lauderdale yacht club membership

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2023-24 Club Fees

*** Please note - Prices have been set & agreed by the committee at our Annual General Meeting, 16 JUL 2023. Fees have remained the same as last season *** *** A 30% family discount will apply on these fees if multiple members are joining from same family. Use code ' FAMILY ' at checkout. ***  

*** Memberships paid go towards covering running costs including payment of all insurances, Council leases & rates + utility bills, Australian Sailing affliation & membership, rescue boat + club maintenance, & running of the canteen. Payment of your dues offsets these running costs & your yachting Australia membership. Please remember we are a non-for profit - without payment of memberships the club will cease to exist into the future.  ***  

Lauderdale Yacht Club

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Review Highlights

“ Membership has its privileges and when I'm here periodically throughout the year I feel at home. ” in 3 reviews

“ Food-wise, the conch chowder was truly delicious, with a tinge of spice. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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1725 SE 12th St

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

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Fun times on Labor Day!! Quite the Labor Day party set up!! Had a great time -- ANYONE would!! $35 all you can eat bbq with Margarita Cart, Beer Keg in pool on rowboat, alcohol-infused popsicles! There was a chocolate slip-n-slide for the kids. Fun times with M&M!

Been coming here for most of my life, love this place. It's home away from home!

An amazing club with wonderful members and staff. We appreciate our membership and the friends and fun we have had and will continue to have!! The Beyer's

See all photos from Tracy R. for Lauderdale Yacht Club

Boats and Mo's (Mimosas tehe)! My sister Fran and I dropped anchor right the the pool bar last Saturday. Let's just say those Mimosas had the both of us dragging anchor by the end of the day. Excellent staff service! The chicken was a little dry, but Fran and I were already full from all of the eye candy. I would recommend xoxo Jan

Just a wonderful place food is good service is good and friendly The ambiance is soft and easy We celebrated my cousins birthday

Really awesome spot on the pavilion. Sylvia suggested a raspberry margarita because I like sweeter drinks. It was probably the best margarita I have had in a very long time. She was really nice and wanted to actually have a conversation with me. She made our experience awesome.

Best salad bar in town! Everything you can imagine that should be on a salad bar is here, I loaded my plates with mixed greens, tuna salad, beets, hard boiled egg, garbanzo beans, cucumbers, and many varieties of seeds ( pumpkin, sunflower). Lots of dressings, breads and dried fruits as well. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. The service was excellent (Salem?). Service: 5 stars Food : 5 stars Ambience: 5 stars

Ducked in so my business partner, Marnie, could receive her Golden Mouse Award for Excellence in Social Media Marketing. Excellent service. Beautiful day. We were in the main ballroom for lunch. The food was delicious. The portions were fair. Dessert was awesome. The salad was better than expected. My only complaint, was my main course was cold. I ate it. This was my first time visiting the joint and I loved it. Sat right on the water. Cool lounge. Cabeza OUT!

Amazing Wait, what's more than Amazing? Over the last few years a select group of members recreated LYC. It's fantastic. Congratulations!

The exclusive LYC has been serving up great drinks, good food, and memorable times for decades. Located in the Rio Vista neighborhood just north of the 17th Street Causeway, I have been to the LYC on several occasions for lunch, company holiday parties, and friendly get togethers. The catering staff is AMAZING - they will accomodate the most discerning of guests and will go out of their way to ensure that your party is satisfied. I have tried the caprese salad (delicious!) as well as the filet with leeks & demi glaze, served with veggies and potato (also delicious!). The conch chowder is also very very good - try it with a splash of sherry to compliment the flavors of this soup. Overall everything is fresh and tastey, the grounds are well kept and the Club is nicely landscaped & a perfect setting for a casual afternoon on the water or an elegant evening event.

