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Sail into Luxury at South Shore Yacht Club 19 min read

February 3, 2023

The South Shore Yacht Club is a private sailing and social club located on the south shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . Founded in 1913, it is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the Midwest. The club offers a variety of sailing programs and events, as well as a clubhouse with dining and social facilities. Membership is by invitation and is subject to approval by the club’s board of directors.

Table of Contents

History of the South Shore Yacht Club

South Shore Yacht Club had a very modest beginning in 1913, when a group of men decided to form a club that would channel their interest in sailing into one cohesive effort. Many of those men lived close to the lake, all of them lived in Bay View.

There were several important years since then – milestones in the growth of the Club:

The past 100 years have seen good times and bad times, in fact, during the Depression, some of the members found it difficult to afford the $5.00 annual dues!

But the Club persevered and grew into one of the largest on Lake Michigan, through hard work and the dedication of it’s members. The present Clubhouse was completely built by the members. That same dedication persists today.

So, from a very humble beginning in 1913, SOUTH SHORE YACHT CLUB has grown to a Club that is the envy of many other Clubs on the Great Lakes.

South Shore Yacht Club Membership

South Shore Yacht Club’s statement about membership is as follows:

Become a full member at one of the coolest places in Milwaukee! We make fun affordable. Our members enjoy low cost slips and affordable dues. We require a $100 nonrefundable application fee, which is credited to your account at the time of your formal induction as a new member.

Sign up here for free to be a special guest of South Shore Yacht Club for a month. This program allows you to test drive the member experience completely without risk.

How Does It Work?

You put down a $100 refundable application fee. We give you a temporary club ID.

For a month you can use the restaurant and bar, the grounds, the docks and all of our facilities . Paying as you go via cash or credit card, you have complete run of the place, just as if you were a dues-paying member.

We keep track of your total food, beverage and entertainment purchases. Up to $400 can be applied toward your initiation fee, if you go on to join the club. Plus you can apply your $100 application fee. We’ll hold this option open for you for 30 days after your trial period lapses.

If you decide not to join, simply walk away without any obligation. We refund your application fee and wish you well.

Experience the club as much as you want. Bring down family and friends. But, you can TRY SSYC only once. And, eligibility is restricted to people who have never before belonged to the club. Also, please see “exclusions” in our online signup form below.

For boaters, or people who want to get into boating, this is a great way to sample the boating life, SSYC style. But you need not be a boater or have any dream to own a boat . We have plenty of social members who just love the location and the people. In all of Milwaukee it’s one of the coolest places to be, in the heart of the city’s most happening neighborhood.

Click here to submit an Application

Have a Question About Joining?

SSYC Corresponding Secretary Tony Hetchler chairs our Membership Committee and is in charge of recruitment. He wants to hear from folks who are interested in joining the club. Tony and his committee are also here to help new members who recently have joined.

Contact Tony Hetchler

South Shore Yacht Club the Member Experience

A membership experience at the South Shore Yacht Club is described as follows:

What’s it Like to be a Member?

It’s different for everyone. You can carve out your own experience and pick your context. But we believe one thing is true across the board. Among private clubs in metropolitan Milwaukee, South Shore Yacht Club gives you a great experience at a reasonable price..

We sometimes chuckle among ourselves about being called the “Cheers” of yacht clubs. But there’s a grain of truth. We absolutely are the place you can go where everybody knows your name.

We’re also sometimes called “the people’s yacht club.” And again, the label sort of fits. Our founders wanted to make yachting attainable for a broad spectrum of society; and their dream lives on. At SSYC, steamfitters and surgeons are buddies. The CFO has a beer with the welder. No one here puts on airs. When we say everybody is welcome, we mean it. It’s the heart and soul of who we are.

So if you want something more “exclusive,” you wouldn’t be happy here. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a friendly, embracing refuge, you’ve found a new home and a new family.

Other Ways We’re Different

• This club was hand built by a tribe of hardy, determined and resourceful do-it-yourselfers. Our current tribe is pretty much that way too. No one will ever require you to join a seasonal work party. But you might want to when you see how many other fellow members are chipping in.

• Boaters around here also tend to be unusually self reliant, doing their own repairs and maintenance. You can’t help but soak up knowledge just hanging out. Our membership includes some of the area’s top marine professionals, from boatyard owners to master repair technicians.

• Our members use the club heavily – not just in the warm months. There are well-attended parties and food & beverage specials throughout the entire year. During football season, for example, every Sunday, we throw the most fun Packer party in town. For the Big Game, whatever it may be, we morph into Milwaukee’s ultimate sports bar.

• Social members are part of the gang. That they don’t own boats doesn’t matter. You can be a social member at South Shore Yacht Club and never, ever feel left out.

Watch a Video About South Shore Yacht Club:

South shore yacht club benefits.

