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Larchmont Yacht Club

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Larchmont Yacht Club - A Haven for Sailing Enthusiasts

Welcome to larchmont yacht club.

Welcome aboard to Larchmont Yacht Club, the ultimate destination for sailing enthusiasts in Mamaroneck, New York! Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Long Island Sound, our marina offers a vibrant and welcoming community for sailors of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting to dip your toes into the world of sailing, Larchmont Yacht Club has something for everyone.

With a rich history dating back to 1880, Larchmont Yacht Club has established itself as a premier sailing destination on the East Coast. Our club boasts state-of-the-art facilities, a wide range of sailing programs, and a calendar packed with exciting events and regattas. So, hop aboard and let's set sail on an adventure of a lifetime!

Unparalleled Sailing Facilities

At Larchmont Yacht Club, we take pride in our top-notch facilities designed to enhance your sailing experience. Our marina features a well-maintained fleet of sailboats available for rental, ensuring that you can hit the water even if you don't own a boat. Our experienced staff is always ready to assist you in finding the perfect vessel for your sailing needs.

Additionally, our club offers ample docking space for members' boats, ensuring convenient access to the water. We have a dedicated team of professionals who provide exceptional maintenance and repair services, so you can focus on enjoying your time on the water without any worries.

Sailing Programs for All Ages

At Larchmont Yacht Club, we believe that sailing is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or experience. That's why we offer a wide range of sailing programs tailored to different age groups and skill levels. From our Junior Sailing Program for young aspiring sailors to our Adult Learn-to-Sail Program for beginners, there's always an opportunity to learn and grow your sailing skills at our club.

Our experienced instructors provide comprehensive lessons that cover everything from basic sailing techniques to advanced racing strategies. We also organize regular clinics and workshops to help sailors refine their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest sailing trends. Whether you're looking to learn the ropes or sharpen your racing skills, Larchmont Yacht Club has the perfect program for you.

Exciting Events and Regattas

Get ready to mark your calendars because Larchmont Yacht Club is known for its exciting lineup of events and regattas throughout the year. From thrilling races to festive social gatherings, there's never a dull moment at our club. Our events calendar is packed with activities that cater to sailors of all ages and interests.

One of the highlights of our club is the annual Larchmont Race Week, a week-long regatta that attracts sailors from all over the region. This prestigious event features competitive racing, lively parties, and a chance to connect with fellow sailing enthusiasts. Whether you're participating in the races or cheering from the sidelines, Race Week is an experience you won't want to miss!

A Vibrant Community

At Larchmont Yacht Club, we believe that sailing is not just a sport but a way of life. Our club is home to a vibrant and inclusive community of sailors who share a passion for the open water. From casual dockside gatherings to lively post-race celebrations, there's always a sense of camaraderie and friendship at our club.

Our members come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from young children to seasoned sailors. Whether you're a solo sailor looking to meet new friends or a family seeking a fun-filled weekend activity, Larchmont Yacht Club offers a welcoming environment where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your love for sailing.

Dining and Social Amenities

After a day of exhilarating sailing, it's time to relax and indulge in some delicious food and refreshing drinks. Larchmont Yacht Club boasts a fantastic dining facility that offers a delectable menu featuring a variety of cuisines. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, mouthwatering steaks, or vegetarian delights, our talented chefs have you covered.

Our dining area provides breathtaking views of the marina, allowing you to soak in the beauty of the Long Island Sound while enjoying your meal. The club also hosts regular social events, including themed parties and live music nights, where you can dance the night away and create lasting memories with your fellow sailors.

Supporting the Community

At Larchmont Yacht Club, we believe in giving back to the community that has embraced us for over a century. We actively participate in various environmental initiatives aimed at preserving the Long Island Sound and its surrounding ecosystems. Our club also collaborates with local organizations to promote sailing as a recreational activity and provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to experience the joy of sailing.

Additionally, we organize charity events and fundraisers to support causes close to our hearts. By being a part of Larchmont Yacht Club, you're not just joining a sailing community but becoming a force for positive change in the world.

Membership Options

Becoming a member of Larchmont Yacht Club opens up a world of sailing opportunities and lifelong friendships. We offer various membership options to suit different preferences and budgets. Whether you're looking for full-time membership or a seasonal pass, our club has a membership plan that fits your needs.

As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive access to our facilities, priority registration for programs and events, and discounted rates on boat rentals and repairs. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in club governance and shape the future of Larchmont Yacht Club.

