Welcome to Dorchester Yacht Club!
First and foremost, we are a not-for-profit, member run and owned organization. We welcome you and your family to be part of our boating community. We hope you will enjoy our facilities and being part of an organization committed to the safe enjoyment of boating and preserving the beauty of Boston Harbor.
In addition to the privileges of membership, we also have shared responsibilities. We maintain the affordability of our Club with member contributing to the maintenance and improvement of the physical facilities.
What you will find here is the “Cliff’s Notes” version of our complete list of Rules, Regulations and By-laws, prepared for you by the Membership Committee! The complete list of rules and regulations is available from the Membership Committee.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
ADDRESS
100 Playstead Rd in Dorchester. Access is through a labeled ramp through McConnell Park, before Savin Hill Beach.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
DYC is only a six minute walk from the Savin Hill MBTA Station. We are also only 23 minutes from Downtown Boston using the Redline.
PARKING
There is plenty of parking with spaces reserved for club membership. Be sure to park within the lines and pull in as closely as possible. The parking lot has 24 hour surveillance.
ACCESS TO DYC
Access to the facilities and docks is through the front gate that is locked at all times. As part of your membership, you will receive a gray key fob. Simply place the fob on the reader by the gate for entry. On request, with a small fee, an additional fob can be provided to a spouse.
As a member you have access to DYC facilities and your boat twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For security reasons that gate is kept closed and only members and their guests are allowed on the premises. The fob is for your use only and should not be shared with anyone else. Due to past abuse this is very strictly enforced.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Our General Membership Meetings occur four times a year. Dates of the meetings are posted on the DYC website under events. Meetings start promptly at 6:30 pm. While not mandatory, participation is very strongly recommended for new members as part of the orientation process. Membership meetings are not held in the winter months.
OUR FACILITIES
In the main building you will find our community galley, pool room, conference room, and restrooms. There is a large function room on the second floor.
Members’ and non-members’ children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a member who will be responsible for them.
The galley is available for use by the membership with the understanding that if you use it, you clean up after yourself. You will find pots, pans and glassware in the cabinets.
There is a Members Only unisex restroom with shower on the first floor right next to the conference room. There is both a women’s and men’s room on the second floor landing. There is an additional shower facility located and accessed on the Tender side of the building available for summer use. The restroom facilities are maintained by the Stewards, but we ask all members to treat the facilities as they would at home.
Outside the main building you will find the ice chest where bags of ice are available during the hours the Stewards are available. The current price is $2.00 per 5lb bag, but subject to change.
THE FUEL DOCK
The Fuel Dock is located between A dock and the Outboard Floats/slips. Fuel dock is open Monday thru Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm and Thursday through Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. Only mid-grade fuel is provided, and it is priced competitively. A complimentary Pump out Station is also available at the end of the Fuel Dock.
NEARBY BOAT RAMPS
Dorchester: 600 Morrisey Blvd (gravel ramp)
Quincy: 137 Bayview Ave
Weymouth: 92 Beach Rd
Winthrop: 649 Shirley Street
IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERNS
The safety of our members, their families and guests is a top priority. Some of the most important items:
All children under the age of 12 are required to wear life vests once they step upon DYC facilities.
We cannot permit gasoline or diesel fuel to be transported on the premises to individual boats. We do have a gas dock for the convenience of our members and transient boaters.
Due to fire hazard, we cannot permit the use of charcoal or wood for cooking on the docks, fingers or boats.
There is no smoking around the fuel station
We love our dogs, but all dogs must remain leashed while on DYC property. They do not need to be leashed when on your boat.
ABOUT THE DOCKS AND YOUR SLIP
We have two types of slips at DYC. The Outboard Float/slips are for boats up to 21’ in length. These slips are on the left/Port side of the fuel dock. The Inboard Float/slips are for boats between 22 and 42’ (A, B and C Docks). Members assigned to a slip are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the corresponding finger/ float. Failure to do so will result in the repairs being made and the cost shared between those who share the finger/float and DYC. If there is an issue with your particular slip, please notify the Inboard or Outboard Chair.
The assignment of Slips is done based on membership seniority. Each year slips that have become available are reassigned based on seniority. The Inboard and Outboard chairs will make every effort to help new members obtain temporary slips while awaiting their permanent assignments.
All boats are to be properly secured to the fingers and dock with a, minimum 3/8” spring lines used with 8” cleats secured by a 5/16” X 10” lug bolt or thru bolt.
