Experience Buffalo Yacht Club

Buffalo Yacht Club

THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG

Greetings!

You have been personally recommended for membership at Buffalo Yacht Club.

The most successful private clubs are those built around the foundation of enduring relationships and social camaraderie between friends and associates. With that core philosophy in mind, we are embarking on a very specific initiative that allows our members to identify individuals whom they feel will properly embrace the culture and traditions of our club and to personally invite them to join. At Buffalo Yacht Club, we understand the importance of personal connections and a sense of community. For years we've provided a safe, secure, and welcoming environment that fosters lasting relationships and a strong social atmosphere. We believe this unique sense of belonging will resonate with you and your family, making Buffalo Yacht Club the perfect place to connect, unwind, and grow together. We offer our members, boaters and non-boaters alike, outstanding dining, social events, entertainment, swimming pools (Point Abino), kayak storage/launch, boat slips/berths and private waterfront access which makes for their own private retreat! Choosing to become part of our club family is a decision that will lead to a lifetime of cherished memories and enduring friendships. Our “Discover Buffalo Yacht Club” Preview Marketing Initiative allows you to experience our extraordinary club without the payment of an up-front initiation fee, with the obligation of committing to a Preview Membership Term for 12 consecutive months (applicable dues, dining/bar minimums and charges will apply). While you will have the opportunity to continue your membership beyond the Preview Term by paying the initiation fee payment in full, we want to give you compelling reasons to secure your membership earlier. If you secure your membership, within the first 60 days of the Preview Term, you may pay your initiation fee with a convenient payment plan and enjoy monthly statement credits to your club account based on the category of membership in which you are approved. Included within this communication, you will find all the information you will need to begin the process of joining our private club family. If you would like to accept this invitation, please complete and return the Application for Membership and Preview Relationship Agreement to the club office. If you have any questions or if you would like to set up a private tour of our club facilities, please contact our General Manager, Christina Bennett, at (716) 883-5900 or cbennett@buffaloyachtclub.org. We look forward to welcoming you to our club family.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors Buffalo Yacht Club

1 Porter Avenue  Buffalo, NY 14201  (716) 883-5900

Welcome Aboard

Founded in 1860, the Buffalo Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in continuous operation in the United States. Past members include President Grover Cleveland, and our current clubhouse first opened its doors in 1893. Today, BYC continues to reflect the best of Buffalo - its harbor, its history, and its deep connection to Lake Erie. sits on Buffalo’s waterfront and is open year-round, offering a beautiful dining room and an outdoor upstairs patio overlooking Lake Erie. It is one of the most memorable places in Buffalo to gather with friends, enjoy dinner, and take in a spectacular sunset view. Our Point Abino Station, just across the border in Crystal Beach, Ontario, has been part of the Club’s summer life since 1902. The station offers a marina, pool, and Clubhouse for members, along with a large self-serving kitchen area, dining room, and outside porch seating. It is a relaxed summer retreat where members can enjoy the water, the view, and the friendships that make BYC feel like home. Belonging here means having two places to call home. Our Porter Avenue clubhouse

Social membership at BYC is far more than an introduction to the Club - it is a year-round way to enjoy waterfront dining, member events, family traditions, and the fellowship of a private club with a remarkable history. Social members can gather at the Buffalo clubhouse for dinner, speakers, celebrations, and sunset views over Lake Erie, and enjoy the summer atmosphere of Point Abino with its pool, Clubhouse, dining areas, porch seating, and marina setting. For those who love the lake, the view, and the friendships that come with Club life, social membership offers a meaningful place to belong. Year-Round Club Life

Your Place on the Water

Buffalo sits at one of the most distinctive cruising crossroads in North America. From our docks, members can head out to open Lake Erie, run up the Niagara River, or cross into Canadian waters in under an hour. Owning basins in two countries makes the Buffalo Yacht Club one of the few American clubs where international cruising is a regular part of membership. Our Foundation supports the only sailing program in Buffalo taught entirely by US Sailing certified instructors. The racing calendar runs from early summer through Labor Day, with weekly evening races, overnight regattas, and signature events like the Queen City / Mayor’s Cup and the Bette Blum Memorial Women’s Regatta. Whether you sail, cruise, race, or simply love being near the lake, BYC offers a meaningful connection to the water and to a community that understands why Lake Erie is such an important part of life in Buffalo. Social members are part of that same community, with access to the Club’s dining, social events, traditions, waterfront atmosphere, and many opportunities to meet members who share an appreciation for the lake and the Club’s heritage.