Join the Larchmont Yacht Club Family

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary sailing journey? Join the Larchmont Yacht Club family today and experience the thrill of sailing in a vibrant and welcoming community. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, our club offers the perfect blend of adventure, camaraderie, and relaxation.

Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about our membership options, sailing programs, and upcoming events. We can't wait to welcome you aboard and share the joy of sailing at Larchmont Yacht Club!

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Larchmont Yacht Club – A Living Legacy

By Buttons Padin

Organized in 1880, Larchmont Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club on Long Island Sound.

Over the century-plus of its operation, much has changed at LYC, yet as much has purposefully stayed the same.

In the beginning

From its humble beginnings, operating out of a waterside chapel in Larchmont’s Horseshoe Harbor, LYC’s mission has always been to provide excellent yacht racing accompanied by gracious and welcoming camaraderie between sailors. Initially, the Club’s major annual event was its July Fourth Regatta, which drew huge fleets of giant yachts of all description. Then in 1896, to replicate the success of the UK’s Cowes Week, Larchmont Race Week was introduced to offer an extended regatta for sailors from the East Coast and Europe. Having missed only two years during World War II, Larchmont Race Week continues to be the major Long Island Sound regatta each year. To remain vital, Race Week has evolved to reflect the ever-changing yachting community to include one-design and racer/cruisers on the weekends, with Larchmont Junior Race Week on the weekdays, attracting over 500 young sailors from all around the East Coast.

Taking it all in

Remember the Maine ! The steam whistle of the U.S. Naval ship that exploded and sank in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898 is one of many historical artifacts displayed at the Club.

As you walk through the Clubhouse, you’ll be accompanied by the spirits of some of the world’s finest yachtsmen, each whom called LYC their home. In the Commodore’s Room, the portrait of Wilson Marshall takes center stage, reflecting his many accomplishments including his Atlantic crossing in 1908, setting a transatlantic record that stood for over a century. Commodore James B. Ford has his own room named after him in honor of his dozen years at the Club’s helm, keeping LYC on course during the Great Depression.

Fast forward to the 1930s and sit on the Veranda with Olin and Rod Stephens as their Dorade swings on a mooring in the harbor. Then there’s the legendary sailor Arthur Knapp, Jr., whose accomplishments ranged from serving as tactician aboard Ranger in the 1938 America’s Cup to winning virtually every major one-design championship of the era. And don’t forget Knapp’s IOD rivals, Cornelius Shields, Sr. and Jr. Not only was this rivalry carried out in IODs, but also in Interclub Dinghies during the winter and in 12 Metres as the Shields raced Columbia against Knapp in Weatherly . The list goes on to include names such as Rudolph J. Schaefer and Vincent J. Monte-Sano to more contemporary sailors including Mary Savage, Charles “Butch” Ulmer, Senet and Clay Bischoff, Danny Pletsch, Cardwell Potts, Jason Carroll, Andrew Weiss, Chris Sheehan, and Chad Corning. An inspiring group to sail amongst, to say the least.

Contributions to Yachting – local, regional and national

Along the way, Larchmont Yacht Club has earned a reputation for hosting world-class regattas. LYC runs dozens of regattas/weekend races every season and has also hosted many International/National/North American Championships ranging from many Adams and Mallory Cups, the U.S. Team Racing Championship twice, the U.S. Disabled Championship twice (with American Yacht Club), the Etchells Worlds, Viper 640 NAs, J/105 NAs, and this October the J/109 NAs.

In addition to these championships, LYC’s regular year-round sailing schedule remains robust during a period when other clubs’ participation levels are dwindling. The Larchmont Winter Sailing Program, initially started by Corny Shields, Sr., continues to be a draw for dozens of world-class sailors year after year. Each October, Larchmont co-hosts the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, the largest collegiate big boat regatta in the country, with the Storm Trysail Foundation. And, during the summer, LYC’s junior program is one of the best and largest in the country, producing outstanding junior sailors such as current Girls I-420 World Champions Carmen and Emma Cowles.

Taking a different tack, this summer marks the tenth Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta for sailors with disabilities, run in conjunction with American Yacht Club. The Robie was created to bring an adaptive regatta to the Sound, and today’s Robie also includes the Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational, the world’s only all-women adaptive regatta.

Continuing the legacy

Countless sailing legends have broken bread in the Club’s elegant dining room.    © Maureen Koeppel

Larchmont Yacht Club is in a unique position, both geographically and resource-wise. Being the closest major yacht club to New York City, and only a 12-minute walk from the train station, LYC offers a the convenience and access post-college sailors living in the City require. Add to that LYC’s ongoing team racing program and these 20-somethings love the Club. Enabling them to fully appreciate what a LYC membership has to offer (sailing, dining, tennis, pool, paddle, etc.), these young sailors can join LYC as Summer Sailing Members at an extremely attractive price. The result has been a steady flow of young, highly skilled sailors becoming part of the LYC family and carrying on the Club’s traditions.

