James Island Yacht Club

I love the James Island Yacht Club. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is one of the best views in Charleston. You are directly across from the downtown pennisula with the Ashley River Bride to the left and a beautiful view of the Ravenel Bridge and ocean to the right. Sunsets are amazing as you watch the sun disappear behind our beloved city.
The bar is small and usually occupied by old men, but what else do you expect from an old yacht club. The facility is nice with a small reception hall and covered pavillion outside. There is a playground for the kids, and dock for fishing and boating.
Find someone that’s a member and ask them to take you to this hidden gem.

I sailed here last year for the James Island Open. While I found race management to be good, the on shore support and club staff where quite nasty in their interactions with competitors. I found the guy running the lift to be needlessly rude, and the yard master managing the dry slips had his head so far up his you know what that I am not surprised he didn’t see what was going on at all. I like good competition, but this was not a fun place to sail out of.

What can I say about JIYC? It’s a private yacht club, but growing up near it, you know how to get in, which is what I did most of my childhood. The gate was open most of the time back then, but now they are very stengy about it. If you’re not a member, people will know it and approach you about it, but you can’t blame them. They pay a decent amount to be in it. It’s got THE BEST views of the city of Charleston around. If you’re not a member, you could always just go to Sunrise Park next door. Jumping off the dock, shark tooth hunting, fishing, crabbing, sailing, swimming, that’s what I spent most of my childhood doing there. It holds a special place in my heart, especially with Charleston being over run by transplants now.

Really cool place to go watch the sunset, if you can get in. Private club. Had our wedding reception there and it was great. Room is a tight squeeze, so if hosting a wedding reception, don’t expect to be able to have a sit down meal for more than 25 people.