Joining Fees

Many clubs have built up wealth over the years, it's not unreasonable to be expected to buy into that.
Money has to come from somewhere, clubs have to strike a balance between loyal members and newcomers. The right balance probably varies case by case.
I've never seen a joining fee that would put me off, except perhaps the odd club where yacht mooring rights are involved.

I'm just supposing here but is some of it to keep the riff raff out and keep the club exclusive? I have been out off by it at two clubs in my nearby area. I simply cannot afford the £300+ joining fee on top of the other expenditures for sailing. I'll stick to my small cheap club and do opens

As I recall in the days of waiting lists and the like part of the justification was that it encouraged committed members who were there for the long haul rather than (in 21stC terms) bucket list types who dip in and out.

We don't have a joining fee but do have a refundable deposit if you require a gate key and clubhouse access card; only required by members who want to use the Club outside of organised sailing days.

Edited by Do Different - 01 Oct 16 at 3:36pm

Originally posted by Roger If there is one thing in the world of sailing that really, and I mean really, really, angers me it is "Joining Fees" there is and never has been any justification for them, I have questioned several clubs over the years as to how they justify them and have never been satisfied with any answer, basically because you can't. They should be ditched without delay.... end of.

Frankly that's not always reasonable.
One club I used to be a member of had about 100 members and about £500k in freehold property, which affectively belongs to the membership. This dates back to members in the 1920's putting their hands in their pockets to buy the building. Over the years, when investment has been needed, it has come from the existing membership in the form of a levy or higher subs for a year or two. In the absence of a joining fee, it would make sense to dip out for a year when spending was needed.
If you don't want to join such a club, that's fine, go start your own or find one which is not so reliant on the investment of previous generations.
Unless a club is paying dividends to  shareholders like some golf clubs, joining fees are just part of the income/expenditure balance and no joining fee means either less spending on facilities, or higher annual subs, particularly in some clubs where capacity is limited.