Prime slip locations available
Members-only access to our spectacular venue for private events with stellar staff
Host to many regional and national regattas
Junior and adult sailing lessons
Camaraderie with sailors, powerboats, and non-boaters, with year-round events, socializing, and entertainment

South Shore Yacht Club Events

The restaurant is open every Friday for dinner.

The Entertainment Committee hosts various parties, including:

Kentucky Derby
Review of the Fleet
Oktoberfest
New Year’s Eve
The Queen’s Cup® Race
Sail Fleets
Power Fleet

and many other, less formal, events throughout the year.

South Shore Yacht Club Sailing

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Here’s what the South Shore Yacht Club has to say about Sailing:

Get Active in Sailing

Our sail race committee runs a complete summer-long series of events at all levels of competitive sailing. From small-boat one-design, to beer can racing, to full-on grand prix events. Whatever your level, you’ll find a fleet to fit.

For general information contact Race Committee Chair Cheryl Kelly, [email protected] , (414) 807-6468. For fleet-specific information contact your fleet captain.

SS/SSS (South Shore Social Sailing Series ) heads out for a quick spin around the buoys every Wednesday night, followed by a great party with free beer and optional, value-priced buffet dinner.

It’s a fun and crazy mix of casual cruisers and hard-core racers. The race committee adjusts individual handicaps after every race, giving a knock to the winners and a boost to the losers, “so all can win.” There are three spinnaker divisions and two, growing jib-and-main divisions.

Often you’ll find 60 or 70 boats on the starting line. To come out and race you don’t need a PHRF certificate. Contact Fleet Captain Barbara Drake, [email protected] , (414) 276-4051.

MBOS/PHRF is the weekend crowd of racers who take the sport very seriously and compete intensely. Milwaukee Yacht Club and South Shore Yacht Club partner up for race management. These regattas are run crisply and professionally at a championship level. And yet it’s not all about intensity. A great party follows every great event. Contact Fleet Captain John Sutphen, [email protected] .

SASS Fleet: (formerly MBSAS) If you need to cut the lawn or take the kids to soccer on Saturday, but would still like to get a good sailboat race in later that day, this is the fleet for you.

Born from the successful SS-SSS Wednesday night race format, the Saturday Afternoon Sailing Series (SASS) is our newest fleet. It features a one race per day format in a limited season schedule of only five races. Each race will be held in the mid afternoon and sailed on the same “fixed” course no matter which way the wind blows.

The goal is for each race to last no longer than two hours, so you know you can be on and off the water quickly after a nice afternoon of competitive sailing.

MBSAS fleet members can also enter the PHRF fleet distance races for an additional charge. Afterwards the fleet is welcome to join the traditional PHRF fleet after-race parties when available. Contact Mark Wolbrink, [email protected] , for additional information.

The Lightning Fleet, racing on Tuesday nights, is our newest addition. Or, shall we say, the newest iteration of a fleet that’s been around for decades.

This 19-foot trailerable centerboard sloop was designed by Sparkman & Stephens as an affordable family day-sailor and racing boat.

She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. Awarded ISAF International Class status, the Lightning is sailed in more than 13 countries and in the Pan American Games, and the class provides a professionally managed association that is among the largest in all of one-design sailing. Contact Fleet Captain Brandon Holton, [email protected] .

The MBWSO (Milwaukee Bay Women’s Sailing Organization) runs six Monday-night handicap events over the course of the summer. Three are on the north end of the bay and sponsored by Milwaukee Yacht Club. Three are on the south end of the bay and sponsored by South Shore Yacht Club. The sponsoring club hosts an after-race party. MBWSO promotes women in sailing and creates a spirit of good fellowship. Another core purpose: Help participants build their skills and their confidence level. Contact Fleet Captain Fran Aring, [email protected] , (414) 481-2600.

The Doublehanded Fleet runs a series a four fun races spread out over the summer and always on late Friday afternoons. Give yourself an excuse to start the weekend a couple hours early. Each race is a simple spin around the buoys followed by a party with buffet supper. Popular event, great group. Contact [email protected] for information or if you are interested in being the Fleet Captain for this fleet.

Radio Control The Dragon Force 65 is a remote control sailboat consisting of a main and a jib. It has simple controls that allow it to be sailed very easily and in many types of wind conditions. At less than $250 dollars and a few hours of build time, it’s the fastest growing remote control sailboat in North America. Even when the ‘big’ boats are put away, we run a fall and spring frostbiting series to extend the racing season even further. Races typically take place in the horseshoe, north, or south derricks. Come join the newest fleet at South Shore Yacht Club! Contact Jeff Bird, Fleet Captain: [email protected] or request to join our facebook goup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/radiosailingmke/

Race Committee. Not a sailor or racer and want to be on the water and help out? We always need and welcome additional volunteers to join our Race Committee. The race committee team will help coordinate our racing calendar, work on our race boats and manage the individual race execution and scoring. If you are interested in helping in this capacity, please email [email protected] .