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Lauderdale Yacht Club

Phone: 954-524-5500

Email: [email protected]

Address: 1725 S.E. 12th Street Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Website: http://www.LYC1938.org

The Lauderdale Yacht Club’s new clubhouse is located on a point facing a wide part of the Intracoastal Waterway in the beautiful Rio Vista neighborhood. We have a variety of indoor and outdoor dining options from causal to fine dining. Most dining areas and bars have views of the water, passing yachts and our youth sailing teams practicing their skills. LYC is a 5-Star Platinum Club with 3 dining areas, 3 indoor bars including a beautiful cocktail lounge, and a pavilion bar by the pool. We have a very large heated pool, tennis courts, fitness center, youth sailing center and 220 feet of guest dockage. Our staff is friendly and professional, and food and beverages are excellent. LYC welcomes members of Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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Welcome to Lauderdale Yacht Club

Description.

*Welcome to *

Since 1938, Lauderdale Yacht Club has been an established Member-owned and family-focused private Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nestled between a quiet residential community and the serene, beautiful Intracoastal, you will find a Club rich in tradition, with exceptional facilities and service. From a world-class sailing program, tennis courts, yachting docks, and a full-service Clubhouse, there are many amenities for its Members, their families and guests to enjoy.

***Mission Statement***

**Lauderdale Yacht Club** is a premier private yacht club, providing a family friendly experience for its members and guests while promoting sailing and seamanship.

**Our Club**

*We create the moments and the memories…*

Lauderdale Yacht Club opened in June 1938 for the purpose “to promote the science of seamanship and to provide and maintain a Clubhouse, piers and anchorage for the recreation of its Members and to make available for the youth of the community the opportunity to learn and practice seamanship and to render benevolent aid to the youth of the community interested in learning seamanship.” Since then the Club has been very involved in all aspects of Sailing, Yachting, and Boating but has also expanded into a full service Club and destination that includes Fine Dining, Social Activities, a booming Tennis Program.

With its interesting history, rich tradition, and modern flair, the Lauderdale Yacht Club will continue to grow and prosper with all of its loyal Members.

LAUDERDALE YACHT CLUB | 1725 SE 12TH ST | FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33316

954-524-5500

**On the Web:**

LAUDERDALE YACHT CLUB

**Membership &Communications Director**

Meagan Whelan

954-527-2211

http://www.lyc.org/web/guest/northstar

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More From Forbes

The top 50 most exclusive yacht clubs in the world honored with platinum status.

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Royal Yacht Squadron in England

The rich and famous are not merely looking for the best place to anchor their yachts; they are also seeking out exclusive memberships in stunning destinations, all offering luxury amenities and, of course, bragging rights. These exclusive yachting clubs with often outrageous initiation fees, provide luxurious clubhouses, and provide accommodations for yachties who want to get their land legs. Most of them provide high-end concierge service to its members as well as Michelin-star quality restaurants and more.

Yacht Clubs have been recognized in the Platinum Clubs of America elections for more than 20 years. According to the Platinum Club, “Recognition in the following categories is important in the selection of Platinum status; Tradition, history, and heritage, a respected membership, excellence in amenities, exceptional service, adapting to changing times, and overall experience.

I spoke with the President of Club Leaders Forum, David V. Smith, about the selection, and he says, “we created an alphabetical selection this time as opposed to by rank because we felt that it was challenging to compare a yacht club in Ireland with a yacht club in Singapore, as amenities, location and facilities do vary quite a lot. The yachting and boating world is a different and unique culture, typically a little more relaxed and not as formal as country clubs and golf clubs. However, many of the world’s finest yacht clubs have wonderful history and traditions, with a great sense of camaraderie among their members. Certain yacht clubs were selected by the Panel not necessarily for their facilities and amenities but in their recognition of hosting world class sailing regattas and events.”  

Here are the top 50 most exclusive yacht clubs worldwide being awarded the ultimate Platinum Status for 2021.

Annapolis Yacht Club

Surrounding the Spa Creek Bridge in Annapolis, the Club boasts over 75 wet slips and dry dockage. The club began in 1886 as an informal canoe club, and today has 1600 regular members active in social, racing, and cruising programs.

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Aerial view of Beach Point Club

Beach Point Club

Beach Point Club is a member-owned, family-oriented private club. The elegant and spacious clubhouse was built in the 1890s by an industrialist as a private home. In 1925 the property was purchased by the founding members with the purpose of establishing a club on the water. The club now has more than 600 members with a full service marina.

Chicago Yacht Club

Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. The Club is home to more than 1,400 members, including a winning America’s Cup skipper, and Olympic medalists.

