The Bass Haven Yacht Club is a members club. In 1996-1997, the member's of the club purchased the land the club now resides on. There are no employees of the club. Every member is responsible for himself or herself. An eleven member Board of Governors manages the club. The Board of Governors is elected at an annual meeting held in October.

The club has a boat ramp and rail car. Hauling equipment is available to move your boat. Members are responsible for hauling, launching and maintaining their own boats. Help, inside or outside the club, may be hired; however, the member is responsible for anyone they bring into the club.

If a member is to keep his boat in the Bass River at a mooring, he must talk to the mooring area director. A mooring permit must be obtained from the Beverly Harbormaster, but a club member has been appointed to manage the mooring area. It is the director's responsibility to assign moorings in the river.

Tender spaces and lockers are available on as space available basis. Currently there is a waiting list for both; however, there are club tenders available for members' use.

The club is limited by two factors. One is the Hall-Whittaker Bridge. At high tide, the clearance is three (3) feet. At low tide, the clearance is 10 feet. The State of Massachusetts requires 24 hours notice to open this bridge for boaters.

The second factor is water depth. At high tide there is adequate water in the Bass River Basin. At low tide, the basin has little to no water. Many of the boats in the basin sit on the soft silt bottom at low tide. An individual decision, by each member, must be made as to whether the boat sitting on the bottom would cause any damage.

Currently there is a waiting list to join the BHYC. To apply for membership, a person should obtain an application from the club, or down load one from this website. Fill out the application and obtain the signatures of three sponsors. A sponsor is a Regular or Lifetime member of the BHYC in good standing. Send the application and the $500.00 initiation fee to the BHYC. When an opening in the club occurs, you will be notified and asked to attend the Board of Governors' meetings. BOG meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. The club reserves the right to inspect boats before allowing them on club property; so it may be to your benefit to bring a picture of your boat to the monthly meeting. During the meeting a review of potential members will occur. Once notified of your tentative acceptance, you will have 30 days to make payment for all fees due to the club. Once tentatively accepted and fees paid, you will become a member. It is required that all fees are paid prior to acceptance as a member of the Bass Haven Yacht Club. Prospective members need to attend the Board of Governors meeting in person with their sponsor #1. Applications without three sponsor's signatures will be returned to the applicant. Applicants attending a BOG meeting without sponsor one of their three sponsors will not be accepted as a member. If after sending the club your $500.00 initiation fee, If you change your mind about becoming a member. The initiation fee will be returned in full.

Initiation Fee: $500.00 one time fee

Regular Dues $115.00 yearly

Associate Member Dues $ 57.50 yearly

Storage Fees (Sep1-Jul14) $ .90/sq. Ft (Longest x Widest x .90) *

Storage Fees (Jul15 - Aug31) $ .45/sq. Ft (Longest x Widest x .45) *

Work Assessment $200.00

Locker $ 10.00 yearly *

Personal Tender $30.00 yearly *

* currently a waiting list

There will be a late charge of $25.00 per month for any unpaid bills as of October 1st.

Once a person is accepted as a member into the club, they will receive access to the premises, a copy of the by-laws & rules and a club burgee for their boat.

Members and their guests are invited to enjoy the benefits of the club. The club has a complete kitchen, barbecue, ice machine, vending machine and picnic area.

Several times throughout the year, functions are held at the club; (i.e. Chowder Party, Lobster Party, cookouts and breakfasts). Schedules are mailed once a year and are posted at the club. Tickets for most functions must be purchased in advanced.

Members in good standing are also authorized to use any of the club's equipment. Tractors, cranes, jacks, hauling gear, tool room and others are all available for members' use. Club equipment is not allowed off club property.

Once a member, you are expected to contribute 5 hours a year to the club. If you work off your 5 hours, your account will be credited $200.00 towards next years work assessment fee. If you have a particular expertise (plumbing, carpentry, electrical, etc.) you can contact the head of that committee directly to see if there is a need for additional people on that committee. Otherwise, you should contact the chairman of committees (Vice Commodore) to be assigned to a committee.

There is a railcar sign-up board in the clubhouse for the posting of your name and boat. Whenever launching or hauling your boat, the posting board should be checked and filled out. This allows members to reserve the rail car for a specific time and date. The board is for use of the rail car only. Multiple boats can be launched or hauled on a single tide, therefore, when scheduling to launch or haul your boat, consideration should be given to sharing the tides. Use of the boat ramp is first come - first serve.

While a dumpster is provided for member's, it should be used for its intended purpose. It is not permissible to bring trash from home for disposal. Since it is not permissible to put tires, oil, batteries, gas or other hazardous wastes in the dumpster, it is each member's responsibility to dispose of their own.