Considering Eagle Creek Sailing Club?

Indianapolis's premier sailing community since 1972

If you've ever watched sailboats dance across Eagle Creek Reservoir on a Wednesday evening and wondered what it would be like to be out there, this page is for you. We're a member-owned, volunteer-driven club where the racing is competitive, the cookouts are legendary, and nobody cares whether you grew up on the water or set foot on a sailboat for the first time last summer.

We sail. We race. We teach. We build lifelong friendships on the docks and finish the night swapping stories around the grill. Here's what membership looks like.

Why Eagle Creek?

A real racing program. Wednesday night races, Sunday series, the Mayor's Cup, the Hornback Regatta, and our end-of-season Final Bash. Whether you want to chase silver or just learn how to round a mark cleanly, there's a spot for you on the starting line.

A junior sailing program that's introduced hundreds of kids to the sport, plus adult sailing lessons for anyone ready to take the helm for the first time.

Facilities built and maintained by members who care: wet slips, dry slip parking, a boat ramp and hoist, sail lofts, two shelter houses, a beach, and a clubhouse that's been the backdrop for more than fifty years of sailing memories.

A community. This is the part that's hard to put a price on. We're neighbors, racing rivals, crew, instructors, and friends. Show up to a workday and you'll leave knowing half the club.

Membership Options

Family Membership — $567 / year

For married couples (and their kids). Both spouses get full voice in club affairs, can hold office, and vote at meetings. Children, including full-time college students, enjoy full club privileges as your guests.

Regular Membership — $567 / year

For individuals, or married members who prefer this option. Full voice, full vote, full participation in everything the club does.

Lake Associate — $154 / year

For sailboat owners who already have private dock access to Eagle Creek Reservoir as lakefront property owners. Enjoy club social and racing privileges without storing your boat on club grounds.

Student Membership

For students affiliated with our Junior Sailing Program or a Board-approved collegiate sailing team. Reduced rates through monetary contributions and/or work credits. Contact us for current pricing.

Initiation Fee

A one-time initiation fee applies to new Family, Regular, and Lake Associate memberships:

• Age 31 and older: $1,500
• Age 30 and under: $750 (that's 50% off, and you can pay it in installments during your first year)

We genuinely want younger sailors on the water, and the discount reflects that.

Even More Ways to Save

Legacy program. If a parent has held a Family or Regular membership in good standing for 5+ consecutive years, their children under 31 join with the initiation fee waived entirely. Children 31 or older get 50% off. Sailing families stay sailing families.

Join after September 1? Annual dues are waived for your first partial year. You'll just pay the initiation fee (and winter storage if applicable).

Work credit program. Offset your dues by pitching in:

• Standard credits: $15/hour for general volunteer work, up to $300/year
• Enhanced credits: Up to $500/year for skilled projects and professional services (pre-approval required)
• Leadership credits: Officers, committee chairs, and committee assistants earn credits equivalent to their annual dues

Additional Fees to Plan For

Depending on how you want to use the club, you may also pay:

• Wet Slip Fee (assigned by the Harbor Master; typically a wait list)
• Dry Slip / Beach Parking
• Winter Storage
• Kayak Storage

Email us for current rates on any of these. Each membership entitles you to store up to two sailing craft on club grounds during the sailing season.

A Few Things to Know Before You Join

The membership year runs March 1 through the end of February. Renewals are due by the last day of February.

Membership decals matter. Once you join, you'll receive decals to display on your boat (port bow), trailer (port-side tongue), and other watercraft. We audit twice a year (June and December) to keep our records straight.

We're a club, not a marina. That means everyone pitches in. You're not buying a service, you're joining a community of owner-operators who keep this place running. The trade-off is dues that are a fraction of what a comparable marina would charge, and a club that genuinely feels like yours.

Wet slips are first-come, first-served from a wait list. If you join and want a slip, you'll be added to the list. In the meantime, dry slip and beach parking are available, and our hoist makes launching straightforward.

Ready to Learn More?

The best next step is to email our Membership Committee at membership@ecsail.org. We're happy to answer questions, walk you through what membership looks like for your situation, and if you'd like, arrange a time to meet at the club so you can see the place for yourself.

Whether you're an experienced racer looking for your next series, a family wanting to teach your kids to sail, or someone who's been quietly dreaming about this for years, we'd love to hear from you.