Great Place on a Great Lake

Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes but it doesn’t take second place in opportunities for fun and adventure. Have you ever stood on the shore looking at the horizon and wondered what it would be like to sail across the clear blue waters to that distant shore? Wonder no longer. Join the Waukegan Yacht Club and you will have ample opportunity to do this and much more.

sunset on lake michigan
Club racing is also a time to enjoy sunsets on Lake Michigan

Proud History

Founded in 1927, the Waukegan Yacht Club is one of the oldest continuously operated yacht clubs on the Great Lakes. Today, as when it first started, the club’s mission is to promote and encourage the sport of yachting, the sciences of seamanship and navigation, and to plan and sponsor various sailing and yachting activities for members and the general public.

clouds reflected on the water in Waukegan Harbor
Another beautiful day in Waukegan Harbor

Comradery

The Waukegan Yacht Club works hard to create and promote good fellowship among its members and their families. Our clubhouse features a relaxed setting with a great view for exchanging tales of the sea, networking with co-workers, and sharing a meal or some cocktails with friends and family.

ingredients for bloody mary cocktails
One of our members sets up a special Bloody Mary bar after a long race.

Our calendar is full of social events, dinners, parties and other opportunities to meet and mingle.

Learn to Sail

Don’t own a boat? Don’t know how to sail? No problem.

catalina 22 sailboat
WYC has a fleet of small boats that members can use.

The Waukegan Yacht Club sponsors regular classes to teach adult sailing and boat handling. The club owns a fleet of dinghies and small sail craft that are available to members to check out and sail at any time. A recent donation of a 25-foot sloop will be rigged and available to members in the summer of 2018. Also, club members are always looking for qualified crew members. Volunteer and become part of their crew.

Youth Sailing

The love of the water and boating starts early. The Waukegan Yacht Club is host to a Junior and Youth sailing program that has been teaching children of various ages how to sail and operate marine craft for decades. These programs are available both to the general public and to the children of members at a reduced cost.

sailing dinghies in the harbor
The club’s fleet of sailing dinghies and small sail craft are all available to members

Education

The Waukegan Yacht Club benefits from the hundreds of years of experience and expertise of its members. We have a full calendar of seminars and training classes taught by experts in a whole host of subjects, from navigation and dead reckoning to seamanship, rope work, and boat care and maintenance. Many of these classes are free to members or offered at a reduced cost.

Racing

Many of our members enjoy participating in our summer and fall sailboat racing series. Our affordable program is an excellent way to hone your boat handling and sail trimming skills and get your crew in tip top shape.

Don’t have a boat to race? Volunteer to crew on another member’s boat or check out the club’s 25-foot sloop on
race day!

Reciprocity

The Waukegan Yacht Club membership card is recognized by hundreds of yacht clubs both in the US and around the world. This usually means you will have access to club facilities, including dining, docking, showers and other amenities when sailing or traveling in distant waters.

Membership Type

Regular Member ($500): Any person of the age of twenty-one years or more shall be eligible for regular membership. The regular member may vote and hold office in the Club or serve on any committee and shall be entitled to enjoy all privileges of the Club.

Associate Member ($125): Any person of the age of twenty-one or more shall be eligible for associate membership. An associate membership terminates on December 31st of the calendar year during which such member attains the age of thirty years. An associate member is not entitled to vote, hold office or serve on a standing committee. An associate member may become a regular member after completing an application, prior to the termination of his/her associate membership. An Associate Member is eligible to sign up and participate in all educational opportunities and pays the member price.

Junior Member ($50): Any person under the age of twenty-one years shall be eligible for junior membership. A junior membership terminates on December 31st of the calendar year during which such member attains the age of 21 years. A junior member is not entitled to vote, hold an office or serve on a standing committee. A junior member may become an associate member after completing an application, prior to the termination of his/her junior membership. A Junior member is eligible to sign up and participate in all educational opportunities and pays the member price.

Corporate Membership ($1,350): Any Company or Corporation with a Federal ID# shall be eligible for a Corporate Membership. A Corporate Membership or its designated Corporate Member shall not be entitled to vote, hold any office in the Club or serve on any standing committee. Subject to the stated limitations, the Corporate Membership shall be entitled to enjoy all the privileges of the Club.

To join the club you must fill out the membership application (below) and be sponsored by two current members or officers.

WYC Membership Application

Click here to download the Membership Application