This summer’s highlights

Looking ahead to this summer, Larchmont Yacht Club has its two major annual events teed-up to be successes. The Edlu Race, the Club’s annual distance race (now set at 32 NM for spinnaker boats with shorter courses for non-spinnaker boats) will be sailed on Saturday, May 12. As the Club’s Edlu promotions say, “Come for the great race, stay for the great party.” LYC has taken heed of the fact that successful on-the-water events need to be matched with equally impressive activities ashore. Last year’s Edlu saw more boats crossing the line than in over a decade, and the party ashore was all you could ask for. You can even race if you don’t have a formal rating by entering the “Club Division” and sailing with a LYC-assigned rating. You can register for the Edlu at YachtScoring.com .

Then, July 15-22, it’s the 120th Larchmont Race Week with separate circles for one-designs, racer/cruisers, Vanguard 15s and Ideal 18s. There will also be classic yachts racing the first weekend and the final Sunday will be the fourth annual Around Execution Rocks Race, a multi-class, single starting line race around the venerable Execution Lighthouse and back. Set a new ExRx record, as Linda & Andrew Weiss’ Sydney 43 Christopher Dragon did last year, and win a case of rum.

This year marks the 92nd Larchmont Junior Race Week. © Howie McMichael

Admittedly, Larchmont Race Week, like many long standing regattas, went through some lean years, but thanks to efforts by the LYC Yachting Committee, new life and vitality has been breathed into this iconic event, causing many “old timers” to remark, “Now this is the Larchmont Race Week I remember!” Yes, the competition, fun, and legendary camaraderie of Larchmont Race Week have returned. You can register at YachtScoring.com .

Maintaining its legacy

Larchmont Yacht Club continues to be one of the leading yacht clubs in the world, with the right location, great sailors, gracious hospitality, and a willingness to give back to the sport of yacht racing through regattas, volunteerism, and providing competitors. Today, the legacy of competition and camaraderie first envisioned 138 years ago lives on and, perhaps, has become stronger with every passing year. The Flag Officers of Larchmont Yacht Club invite all sailors to participate in the Edlu Race and Larchmont Race Week and, when at the Club, feel free to explore the art, history, and artifacts that so boldly express where the Club has come from…and where it’s going.

Buttons Padin is Larchmont Yacht Club’s Fleet Captain.

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How Much Do Yacht Club Memberships Cost? (5 Helpful Examples)

Joining a yacht club is an important milestone in your life. It marks a certain degree of success and allows you to enjoy plenty of luxurious amenities. Setting sail on a yacht is the ultimate way to unwind from a hectic work week while you try to climb the corporate ladder.

Fortunately, there are yacht clubs all over the country that would love to welcome you as a brand-new member. You can enjoy an afternoon on the water with a beautiful yacht in exchange for a small sum of money.

But how much do Yacht Club memberships generally cost?

Prices for Yacht Clubs will vary based on your location, the fleet, and even the amenities that are offered at the marina. The average annual membership price is between $900-$4,000 depending on your level of luxury and needs.

To give you an idea of what you could expect to pay for your yacht club membership, here are some numbers gathered from across the country:

Table of Contents

What Does Each Yacht Club Offer?

Each yacht club is going to offer something that sets it apart from the others on this listing. To give you a better idea of where your money is going, here is a brief synopsis of what you can expect at each location.

Related Article: How Much Does Yacht Insurance Cost? (4 Examples)

Charleston Yacht Club

Charleston is a premier cruising destination with plenty of waterways for you to explore. They offer a launch hoist, dry slips, day dockage, free parking, and a long list of events scheduled throughout the year.

You also gain privileges at other yacht clubs around the world. If you don’t own your own yacht, they have plenty of members who often have room on their boats to accommodate a few extra passengers.

Florida Yacht Club

The Florida Yacht Club is a relatively exclusive club that features amazing amenities like fine dining and an array of aquatic activities.

You can play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or massage, or get in a rousing game of croquet from the shore. They also host events and permit you to extend your privileges to other locations scattered around the Florida coast.

Atlanta Yacht Club

The Atlanta Yacht Club is primarily geared toward sailors who are interested in racing. They have a fleet of more than thirty different boats that are designed to help you further your knowledge of sailing.

