How much does it cost to join a yacht club in San Diego, and are there cheaper ways to sail?
Mission Bay Yacht Club posts 2026 rates: $5,000 to join plus about $181 a month. San Diego Yacht Club doesn't publish its fees. For far less, Mission Bay Aquatic Center's sailing membership is $75 a month after a checkout lesson.
- MBYC to join
- $5,000
- MBYC first year
- ~$7,570
- MBAC membership
- $75/mo
- Boat & Ski Club
- $450 + $80/mo
Plus ~$181/month
Incl. $400 food minimum
4-month minimum
Mission Bay
The short version
- Mission Bay Yacht Club: $5,000 initiation, $161.04 dues + $20 assessment a month, $400 yearly food minimum
- MBYC Junior Flag (ages 18–30): 30% of the initiation (about $1,500), $80.52 + $10 a month; military members pay no initiation for 36 months
- San Diego Yacht Club doesn't post prices; its latest Form 990 shows $616,694 in initiation fees and contributions
- Southwestern Yacht Club (780 members) needs two sponsors; Coronado Yacht Club flag membership needs five
- Mission Bay Aquatic Center rents sailboats from $45 for 2.5 hours; its sailing membership is $75 a month
San Diego yacht clubs range from published, modest fees to private clubs that only discuss price with applicants. If you just want to sail, you don't need a club at all. We read each club's membership page and the latest public tax filings on November 5, 2026.
How much do San Diego yacht clubs cost?
Clubs and what they publish
| Club | Where | To join | Monthly | Getting in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Yacht Club | 1011 Anchorage Ln., Shelter Island | Not published | Not published | Request application info from the membership director, (619) 758-6303 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | 2702 Qualtrough St., Point Loma | Not published | Not published | Two sponsors; 780 members, about 60% sail |
| Coronado Yacht Club | 1631 Strand Way, Coronado | Not published | Not published | Flag: five member sponsors; social: one sponsor, max 2 years |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | Mission Bay | $5,000 (Junior Flag ~$1,500; Military Flag $0) | $181.04 incl. assessment (Junior $90.52) | Application posted for members, then board vote |
| SD Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club | 2606 N. Mission Bay Dr. | $450 | $80 (+$150 with boat storage) | Nonprofit; $90 quarterly assessment waived if you spend it at the club |
San Diego Yacht Club
- Where
- 1011 Anchorage Ln., Shelter Island
- To join
- Not published
- Monthly
- Not published
- Getting in
- Request application info from the membership director, (619) 758-6303
Southwestern Yacht Club
- Where
- 2702 Qualtrough St., Point Loma
- To join
- Not published
- Monthly
- Not published
- Getting in
- Two sponsors; 780 members, about 60% sail
Coronado Yacht Club
- Where
- 1631 Strand Way, Coronado
- To join
- Not published
- Monthly
- Not published
- Getting in
- Flag: five member sponsors; social: one sponsor, max 2 years
Mission Bay Yacht Club
- Where
- Mission Bay
- To join
- $5,000 (Junior Flag ~$1,500; Military Flag $0)
- Monthly
- $181.04 incl. assessment (Junior $90.52)
- Getting in
- Application posted for members, then board vote
SD Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club
- Where
- 2606 N. Mission Bay Dr.
- To join
- $450
- Monthly
- $80 (+$150 with boat storage)
- Getting in
- Nonprofit; $90 quarterly assessment waived if you spend it at the club
Club websites and Southern California Yachting Association profiles, checked Nov 5, 2026. Fees change; confirm with the club.
What about San Diego Yacht Club? The America's Cup club on Shelter Island doesn't publish fees, and you start by requesting application information. Its most recent public filing (fiscal year ending October 2024) shows $9.19 million in total revenue and $616,694 in combined initiation fees and contributions, which hints at the scale but not a per-member price.
What's the cheapest way to go sailing in San Diego?
Mission Bay Aquatic Center (SDSU/UCSD), open to the public
| Option | Price | Student price |
|---|---|---|
| Sabot or Laser, 2.5 hrs | $45 | $32 |
| RS Quest, 2.5 hrs | $60 | $35 |
| Hobie Getaway catamaran, 2.5 hrs | $60 | $38 |
| Sailing membership | $75/month, 4-month minimum | $42/month |
Sabot or Laser, 2.5 hrs
- Price
- $45
- Student price
- $32
RS Quest, 2.5 hrs
- Price
- $60
- Student price
- $35
Hobie Getaway catamaran, 2.5 hrs
- Price
- $60
- Student price
- $38
Sailing membership
- Price
- $75/month, 4-month minimum
- Student price
- $42/month
Source: MBAC sailboat rentals page, checked Nov 5, 2026
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 5, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryMembership
Mission Bay Yacht Club · 2026 rates, checked November 5, 2026
Initiation, dues, assessments, junior and military categories, food minimum
- PrimaryJoin the Club
San Diego Yacht Club · Checked November 5, 2026
No fees published; application request; address and phone
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · FY ending Oct 2024, filed Aug 28, 2025
$9,191,749 revenue; $616,694 initiation fees and contributions
- BackgroundSouthwestern Yacht Club profile
Southern California Yachting Association · Checked November 5, 2026
Address, 780 members, two sponsors
- BackgroundCoronado Yacht Club profile
Southern California Yachting Association · Checked November 5, 2026
Address, sponsor requirements
- PrimaryFees & Dues
San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club · Checked November 5, 2026
$450 initiation, $80/month, storage, assessment
- PrimarySailboat Rentals
Mission Bay Aquatic Center · Checked November 5, 2026
Rental prices, membership, checkout rules