Willow Bank Yacht Club

Mooring Information

WBYC Mooring Regulations

Moorings Risk and Responsibility Statement

All moorings are to be used at boat owner’s risk. Boat owners assume full responsibility for any and all loss or damage to their property on WBYC grounds, regardless of how it may occur. Furthermore, it is the ultimate responsibility of the mooring permit holder to ensure the safe and serviceable condition of all mooring equipment and to ensure compliance with all minimum standards set forth by Willow Bank Yacht Club.

Types of Moorings

The term “moorings” includes all of the places where boats are stored at the club during the summer. Dry moorings are spaces in racks and areas on the grounds designated for boat storage. Wet moorings are docks and mooring balls in the water.

Mooring Assignments

Current mooring assignments are shown on the mooring map. Moorings are requested with the Mooring & Winter Storage Application Form and are assigned by the Moorings Chairperson.

Regulations for Wet and Dry Moorings

All new mooring requests as well as changes to boats in existing mooring assignments require 1) a completed WBYC Mooring & Winter Storage application form, 2) a copy of current NYS DMV for boat registration in the name of the applicant (if applicable), and 3) the manufacturer’s specification page with boat dimensions and weight. These three documents must be submitted to the WBYC Moorings Chairperson. Only those boats that meet size restrictions and that are registered to the applicant will be considered for a mooring assignment. However, meeting these conditions does not guarantee a mooring assignment.

A waitlist for mooring assignments will not be maintained from year to year. If, due to lack of availability, a request for a new mooring assignment cannot be granted during a given year, a new application must be submitted for consideration the following year.

All assignments will be based on 1) NYS registration status, 2) size restrictions, 3) current mooring assignments and availability, 4) the level and extent of applicant’s service to the club.

Size Restrictions: Inner Harbor Slips

  1. Maximum hull length, excluding swim ladder/platform: 18 feet
  2. Maximum beam (i.e. hull width): Less than 90” (7.5 feet)
  3. Current boats that exceed maximum length and/or beam are grandfathered unless they impede an acceptable change to the boat in the adjoining slip. Grandfathered out-of-compliance boats may be moved to another slip or mooring ball as solution.
  4. No variances will be granted.

Size Restrictions: Outer Floating Dock Slips

  1. Maximum hull length, excluding swim ladder/platform: 20 feet
  2. Maximum beam (i.e. hull width): Less than 96” (8 feet)
  3. Current boats that exceed maximum length and/or beam are grandfathered unless they impede an acceptable change to the boat in the adjoining slips. Grandfathered out-of-compliance boats may be asked to move to another slip or mooring ball as solution.
  4. No variances will be granted.

Size Restrictions: Mooring Balls (designed to be priority waiting area for slips)

  1. Maximum hull length, excluding swim ladder/platform: 20 feet
  2. Maximum beam (i.e. hull width): Less than 96” (8 feet)
  3. Current boats that exceed maximum length and/or beam are grandfathered.
  4. Variances may be considered upon unusual circumstances and require Flag Officer approval.

Other Restrictions

  1. Pontoon boats, boats with cuddy cabin or pilot cabins, deck boats and personal watercraft/jet skis are prohibited. Variances may be requested for mooring balls only and require Flag Officer approval.
  2. No subletting of slips is permitted. Mooring Chairperson has the authority to assign temporary use of any slip when available due to acceptable vacancy. Temporary assignments will be extended on priority basis to current mooring ball assignments, lawn moorings, and those on current season waiting list.
  3. Any boat replacement requires prior written approval from Moorings Chair. Failure to follow this procedure could result in loss of slip assignment.
  4. Motorboats with above water exhaust are NOT permitted.

Lawn Mooring Spaces

  1. Fenced lawn area: Only sailboats on trailers or dollies may be stored on the upper fenced lawn. Motorboats are prohibited.
  2. Exterior lawn area: The temporary storage of boats and trailers is permitted on the upper, exterior lawn. The Club Manager and the WBYC Moorings Chair must be notified.

Regulations for Temporary Docking

  1. The metal dock on the south end of the Club is for sailboat use only, except for motorboats that are in the process of being launched or removed from the water.
  2. Members are permitted to temporarily dock on the outer docks on a first-come, first-served basis only while they are physically present at the Club.
  3. Non-member guests are permitted to temporarily dock on the outer docks for the purpose of picking up or dropping off Club members.
  4. No overnight docking is permitted.  Limited exceptions due to unusual circumstances may be considered and require the prior permission of the Moorings Chair or Club Manager.
  5. Personal watercraft and jet skis are prohibited from docking on Club property.

Empty Trailer Storage

Long-term storage of empty boat trailers on Club is prohibited. Members must remove their trailer from the Club grounds within 7 days after launching their boats. Empty trailers left at the club will be assessed a trailer storage fine (fee). All trailers must be labeled with owner name and contact information.

Winter Storage

Limited indoor winter storage is available at WBYC for sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards ONLY. Request for winter storage MUST be made with mooring application. Boats with dry moorings in the racks whose mooring sticker indicates “winter storage” will be stored at the club during the fall work parties. Boat owners will be billed appropriately.