If you still have a lot to learn, you can even take classes at this location. Prospective members must be sponsored and co-sponsored by two club members for entrance.

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

Chicago Yacht Club

Members of the Chicago Yacht Club will find plenty of opportunities to get involved. With more than forty different committees, you can find a circle of friends that have common interests beyond just sailing and racing.

You also receive transient docking at both the Belmont and Monroe harbors, exclusive invites to private events, and reciprocity at more than 900 clubs across the country.

Related Article: Boat Clubs in Boston: 5 Clubs You Should Know

California Yacht Club

The California Yacht Club is home to both national and world championship regattas.

They host plenty of events from scuba club to book club to wine tastings. If you want to find a true community of like-minded sailors, this could be the place for you.

One of the best features is the reciprocity at locations not just across the United States but across the world. You can feel free to travel the world with your yacht and experience some of the same fellowship globally.

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

What are the Cheapest Yacht Clubs?

The cheapest yacht clubs charge just under $1,000 per year for membership. While this does give you access to different types of experiences, you may be disappointed by the overall amenities.

Some yacht clubs are known for their extravagant country club styles that help you to embrace a particular lifestyle. They include Olympic-sized swimming pools, state-of-the-art tennis courts, and fine dining.

Everything has a beautiful waterfront view. It can feel like you are in the middle of an idyllic paradise without ever even having to leave the shore. If this is what you can gain from the most expensive yacht clubs, you should set your expectations much lower for the cheaper yacht clubs.

The cheaper yacht clubs lack the community aspect of these exclusive options. They feature dry slips and the occasional party, but not much more.

Some of them may have the feel of a county park with some picnic benches, outdoor grills, and a moderately sized swimming pool. Expect a much more casual atmosphere when you choose to go with a cheaper yacht club.

It is even possible that they are simply “paper yacht clubs” that do not even maintain a physical building of their own.

How Much Do the Most Expensive Yacht Clubs Cost to Join?

The most expensive yacht clubs can vary a great deal in price. Most of them will cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per year. However, you can certainly find more exclusive clubs that will cost above and beyond this.

Keep in mind that these more expensive clubs generally are not open to the public. They are offered by invitation only and you must have a member sponsor you to be considered for entrance.

When you are paying for a more expensive yacht club, you should make sure that you are really going to get your money’s worth. These expensive clubs promote a certain type of elegant lifestyle.

Make sure that you are planning to take advantage of all the amenities available from one of these clubs before you sink too much money into the membership fees. The social aspect of these expensive yacht clubs is extremely important.

If you plan to simply rent a boat from time to time, you might be able to go with a cheaper yacht club.

Related Article: How Long Do Sailboats Last?

What Is Generally Included in the Membership Fee for Yacht Clubs?

Have you been wondering why you should join a yacht club? Many potential members want to know what they can expect from their membership fees before they commit to a year-long contract. There are many advantages to signing up for a membership with a well-known yacht club.

Amenities and Activities

First and foremost, you get access to activities and cruises planned by board members. These might be various sailing activities, dinners, get-togethers, tennis matches, or other events that take up a lazy Sunday afternoon.

You also gain access to any amenities that surround the yacht club’s marina. For many programs, this means a fitness center, pool, and tennis courts. Several locations also offer fine dining, meeting rooms, and more.

It is like a private oasis where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the regular world. Time moves slowly when you’re enjoying the amenities here.

Many yacht clubs have programs that introduce children (and adults!) to sailing. Take classes to learn more about improving your technique, sailing safety, and other important aspects of life on the open water.

Access to the Fleet

The main reason why most people join yacht clubs is to be able to rent out boats instead of purchasing their own. Joining a yacht club may give you access to an entire fleet of yachts that can be reserved for a day or weeks at a time. Some yacht clubs allow you to rent boats for up to ten days at a time.

Others do not allow you to rent out ships. They are primarily geared toward individuals who already own a yacht or will own a yacht in the future. Make sure you know the difference in advance.

Are There any Additional Costs Besides the Membership Fees?

Unfortunately, the membership fees are not the only cost associated with joining a yacht club. Most of the clubs in the United States also have a one-time initial fee that tends to cost thousands of dollars. Many will range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the location and the exclusivity of the yacht club.

This one-time fee should be the only additional money you pay except for fuel. Most yacht clubs do not cover the cost of the fuel used in the ship during your rental if renting is an option. Be prepared for what this could cost you.

If you cause damage to the ship, you can also expect some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance should cover the damage, but you will likely be asked to cover the cost of the deductible.

