The Growing Appeal of Club Yachting in Israel

Derech Hayam (Via Maris), a sailing school and club operating out of Herzliya Marina, offers a subscription model that lets members reserve any of its 14 yachts through a mobile app without per-sailing fees. The monthly fee of NIS 1,100 (about $370) covers access to the fleet and the training required for a skipper’s licence. While this amount exceeds the cost of many common hobbies, it is a fraction of the typical monthly outlay for private-yacht owners, who on average spend NIS 5,500 on mooring, maintenance and insurance, according to a February analysis by Bizportal.

The Jerusalem Post

Club owner David Simon observes that the past three to four years have seen a noticeable shift in the socioeconomic makeup of members. Women now comprise roughly 40 % of the club’s clientele, a stark contrast to two decades ago when female participation was minimal. Younger adults, including recent army graduates in their early twenties, and senior citizens are also joining in larger numbers.

The Jerusalem Post

Government figures from the Transportation Ministry’s Shipping and Ports Authority show a steady rise in newly certified small-craft operators: 6,178 in 2020, 8,594 in 2021, 11,856 in 2022, and 10,056 in 2024. Although the data do not separate yacht-skipper licences from other categories, the upward trend aligns with the club’s reported growth in membership and diversity.

The Jerusalem Post

The club’s affordable, app-based access model is reducing traditional barriers to yachting, a sport historically associated with wealth. Participants such as Dana, a recent graduate of the six-month skipper course, cite both financial accessibility and a welcoming environment as key factors in their decision to pursue sailing. The expanding demographic mix suggests that recreational boating is becoming a more inclusive leisure activity in Israel, potentially reshaping the cultural perception of yachting from an elite pastime to a mainstream hobby.

The Jerusalem Post