7 Reasons to Join the Port Arthur Yacht Club
Benefits of Joining the Yacht Club
Summer is officially upon us and we are ready to get back outside in new and safe ways. As our “time off” season gets into gear, why not make more time for your boat and boating friends this summer?
You may wonder why you should join a yacht club. Membership will enhance your boating experience and make you aware of more ways to enjoy your vessel. We can’t speak for every club, but we’ve come up with 7 reasons you should join the Port Arthur Yacht Club today:
Perfect your Sailing Skills
Sailing is not a skill you can perfect in an online masterclass. As a member of the PAYC, you will have access to a group of real-life boaters who will come alongside to help you grow in your sailing journey. The Club welcomes power and sailboats (or no boats at all) and all ages and skill levels, from “never boarded a sailboat” to “international sailor extraordinaire.” You will get access to camps, classes and meet ups where the sky is the limit on how much you can experience and learn.
Safe Boat Storage
If you don’t have a dock or safe place to store your boat on your own property, the yacht club is a great spot ready for you. The club house sits adjacent to the Pleasure Island Marina, a state-of-the-art marina on 70,000 acre Sabine Lake with access to the Gulf of Mexico 10 miles out. Yacht Club members have access to:
- Accommodations for power and sailing vessels
- 300 state-of-the-art floating docks
- 50 and 30 amp electrical
- Permanent availability as well as seasonal and overnight
- Spacious bath house and rest rooms
- Fresh water available at each slip
- Free on-site self serve pump out station
- Fueling Station
- Boat Launch
- Boat Repair Yard
- Water Depth in basin 7ft
Make New Friends
Community. Perhaps the best reason to join the PAYC is for the built-in set of friends you will acquire right out of the gate. Whether you’ve missed your group of friends during quarantine, or find yourself in the market for new ones, there’s nothing quite as energizing as spending time with those who have similar interests and passions. This club is family- and kid- friendly, so the atmosphere is chock-full of wholesome meet ups, dinners and sailing events for everyone. At the same time, there are plenty of adult parties to give parents a much needed date night with friends.
Access to Organized Events and Races
Membership in the PAYC is your ticket to all club events, races and group trips. The club partners with other yacht clubs in the region both to host and attend races and events, making it simple to sample all the area’s ongoing yachting community happenings. Their Thursday night races on the Island make for a great introduction to the Club and its members.
For a peak at the club’s current schedule of events, read more here.
Junior Sailing and Young Adult Programs
If you are a proud parent of a school-aged child, the club is a great outlet for safe, supervised fun! Not only will your little mariner develop a love of the sea and sailing, he or she will also learn how to become and tried and true sailor and explorer while learning life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, patience, ecology and even conservation. The PAYC’s outreach programs include a welcome to children from disadvantaged homes.
The PAYC proudly hosts Junior Sailing Camps, Sail Days, Junior Race Teams and Camp Outs! For more information on programs and offerings for junior sailors, read more here.
Yacht Clubs are More Homey and Less Extravagant
Times have changed, and so have the yacht clubs of the past (thankfully!). The PAYC is a welcoming, family friendly club with a casual atmosphere and friendly approach to boating. They invite all ages and even those who’ve yet to buy their own boat. Hanging with the Yacht Club is a relaxed way to get your feet wet and learn everything from simple boat repairs to extensive fiber glassing.
Take it from the Members
We asked a few PAYC members to share their reasons for keeping active in the club:
“I joined Port Arthur Yacht Club because it was a good place to get out with my family, do physical activities and learn new skills. At the same time, the members were eager to embrace new people and are very keen on sharing their knowledge. They are welcoming and caring towards my family!” – Shawn Pichoff
“We joined before we even bought a boat! Everyone was very hospitable and inviting. The friendships that have formed from simply joining—priceless!” – Matt and Leslie Steele
“It was a small price to pay for our son to get to use the sailboats and be outdoors and on the water. Now we have our sailboat there and enjoy it as a family.” –Amber Wackado Johnson
Membership does have its privileges! Whether you enjoy weekly races, seasonal parties, monthly meet ups or group sailing events, the PAYC offers something for everyone at a very affordable price.
If your home water is in our area, we invite you to come check out the PAYC soon. Motor, sail, race or cruise, the Port Arthur Yacht Club is the best way to make more time for your love of sailing, your family and the water.
Written by our Marketing Director, Callie Summerlin.