The stunning Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Grosse Pointe offers a 261-slip certified Clean Marina, state-of-the-art Marine Activity Center, newly renovated Bowling Recreation Center and Family Recreation Center, new Fitness Center, and Olympic-sized pool. The 75,000-square-foot Clubhouse features Italian Renaissance architecture and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2015. Initiation fees can go as high as $12,500 with $650 monthly dues

Larchmont Yacht Club

Located in Westchester County, New York, the Club has been in existence since 1880 when it was purchased by Benjamin A. Carver, a railroad magnate. The original Carver residence was much smaller than the present clubhouse – the east and west wings were added following the purchase. The Junior Clubhouse was the Carver stable: the basement was the cow barn, while the first floor housed the horses.

Lauderdale Yacht Club

Founded in 1938, Lauderdale Yacht Club is invitation only and host to 65 dock slips that wrap around the marina. The club is also home to one of the most elite junior sailing programs in the nation.

Naples Yacht Club

Founded in 1947 and situated on Naples Bay, the Club has the proud distinction of being the city’s first and oldest private club and its marina has 75 concrete floating docks. Membership has grown from three founding yachtsmen to over 530.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club

Established in 1916, the club is located on the Balboa peninsula in Southern California. A newly remodeled clubhouse was also created to replace the original building. Initiation fees range upwards of $20,000

Palm Beach Yacht Club

Palm Bea ch Yacht Club

Founded in 1890, the marina has 45 slips to accommodate boats up to 150 feet. All annual dockage contracts (from $1 per foot per day), include a membership to the prestigious Yacht Club.

Pelican Isle Y acht Club

With 190 wet slips and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, the club can accommodate vessels up to 55 feet. Equity social membership is by invitation only with an initiation fee as high as $15,000, and annual dues at $5,500.

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club

Founded in 1959, the club has been part of the Boca Raton landscape for over 50 years with membership by invitation only. The state-of-the-art Marina boasts a TimberTech floating dock system, accommodating vessels up to 130 feet. 

Sailfish Club of Florida

The Sailfish Club of Florida was built in the early 1900s. It is the oldest continuously operating private club in the town of Palm Beach.

San Diego Yacht Club

In June of 1886 a group of local boating enthusiasts joined together to found what has become this cornerstone yacht club. The racing history of SDYC is as significant as the history of its location. Several members were winning races all over the country in the early to mid-20th century, however, SDYC reached a turning point starting in the 1980s when Dennis Conner won the America’s Cup. In the early 1980s, Dennis Conner won the cup once and then lost it the next time to New York Yacht Club. In 1987, Dennis won again on behalf of San Diego Yacht Club. The America’s Cup was won a third time by SDYC in 1992 by Bill Koch on the yacht,  America .

With 600 wet slips and 100 dry slips, initiation fee is upwards of $24,000 plus $200 monthly dues.

Aerial view of the San Francisco Yacht Club

San Francisco Yacht Club

In the summer of 1869, a group of active, local yachtsmen formed the San Francisco Yacht Club. The oldest yacht club on the Pacific Coast, it’s one of the most elegant and exclusive yacht clubs in the U.S. The harbor consists of 190 berths and 50 dry-storage spaces, as well as a large youth sailing dock. Membership is by sponsor referral only.

Sarasota Yacht Club

Saraso ta Yacht Club

Sarasota Yacht Club was organized in the summer of 1907 and located on the north end of Siesta Key. Facilities include a 110-slip marina, fitness center, heated pool, two indoor bars, a pool bar, multiple meeting rooms, a grand dining room, waterside terrace, and lunch dock. Membership is by invitation only.

Savannah Yacht Club

The Savannah Yacht Club was originally organized on June 14, 1869. The private, members only club is by invitation only with only 1,000 members. Amenities include a figure 8 pool, an Olympic size swimming pool, as well as floating docks.

St. Francis Yacht Club

This club was founded in 1927 when the members of the San Francisco Yacht Club decided to move their clubhouse out of San Francisco to Belvedere, California. The 2,300 member club is considered to be the most prestigious yacht club in the western U.S. and has hosted over 40 regattas on San Francisco Bay. The Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse is in close proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoys views from the Bridge to Alcatraz Island and beyond.