At our Porter Avenue clubhouse, dinner with a sunset over Lake Erie is one of the Club’s signature experiences. The Upper Deck offers dining with tablecloth service and a patio that captures the last light of the day, while the Lower Deck provides a casual nautical setting where members meet after work, after sailing, or simply to enjoy time together. BYC also welcomes a wide range of gatherings and celebrations. The Club hosts speakers, seasonal member events, Mother’s Day and Easter brunches, and can accommodate banquets, weddings, bridal and baby showers, business events, and other private functions. With its waterfront setting, dining room, and upstairs patio overlooking Lake Erie, the Buffalo clubhouse offers a beautiful backdrop for both everyday dining and special occasions. The Club With a Million Dollar View

Social Life At Its Best No Boat? No Problem

The Buffalo Yacht Club is built on camaraderie - a shared love of the lake, the view, and the traditions that bring members together. For social members, that means having a welcoming year-round place to meet friends, enjoy dinner, attend special events, bring family and guests, and become part of a Club community that is active beyond the boating season. Social members can participate in many of the moments that define BYC life, from speakers and holiday gatherings to Mother’s Day and Easter brunches, family celebrations, and private events. They also have the opportunity to experience the history, protocol, and traditions that have shaped BYC for generations, including the Annual Christmas Tree Raising, Board Installation Ceremony, Opening Ceremony and Commodore’s Breakfast, and the Annual Commodore’s Ball. These traditions give members a true sense of connection to the Club’s past, present, and future. For a member who may not own a boat, social membership still provides the full feeling of belonging to a waterfront club: the sunset views, the dining, the events, the friendships, the ceremonies, and the pride of being part of one of Buffalo’s most historic institutions.

“Discover Buffalo Yacht Club ” Preview Membership Initiative (through September 30, 2026)

Test Drive The Buffalo Yacht Club! Seldom does a consumer buy a car without test driving it for the weekend. We have come up with a similar concept with our “Discover Buffalo Yacht Club” Preview Membership Initiative! You are being offered the privilege of “Previewing” Buffalo Yacht Club for twelve consecutive months, without the payment of an up-front initiation fee. During your twelve-month Preview Relationship Term, the only responsibility you have will be the dues, bar/dining minimum and charges applicable to the category of membership in which they are approved.

If you decide to purchase your membership, within the first 60 days of their Preview Term, you will enjoy staged initiation fee payments and applicable monthly credits to their account.

Initiation Fee Schedule

Current Initiation Fee

Membership Classification

Active Member (ages 21 & above) Intermediate Member (ages 24-39)

$2,000 $1,000* $2,000

Social Member

* Intermediate Members, as they progress by age, shall not owe any additional initiation fees.

Legacy Program: Children and grandchildren of current members shall enjoy a 50% reduction off their applicable initiation fee.

Staged Payments If Purchased In First 60 Days of Preview Term: New Members purchasing their membership within the first 60 days of their Preview Term may pay their Preferred Initiation Fee with two installments:

1/2 due within 60 days of Preview Term 1/2 due on 1 st anniversary of joining

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Welcome To The Club As a way to welcome you into the Club, you have the opportunity to enjoy monthly credits to your Club account for 24 months. The monthly account credits may be utilized throughout the Club for all amenities and services, including reducing your Club dues obligation! Credits to New Members (Credits will begin upon the payment of the initiation fee by the new Member)

The new Member will receive a monthly credit for 24 months of:

If the new Member purchases their membership, within the first 60 days of their Preview Term, as a:

Active Member (ages 21 & above)

$50

Intermediate Member (ages 24-39)

$20

Social Member

$30

Additional Information You will be required to follow the normal procedures of joining Buffalo Yacht Club; i.e., submitting all required admission documents and approval by the Club.

