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Become a Member!

Thank you for your interest in the Austin Yacht Club. We hope this information is helpful in your consideration in joining our club. For your convenience, you may apply for membership online.

Apply for Membership

The Austin Yacht Club is a private sailing club, founded primarily for the purpose of promoting sailboat racing and sailboat racing-related social activities and water sports on Lake Travis. A completed Membership Application and the non-refundable application fee begins the membership application process.

AYC is located on over 30 acres of lake front property on Lake Travis, in the heart of Texas Hill Country, 30 minutes from downtown Austin. AYC’s programs and events include junior and adult sail training. Camps and clinics, typically taught by members with world-class cruising and racing 
experience, cover a wide range of topics. Many programs are free or discounted for AYC members, and open to non-members. At AYC, racing is a year-round sport. Friday Night Beer Can races, Wednesday Night Laser/Sunfish races, regular weekend Series Races and numerous annual Club Regattas offer everyone – from new racers to national champions –opportunities to test their sailing skills on beautiful Lake Travis.

There are many benefits that come with membership. The AYC facilities include all of the amenities that active sailboat racers need to conveniently race their boats and enjoy Lake Travis:

  • Wet slips for 160 boats up to 30’ in length in a sheltered cove
  • 76 dock spaces for small Centerboards, allowing easy launch access
  • 200 dry sail parking spaces with boats stored on trailers
  • Two launch ramps with rigging docks
  • Two mast-stepping cranes
  • A members’ work area with a hoist (10,000-pound capacity)
  • Dry out area for temporary storage “on the hard” Clubhouse with air conditioning and wireless Internet
  • Swimming pool, picnic areas, and playground
  • Bathhouse with showers
  • Rental cabins, screened camp shelters, and RV hookups

AYC members are our biggest asset and the Club has a long tradition of volunteerism. This spirit strengthens AYC’s sense of community and keeps membership affordable. Whether it is a Club Work Party, a Series Race, a Club Regatta or one of the Club’s numerous social gatherings, our members are always willing to pitch in to make it a great event – to ensure all feel welcome and leave with great memories.

Sailboat racing is a priority at AYC but that doesn’t mean prospective members need a long sailing and racing resume in order to join the Club. AYC offers tremendous opportunities for sailing education, including Learn To Sail and Learn to Race Clinics, Race Management Clinics, a Youth Sailing Program, Summer Youth Sailing Camps and PB&J Sail Training for sailors as young as age four. AYC is an accredited ASA Sailing School and offers a host of certificate courses

Membership Levels

Senior Membership

 Fees: Click here to view fees

Boat Storage: Yes, for an additional charge

AYC Member Benefits: All

Voting Privileges: Yes

Probationary Period: Yes

Activities Required: If joining prior to April 1, 2023: 15 Activities with a minimum of 8 race related activities, 3+ volunteer activities, 1 Race Committee. If joining on or after April 1, 2023, fifteen activities that are a specific combination of Race Committee, Racing, Service, Work Party, Board Meeting attendance, and Other. Details are in the AYC Handbook, which is available on the web site.

Senior Membership entitles you to boat storage on the docks or grounds and voting privileges in addition to all other AYC membership benefits. “Senior Membership” is approved following a one-year probationary period, in which the new member completes required activities.
Boat storage fees are an additional charge. Priority for storage is reserved for active racers due to our limited number of slips.

Associate Membership

Fees: Click here to view fees

Boat Storage: No

AYC Member Benefits: Most (no office, no voting, no boat storage)

Voting Privileges: No

Probationary Period: Yes

Activities Required: If joining before April 1, 2023, 15 total activities with a minimum of 1 Race Committee, 3 Racing Activities, and 3 Volunteer activities. If joining on or after April 1, 2023, fifteen activities that are a specific combination of Race Committee, Racing, Service, Work Party, and Other. Details are in the AYC Handbook, which is available on the web site.

Associate membership is designed for individuals who are learning or enhancing their sailing skills and do not intend to store a boat on the premises. “Associate Members” are entitled to all AYC membership privileges, with the exception of boat storage, the right to hold office, and all voting privileges. “Associate Membership” is approved following an one-year probationary period during which “Activities Required” must be completed.

Young Adult Membership

Fees: Click here to view fees

Boat Storage: Yes

AYC Member Benefits: All

Voting Privileges: Yes

Probationary Period: Yes

Activities Required: If joining before April 1, 2023: 15 total activities with a minimum of 1 Race Committee, 8 Racing Activities, and 3 Volunteer activities. If joining on or after April 1, 2023, fifteen activities that are a specific combination of Race Committee, Racing, Service, Work Party, Board Meeting attendance, and Other. Details are in the AYC Handbook, which is available on the web site.

Young Adult Membership is restricted to individuals from 19 to 29 years of age. “Young Adult Members” have all the privileges of “Senior Membership” but monthly dues and the initiation fee are less expensive.

Junior Student Membership

Fees: Click here to view fees. Initiation fee: Exempt.

Parent/Guardian Sponsorship: Yes

AYC Member Benefits: Some

Voting Privileges: no

Probationary Period: none

Activities Required: n/a

Junior Student Membership is restricted to individuals younger than 19 years of age. The purpose of this type of student membership is to allow limited, supervised use of the AYC facilities by junior sailors who are learning to race. Juniors are eligible to be members in this category until they reach the age of 19. “Junior Student Member” privileges shall be limited to use of the AYC facilities and boat storage in the Junior Sailing Facility.

“Junior Student Members” are exempt from initiation fees and are not included in the applicant priorities. They do pay dues and carry an account at AYC which shall be billed to a parent who agrees to be responsible for the “Junior Student Member” charges. “Junior Student Membership” is an individual membership, not a family membership. A “Junior Student Member” may be accompanied by family members on AYC grounds while sailing or participating in a Junior Sailing activity. A “Junior Student Member” does not have guest privileges, but may invite family or a guest to AYC for social functions.

For complete information about AYC membership policies and procedures, including specifics on probationary requirements, please read the “Membership Policies and Procedures” section of the AYC Handbook. The Handbook is on this website.

Membership interviews are conducted by the Membership Committee at a meeting on the third Thursday of the month January-October, second Thursday in November, and not in December. Final approval is voted by the AYC Board at its monthly meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month January – October, third Thursday in November, and not in December. Check with the office and/or AYC Calendar to verify. Completed membership applications with the application fee must be received in the AYC office no later than close of business the Tuesday just prior to the Membership meeting. Attendance at this meeting is required for all prospective members, and the AYC Office will attempt to contact you prior to the meeting.

Sailboat racing is a sport that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The Austin Yacht Club offers an extensive racing program complemented by a social calendar and excellent Sail Training opportunities for youth, high school/college age and adult sailors. We hope you will consider joining AYC.

Feel free to contact the AYC Office if you have any questions or require further information. The office is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Sincerely,
AYC Immediate Past Commodore & AYC Membership Chairperson

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