Club Rules

Manhattan Sailing Club is the d.b.a. of Manhattan Yacht Club, Inc., a NYS corporation.  The club has set forth the following rules to govern the conduct of its members.

Additional Rules:

The name of the club shall be "Manhattan Sailing Club".

2. Burgee

The burgee of the club shall be a triangular pennant with a white field, a red border around all three sides and a blue star pointing up in the center of the field.

3. Objects

The objects of the club shall be to provide facilities for members to sail, to organize sailing and social events for members, to increase awareness in New York Harbor as a sailing location, to serve as the ambassador of New York City in national and international sailing events, and to satisfy such other needs of club members as may from time to time be defined.

4. Flag Officers

The Flag Officers of the club shall be a Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore. The Commodore shall serve as the head of the club, shall provide leadership and inspiration, shall preside at all meetings of club members, and shall enforce all rules and regulations of the club. The Vice Commodore shall assist the Commodore in the discharge of the Commodore's duties, and in the Commodore's absence, shall act in the Commodore's stead. The Rear Commodore shall assist the Vice Commodore in the discharge of the Vice Commodore's duties, and in the Vice Commodore's absence, shall act in the Vice Commodore's stead.

5. Other Officers

Other officers of the club shall be the Fleet Captain, the Sergeant-at-Arms and others as may from time to time be designated by the Commodore. The Fleet Captain shall preside over the Fleet Captain Program. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for the club cannon.

6. Committees

There shall be the following committees and such other committees as may from time to time be established by the Commodore. Unless otherwise specified, members of all committees shall be appointed by the chair of each committee subject to the approval of the Commodore.

Boat Safety Committee. The Boat Safety Committee is charged with evaluating boat safety and making suggestions with regards to equipment and maintenance. This committee shall submit recommendations to the Commodore at the end of every season or more frequently as the committee deems appropriate.

Skipper Privileges Committee. The Skipper Privileges Committee is charged with evaluating the process of acquiring Skipper Privileges and setting programs to educate skippers, prospective skippers and all members.

Procedural Committee. The Procedural Committee is charged with creating a series of procedures with regards to sailing on club boats, including when boats should go sailing and what procedures should be followed in unusual cases such as boats subjected to severe weather, out past dusk, etc.

Nomination Committee. The Nomination Committee consists of the Commodore and all past Commodores. The Nomination Committee will nominate the Flag Officers of the club to be voted upon at the Annual Dinner.

7. Membership Categories

There are two categories of membership: "Regular" and "Skipper." A Regular Member is a person who has been approved by the Membership Committee. Regular membership is a crewing membership. A Skipper Member is a person who has been granted Skipper Privileges. Skipper membership allows a person to reserve and skipper a club J/24. The spouse of a member and a member's children who are under the age of twenty-one are automatically considered members with all privileges except casting a vote at the Annual Dinner and skippering.

8. Initiation Fee & Dues

The initiation fee and dues for Regular Membership and Skipper Membership are set each year and published in the club's informational brochure.  Members who join the club once the season is underway shall be billed in their first year a portion of the annual dues, pro-rated based on the sailing season from May through October.

9. Billing of Club Services

Club dues are billed in quarterly installments unless otherwise requested by a member. Quarterly installments for a season are posted in January, April, July and October. Each month, the club sends a statement to members with outstanding balances.

10. Payment of Club Services

All members who join the club after 2003 are required to leave a credit card number with the club for payment of dues and other charges.  This system in known as "Auto Bill Pay."  The club still sends an invoice to the member for review each month that charges accrue.  No more action steps are required by the member and dues are charged to the credit card on file.  Members who joined in 2003 and before are encouraged to join the Auto Bill Pay system but still may pay by check.  If any dues or charges are not paid after 60 days, the member will be sent a letter.  If the dues are not paid within 90 days, that member's privileges will be suspended, their name posted on the club bulletin board and they must go on the Auto Bill Pay system.   Any member whose dues are not paid after 120 days will be removed from the club.

11. Fleet Operating Schedule

The Fleet will be available to members each year for a period designated by the Commodore, usually from mid-May through mid-October. In the event of inclement or dangerous weather, the Dock Master or his designee may restrict access to the fleet at any time during the season. During the season, the club fleet is operational every day from 9 a.m. until dusk.

12. Guest Privileges

Members may bring any number of guests to the club. The guest fees for day sailing and for racing will be set each year and published in the club's informational brochure. Guest fees are billed to the member’s account. Applicants for club membership who have not yet been accepted as members must pay guest fees.

13. Symbols

The Commodore is entitled to wear three gold stars and to display the Commodore's Flag whenever appropriate. The Vice Commodore is entitled to wear two gold stars and to display the Vice Commodore's Flag whenever appropriate. The Rear Commodore is entitled to wear one gold star and to display the Rear Commodore's Flag whenever appropriate. The Fleet Surgeon is entitled to display a gold cross. A Race Committee Chairman is entitled to display a gold anchor positioned horizontally. A Race Committee member is entitled to display a gold anchor positioned vertically. Past Officers are entitled to wear silver stars or other devices equal to their highest club office.

14. Yacht Registration

Any member is entitled to register his or her yacht under the club burgee. A yacht shall be considered any sailing or power vessel which conforms to yachting tradition. Only registered yachts shall be entitled to fly the club burgee. A member can register a yacht a the club office. The name, type and owner of all registered yachts shall be listed by size in the club directory.