Tampa Yacht & Country Club

Founded in 1904 as a place to race sailboats, ride and show horses, the marina now holds 31 covered slips and 50 open slips. Membership is sponsored and by invitation only.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Circolo Canottieri Aniene

Circolo degli Esteri

Compagnia della Vela

Playing host to 10 prestigious regattas this year, including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Yacht Club Costa Smerelda has been tied to the Italian Sailing Federation since the 1960s. Offering a wellness center and spa, the clubhouse overlooks the Marina and the Italian coast. The club has a panoramic pool terrace, al fresco dining, and a member’s lounge and bar. There are also 24 residential suites, including the popular Presidential suite that opened in 2016.

Yacht Club Italiano

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron

Royal Perth Yacht Club

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

Raffles Marina

Republic of Singapore Yacht Club

Real Club Nautico de Vigo

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has its marina close to the bustling Front Street at the heart of the historic city of Hamilton. It began as a meeting place for British military officers and Bermudian sailing enthusiasts.

Membership in the club extends to over 850 resident and non-resident members. The 130 berth marina has a full-service staff and can accommodate vessels of up to 150 feet in length.

Nassau Yacht Club

Royal Bombay Yacht Club

Royal Canadian Yacht Club

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Royal Victoria Yacht Club

Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world.

Royal Cork Yacht Club

Sometime in the early 1600s, sailing for private pleasure started to to become popular in the Netherlands. Later that century, during the Cromwellian years, King Charles II of England was in exile in the Netherlands and while there he became aware of this new and exciting pastime. According to Royal Cork Yacht Club, “By 1720, interest in the sport had progressed so much that his great-grandson, the 26 year old William O’Brien, the 9th Lord Inchiquin, and five of his friends got together to formalize their activities and in so doing established ” The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork.”

This club is known today as the Royal Cork Yacht Club and it is the oldest yacht club in the world. It was originally located on Haulbowline Island before moving to the town of Cobh and finally establisged in it's current location in Crosshaven.

Royal Irish Yacht Club

NEW ZEALAND

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Royal Southern Yacht Club

Royal Thames Yacht Club

The Royal Thames Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, founded in 1775. The exclusive Knightsbridge Clubhouse has two bars, an acclaimed restaurant, and accommodations for those staying overnight. Anyone looking to join must be recommended by current members.

The Royal Western Yacht Club of England

Royal Yacht Squadron

Royal Yacht Club Moscow

Société des Régates du Havre

Monaco Yacht Club

Yacht Club de Monaco

Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953, the Yacht Club De Monaco is a prestigious club that holds a unique position on the international yachting scene with more than 1600 members drawn from 66 nationalities.

The reigning Club President since 1984 has been His Royal Highness, Prince Sovereign Albert II, and a suitably formal dress code for day and evening wear is enforced at all times. Membership is limited and very, very exclusive: prospective candidates must submit an application form to the club committee and be introduced by two sponsors, both of whom must be existing members. The successful applicant will be welcomed with an ice-breaking cocktail party and gala dinner in their honor.

The futuristic clubhouse was redesigned in 2013 and overlooks Port Hercules, it offers up very popular cocktail bar and Mediterranean restaurant.

Yacht Club Santo Amaro

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In Retrospect: The Club Life

By Larry Schwingel

A legacy of accomplishment, a passion for the science of sailing and a tradition of civic outreach through grants provided by its nonprofit sailing foundation make the Lauderdale Yacht Club a gem on the Fort Lauderdale landscape. 

Turn back time 81 years to 1938, the first year of its existence. A group of 100 original members paid $100 each to join, and annual dues were $24. Five years later, membership had risen to 200. Today, with nearly 1,000 members, Lauderdale Yacht Club has earned Platinum Club of America status, a recognition that places it among the elite private yacht clubs in the nation.

“It’s one of the highest designations in the private club world, and due to the efforts of our wonderful membership, we checked off all the boxes,” says Nadine Rockwell, general manager of the club. “Criteria included universal recognition, superb amenities, levels of service, quality of membership and management, and the ability to adapt to changing times.” 