All Good Things Must Come To An End On September 30, 2026, our “Discover Buffalo Yacht Club” Preview Membership Initiative and all associated benefits and opportunities will conclude.

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Membership Opportunities

Active & Intermediate

Active (Ages 21 & above) Initiation Fee: $2,000 Monthly Dues: $355 Enjoy a $50 Credit for 24 Months! Intermediate (Ages 24 to 39) Initiation Fee: $1,000 Monthly Dues: $145 Enjoy a $20 Credit for 24 Months! Active members enjoy priority berthing for their vessel at either facility and transient rights at the Buffalo Yacht Club basin where they don’t have a slip. Active and Intermediate Memberships provide full access to the Club’s facilities and amenities, including all land and water-based offerings, day visits, overnight docking, social events and activities at Buffalo and Point Abino.

Social

Initiation Fee: $2,000 Monthly Dues: $180 Enjoy a $30 Credit for 24 Months! Social membership is available to individuals who want to enjoy outstanding dining, social events, entertainment, and private waterfront access. They have full use and access of all land-based facilities and activities in Buffalo and Point Abino. Social members may use guest docks for daytime visits, lunch or dinner, or docking overnight at our basins on an as available basis.

All membership categories enjoy reciprocal privileges with numerous clubs around the world with a letter of introduction prior to visiting.

Initiation Fees and Monthly Dues do not include applicable taxes and fees.

Application for Membership THE WATER IS CALLING

Preview Relationship Agreement

Conditions of Preview Relationship:

I,

, hereby apply to Preview the following membership:

❑ Active Member (ages 21 & above) ❑ Intermediate Member (ages 24-39)

❑ Social Member

I understand there shall be no initial initiation fee due upon submission of my Application for Membership, in conjunction with my Preview Relationship Term. By electing to join in a provisional Preview Relationship, I agree to the following terms/conditions as they relate to joining Buffalo Yacht Club. 1. Commitment to Relationship for a Minimum Preview Term of 12 Months. I hereby obligate myself for the payment of all applicable monthly dues, bar/dining room minimums and all charges during my 12 month Preview Relationship Term. 2. Termination of Privileges or Membership Continuation at Conclusion of the 12-month Preview Relationship Term. After my 12-month Preview Relationship Term has concluded, all of my privileges hereunder shall terminate unless I elect to the following :

On or before the 60 th day of the Preview Relationship Term, I pay the current Initiation Fee for the applicable membership category as shown below:

Initiation Fee

Membership Classification Active Member (ages 21 & above) Intermediate Member (ages 24-39) Social Member

$2,000 $1,000* $2,000

* Intermediate Members, as they progress by age, shall not owe any additional initiation fees.

Legacy Program – Children and grandchildren of members in good standing will enjoy a 50% reduction off the desired Intermediate membership initiation fee.

Staged Payments if Purchased in First 60 Days: If I purchase my membership, within the first 60 days of my Preview Term, I may pay my Initiation Fee with two installments:

1/2 due within 60 days of Preview Term & 1/2 due on 1 st anniversary of joining

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Monthly Statement Credits: If I purchase my membership, within the first 60 days of my Preview Term, I shall also enjoy the following statement credits to my club account for 24 consecutive months:

Monthly Statement Credit

Membership Categories

$50

Active Member (ages 21 & above)

$20

Intermediate Member (ages 24-39)

$30

Social Member

3. Privileges and Limitations During Preview Relationship Term. During my Preview Relationship Term, I shall be entitled to the use of the Club facilities and involvement in all Club activities (excluding certain Club events as determined by Buffalo Yacht Club) and usage privileges in the category of membership in which I am approved. Additionally, I understand my Preview Relationship is not transferable or refundable. 4. Mutual Agreement . I have been invited to Preview the Club, but my acceptance as a new Member is dependent on both my interest in joining and the Club completing its customary membership approval process, to its satisfaction, including approval.