15. Flying the Burgee

If your yacht is a sailing vessel, fly the burgee on a pig stick from the top of the foremost mast, or from a flag halyard on the foremost mast, or from the lowest starboard spreader. On a J/24, fly the burgee from the backstay or the starboard shroud, immediately below the spreader. If your yacht is a power vessel, fly the burgee from a bow staff. If a Member is sailing on a chartered boat, or a boat of another owner, the Member is permitted to display the club burgee.

16. Private Signals

Any member is entitled to register a Private Signal with the club. Private Signals may only include colors found in the club burgee. No Private Signal shall bear a resemblance to an existing Private Signal. The design of all Private Signals shall be approved by the club office. To register a Private Signal, contact the club office. Private signals should be flown only when the member is onboard. If possible, you should fly your signal from the masthead of a single-masted yacht, from the aftermost mast of a yacht with two or more masts and from the bow staff in place of the club burgee of a mastless yacht. If a member is sailing on a club J/24, the member should display his or her Private Signal from the backstay.

17. Annual Dinner

The Annual Dinner of the club shall be held each winter, at such place as the Commodore shall designate. Every second year, there shall be elected at the Annual Dinner by majority vote of all Members present a Commodore, a Vice Commodore and a Rear Commodore for terms to commence on the first day of January following the election and to continue for two years or thereafter until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

18. Nominations and Appointments

Prior to the Annual Dinner on election years, the Nomination Committee will state its nominations for Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore for terms as above provided. Nominations may also be made in writing signed by 30 or more members of the club and filed with the Nomination Committee at least three weeks prior to the Annual Dinner. After the Annual Dinner, the Commodore-Elect will appoint a Fleet Captain and Sergeant-at-Arms who will assume the duties of those offices immediately. Any vacancy in these offices may be filled by a similar appointment of the Commodore for the balance of the unexpired term.

19. Special Meetings

Special Meetings of the club may be called by the Commodore who shall notify all members of the place, time and purpose of such meeting.

20. Ceremonies

Commissioning Ceremony - The Commissioning Ceremony will be held at the start of every season.  The ceremony will be opened by the Commodore who will welcome and address the members. The Vice Commodore will then read a list of all yachts registered under the club burgee. The Rear Commodore will then introduce the Fleet Captain and Sergeant-at-Arms and call upon the Fleet Captain to raise the burgee of the club and the Sergeant-at-Arms to fire a cannon once the Burgee is raised. The Commodore will then declare the season begun.

Decommissioning Ceremony - The Decommissioning Ceremony will be held at the end of every season.   The ceremony will conclude with the Commodore calling on the Fleet Captain to lower the burgee of the club and the Sergeant-at-Arms to fire a cannon once the Burgee is lowered. The Commodore will then declare the season ended..

21. Conduct of Members

All members will uphold the high standards of American yachting tradition, both at the club and while outside the club, especially at events hosted by other yacht clubs. All members will conduct themselves with the highest regard to ethical, honest and respectful behavior that symbolizes membership in the club. All members will prescribe to a high moral standard while enjoying the facilities of the club and while representing the club at other events or in any way using the club name.

22. Improper Conduct

The Flag Officers and their designees will direct the attention of members and guests to violations of club rules. Any member or their guests who conduct themselves in an unbecoming manner or who break club rules will be denied service. Based upon the seriousness of the incident, the Flag Officers may impose membership suspension or membership cancellation.

23. Club Employees

No member or guest will interfere with the professional staff of the club. No employee of the club may be sent from the premises on a personal errand for any member or guest. No member or guest will reprimand or discipline any club employee. Any inattention to duty or lack or courtesy on the part of a club employee shall be reported immediately to the Flag Officers.

24. Exploitation of Club Facilities

Members will not use or allow others to use the club name, burgee, or membership list for any commercial purposes whatsoever.

25. Club Property

Members will not make any changes to club boats and facilities without prior approval from the Commodore. The cost of replacing any club property broken or damaged by a member or their guest will be charged to the member.

26. Club Mailing and Phone List

The club mailing and phone list is considered valuable property of the club and is not distributed to members.  Members wishing to receive contact information for a specific member may contact the club office for assistance.

27. Application for Membership

Any person may apply for membership in the club. The club does not discriminate on any basis, including race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious or political affiliation. Applicants must complete an application, return it to the club and be interviewed by the Membership Committee which will decide whether to elect them to membership.

28. Membership Resignation or Cancellation

Once a member has accepted membership in the club, they will remain a member until they resign or their membership is canceled.  All resignations should be presented in writing to the club and all outstanding dues must be paid.  If a member cancels, dues are not refunded.  For example if you decide to cancel your membership in March and January dues have been charged, you will not be reimbursed for January dues.  If you resign from the club, you are not eligible to reapply for membership for 12 months.  If after 12 months you decide to reapply, your application is processed the same way as a new member and you must meet the Membership Committee pay another initiation fee.  The Flag Officers have the power to suspend or cancel the membership of any member for any reason, including improper conduct. 

29. Comments and Suggestions

Any comments, suggestions or complaints about club facilities, service or staff should be made in writing to the Commodore.

30. Amendments