Lauderdale Yacht Club’s history began when Avylen Harcourt Brook, a successful New York ad agency executive, retired to Florida in 1919. An avid sailor and commodore of the Jamaica Bay Yacht Club in New York, he became a member of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association in 1920 and the Florida Inland Navigation District. Coastal states from Maine to Florida lobbied Congress to create an Intracoastal Waterway. “The states wanted safer conditions, lighted buoys and dredging so that a waterway could be competitive with railways as an alternative means of transportation for both goods and people,” says Rick Burgess, the yacht club’s fleet historian. “In 1935, the Intracoastal Waterway was completed from Miami to Trenton, New Jersey.”  

Fort Lauderdale’s unique topography of inland waterways and canals was perfect for boating and sailing, and Brook and Harlow Davock spearheaded efforts to organize the Lauderdale Yacht Club. “Sailing and yachting became a craze for the upper class after the Great Depression,” Burgess says. “South Florida was a paradise for boating and sailing, and magazines promoted the area as the ‘Yachting Capital of the World.’” 

Lauderdale Yacht Club’s upcoming renovation is assessed in the neighborhood of $17.5 million, and project completion is set for next fall. “The majority of work will include renovating the existing clubhouse and expanding clubhouse facilities and amenities,” says Commodore John Dunn. “We will also be enhancing the south parking lot and adding additional bathrooms near the pool. The future of the club is very bright.” 

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2019 Issue.

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6 Boat Clubs in Fort Lauderdale You Should Know (Must-See!)

Fort Lauderdale is a beautiful destination city because of its clear waters and excellent sailing opportunities. For those that live there, getting out on the open water is a dream come true.

Boat clubs are great for trying out different watercraft. With membership in one of Fort Lauderdale Florida’s amazing, top boat clubs, you won’t have to worry about owning and maintaining a boat.

There are many excellent boat clubs in the Fort Lauderdale area. Depending on what you or your family need, you want to make sure that you’ve picked the right boat club.

Before you make a final decision, check out these top five clubs!

Table of Contents

Carefree Boat Club

Carefree Boat Club is one of the largest boat clubs with destinations across the United States and Canada.

This is an excellent option if you think you may want to travel and take advantage of the ability to sail on the open sea in another locale.

Despite being a relatively large boat club, membership here still manages to feel exclusive. Managers do their best to keep the member to boat ratio low.

For every ten members, there should be one ship that is reserved for the exclusive use of club members. They never charter or rent out their boats during the off-season.

If you want to try out a wide variety of boats, this Fort Lauderdale club is going to be the perfect choice for you.

Carfree Boat Rental Options:

• Fishing boats
• Ski and sailboats

Related Article: Boat Club Rules: 10 Thing to Know Before Joining

Carefree Boat Club Memberships:

One of the best things about the Carefree Boat Club is that they offer a variety of memberships. You can choose to sail on weekdays or weekends exclusively to save a bit of money.

Be sure to inquire about the specific plans that might suit your needs.

This is also an ideal choice if you have minimal boating experience. Carefree Boat Club is committed to safety on the seas.

You will be required to read through a training manual and take a hands-on class covering topics like maneuvering boats and basic safety protocols. It’s a great time to ask questions and learn more before you dive right into sailing.

Related Article: 9 Boat Clubs to Know in South Carolina

Coral Ridge Yacht Club

Are you looking for an extremely exclusive boat club that is unavailable to the general public? Available by invitation only, the Coral Ridge Yacht Club is an excellent blend of family-focused fun and exclusivity.

A current member must be willing to sponsor you in order to be considered for entrance into this elite yacht club. Rest assured if you don’t know anyone but still want to become a member here.

Much like Carefree Boat Club, Coral Ridge also allows you to explore other destinations.

However, they only offer 36 different locations scattered around the state of Florida. Traveling will be a bit more limited with membership to this yacht club.

Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)

Coral Ridge Memberships:

Joining the Coral Ridge Yacht Club is about so much more than simply renting a boat on the weekend.

Their membership department can help to match you up with an existing member to secure a spot in this club.

Most of their members embrace a particular lifestyle and want to welcome all of the best things that life has to offer. The social aspect of joining this yacht club is even more critical than simply boating itself.