5 . Buffalo Yacht Club Constitution and Rules & Regulations. I agree to be bound by the Buffalo Yacht Club Constitution and Rules & Regulations as established and may be amended by the Club, from time to time.

6. Revocable Relationship. The Club has the absolute right and discretion to revoke my Preview Relationship at any time before the Preview Relationship Term (12 months) concludes. If the Club exercises its right, I remain obligated and promise to pay all applicable dues and all charges incurred through the date on which the Club exercises its right to revoke my membership.

7. Credit Card Authorization for Past Due Accounts Only . I agree to maintain a current credit card account on file with the Club at all times.

Applicant's Name _____________________________________________________________________ (Please print)

Signature

Date _____________

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Membership Type o Active (Ages 21+)

o Intermediate (Ages 24-39)

o Social

Applicant Information Name Title First

MI

Last

Nickname

Primary Address

Street

City

State

Zip Code

Alternate Address

Street

City

State

Zip Code

Primary Email Address

Date of Birth

Mobile Telephone Number

Home Telephone Number

Is it okay to publish your email in the roster? o Yes o No

Is it okay to publish your phone number(s) in the roster? o Yes o No

o Single

o Married

o Significant Other

o Widowed

Anniversary Date

Spouse / Significant Other Information Name Title First MI

Last

Nickname

Primary Email Address

Date of Birth

Mobile Telephone Number

Home Telephone Number

Is it okay to publish your email in the roster? o Yes o No

Is it okay to publish your phone number(s) in the roster? o Yes o No

Boat Information #1 Boat Name

Builder

o Sail o Power

LOA

Beam

Draft

I wish to apply for a slip at o Buffalo o Pt. Abino

Are you the sole owner? o Yes o No

Boat Information #2 Boat Name

Builder

o Sail o Power

LOA

Beam

Draft

I wish to apply for a slip at o Buffalo o Pt. Abino

Are you the sole owner? o Yes o No

Dependent Information Please list any unmarried children under 21.

Name

Age

Birthday

Gender o Male o Female

Name

Age

Birthday

Gender o Male o Female

Name

Age

Birthday

Gender o Male o Female

Name

Age

Birthday

Gender o Male o Female

Name

Age

Birthday

Gender o Male o Female

Clubs and Organizations Please list the names of other Clubs to which you belong or once belonged.

Club/Organization

Years of Service

o Current Member

Club/Organization

Years of Service

o Current Member

Committees Please choose the committees you would be interested in joining.

o House

o Pt. Abino

o Basin

o Membership

o Marketing

o Regatta

o Boating Education

o Entertainment

o Finance

o BYC Foundation

Club Communications In the interest of reducing postage costs, the Club prefers to use email as much as possible for our publication and notification mailings. However, upon request, a hard copy of each publication will be mailed to the primary member. Publications can be emailed to multiple addresses for the primary member and/or spouse. Please indicate your preferences below:

Monthly Billing Statement

Monthly Newsletter

Applicant

o Email o Primary Address

Applicant

o Email o Primary Address

Spouse

o Email o Primary Address

Spouse

o Email o Primary Address

Quarterly Binnacle

Applicant

o Email o Primary Address

Spouse

o Email o Primary Address

Sponsor Information Primary Sponsor

Relationship

Years Known

The Primary Sponsor will receive any applicable credits.

Secondary Sponsor

Relationship

Years Known

How did you hear about Buffalo Yacht Club

Authorization and Agreement If accepted, I (we) promise to be governed y the Constitution, By-Laws, and House Rules of the Club.

Signature of Applicant

Date

Signature of Spouse / Significant Other

Date

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Accepted

Date Interviewed

Membership Chairperson

President

www.BuffaloYachtClub.org (716) 883-5900 1 Porter Avenue Buffalo, New York 14201