South Shore Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program

Membership is open to the youth of the entire metro Milwaukee community. Parents do not have to be members of South Shore Yacht Club.

All youths ages 8 to 18 are eligible. The cost is $50 per year. Eight weeks of sail lessons are available for an additional cost. Please note that continuing students have first call on class openings. For more information, please contact Junior Advisor Tom (TK) Kingston at: [email protected] . The club office also can help with general questions, (414) 481-2331.

Learn more about Junior Sailing.

South Shore Yacht Club Dining Menu

South Shore Yacht Club Facilities

Here is the information South Shore Yacht Club shared about the facilities:

Marina Services

• The club has 230 slips available, with vacancies filled by seniority.

• The tender operates 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Hours may change for special events and always after Labor Day. Restricted to members who have purchased a pass.

• Dinghy storage is available on racks at the north edge of the parking lot.

• Drysail storage is available to all members who own boats small enough to be launched from one of the small derricks. Space is assigned by availability, boat type and seniority. If space is tight, recognized sailing fleets get priority.

• Our two small derricks each has a 3,000 lb capacity. For use by members who have drysail contracts or have paid large-derrick fees as part of winter storage.

• At the fuel dock, gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oil and holding tank pumpout are available. Hours coincide with tender service.

• Members may tie up for free at any face dock for two hours. Any longer, you must register with the dockmaster and tie up at an assigned location. Overnight docking at any time is subject to fee, waivable at the dockmaster’s discretion.

• Before Memorial Day, members can use transient slips for free, but only with permission of the slip licensee and provision of a certificate of insurance.

• After Memorial Day, rent is charged for use of transient slips and must be arranged with the dockmaster or club manager.

• Winter storage for boats and spars is allocated by seniority. The large derrick handles up to 15 tons and boats up to 55 feet. Lift privileges are not limited to haul-in and haul-out.

• The club-owned lot on the west side of the county parking lot may be used by any member for storing a skid or trailer after launch or before haulout for not more than three days without fee.

Winter Storage and Derrick Operations

We are able to store approximately 80 member boats on our grounds in the winter. Our main derrick can lift boats up to 15 tons.

Derrick operations are not “full service”. That is, the club provides one or two skilled operators and the member is expected to provide the rest of the labor to haul out, launch and move boats within our property.

Fee Schedule

Dockage & derrick fees, south shore yacht club staff, south shore yacht club phone number.

(414) 481-2331

South Shore Yacht Club Adress

2300 E. Nock St. Milwaukee, WI 53207

South Shore Yacht Club Reviews

Some reviews for South Shore Yacht Club on Google :

Enjoyed a lovely fish fry with friends who are members & invited us to the club. Lovely views of the lake and enjoyed a rainbow and sunset.

Off season was empty and quiet. Just a nice place to sit and contemplate.

Had the Jaegerschnitzel w/spatzle and asparagus and it was wonderbar, I have not met the new chef but I am very happy with what my husband and I had. Oh, escargot to start the evening.

Good spot. Should have more guest boat parking (a dock or two) to bring in people who own own boats. Nice to see there rentals for boats on site for getting people on water from a nice venue too.

It was this or Mckinley and SSYC wins hands down. Comparative cost for a slip BUT you get a club/bar/restaurant, a dock master that is very knowledgeable, safer docks, and many new friends. Beats the heck out of McKinley Marina. Also has the feel of a boatyard as you walk about. Out of 100 people maybe 2 are “stuffy”. The rest are good fun people.

South Shore Yacht Club FAQs

When was south shore yacht club founded.

South Shore Yacht Club was founded on 1913.

How to become a member of South Shore Yacht Club?

A payment of $100 is required to become a member. After payment, you can visit the club for 1 month and use its facilities like a regular member. At the end of 1 month, if you do not want to become a member, your money will be refunded, but you will not have the chance to reapply and experience it in the same way.

Do I need an invitation to become a member of South Shore Yacht Club?

No invitation is required. You can start your membership process by filling out the membership application form.

What are the benefits of South Shore Yacht Club?

Prime slip locations available. Members-only access to our spectacular venue for private events with stellar staff. Host to many regional and national regattas. Junior and adult sailing lessons. Camaraderie with sailors, powerboats, and non-boaters, with year-round events, socializing, and entertainment

What are the events at South Shore Yacht Club?

Jazz Night, Mardi Gras, Kentucky Derby, Review of the Fleet, Corn Roast Oktoberfest, New Year’s Eve, The Queen’s Cup® Race, Sail Fleets, Power Fleet.

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Southern Shore Yacht Club

“ SSYC Club House ” – Jackson Park Inner Harbor

We sponsor many great events

Fish Fries, Steak Fries, Octoberfest, Festive Events, and much more for 2022

Cape cod club house

Enjoy the modern amenities, club house bar, full kitchen and YES, you can rent it!

Members Only
How to Join

For all ages and abilities

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