That is why their campus includes amenities such as fitness centers, tennis courts with waterfront views, swimming pools, and even multiple restaurants.

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Naples, Florida (8 Clubs You Should Know)

Best Boat Club

The Best Boat Club in Fort Lauderdale has been an affordable option for more than twenty years. They have two Fort Lauderdale locations – one at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and one at the Pier 66 Resort and Marina.

Between the two locations, they host a pretty impressive fleet. Choose from deck boats, pontoons, or ski boats.

They also have several center console boats that are ideal for finishing or hosting a few family members and friends on the water.

Perhaps the best part of the best boat club is the flexibility of their membership plans. Unlike other memberships, you may be required to pay a rental rate with some of the membership options.

Corporate memberships are available, but individuals can choose from four different levels:

• Standard : Saves forty to fifty percent off boat rentals
• Silver : Unlimited use of the entire fleet on weekdays only
• Gold : Unlimited use of the whole fleet on weekdays and weekend mornings only
• Platinum : Unlimited use of the entire fleet whenever

If you have a lot to learn about boating, you may want to consider signing up for a membership at the Best Boat Club.

They are the only authorized US Powerboating training center in the Fort Lauderdale area. They have the most extensive training center in the country and feature plenty of hands-on powerboat training.

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Los Angeles: 7 Clubs You Should Know

Lauderdale Yacht Club

The Lauderdale Yacht Club has long roots in the Fort Lauderdale area. Having been founded in 1938, this private club is still managed by its members and reflects a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere.

Be prepared to find a sponsor as membership is invitation only.

Much like the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, membership at Lauderdale Yacht Club is about more than simply making it onto the open water.

They are tucked inside a quiet residential area featuring beautiful amenities like tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There are even options for dining and enjoying the company of other members.

One of the significant advantages of joining the Lauderdale Yacht Club is its impressive sailing program.

They start by teaching young children the basics of racing, but adults are welcome to join in the merriment as well.

The Lauderdale Yacht club offers classes and training to help you move from a bronze level sailor to a gold level sailor.

Grand Yacht Club

The Grand Yacht Club is a little different than the memberships found with other clubs. Instead of reserving a boat for a single afternoon on the water, you can choose a getaway from their cruise menu.

Take a three-day getaway or a dream trip that lasts for up to ten days. The choice is completely customizable for your unique interests and plans.

Knowing what kind of boats are available in the fleet is essential to potential new members.

You won’t find too many smaller boats like pontoons and deck boats here. There are three distinct boating styles you can choose from when you make a reservation with this boat club:

• 60’ Sport Yacht
• 75’ Sailing Yacht
• 80’ Luxury Cruiser

Members tend to love Grand Yacht Club because they include the cost of water sports in your membership dues. This includes jet skis, kayaks, diving, and snorkeling materials that you can check out hourly, daily, or for the entire week.

Much like some of the other yacht clubs, Grand Yacht Club also includes other activities that are focused on promoting a certain lifestyle.

From time to time, they have tournaments, seminars, and even romantic getaways for you and that special someone.

South Florida Boat Club

The South Florida Boat Club is a laid-back club that features great amenities just outside the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. They are just a few minutes away from the airport, the Las Olas shopping district, and Port Everglades.

Their property also has excellent amenities like a casual grill and a crystal-clear pool. It may not be as fancy as some of the yacht clubs listed here, but this laidback style appeals to many families.

Unlike some of the other exclusive boat clubs, entrance and membership here are a little bit more casual. You will have to submit to an interview with the membership director, but it is not an invitation-only club.

If you would like, you can even interview current members about their own experiences with the boat club before you make a final decision.

As with many of the premier boat clubs, there are flexible membership plans so that you can choose what makes the most sense for you.

They offer annual, seasonal, and partnership programs. Monthly rates start as low as $199 per month with an initial $1,200 fee.

Their fleet is one of the most extensive ones offered in the Fort Lauderdale area. Reserve deck boats, bowriders, cruisers, and center console boats up to 23’ from either the Fort Lauderdale or Miami locations. Extended hours and overnight access to the boats are provided.

Larger boats are available for rental when you choose an upgraded membership plan.

How to Choose?

