Coast Yachts is an exclusive, private yacht membership club that operates on an invitation-only basis. Our focus is on maintaining a high-caliber community of like-minded individuals who value luxury, discretion, and exceptional maritime experiences. New members are primarily developed through referrals from current members, our charter program, or partnerships with aligned organizations. This process ensures alignment with our club's values, standards, and existing membership.

Below is a step-by-step outline of how we vet and approve new members. The process is designed to be thorough yet efficient, emphasizing personal connections and compatibility.

1. Identification of Prospective Members

Prospective members typically enter our pipeline through one of the following pathways:

• Marketing Discovery: Individuals who discover Coast Yachts through our marketing channels (e.g., website, social media, or events) must first engage in a charter experience. This serves as a trial membership period, allowing us to assess mutual fit in a real-world setting. Charters can be customized as introductory experiences, with feedback collected post-charter to determine interest in membership.

• Referral by Current Members: Existing members may nominate prospects directly. These nominees bypass the initial charter requirement and proceed straight to the vetting phase, as the referral implies a level of trust and alignment.

• Referral by Partner Organizations: Prospects may also be referred by trusted partner organizations, including professional sports teams (such as Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs), fractional jet providers (FlexJet and NetJets), luxury hotel partners, and professional associations like the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), the American Bar Association (ABA), and the American Medical Association (AMA).

  Referrals from these partners are treated similarly to nominations from current members. They follow an expedited path directly to the vetting and questionnaire phase, reflecting the shared values, standards, and professional networks that align these organizations with Coast Yachts.

All prospects must express genuine interest in membership and provide basic contact information to initiate the process.

2. Initial Screening

• Upon identification, our membership team conducts a preliminary review. This includes:

  • Verifying the referral source (e.g., confirming nomination from a current member or partner organization).

  • A brief background check to ensure no red flags (e.g., public records for any disqualifying issues, while respecting privacy).

  • Confirmation that the prospect meets basic eligibility criteria, such as financial stability, interest in yachting, and alignment with our club's ethos of exclusivity and community.

• If the prospect discovered us via marketing, we schedule and complete one or more trial membership charters before advancing. Feedback from the charter team is reviewed for compatibility.

3. New Member Questionnaire and Vetting

• This is the core evaluation phase, designed to deeply understand the prospective member's background, interests, and fit with Coast Yachts.

• Questionnaire Format: We offer flexibility to accommodate preferences:

  • Phone Call Discussion: A personalized 30-45 minute call with a membership coordinator, where questions are discussed conversationally. This allows for real-time clarification and rapport-building.

  • Electronic Form: A secure online form (via email link or our member portal) for self-completion. This can be followed by a call if needed for elaboration.

• Questionnaire Content: The questionnaire covers key areas to assess alignment. Sample sections include:

  • Personal Background: Name, profession, residence, family details (if relevant), and how they learned about Coast Yachts.

  • Yachting Experience: Prior boating or yachting involvement, preferred destinations, and expectations from membership (e.g., social events, networking, or leisure).

  • Values and Interests: Hobbies, philanthropic involvements, and what they seek in a private club community. Questions probe for shared values like discretion, adventure, and professionalism.

  • References: Contact details for 2-3 professional or personal references (beyond the referrer).

  • Alignment Check: Open-ended questions on why they believe they fit with our exclusive community, including any connections to current members or partners.

  • Commitment: Understanding of membership dues, responsibilities, and our invitation-only nature.

• Review Process: Responses are evaluated by a membership committee (including select current members for input on nominations). We assess for cultural fit, potential contributions to the community, and absence of conflicts. This phase typically takes 1-2 weeks.

4. Approval and Onboarding

• Decision Making: The membership committee votes on approval. A unanimous or majority approval is required, emphasizing our commitment to exclusivity. If declined, we provide polite, non-specific feedback (e.g., "not a fit at this time") to maintain discretion.

• Notification: Approved members receive a formal invitation via email or call, outlining next steps.

• Onboarding: New members complete:

  • Membership agreement and dues payment.

  • Orientation session (virtual or in-person at our headquarters).

  • Introduction to the club app, events calendar, and member directory.

  • A welcome charter or event to integrate them into the community.

• Timeline: From initial contact to approval, the process typically spans 4-8 weeks, depending on the pathway and charter requirements.

This process ensures Coast Yachts remains a premier, invitation-only club where every member enhances the experience for all.