Electrical Cords and freshwater hoses should be run from the pedestal located on the Dock in such a way that they do not create a trip hazard. Electrical cords must be no less than #12 gauge. No electrical lines are to be immersed in the water at any time. For safety reasons All docks and fingers must be kept clear of rubbish, barrels, furniture, lobster traps, dinghies.
Reasonably sized storage boxes are permitted on the dock as long as they are located behind your slip and do not obstruct safe passage.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
All members must have insurance on their boats before they can be put in a slip. Dorchester Yacht Club must be included as an Additionally Insured. The required minimum liability coverage is $300,000. The minimal environmental pollution/fuel spill is $500,000.
A copy of your Coverages Page must be provided to the Outboard or Inboard Chair before a slip can be assigned to you.
SOCIAL EVENTS
The Regatta Committee holds social events throughout the season. Upcoming events are posted on the DYC website. It is also common for informal events to pop up around the Tiki Bar. Please reach out to any member of the BOD if you would like to be involved with the Regatta Committee.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
WORK DETAILS
In order to keep DYC affordable, much of the routine maintenance and repair of the facilities is performed by the membership. New members under the age of 65 are expected to provide 30 hours of work time during their one-year probationary period. The Probationary Period begins on the date they are elected to membership and ends in 365 days. After year one, the work requirement is 8 hours per year. General membership work details typically occur at the beginning and the end of the season. A typical detail may entail light carpentry, replacement of dock boards, or painting/staining. Many club members are skilled tradesmen and are very willing to help those of us who may not be able to figure out the business side of a hammer or Phillips head screwdriver. While additional work hours are greatly appreciated, they do not carry over to the following season.
The work details are also a terrific way to meet other members in a productive and fun atmosphere. Lunch is typically provided for all those involved.
Scheduled work details are announced via e-mail and will be posted on the DYC website
THE SECURITY WATCH
From October thru Memorial Day, general members under the age of 65 are expected to stand Security Watch from 7 pm until 11 pm on a rotating basis. Assignments are done in alphabetical order unless otherwise requested. Security Watch shall be composed of two members.
Scheduled Security Watch details are posted on the club bulletin board and on the website. To learn more visit our website Watch Calendars — Dorchester Yacht Club
Please be aware that fines for missed work hours and watch details are very strictly enforced.
THE BEADES/MORRISSEY BLVD BRIDGE
The Beades Drawbridge is manned 24 hours a day from April 15th through October 15th. To have the bridge opened hail using Channel 13 on your VHF. Per club rules, the Bridge is not raised during rush hours 7 - 9:30 am and 4 - 6:30 pm on weekdays. For smaller boats, as a good practice, measure your own boat’s height from the waterline to assess the potential ability to safely passage underneath the bridge during rush hour times.
If you need the bridge raised between Oct 15 and April 15th you must call Mass Highway at (800) 227-0608 24 hours in advance.
DUES EFFECTIVE OCT. 1, 2022:
On January First of each year, the Treasurer shall issue bills for Annual Dues, Float and Locker rents and Dredging Fees for the current year. Payment is due on the last day of February of the current year.
Please refer to the Dues, Fees and Assessment Schedule included separately with this Guide.
Your total first year expenditure will include:
Non Refundable Application fee: $50.00
Initiation fee $1950.00 (includes first year annual dues)
Dockage Fee per foot 21’ and under $25 over 21’ $30
Dredging Assessment $1000.00 payable in two installments
Your second and third year expenditures will include:
Annual dues $550.00
Dockage fee 21’ and under $25 over 21’ $30
Dredging Assessment $1000.00 payable in two installments
Fourth year expenditure and thereafter
Annual dues $550
Dockage fee 21’ and under $25 over 21’ $30
Please note that all dues and fees are subject to change based on inflation and the financial needs of the club.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Elections shall take place on the Sunday after the first Thursday of December between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. In the event of cancellation, the rain date is the second Thursday of December during the General Membership Meeting between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. There is an election chair that members can reach out to prior to the election for nominations purposes and/or questions. Check the newsletter for information.
NEXT STEPS
If interested in joining, please contact a representative of our membership committee. You'll be asked to complete our application (download application here) and will be invited to meet with a member representative to make sure DYC is a good fit for your interests and visa versa.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Michael Shor
617.733.6667
membership@dorchesteryachtclub.com