About

About Americas Boating Club, Oceanside.

About Us

Discover the Legacy of America’s Boating Club, Oceanside

America’s Boating Club – Oceanside is a proud member of the nationwide “America’s Boating Club®”, fostering learning and camaraderie among boaters of all levels.

The mission of the America’s Boating Club is to promote recreational Boating Safety through education and civic activities while providing fellowship for our members.

Our members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education.  All of our squadrons offer boating safety classes and seminars to the public and a rich series of Advanced and subject specific courses to the members, on the water and in the classroom.

Where Did We Come From?

Ironically, it was sailors who founded the United States Power Squadrons!

SailboatsAt the turn of the 20th century power craft were coming into vogue as yachts, but power boaters had few organizations where they could share their common interests and experience. Sailors, with their prestigious yacht clubs, had no room for “stink potters”, as the smoke-belching power craft were known. (Don’t worry, sailors were called “rag haulers”.)

Then, one auspicious day in 1914, the Boston Yacht Club was holding a regatta when a nasty nor’easter ripped through the fleet, demasting many, tearing sails, and causing havoc among the sailors. To the rescue came the stink potters who took the incapacitated sail boats in tow and returned all safely home. This was a spark: the club formed a division specifically for power craft and with the purpose of learning and sharing the nautical lore that yachtsmen enjoyed. The idea spread to the New York Yacht Club and USPS formed. It has grown to some 300 squadrons across the country. In fact, USPS is the largest non-profit boating organization in the nation dedicated to the enjoyment of sail and power boating through education and safety.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
APPROVED AS OF SPRING 2016

Here is a link to our Policies and Procedures

Each squadron’s activities involve the three primary objectives of America’s Boating Club:
  • Community service,
  • Continuing education,
  • Enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of our fellow members

Activities include cruises, raft-ups, BBQs, Sundowners on beautiful Oceanside Harbor, and potlucks with knowledgeable speakers. AB Club is a private, non-profit, non-governmental, and non-military organization of people who have a common love of recreational boating. There are no barriers to membership on the grounds of gender, race, religion or ethnic background. AB Club is comprised of some 45,000 members in approximately 450 local Squadrons in virtually every state, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and more distant areas where Americans. congregate. AB Club is the world’s largest private boating organization. The Educational Program is diverse and challenging. It offers to the members the promise of greater enjoyment and safety in their own boating activities. In addition, the Educational Program offers the satisfaction of personal accomplishment, and the opportunity to share with others the knowledge and skills the individual member has acquired.

Our squadron offers many courses and seminars throughout the year. They include Boat Handling, Navigation, Sail, and Celestial Navigation. Please see the Classes Page for a current listing.

Take the next step:
enrol today

BYLAWS
Date of Approval: 15 December 2023

Here is a link to the “Bylaws of San Luis Rey Sail & Power Squadron”.  Also known as “America’s Boating Club, Oceanside”.

Membership Benefits

more benefits
Share Boating Knowledge
  • Learn from our experienced instructors.
  • Advanced Grade, Elective, and Learning Guide materials are continuallly updated to prepare our members for the 21st century.
  • Self-study courses are available on a variety of subjects.
Network Activities for You and Your Family
  • On the Water activities, cruises, rendezvous, sail races, fishing derbies, and more.
  • For the relatively new boater – another boater with whom to cruise
  • Squadron social events, parties, picnics.
  • Dinner dances, speakers of interest.
  • Youth programs involve your children in boating.
Give Back to Your Community
  • Joint programs with the Department of Natural Resources and the U. S. Coast Guard.
  • Participation in various community projects. Boat Shows, National Safe Boating Week.
  • Service to NOAA by providing revisions to existing charts through our Cooperative Charting Program.
Marine Insurance
  • Most comprehensive boat insurance.
  • Low rates with additional discounts for educational achievements.
  • Special claims consideration.
  • Personal attention
  • Call AB Club Boat Insurance Program at (800) 763-8777.

America’s Boating Club Publications

Timely and informative boating and AB Club information received via The Ensign® magazine. District and Squadron publications

Federal Tax Exempt Status: 

501(c)(3) status allows personal tax deductions for selected AB Club expenses for Squadron, District, and National participation.

Travel Discounts to National Meetings

1. Airline discounts available through Delta and American.
2. Auto rental discounts and upgrades available through Hertz and Alamo.

America’s Boating Club

  • Call (888) FOR AB Club (1-888 367-8777) for all your AB Club needs.
  • Knowledgeable and courteous staff to answer your questions and process your requests.
  • AB Club national web site https://www.AmericasBoatingClub.org
  • USPS apparel and accessories available through Ship’s Store.