Yacht racing remains the sport of kings to this day and many sailing clubs in British jurisdictions have a warrant from the monarchy entitling them to call themselves 'Royal'. Boats without sails are generally looked down upon and their owners may be refused membership as they are not considered yachtsmen.

A yacht club is a sports club specifically related to sailing and yachting. Yacht clubs are often associated with a particular marina or port. The club is ostensibly for the owners of yachts but more generally serving as a social club. There is a huge amount of tradition behind yacht clubs, sailing being a rather venerable sport. Most yacht clubs have a distinctive burgee (pennant or flag) and short abbreviation. (eg Royal Yacht Squadron is abbreviated to RYS, New York Yacht Club abbreviated to NYYC etc).

Yacht clubs are often organized in faux naval style. The Commodore is usually the senior officer. For most yacht clubs, under the Commodore there are also the Vice Commodore and the Rear Commodore. In a few yacht clubs the Admiral, which is one rank above the Commodore, is the senior officer.