www.iFourWinns.com

Just curious does anyone belong to a boat or yacht club? We just joined the Royal Palm Yacht Club here in Fort Myers today. We have had a neighbor asking us for a year or so and we finally gave in today. They have a very active cruise group that has at least 2 trips a month. Some long some short, this week they have a trip to Port Charlotte and then to Sarasota. On Wednesday they have a trip that leaves for three weeks and ends at the Miami Boat Show. Oh to be retired! We are really looking forward to the recipricals at other clubs. They allow one nights stay for free each time you stop. I think that is going to make trips a lot less expensive and allow us to visit a lot more places.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

Now that is what I consider a "yacht club". Very nice. We have been members of the Allatoona Yacht Club for 7 years now and it has been a great place to raise our 4 young children. We don't participate too much in the social calendar because most of the members are of retirement age or empty nesters so nothing is really geared toward families with kids (other than the Holiday parties). However, we use the mess every weekend during the boating season and you can't beat the discounted boat maintenance and gas prices. They even have a mobile pump-out station (big plus).

Allatoona Yacht Club. Founded 1952.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

My marina, Whiskey Island Marina, just formed a boat club this past summer. I wanted to become a founding member because I thought it was a great idea but right now we are still in the initial stages and just voted on the board and the burgee so no perks yet but I am still happy to be a part of it. The marina itslef is kind of like a club because everyone sticks together like a big family but I hope we get some more planned events.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

I think the members here are also a lot of empty nesters and snow birds but looking at the calender they still keeps stuff going year round. The dinning is a big thing with this club so we are looking forward to giving that a try for Sunday brunch with a 30 minute cruise.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

Hi Dave,

This might sound a bit strange, but we are from Cape Coral and were looking into joining a club and we found that most cater almost exclusively to the "elderly"... Would you mind telling me the "average" age at Royal Palm?

Thanks,

Richard

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Richard - FL - 2005 Vista 248

Hello Richard;
Having just joined I really don't know but I am guessing that the average is going to be in the low 60's. I am 54 and still working and had the same concern as you. We met the Commodore and a few other couples Saturday and they we Ok, there boaters which means we have something in common right from the start. They also appear to injoy a cocktale which tells me they are not stuffy. Will we partake in dances and that kind of socal activity most likely no, boating functions probably.
Hope this helps.
Dave

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

Thanks Dave,

Let me know how it works out, it sounds like fun.

Kind regards,

Richard

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Richard - FL - 2005 Vista 248

I think a lot of people have the perception that yacht clubs are only for the elderly and well-to-do. This is not entirely the case at our club and I am sure at many others. Granted, there are a lot of elderly members but there are also members, like us, who are relatively young and have young children. We also have our fair share of doctors, lawyers and bankers but they are outnumbered by those who are retired on fixed incomes, self-employed or who have mainstream jobs. What attracted me to the yacht club lifestyle, besides wanting a safe environment for my children to grow up in, is the people and the camaraderie that exists due to our love of boating. And, yes, the fact that most everyone likes a little libation from time to time doesn't hurt matters either.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY