Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to join?

The cost of membership is equivalent to a week-long vacation at the shore but lasts the whole year round. Make your summer beach vacation last all year!

Is the Garden State Yacht Club public?

The GSYC is open to all membership applicants, and as a private club, membership is subject to board approval.

Who can become a member?

All are welcome.

Do I need to own a boat to become a member?

No. Most outdoor and social activities do not involve a boat.  Dock slips fees are separate from membership dues.

Is the Yacht Club only open during the summer?

Most outdoor activities take place on the property in the summertime.  The rest of the year, parties and events are split between the clubhouse and other locations.

Is there a dress code?

Event flyers specify the allowable dress.  Many summer weekend evenings are business casual.  Others permit casual attire.  Traditional galas such as Memorial Day Ball, Commodore’s Ball (Labor Day), and New Year’s Eve, are black tie optional.

Is the Yacht Club only for adults?

Families of all ages are welcome. There are numerous children and family events, children’s swim lessons,  a lakeside playground and children-friendly locker rooms.

Are swimming lessons available?

Swimming lessons are available for children and adults at the pool, taught by Red Cross certified lifeguards.

Our History

The GSYC is set high upon the mountain banks overlooking Lake Hopatcong.  Its clean water and breathtaking views made the lake popular throughout the New York metropolitan area, once train and trolley travel became available.  As dozens of hotels, lakeside mansions and cottages were built, the area’s population grew steadily.  From the 1950’s to the present, the number of year-round residents has surged.

1948/1949

The Garden State Yacht Club was formed as a social club in 1948 and moved to its present location in 1949 with the acquisition of the Lambert estate near Ingram Cove.

1950’s-1970’s

The GSYC blossomed during the 1950’s in the beautiful Victorian mansion.  Younger children learned to swim in the lake while teenagers claimed the large room of the Victorian boathouse.  Meanwhile,  their parents enjoyed weekend dinners, card games, social events and dinners.  From the 1960’s through the late 1980’s, sailing and powerboat races dominated the waterfront — culminating in the Labor Day regatta races and trophies. In 1965, the GSYC Clubhouse added the pool and upper patio area.  At the waterfront, powerboats became more popular, which encouraged waterskiing and tubing.

The electric motorized lift, also called a funicular or “tram”, a counterbalanced uphill rail car, was added early in the Club’s history.  The tram continues to transport up to six people as a welcome alternative to climbing the many stairs from the lake area to the clubhouse.

1980’s-to the present

The end of an era came on December 6, 1984, when an electrical fire of unknown origin burned our beloved GSYC Clubhouse to the ground.  With incredible dedication and hard work, several members spearheaded the effort to rebuild the Club House, led by Past Commodore Hank Steinman.

Although the elegant Victorian mansion of the past was replaced by a modern structure in 1986, the allure of Lake Hopatcong and the fun times shared by members never gets old.

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