suntex , located at Marina Jack (a 12-month membership that includes holidays and weekends is a $3,000 one-time fee, then $375 a month), both offer half- and full-day boat rentals in various locations.

Like Freedom, these clubs offer a variety of boats to choose from, allowing you to select the perfect ride, depending on the day.

Ward attributes Freedom’s growth to the Covid-19 pandemic. Families and friends who have quarantined together can enjoy the sunshine and the water without having to dodge crowds or wear masks. They can also bring their own food and drinks, which lets them avoid indoor settings. The club has taken extra measures to sanitize boats after every trip, including introducing contactless processes to keep members and staff safe.

Boat-sharing is particularly attractive to people who enjoy boating but who don’t want to deal with the hassle of storing and maintaining a vessel. Multiple family packages are available, and separate parties can share the cost of a single membership. Members also receive unlimited complimentary lessons from licensed captains, during which they are taken through classroom and on-the-water training, to make sure they feel confident operating a boat.

According to Ward, the most popular boats at Freedom in Sarasota this year have been pleasure-cruising boats like pontoon and deck boats. Farther south and on the east coast of Florida, offshore center console fishing boats have been requested more frequently.

Ward says that whatever type of adventure you’re seeking, you can expect smooth sailing. “You can be sure to arrive to a clean boat with a full tank of fuel each time,” says Ward. “Whether you are going on a fishing trip with the boys or spending a day tubing and relaxing with the family, a boat will be ready for you.”