What California Yacht Club does

California Yacht Club is a private membership yacht club founded in 1922 in Los Angeles harbor and relocated to its current site at Marina del Rey, California on October 1, 1966. The club serves approximately 1,000 members with a portfolio spanning marina operations (approximately 300 slips and dry storage), sailing programs (junior and adult sailing, keelboat program, regattas), rowing programs coached by Olympic medal winners, cruising, racquet sports, swimming, fitness, full-service dining, and private events. The club also owns and operates the 130-foot historic yacht Northwind as a social and event venue, and holds exclusive access to Howland Landing on Catalina Island.

The business model is membership-based and diversified across six revenue streams: recurring membership dues (paid by nearly 1,000 members), recurring marina slip rentals (approximately 300 slips supporting a liveaboard community), usage-based guest moorage fees from reciprocal yacht clubs ($2.50 per foot after one free night), transaction-based dining and bar revenue, ship store retail sales, and professional services revenue from private events and filming productions. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; guest-facing usage fees are itemized (e.g., $10 daily guest fee for racquet sports, $20-$25 dock key deposits). The club maintains reciprocity agreements with over 1,000 yacht clubs internationally and domestically, providing members with extensive global access.

Go-to-market is sales-led and referral-driven: prospective members inquire through the website, phone, or word-of-mouth, with a Membership Committee reviewing applications. The club markets primarily through its website, club events, and the reciprocal club network rather than through aggressive digital or paid acquisition channels. Ownership is private and member-held; no parent company, funding rounds, M&A activity, or external investors are disclosed.

Name

California Yacht Club

Legal name

California Yacht Club

Website

https://calyachtclub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

California Yacht Club is a private, member-owned yacht club founded in 1922 in Marina del Rey, California, serving approximately 1,000 members with marina slips, sailing and rowing programs, dining, racquet sports, fitness, and exclusive Catalina Island access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marina Del Rey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to nearly 1,000 members for club access, amenities, and community membership.
2. Marina Slip Rentals: Revenue from nearly 300 slips and dry storage for member vessels, with liveaboard community supported.
3. Guest Moorage Fees: Fees charged to reciprocal yacht club guests at $2.50 per foot after the first free night, up to two separate seven-day periods per calendar year.
4. Dining and Bar Facilities: Full-service restaurant and bar generating revenue from member dining and events.
5. Ship Store Sales: Retail sales of marine supplies and nautical items to members and guests.
6. Private Events and Filming: Revenue from hosting private events, filming productions, and special occasions at club facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

California Yacht Club is a private, membership-based yacht club that provides members with a full-service marina (approximately 300 slips and dry storage), organized on-water programs (sailing, rowing, cruising, regattas), wellness amenities (racquet sports, pool, fitness), full-service dining, and exclusive social and event venues including the historic Northwind yacht. The club sells annual memberships to nearly 1,000 individuals and families, complemented by usage-based fees for guest moorage, dining, and venue rentals.

