Eagle Creek Sailing Club
Membership Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join the Eagle Creek Sailing Club?
Complete and submit the Membership Application directly to the Membership Chairperson along with a check payable to “Eagle Creek Sailing Club” for the amount of fees due. For most folks there is an Initiation Fee and Annual Dues.
What are the classes of membership?
There are several classes of membership including, but not necessarily limited to, [a] family, [b] regular, [c] lake associate, [d] social, [e] honorary [f] inactive. The Board of Directors from time to time will determine any and all classes of membership. Any person may become a member of the Eagle Creek Sailing Club ("Club") in the manner provided in the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws, and each class shall have the rights, privileges, duties, liabilities, limitations and restrictions which are therein and herein provided. Each and every individual who owns all or a portion of a boat which is stored, has an assigned wet slip, or otherwise regularly involved in activities on Club property or events shall be either a regular or family member of the Club. “Active members” are members with full voice in Club affairs and may vote and hold office; “Associate or Affiliated members” are persons with Club facility privileges but do not have a voice in Club affairs and may not vote or hold office.
Family Membership - Married persons who submit an application and who pay the initiation fee, membership dues and assessments may become family members. Each spouse shall be entitled to a voice in the Club's affairs, to hold office in the Club and to vote with the general membership at the annual meeting and other such meetings where the general membership is convened. The family members shall be listed in the name designated in the application and only one membership number shall be assigned.
Regular Membership - Unmarried persons, and married persons who desire this class of membership, who submit an application and who pay the initiation fee, membership dues and assessments may become a regular member. Regular members are entitled to a voice in the Club's affairs, to hold office in the Club, and to vote with the general membership at the annual meeting and other such meetings where the general membership is convened
Lake Associate - Any sailboat owner, who is a lake property owner in fee simple, with private dock access to the reservoir who wishes Club membership, may apply for Lake Associate membership. Applicants shall pay the initiation fee, annual dues and assessments as established for the class. Lake Associate members shall not be entitled to store boats on the Club grounds and shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote. Full membership status will be conferred upon payment of the differences in the then current initiation fees, dues and assessments between lake associate and family or regular membership, at which time a membership number will be assigned.
Social Membership - An active member in good standing may become a social member by formally relinquishing Club boating and racing activities, and upon payment of annual dues established for this category. Social members shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote. Active membership may be regained at any time through application and payment of dues and assessments for the year in which the application is made.
Honorary Membership - Honorary member shall be elected for a specific period of time by unanimous vote of the Board. They shall be selected from among distinguished persons in the sport of sailing or in the community at large. Honorary members shall be exempt from paying initiation fees, dues and assessments. They shall not be eligible to hold office in the Club nor to vote in Club affairs. Honorary members may invite guests.
Inactive Membership - An active or associate member who retires in good standing automatically becomes an inactive member not subject to annual dues and not entitled to hold office, to vote, or to use the Club facilities except as a guest of the Club or an active member. Membership number will not be retained. Active or associate membership may be regained at any time without paying initiation fee, through application and payment of dues and assessments for the year in which the application is made.
Race Fellows - The Membership Chairperson and the Race Chairperson may, from time to time, permit non-member sailors of sailboats to pay an annual fee to participate in the Club's series racing program. Race Fellows shall not be members of the Club, shall have no vote, and shall have only such limited access to the Club facilities as is directly related to participation in series racing. The Club may refuse or terminate such race participation with or without cause. Race Fellows shall be eligible for Series Racing Awards and shall be invited to attend season end awards programs.
Can I defer payment of the initiation fee?
Deferred Initiation Fees.
(i) An individual under the age of 25 may become a Family or Regular Member upon payment of 25% of the initiation fee and 100% of the regular dues and applicable fees. In the year of that member’s 25th birthday an additional 25% of the initiation fee is due. In the year of that member’s 30th birthday the remaining 50% of the initiation fee is due.
(ii) An individual under the age of 30 may become a Family or Regular Member upon payment of 50% of the initiation fee and 100% of the regular dues and applicable fees. In the year of that member’s 30th birthday the remaining 50% of the initiation fee is due.
(iii) An individual 30 years old or older may become a Family or Regular Member upon payment of the initiation fee and the regular dues and applicable fees.
What is the term of membership?
Any person who pays annual membership dues shall be a member of the Club until March 1st, 12:01 AM prevailing local time, of the following calendar year from which the dues were paid.
I would like a wet slip. Can I move my boat into a wet slip when I join?
Eagle Creek Sailing Club has a limited number of wet slips. As of January 2004 there is a wait list for a wet slip. A process is in place allowing members to be placed on a wet slip waiting list once approved for membership. The Harbormaster maintains this list and wet slips are assigned on a first come first serve basis. There is little insight as to the length of wait.
How long is the wait for a wet slip?
It is impossible to provide anybody with the answer on how long they will have to wait for a wet slip after they join the Club. The wait is several years, not months.
Is there a temporary dock?
Yes, the good news is that the Club has a 48 hour dock with many slips that you may use.
What is the turnover of wet slips?
Each year there are members with slips who do not renew their membership, or are late on their annual dues payment. This usually opens up wet slips for new members. There are also members who have wet slips but elect not to use them. This provides new members with the opportunity to “sub-lease” a wet slip, allowing new members to keep their boats in the water sooner than waiting for a permanent slip assignment.
I have a friend who is a member of the Club; can I sub-lease their slip if they don’t use it?
No. Sub-leasing of slips is strictly prohibited, except as outline in the Club’s Bylaws. If a member leases a slip in any current calendar year but then determines that neither he nor she is unable to use the slip, then that member shall promptly notify the Club’s Harbor Master. The Harbor Master shall then promptly attempt to sub-lease the slip with another member from the Club’s official waiting list for either the remainder or the entire current sailing season. Furthermore, providing the slip can be sublet for part or all the season, the original lessee of said slip shall be reimbursed by the Club for the “unused” slip. The original lessee/member shall retain the right of first refusal for that particular slip for the next year’s sailing season. Furthermore, if two slip lessees by mutual agreement trade slips, then they are both required to notify the Harbor Master or Membership Chair so that the Club’s records can be updated to reflect the actual use of the slips
How many wet slips can I have?
One.
I would like a dry slip, is there a wait list?
There is no wait list for a dry slip.
I heard that if I have a wet slip and do not pay my annual dues on time that I may lose my wet slip. Is this true?
Yes, members with an assigned wet slip put at risk loosing their assigned wet slip if the Annual Membership Dues and Fees are not paid on time. They are then placed on the bottom of the wait list for a wet slip.
Can I keep my mast up while at a dry slip?
Yes.
Does the Club offer winter storage?
Yes, outdoor winter storage is available to the membership.
Does the Club have a hoist for my boat?
There is a hoist for small boats, but not keelboats. You must be instructed on how to use the small boat hoist before you may use it. There is a second hoist for raising and lowering the mast for the larger keelboats.
What is the limit for boat size?
There is a length limit of 26 feet on Eagle Creek.
I have a boat with a deep keel, is the ramp deep enough?
The Club’s launch ramp is frequently used by a variety of deep fin keel sailboats including Santana 20, J22, J24, Merit 25, Catalina 25/250, Capri 22 and Capri 26, for example. However, the Club has no control or advance notification of the water level of the Eagle Creek Reservoir that may impact use of the launch ramp.
Are pets allowed on the Club property?
No dogs or horses are allowed on the premise.
What programs does your Club have?
The Club has a regular racing program, socials throughout the summer, and a youth sailing program. Our monthly newsletter keeps the membership up to date on all of our Club’s programs.