Be sure to inquire about how much you may be on the hook for before you sign up for any particular yacht club. Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced sailors. Make sure that you can afford the mishap in advance.

Is a Yacht Club Membership Right for You?

Understanding what the real cost of a yacht club membership is can be the first step toward determining if this is right for you. Many people love the luxuries available through the more expensive yacht clubs, but they may not be able to afford it. Consider what is most important in a club to you before deciding to sign on the dotted line for an annual membership.

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Larchmont Yacht Club

When the Larchmont Yacht Club was founded in 1880, the United States had been a nation for 104 years – its total population 50 million. The village of New Rochelle was settled in 1688; Mamaroneck, as part of Rye, had also long been existence; but in between these two, there was no Larchmont.

Stories from Larchmont Yacht Club

In the early evening of Memorial Day 1880, five young men were warming themselves over a bonfire built in a cleft of rocks on the shore of what is now Horseshoe Harbor, in Larchmont Manor. These five loved boats and they had just finished a hard day of racing. Their boats were part of a small mixed fleet of jib and mainsail sandbaggers, sloops and cat boats moored in Horseshoe Harbor. Since a bonfire is scarcely the most comfortable way to close a hard day at sea, it is not surprising that these young men fell to discussing the possibility of organizing a yacht club.

That evening, it was decided: they would organize a yacht club to be called the Larchmont Yacht Club and invite others to join. The problem of a Clubhouse was resolved quickly: Fred Flint was elected a committee of one to approach his father, T.J.S. Flint, who was President of the Larchmont Manor Company and owned most of the property in Larchmont Manor from the Post Road south to the shoreline. On this property was the small Union Church. The young charter members made a deal with the elder Mr. Flint for the use of the church as a clubhouse and signed a lease for $1.00 per annum. However, it was made clear that the newly formed Club would have use of the church every day except Sunday – when the clubhouse would be opened to them only after church services were over.

The club membership grew so fast, however, that a larger clubhouse was soon needed, and in the fall of 1881 the club leased the Fleming residence near the church for the annual rental of $1,500 per year. The club continued to expand so it became necessary in 1884, to lease the Shepard House. Three years later, in 1887, the year of the incorporation of the Larchmont Yacht Club, the present site of eleven acres was purchased at a cost of $10,000 from Benjamin A. Carver, a railroad magnate. The original Carver residence was much smaller than the present clubhouse – the east and west wings having been added subsequently to the purchase. The Pandemonium was built fifteen years later in 1902; the Junior Clubhouse was the Carver stable, and the basement was the cow barn while the first floor housed the horses.

Carl Olsson

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Larchmont Yacht Club

Review Highlights

“ The view of Long Island Sound did compensate and I felt the price was fair for the location. ” in 4 reviews

“ This yacht club is historic as members obviously come from old money . ” in 3 reviews

“ Perfect place for Sunday brunch overlooking the water, wearing Lilly Pulitzer, and storing your expensive sailboat. ” in 2 reviews

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1 Woodbine Ave

Larchmont, NY 10538

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Ate lunch here the other day with a buddy and I was very impressed. Will be joining here very soon. The service and atmosphere is worth the $$. The food is fantastic. Looking forward to spending the rest of my summer here. My kids will enjoy it too.

I have been a member here since I was a kid so I find these reviews very interesting. Yes, the best part about LYC is the beautiful historic building and views. The club actually was started in 1880 (they used a church after services). The current building was built to be the yacht club in 1902. The food is always a point of contention - the current chef has the ability to do amazing things, but is held back by the provincial palates of the members, as well as budget considerations. We usually only eat there as part of an event, and have always been disapointed when we've gone for just a regular dinner. Lunch is usually the better meal - interesting salads and great soups. There is also an area where you can get burgers, salads all day/evening. But you will find it difficult to get your food served hot, cooked as you ordered and delivered to the correct person.

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A Tale of Two Shorelines

By Carin Rubenstein

• Aug. 31, 2003

AT the Larchmont Yacht Club one day not long ago, near the wide veranda of an elaborate Victorian clubhouse overlooking Long Island Sound, well-dressed parents and well-mannered children chatted on the deck of a sparkling pool. In the seawater below, boats rocked gently on the tide as further out in the haze, in a scene that might have been a backdrop in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, a flotilla of sailboats raced in distant circles.

It was not quite as Gatsby-esque on an overcast Saturday at the minuscule Hudson River beach at the Philipse Manor Beach Club in Sleepy Hollow, just behind the Metro-North railroad station. There, a man wearing scruffy black water shoes climbed into a shiny white kayak and pushed off the muddy bank, while a pregnant woman played with her cranky 4-year-old in the coarse, sticky sand just north of the Tappan Zee bridge. Lifeguards watched languidly as a smattering of members ate at picnic tables, read or docked a small powerboat.