Product overview

California Yacht Club is a single, unified membership-based yacht club offering a comprehensive portfolio of on-water and social activities. The Club operates as a full-service marina with approximately 300 slips and dry storage, complemented by sailing programs (Junior Sailing, Adult Sailing, Keelboat Program), rowing activities, cruising, and racquet sports. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, fitness facilities, dining, private event venues, and exclusive access to Howland Landing on Catalina Island. The 130-foot classic yacht Northwind serves as a unique social anchor. The Club's diverse offerings cater to sailors, cruisers, power boaters, athletes, and families seeking connection through shared water activities and social experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marina & Slip Services Full-service marina with approximately 300 slips and dry storage for member vessels, located at the head of Marina del Rey's main channel.
• Liveaboard Community Full-time residential marina living for members who live aboard their vessels, with gated access, private showers and laundry, on-site dining, and dedicated storage.
• Northwind Classic Yacht Venue A 130-foot historic yacht docked at the Club, used as a social gathering space for sunset cocktails, casual coffees, and private celebrations.
• Junior Sailing Program Sailing instruction and team participation for children and teenagers, including programs, calendar, and summer camp.
• Adult Sailing Program Sailing activities for adults including daysails, learn-to-sail classes, and the Keelboat Program utilizing Martin 242 sailboats.
• Keelboat Program Member access to three Martin 242 sailboats through the Keelboat Program for sailing activities.
• Duffy Boat Rental Members can rent the Club's Duffy electric boat for on-water excursions.
• Rowing Programs Rowing activities including adult rowing, junior rowing, summer camp, and the Head of Marina Regatta. The Rowing Club is paced by Olympic medal winners.
• Cruising Program Long-distance cruising activities and navigation contests for power and sail vessels.
• Club Rentals & Private Events Private event venue rental for members and outside clients, including waterfront spaces for celebrations and gatherings.
• Private Events & Filming Hosting of private events and professional filming productions at the Club's facilities.
• Racquet Sports Four lighted paddle tennis and pickleball courts with expert coaching, social events, and private events.
• Pool & Aquatics Swimming pool and Pool Patio lounge for member relaxation and recreation.
• Fitness Fitness facilities and classes for member health and wellness.
• Dining Full-service restaurant and bar facilities with marina views for member dining experiences.
• Howland Landing (Catalina Island) Exclusive island retreat on Catalina Island accessible to CYC members, offering a peaceful escape from the mainland.
• Guest Moorage Guest boat slips and moorage available to members of reciprocal yacht clubs, with up to one free night and additional nights at $2.50 per foot.
• Social Events Program Year-round member events including themed parties, family events, intimate dinners, wine tastings, and cultural experiences.
• Regattas and Racing Organized sailing regattas and racing competitions, including the historic Midwinter Regatta, hosted for members.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Over 1,000 Reciprocal Yacht Clubs (International)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCYC maintains reciprocal privileges with over 1,000 private and yacht club partners internationally including clubs in Argentina, Australia, Austria, and many other countries. Reciprocal guests receive access to marina facilities, dining, and club amenities up to two seven-day periods per calendar year.
• Over 1,000 Reciprocal Yacht Clubs (U.S.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCYC has established reciprocal relationships with yacht clubs across all U.S. states, from Alabama to Wyoming, providing mutual access to facilities and services for members of partner clubs.
• Howland Landing (Catalina Island)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive access to Howland Landing on Catalina Island provides CYC members with a rare and peaceful island retreat, differentiating the club from competitors without island access.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• St. Francis Yacht Club: Large private yacht club on San Francisco Bay with marina, dining, and premier sailing programs. Comparable to CYC in scope of amenities, premium membership model, and racing heritage.
• Del Rey Yacht Club: Adjacent private yacht club also located in Marina del Rey, with marina, dining, and sailing programs. Closest geographic peer to CYC and shares the same harbor and market dynamics.
• Newport Beach Yacht Club: Long-established private yacht club in Newport Beach with marina, dining, and competitive sailing. Comparable to CYC in scale, member profile, and SoCal market positioning.
• Long Beach Yacht Club: Private yacht club in Long Beach with marina, dining, and ocean racing programs. Comparable in scale, member profile, and SoCal market positioning to CYC.
• Balboa Yacht Club: Private yacht club in Corona del Mar/Newport Beach with a marina, harbor-front clubhouse, dining, and active sailing and racing programs. Highly comparable to CYC as a Southern California private yacht club of similar heritage and amenity mix.
• King Harbor Yacht Club: Private yacht club in King Harbor (Redondo Beach) with marina, dining, and active sailing and racing calendar. Comparable Southern California private club with similar membership structure and amenities.
• Coronado Yacht Club: Private yacht club in Coronado (San Diego Bay) with marina, clubhouse, dining, and diverse sailing and rowing programs. Highly comparable SoCal private yacht club offering similar on-water and social amenity mix.
• San Diego Yacht Club: Iconic Southern California private yacht club on Point Loma with deep America's Cup heritage, marina, dining, and large reciprocal network. Directly comparable in scale, prestige, and yacht-club business model.

Broad incumbents

• Yacht Club de Monaco: Iconic international yacht club with marina, dining, and prestige brand. Broader incumbent in the global yacht-club category that competes for high-net-worth members and influences industry standards, though it operates in a different geography.

Emerging players

• Boatsetter: Peer-to-peer boat rental platform offering on-demand access to vessels across the U.S. Represents a partial substitute for traditional yacht club membership, especially for younger or casual boaters, and a competitive threat to the dues-based model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/officialcyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/calyachtclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-yacht-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Yacht Club