The concept of a sailing club membership may be foreign to some people, but what are some of the differences between being a club member and just renting a sailboat for the day?
The direct benefit of a sailing club membership is the discounted rates you receive on both sailing classes and sailboat charters. As a member of the Harbor Sailboats sailing club you can expect to save anywhere from 30% to 50% off the public rental rate. These cost savings really add up even if you only sail a handful of times annually. Another great benefit of our club membership are the member only specials offered to you. Here, our club members can take advantage of flex time sailing, weekend specials, extended trip specials, and standby specials just to name a few . In addition, new sailors who join the club also receive the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat, complementary, so you can hit the ground running.
The familiarization with the boats and the clubs process is also a big difference between being a member and a public renter. As a member you are more familiar with how the whole process operates in respect to the reservation and boat checkout process. This allows you more time on the water and less time dealing with formalities. As a member of a club like Harbor Sailboats you are also more familiar with the sailing area allowing you to have a more enjoyable time on the water.
The social aspect of a club membership is also a very important consideration. A public renter may not get an invitation to join some of the group activities like opening day, boat shows, group sails, holiday parties, and annual flotillas, just to name a few. The social activities help give your club membership more value and also serve as an environment to meet other like-minded sailors. A very unique feature of Harbor Sailboats is our “members only” forum that serves as a great platform for members to connect and sail together.
These are just a few examples of the difference between being a public renter and having a sailing club membership. If you plan on sailing in San Diego a couple times per year, even if you live out of town, our club membership is the best option for you. We encourage you to learn more, ask us questions and talk to current members to help you decide if it is right for you.