So You Want to Live the Yacht Club Life (Spoiler Alert: It Ain't Cheap)
Ah, the Los Angeles Yacht Club. Visions of crisp white pants, clinking champagne flutes, and bronzed bods lounging on the deck as you set sail towards Catalina. Sounds delightful, doesn't it? But before you dust off your captain's hat and practice your most nautical "Ahoy there!", there's a little detail to consider: the cost of entry.
Buckle Up, Buttercup: Initiation Fees and Monthly Dues
Let's just cut to the chase. Joining the Los Angeles Yacht Club ain't exactly the price of a bag of chips. Here's the skinny:
-
Initiation Fee: Think of it as your welcome aboard party fee. This one-time cost can set you back around $1,500. For that price, you might expect a chorus line and a complimentary lifetime supply of rum ham, but hey, exclusivity has its price tag.
-
Monthly Dues: Living the yacht club life ain't free (shocker, right?). Monthly dues can run around $74. That's a pretty penny for access to members-only events, fancy facilities (think: swimming pool with actual swans, maybe), and the bragging rights of being part of this prestigious club.
Important side note: These figures are based on information from the late 80s [insert dramatic music]. It's safe to assume that with inflation and the rising cost of caviar canapés, the actual cost in 2024 might be a bit higher.
But Wait, There's More! (Because There Always Is)
On top of the initiation fee and monthly dues, there might be additional costs to consider:
-
Moorage: Unless you're planning to show up with your inflatable pool flamingo and call it a day, you'll probably need a place to dock your yacht (or, ahem, kayak). Slip fees can vary depending on the size of your vessel, so factor that into the equation.
-
Food and Drinks: Those fancy yacht club dinners and cocktail hours with bottomless margaritas don't magically appear (although that would be pretty cool). Be prepared to loosen your purse strings a bit extra for those indulgences.
So, is it Worth It?
Only you can answer that, my friend. Do you dream of swapping stories with salty sea dogs and attending high-society regattas (whatever those are)? If so, then the Los Angeles Yacht Club might be your oyster (get it?). But if your idea of sailing involves a plastic bathtub and a garden hose, there might be more affordable ways to get your sea legs.
Pro Tip: The Los Angeles Yacht Club offers sailing lessons and community sailing programs. This is a fantastic way to experience the yachting lifestyle without the hefty upfront costs. You might even make some new friends who can teach you all about the finer points of, ahem, "borrowing" a yacht for a weekend getaway. Just sayin'.