Choosing the right boat club in the Fort Lauderdale area is hard when you have so many excellent choices. Each one offers a unique take on membership and has its own fleet to offer up for your usage.

Depending on the amenities you want and even what kind of social connections you have, it may make sense for you to join one of these clubs over another.

Consider what might be the right fit for you and your family with these top boat clubs .

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Naples-based yacht membership club names new CEO

Arredondo has more than two decades of experience in business transformation, startups and corporate strategies. Based in Fort Lauderdale, he previously helped launch and grow HUBX.COM, a startup that was named one of the fastest-growing companies, by Inc. 5000, and generated more than $1.7 billion in revenue, within four years.

Based in Naples, Exclusive Yachts offers memberships with access to a fleet of luxury yachts at a fraction of the cost of ownership and without ad-hoc chartering.

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Billionaire fights to dock his boat on water behind his house. His 164-foot boat, that is.

The love of the water, and a mega-yacht to enjoy it, is putting one resident at odds with village of north palm beach leaders..

For some people, the ultimate Florida lifestyle is a waterfront house , a private dock and a boat parked next to it. But what if that boat is a mega-yacht , and the mega-yacht stretches 164 feet?

That's the conundrum facing the Village of North Palm Beach.

This tiny community in northern Palm Beach County, with only 13,000 full-time residents, has an identity so tied to the water that a ship's steering wheel is the village's emblem.

But it's that love of the water that is putting one resident at odds with village leaders.

For the past several years, homeowner Michael Bozutto has been battling the village for the right to park his 164-foot Westport, dubbed Honey, behind a home he owns at 932 Shore Drive.

The house, built in 1961, is a one-story, ranch-style property with three bedrooms on a half-acre lot. Bozzuto paid $840,247 for the house in 2014, according to Palm Beach County property records.

Lawsuit rooted in dispute over where to dock mega-yacht

What makes this plain house special is its location. It's on a rare corner bordered on the north and east by navigable waters that provide access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Lake Worth Inlet. The east-facing dock is large enough to accommodate Bozzuto's motor yacht.

Since Bozutto bought Honey for an undisclosed sum a decade ago, he mostly has parked it at the Old Port Cove Marina, near Tiger Woods' 155-foot showy mega-yacht, ironically dubbed Privacy.

More recently, Bozzuto has wanted to park Honey alongside his Shore Drive house, one of four houses he owns in the village. While Bozzuto keeps some personal property at the Shore Drive house, he lives at a house he owns at Harbour Isles Court.

Village officials warned Bozzuto he can't park Honey at 932 Shore Drive because boats can only be parked on docks behind houses that are occupied by the homeowner.

But village rules do not define the word "occupied." For instance, the rules do not state that occupied means the house is a residence where the owner lives. Village rules also contain no restrictions on the size of boats that can be kept at private docks.

After years of pushing back against what he believes are fuzzy rules, Bozzuto in March filed a lawsuit against the village.

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He alleged the municipality is illegally depriving him of his property rights because nothing in the village code prevents him from mooring Honey at his house. He is asking a Palm Beach County Circuit Court judge to rule that he has a constitutional right to dock Honey there.

Gregory Coleman, Bozzuto's West Palm Beach attorney, said the village has plenty of waterfront homes with yachts parked behind them. But Coleman said the village is illegally blocking Bozzuto from docking Honey at his house because the village is bending to pressure from a handful of neighbors who think the boat is too big.

The selective enforcement is wrong, said Coleman, a former president of the Florida Bar.

"He's a very under-the-radar guy who doesn't cause anybody any problems," Coleman said of Bozzuto. "He pays his property taxes, and he wants to be left alone by the village of North Palm Beach. Unfortunately, they are singling Mike out."

Neither Leonard Rubin, the village's longtime attorney, nor Village Manager Chuck Huff responded to requests for comment.

Eric Stettin, a Fort Lauderdale-based attorney who is representing the village in the Bozzuto lawsuit, said he could not comment on pending litigation.

What good is a man's castle if he can't have a boat in his moat?

Coleman's lawsuit describes the conflict as a battle over property rights, but real estate and yachting experts say it's also a sign of the times.

