How Does a Sailing Membership Work in Australia?
If you've ever thought about sailing but assumed you'd need to buy a boat first, a sailing membership might be exactly what you've been looking for. It's a model that's been quietly changing the way Australians get on the water ? and it's simpler than you might think.
Here's how it works.
The basic idea of Sailing Memberships
A sailing membership gives you regular, guaranteed access to a yacht without owning one. You pay a monthly fee to belong to a specific boat at a specific base location, you book your sailtimes online, turn up, and go sailing. No boat to buy, no marina fees, no maintenance headaches.
Think of it a bit like a gym membership, but for a yacht.
What's the commitment?
At SailTime Australia, memberships run for a minimum of 12 months. There's a one-off joining fee when you sign up, which includes two days of induction training on your boat. After that, it's a monthly fee, and that's it. No capital outlay, no equity stake, no hidden costs.
This is what makes SailTime different from boat syndicates or boat share schemes, where you're typically required to purchase a share of the vessel. With SailTime, you're not buying anything. You're joining a club of like minded sailing enthusiasts.
What does a sailing membership cost in Australia?
At SailTime Australia, memberships start from $790 per month for Silver membership at our Port Stephens base, through to $1280 per for a Gold membership at Rushcutters Bay - it varies depending on the size of boat you choose to join. You can see the full sailing membership options here.
For context: a marina berth in Sydney alone typically costs between ¢1,700 and ¢2,000 per month ? before you've even thought about the boat, insurance, maintenance, and fuel. Membership at SailTime costs less, and includes everything.
What's included in your membership?
Your monthly membership covers:
Guaranteed sail times: you book online, the boat is yours
Full boat maintenance: the fleet is professionally maintained, so you never have to worry about what's broken
Insurance: covered
Ongoing support: from the base team
Invitatations: to regattas and twilight sailing
Your one-off joining fee of $1300 for a silver memberhsip and $1800 fpor a gold membership also covers two days of induction training for two people - you learn all about your specific boat so you can head out confidently from day one.
Do I need sailing experience?
Some previous sailing is valuable. Our induction training is designed to get you comfortable on your boat, whether you have limited experience or are a regular sailor who just needs a refresher. SailTime's founder Graham Raspass didn't learn to sail until he was 48. If he can do it, you can too.
That said, as a member, you're skippering the boat yourself, so familiarity with the on water boat regulations is important. If you're brand new to sailing, we recommend doing a basic sailing course before joining through our RYA accredited sailing school.
How do I book?
Bookings are made through an online system. As a member, you have guaranteed access to sailtimes on your boat throughout the month - the number of guaranteed sails depends on the membership level you choose.
Where are the boats based?
SailTime Australia currently operates from four NSW bases:
Sydney Harbour - based in Rushcutters Bay
Middle Harbour - based at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Mosman
Pittwater - based at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport
Port Stephens - based at Soldiers Point Marina
Members also get access to the global SailTime network of more than 30 bases across North America and Europe, so you can sail when you travel.
Is a sailing membership right for me?
A SailTime membership tends to suit three kinds of people:
The dreamer who's always wanted to sail: but assumed it was too expensive or too complicated. The equity-free model removes the biggest barrier: the cost of buying in.
The lapsed sailor: who used to sail, stepped away from it, and wants back in without the burden of ownership. All the joy, none of the maintenance!
The practical researcher: who's compared ownership, syndicates, and charters, and wants to know exactly what they're getting and what it costs. We're upfront about everything.
Ready to find out more?
If you'd like to understand which membership level suits you, or which base makes the most sense, we're happy to talk it through. You can contact us here or explore our membership options here.
SailTime Australia has been operating since 2009, with bases at Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, Pittwater and Port Stephens.