Westchester is surrounded by water and boats, and devotees of each side tend to resemble baseball fans who can root for the Mets or the Yankees, but never both.

The two shores have many differences: The Long Island Sound side features exclusive yacht clubs and big boats, as well as pollution caused by sewage runoff that causes sporadic beach closings. The Hudson River side is characterized more by simpler boat clubs and smaller sailboats, plus silted-in marinas, industrial pollution and several high-profile organizations devoted to cleaning up the river.

Beyond the navigation and pollution differences caused by the two shores' distinctly different physical features, each side has its own culture, the Long Island Sound side boasting something of a Gold Coast feel, and the Hudson side with a more economically diverse river-town culture.

On the Long Island Sound side of Westchester, there are about 40 marinas and yacht clubs, as well as 25 beaches, said Kimberly Zimmer, public outreach coordinator for the Long Island Sound Study at SUNY Stony Brook. From Pelham Manor to Port Chester, the wavy shoreline runs about 36 miles, she said. The harbors, on the whole, are deeper on the sound than they are on the river, and thus they tend to attract bigger boats.

On the Hudson River side of Westchester, there are 22 marinas and boat clubs and four separate beaches, the highest concentration anywhere on the river, said John Lipscomb, a boat captain for Riverkeeper, an environmental organization based in Garrison. From Yonkers to the Bear Mountain Bridge, the craggy Hudson River shoreline stretches 62 miles, said John W. Ladd, a board member of the Hudson River Environmental Society.

Water recreation on the New York portion of the Long Island Sound coastline, which includes southern Westchester to Montauk, may generate as much as $1.2 billion in revenue annually, about one quarter of which is spent in Westchester County, according to an estimate by Chris Squeri, executive director of the New York Marine Trades Association in Amityville.

A total of 14,064 boats were registered to Westchester County residents in 2001, the sixth highest county total in the state, according to the most recent data available, provided by Jennifer Morris, a spokeswoman for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany. (The leaders, in order, are Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island, Monroe County on Lake Ontario, Erie County on Lake Erie and Onondaga County on Oneida Lake.)

''Boating is perceived to be a small industry, but it really isn't,'' said Ginny DiForio of the Hudson Valley Marine Trades Association in West Haverstraw. ''People don't realize how much business it generates.''

Most water lovers are attached to one side or the other, either by geography or by convenience. The contest about which shore is better is ''the age-old question,'' said to Brian Plotkin, 24, who spends a great deal of time on his family's 48-foot power boat and helps his brother, Steve, run the Half Moon Bay Marina, on the Hudson side in Croton.

Mr. Plotkin is that rare, bi-coastal boater, a guy who docks on the Hudson but drives over to the Long Island Sound. This is no small decision, since it takes nearly $100 worth of fuel to get his three floating bedrooms and two baths to the other side.

But he enjoys his weekly trips, he said, because ''there's more to do on the sound, it has more coves and more restaurants.'' Also, his large boat is more well-suited to the wide-open Long Island Sound than to the relatively narrow Hudson, he said, echoing a common view that big boats belong on the sound.

Still, Mr. Plotkin and his boat, ''Never Enough,'' sleep on the Hudson. ''The Hudson River is very calm and easy and I always get a sense of relief when I turn out of Spuyten Duyvil on my way home,'' he said.

Part of the difference is in the water's character. Experienced boaters agreed that Hudson River waters tend to be more peaceful than the sound, which can be very temperamental.

''The Hudson is very calm, but the sound can go from nice to windy to really, really scary,'' said Steve Plotkin, manager of the Half Moon Bay Marina, which is unusually deep for the Hudson, about 8 1/2 feet at low tide. The marina has 173 slips, with a minimum starting price of $30,000.

Other mariners agreed that boating on the Hudson is more scenic. But there is a great deal of commercial traffic there, including tugboats and huge tourist boats that can create large, dangerous wakes. The sound features hidden nooks and crannies, restaurants and serious fishing.

Then, there's the thorny, and truly unresolvable, issue of which side is truly better.

''We don't have train tracks like they have over there that separate them from the water,'' said Bernard Rosenshein, president of the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club. The Metro-North commuter line tracks run right up the riverbed on the Hudson line, making long stretches of shoreline difficult to reach for the Hudson River water clubs. (The flat riverbed made railroad construction relatively easy, and the Hudson River Railroad reached Peekskill by 1849, eventually driving the steamship companies out of business, according to the Westchester County Historical Society.)

