Wifey B: I've been known to have a slight problem with dress code compliance myself. Shocking, isn't it.
95% of the yacht clubs are easy to get in. Just dock there once and pay and go in and talk and you'll have a bunch of people wanting you to join. We go to a club far away from home and get invited and just stare and say we appreciate it but as we live 1000 miles away, probably not.
Right now at a club formed in 1844. Might expect them to be a bit snobby but they're not. They did require the letter from our home club. They invited us to join but since they're across nearly 1000 nm of water from our home, don't think so, but really enjoy their hospitality and I am conforming to their dress code as are the other girls with us.
We joined a club in FLL for two primary reasons. First, the reciprocal agreements. It's not saving money on dockage as much as just having available dockage and being invited in a club. It really can come in handy and even if your club A doesn't have an agreement with club B, you'll normally be welcomed, just have to pay full dockage rates.
The other reason was the tennis courts. So nice to jump in a boat, go to the club, play tennis, back in the boat, across the ICW for lunch, then back home.
We only eat the meals there to meet our minimum, don't know many people, don't participate in their social gatherings. Feel like we're such a new club now, only formed in 1938. :lol:
I've heard people say the club we belong to was snobby, but you find out it's not through any knowledge, just "they've heard it." They don't know from whom or why they felt it or when. I'm proud of their youth sailing programs, love pulling up and seeing all the kids heading out. If it was a little closer there's another local club here that would really tempt us as they're so active and vibrant and have an interesting schedule of events. They also have great kids programs and good food.
I've heard Coral Reef called snobby. That's because they limit was unaccompanied guests can do. If we wanted to do something else, we've never had a problem getting a member sponsor there to sponsor us.
Some others are nice boating clubs, always doing things together. Sometimes too it's just a nice place to go sort of like "Cheers."