Membership FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Membership at Seattle Yacht Club
Q. What do I need to do to become a member of SYC?
A. To become a member you need to be sponsored by a total of three SYC voting members, (one sponsor, two seconders). Two letters of recommendation (not necessarily from SYC members) are also needed to complete the application. A Junior, under age 17, needs only a total of two SYC voting members (one sponsor, one seconder) and two additional letters of recommendation. The sponsor must have known the applicant for at least one year. Your sponsor needs to obtain the application from the membership office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or the sponsor may call and have it mailed. The application needs to be completed within 90 days. Then it must be approved by the Membership Committee and the Board of Trustees. After the application is completed, it takes about 3 or 4 months to be approved for membership.
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 in the local boating activities most likely you will meet someone that is a SYC member and they can introduce you to others - "start asking around".
Q. How much does it cost to become a member?
A. (See Membership Fees and Dues)
Q. Is the initiation fee refundable if I decide to resign my membership?
A. No - 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. Yes - After your membership has been approved by the Board of Trustees, you will receive a letter from the Club Secretary indicating the Board's decision. Enclosed with the letter is a "Final Application". This is to be returned with the initiation fee. Upon the candidate's request, a payment plan is available in which 1/3 of the entry fee is paid down and the remaining 2/3 is financed for up to 5 years at 5% interest.
Q. Is there a social membership, family membership or business membership?
A. No - there is only an individual membership. The membership extends to a spouse but not to children or other family members.
Q. What are membership requirements?
A. An active interest in boating. Boat ownership is strongly recommended for applicants over age 36. Membership will not be approved if applying for business reasons. (For more specific questions, please contact the SYC Membership Director)
Q. What does a SYC membership include?
A. Use of the club's restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, banquet facilities, guest moorage at the club, permanent moorage subject to availability (refer to moorage office for more specifics on slip availability), reciprocal privileges to other major yacht clubs around the world, Elliott Bay clubhouse facilities and moorage (subject to availability), and use of our ten outstations:
Cortes Bay – Desolation Sound, B.C.
Eagle Harbor – Bainbridge Island
Elliott Bay – Seattle
Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands
Ganges Harbor – 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. No - you must be a member for 5 years before you can apply to the Membership Committee for another membership category. Special categories are:
*Non-Resident – a member that lives & works outside of a sixty (60) mile radius of the Portage Bay Mainstation-"as the crow flies"
*Out-of-State – a member that does not reside, have a place of business, or moorage in the state of WA
If your question hasn't been addressed above, please contact the Seattle Yacht Club
Membership Director.