The boats on each side tend to be different, too. The water at many marinas on the Hudson is quite shallow at low tide, and is silting in at the rate of seven inches a year, which means the clubs can't accommodate large boats with a deep draft, said John H. Vargo, publisher of a monthly magazine, ''Boating on the Hudson and Beyond.''

''Big sailboats have difficulty in most marinas on the Hudson River, and the silting is a serious problem,'' Mr. Vargo said.

Dredging marinas on the Hudson River is costly, since the silt must first be tested for toxicity, and then treated and removed, Mr. Vargo said, which is why most river marinas choose not to fight the battle of the silt.

It takes money to own any kind of boat, of course, but it takes bigger money to have a boat on the sound, many boaters said.

''The corridor on the sound from Larchmont to Greenwich is economically one of the highest in the country,'' Mr. Rosenshein said, adding that, ''I can't say the same for the Hudson side.'' His view of the difference between boats on the sound and on the Hudson, he said, is ''a question of whether you have a Ferrari or a Chevrolet.''

Clubs on the Hudson tend to be working clubs, in which members donate their time to maintain the property. Eugene Manzella, 82, who lives in Peekskill, keeps a 25-foot fishing boat at the Cortlandt Yacht Club, which has 170 boats on the Hudson River. ''We all chip in with work,'' Mr. Manzella said. He added that he spends nearly all day at the club during the summer, answering phones and handing out homemade coffee and store-bought cake.

The seven-acre club has no restaurant, no cocktail lounge, no snack bar. Membership is limited to 100 members who share ownership, and 50 associate members.

Yacht and boat clubs on the sound, for the most part, tend to be clubs in which members pay other people to do chores.

''The clubs are far more expensive on the sound,'' Mr. Vargo said. At the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, for example, ''our food is known throughout the area,'' Mr. Rosenshein said.

The Larchmont Yacht Club, which was built in 1880 and has 625 members with 316 boats, has three dining rooms, a bar, a grill, a snack bar, and an outdoor veranda.

These are the kind of clubs where a love of sailing, as well as club membership, are passed down from generation to generation. John Lyons, a 56-year-old banker and a member of the Larchmont Yacht Club who lives in Mamaroneck, has been a member since his father joined in 1951. His oldest daughter, 13, races her own 14-foot sailboat, as did Mr. Lyons when he was a teenager.

Several yacht club managers on the sound refused to discuss membership fees. One member of the Larchmont Yacht Club, who asked not to be identified, said that the initiation fee is $10,000, annual dues are $3,300, and there is a dining minimum of $120 a quarter, plus a mooring rental fee

A manager of the American Yacht Club in Rye, one of the most exclusive on the sound, refused to discuss the club with a reporter.

Fishing on the two waterways also differs. Both sides have commercial fishing, including lobsters and oysters on the Long Island Sound and shad on the Hudson River, but recreational fishing is bigger business, said Mark Tedesco, director of the Environmental Protection Agency for Long Island Sound. Anglers there fish for striped bass, bluefish, tautog, flounder and porgies, although there are advisories on how much of the fish is safe to eat for pregnant women, he said. On the Hudson, the catch is striped bass, and shad during a brief spring season; women of childbearing age are advised to limit the amount they eat.

Swimming differs, too. While there are more swimming beaches on Long Island Sound than on the Hudson River, both sides have pollution problems and occasional beach closings. Swimming on both sides became appealing only in the mid- to late 1980's, when effective sewage plants were built and industrial pollution was curtailed.

Now, however, the public beach at Playland Park in Rye, one of the busiest on the Long Island Sound side, attracts about 2,600 swimmers each weekend, according to Peter Tartaglia, the park's director of marketing.

From early spring to late fall, both river and sound are patrolled by police units, including Hudson River police departments in Yonkers and Peekskill, and the Long Island Sound police departments in New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Rye City and Port Chester.

''People stop and ask me how they can get my job,'' said Andrew S. Landau, commanding officer of the village of Mamaroneck Police Marine Unit, who has been a water cop for 19 years, armed with a shotgun and a rifle, and the authority to enforce laws on any body of water in New York State.

''Any vessel with a motor has to be registered. If you have a log with a motor it has to be registered.'' He also enforces more obscure violations, such as ''possession of mutilated lobsters,'' creatures missing a claw, for instance, and a ban on ''water skiing between sunset and sunrise.''

