Reciprocity means that one club, in this case yacht club, extends a welcome to another yacht club's members to use all its facilities at any time.  Some clubs state the time frame such as "for the year 2003" or "until revoked" on their Reciprocity card.

A Yacht Club will also send a reciprocity letter, card and Burge if it has received a request for reciprocity. 

What usually happens is that  a club member will stop at a Yacht Club along his trip and if the club does have reciprocity with his club he can stay.  If not then the member can request reciprocity.  Normally that is all that is needed for the member to stay.  Then the host club will mail to the visiting member's club and formally request reciprocity, they exchange papers and Burges and now you have reciprocity with that club.  Sometimes the visitor will have extra Burges and will exchange them on the spot.

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The Oakland Yacht Club has reciprocal privilege agreements with a large number of yacht clubs throughout the greater San Francisco Bay area, United States, Canada, Mexico and several other foreign countries.   Although the  extent of privileges may vary slightly, generally an OYC member can expect to be allowed to use all of the welcoming club's available facilities and services, including short term berthing, meal and bar service, heads and showers, etc.  Some clubs charge for the first night's berthing, others do not, and it seldom matters whether you come by boat or car.  St Francis YC is one local club that limits their reciprocal privileges to those coming by boat.  It is always prudent to call ahead to let them know your coming as well as to determine what services are available or not.

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See Reciprocity List