By Tim Plaehn, Marinefuel.com
Morro Bay Yacht Club is located, weirdly enough, at Morro Bay, California. It is considered one of the most beautiful natural harbors along the California coast. The Morro Bay National Estuary is an important and popular natural wildlife refuge. The Bay is also home to many historic fishing and sailing vessels and is a popular whale watching location in during the season. Morro Bay is a historic fishing village located midway along the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Morro Bay Yacht club is a co-op organized club with the club’s work and activities planned by volunteer club members. The club prides itself on being small and unique with members “yachts” ranging from kayaks to ocean cruiser yachts. From their website:
“We are known throughout the world as the friendliest and most helpful yacht club on the west coast of the USA.”
The club has bay and ocean sailboat races at least twice a month. There are numerous other activities held such as fun float days, sailing lessons and work days (activities and maintenance are performed by volunteer members of the club). Happy Hour every is Friday evening from 6 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. and there is a Hamburger Night every Wednesday throughout the summer. Sounds like a fun group!
The Morro Bay Yacht Club was formed in 1956 and much of the work in the early years included organizing the Harbor District and planning and installing channel markers in the harbor as well as sailing. Much of the club’s work was done even before Morro Bay became a city. In 1960, the club obtained a houseboat that became the club’s clubhouse until it was destroyed by the tidal wave triggered by the 1964 Anchorage, Alaska earthquake. The club restarted in 1965 with the lease then purchase of a small house and adjacent lots along the Embarcadero. In 1979 the existing clubhouse was torn down and a new one built entirely by club members. In 1986 the club leased a boat storage yard for member use.
Applicants for membership must have at least two member sponsors who have known them for at least 6 months. Applicants are also asked to participate in four activities and meet as many members as possible before their application goes the board for consideration. Membership has a $750 initiation fee and $250 per year annual dues. Junior dues for those under the age of 21 are $50. Student memberships are available for full time college students up to age 25 who maintain a 3.0 grade point average at the same rate as Juniors.
The Morro Bay Yacht Club is located at 541 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, California 93422. The telephone is: (805) 772-3981. You can find a map to Morro Bay and the yacht club here. The yacht club website states that they welcome visitors and believe it is a good idea for visitors to get to know the club before applying for membership.
Sources: Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, Morro Bay Yacht Club