On an overcast Sunday in August, Lieutenant Landau turned on the blue flashing lights of his 26-foot working boat with a 250-horsepower engine and pulled over a pale, blank-faced man smoking a cigar who said he did not know that a registration was supposed to be affixed to his inflatable boat. The lieutenant gave the man a warning.

Marine units are also responsible for most water rescues.

''It can be hellish on the water if you are not expecting a summer squall,'' said Sergeant Heine. He has sometimes tuned into the marine rescue channel and heard ''wails and screaming from people on boats who think the world is ending,'' he said.

One place you won't find water cops on their days off is on the water.

''When I'm off the boat, I'm off the boat,'' said Lieutenant Landau. He avoids water, he said, ''unless I'm swimming in it or playing over it on a golf course.''

The Water's Cleaner, but Still ...

At the Philipse Manor Beach Club, on the Hudson River, the head lifeguard, Arley Morton, 18, said he has found a skinned cat, a headless seal and syringes.

At the Manursing Island Club, on the Sound, an occasional dead deer, dead raccoon, or syringe washes up, said Alison Plati, longtime beach and pool director. Still, both bodies of water are cleaner now than they used to be.

''The Hudson River is in magnificent condition,'' said John H. Vargo, publisher of a magazine about boating on the Hudson. Decades ago, he said, ''I remember when you had to swim with one hand in front of you to push the debris away.''

In the late 1960's, ''the Hudson River was a virtual biological desert,'' agreed Cesare Manfredi, a retired engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Several decades ago, he said, there was a continuous oil sheen on the water, and a factory near Peekskilldumped molasses waste into the river that was so thick ''you couldn't get a boat into the water.''

During the 1900's, Hudson pollutants included waste from the General Motors plant in Sleepy Hollow, the Anaconda Wire and Cable Company in Hastings, Standard Brands in Peekskill and General Electric in Fort Edward. Between 1947 and 1977, the General Electric plant leaked 1.3 million pounds of toxic PCBs into the river, and was ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up 40 remaining hot spots by the end of 2012, according to Manna Jo Greene of the Hudson River Sloop in Poughkeepsie, a group working to improve water quality.

In the 1960's, several rivers flowing into the Sound ''were literally open sewers,'' said Mr. Manfredi. The four Sound-side sewage treatment plants in Westchester County dumped barely treated sewage into the water. The water has improved, he added, although Mamaroneck still has sewage spills.

Until the blackout on Aug. 14, only seven beaches, all on the sound, had been closed this summer, including Harbor Island, Shore Acres, Beachpoint, Mamaroneck Beach and Cabana, Orienta, Echo Bay and Hudson Park, according to the Westchester County Department of Health. After the blackout, the county closed all 56 county beaches as a precaution, including all those on the Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, and on inland lakes, according to Gabe Sganga, beach program director for the Bureau of Public Health. By Sunday, Aug. 17, all county beaches had been reopened, he said. CARIN RUBENSTEIN

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Sage-Answer

Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day

How much does it cost to join Larchmont Yacht Club?

Table of Contents

• 1 How much does it cost to join Larchmont Yacht Club?
• 2 Who made yacht club?
• 3 How much does it cost to join Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club?
• 4 Who owns Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club?
• 5 Is Willow Ridge Country Club closed?

Members of the Larchmont Yacht Club would be charged $150 every season, plus a storage fee. Winter members pay $785 in dues (bundled with storage fee).

Who made yacht club?

The track peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100….Yacht Club (song)

How much does it cost to join Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club?

The membership (an $8,500 value) covers a family of four for the 2017 season, and includes a full shared cabana with the use of the club facilities–such as the club’s two pools, a private, sandy beach with swimming in the Long Island Sound, and nine har-tru tennis courts.

How Much Is Westchester Country Club membership?

At the nearby Westchester Country Club, there is a 10-year waiting list for cabanas, which rent for $1,200 to $1,500 for the season — a trifle at a club where membership costs $90,000 a year.

What is the oldest yacht club in Florida?

John’s River, nestled in quiet Ortega. Driving down the green laden stretch of Highway 17 that carves a path through Ortega, it is easy to miss Yacht Club Road, an unsuspecting street marking the location of Florida’s oldest Yacht club, and one of the oldest in the country.

Who owns Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club?

Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty The Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht club was sold this week, according to Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.

Is Willow Ridge Country Club closed?

Belmont says that the town has been maintaining the golf course since April after it had become overgrown. The golf course at the former Willow Ridge Country Club, photographed Aug. 2, 2021. The town purchased the club in June of this year after it ceased operations under the previous ownership in October of 2021.

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