As wealthy new residents pour into the county wanting all the perks of the Sunshine State, they want a boat to go along with their waterfront homes and golf club memberships. Some longtime residents fear Palm Beach County is turning into a playground for billionaires, to the detriment of everyday people who also want to live in sunshine and peace.

This conflict between Old Florida and new money is an ever-present tension, but even seasoned yacht brokers say they've never seen interest in luxury yachts quite as strong as it is now.

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"What we've seen in the marketplace right after COVID in the yachting industry, and especially the superyacht segment, is the most incredible growth ever seen in the history of yachting to date," said Shannon McCoy, a luxury yacht advisor and broker with Worth Avenue Yachts in Palm Beach.

"A lot of people are moving here with serious money," added Pascal Savoy, U.S. managing director of Camper & Nicholsons International yacht brokers in Fort Lauderdale.

While in the past Palm Beach County was not considered lively enough for some buyers, Savoy said the county's growing sophistication is putting it on the map in a way never seen before.

"It's a mini-Monaco for us," Savoy said.

Prices for mega-yachts can range from $18 million to $60 million, or many times that, for the largest and most decked-out mega-yachts, Savoy said.

While some yachts can be glitzy, a 164-foot Westport is considered a more low-profile boat, Savoy added.

Michael Bozzuto's interests: Houses, boats and philanthropy

Bozzuto is no newcomer to North Palm Beach. He's been a resident of the village for 20 years.

He is the billionaire owner of a family-owned supermarket wholesaler in Connecticut, and an investor and philanthropist who likes to collect houses and yachts, Coleman said.

In addition to the four North Palm Beach houses and several yachts he owns, Bozzuto in February paid a whopping $31.1 million for a house in the Town of Palm Beach Shores. The house, which has two docks, sits just north of the Palm Beach/Lake Worth Inlet.

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Coleman said there is plenty of room for other boaters to navigate the waterway when Honey is parked at the Shore Drive house in North Palm Beach. And while other people may not have as large a yacht, there are other sizeable yachts parked on docks behind other North Palm Beach homes, too, he added.

At a 2017 village council meeting, then-Mayor Darryl Aubrey commented on the issue, according to the complaint.

"When I didn't live here full time, I had a boat sitting in my dock, I was gone nine months of the year. I don't see how you can say that someone has to be in a residence year-round, seems to be some interpretation of occupant, there would be an enormous number of violations," Aubrey said.

Another member of the village council asked if the village had a definition now, the complaint said.

Rubin, the village attorney, replied: "No, we don't," according to the lawsuit.

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Palm Beach County's waterways run deep, and they are popular

The yacht docking dispute is particularly timely, given the scarcity of dock space for boats of all sizes.

The most convenient place to park a boat is on the water behind a house, brokers say. But not every waterway or channel can accommodate the draft, or depth, of a mega-yacht.

However, the dock behind Bozzuto's Shore Drive house can.

Not only is the Westport not known for its deep hulls, but the waterway also is typical of northern Palm Beach County, which boasts deep water and easy access to the ocean via the Lake Worth Inlet, said Coleman, a lifelong boater.

"In Palm Beach County, they have deeper water, and it allows people to have larger yachts," Savoy agreed.

But not every waterway is deep enough for every boat.

McCoy said she specializes in helping advise potential yacht owners about the county's varied water depths before they buy a house, if they plan to dock their yacht behind it.

If yacht owners don't have a private dock, the other option is a marina. But marina space is hard to find, with many dock berths reserved for months in advance, McCoy said.

Despite the challenges of owning a boat and finding a place to dock it, yacht brokers say demand continues.

They see interest continuing from business executives moving here with their families as they relocate their companies to Palm Beach County. There's also a growing demand for yachts among female buyers, McCoy added.

They also see younger mega-yacht buyers, some even in their early 30s. This is in sharp contrast to the mostly older buyers in the past, Savoy said.

Palm Beach County may not be as go-go as Miami-Dade County when it comes to showy ships, but if interest continues, "it's coming," Savoy said. "You're going to attract bigger yachts."

Put another way: "No one needs a boat, but everyone needs a boat," McCoy said. "It's the ultimate lifestyle."

Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at  The Palm Beach Post . You can reach her at  [email protected] . Twitter:  @acloughpbp .  Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.