Cape Coral Sailing Clubs

Two of the most active sailing clubs in Florida are right here in Cape Coral---the Cape Coral Sailing Club and the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society Sailing Club. They are both boating and social clubs with a simple goal: to have fun. They enjoy a full schedule of sails for the day, weekend or up to 2 weeks to other marinas in the area, up the coast, down to the Keys and even to the Bahamas. What’s more, the clubs plan many social gatherings throughout the month to fill up anyone’s social calendar, like luncheons, Wine and Cheese Tastings, Chili Cook off Dinners, and dinner/dances. Guests are always welcome to the monthly membership meetings and learn more about sailing in Cape Coral. With a mission for sailing, promoting boating safety and improving sailing skills, the Cape Coral Sailing Club started in 1975 and has general membership meetings at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Visitors are welcome. Membership is made up of individuals and families with sailboats and powerboats of all sizes and shapes. A full calendar of events for the year allows many social get-togethers and fun. This past year, members enjoyed a New Year’s Eve Party/Anchor Out Party; New Year’s Day Raft-Up; cruise trips to local marinas; Wine & Cheese Tasting Parties; Edison Festival of Lights Parade; Bocce Ball tournament and BBQ at Veterans Park; Chili Cook-Off; Nautical Flea Market & Hors d’oeuvres; flex cruises to Sarasota and Florida Keys; potluck “theme” dinners; Ice Cream Social; Chocolate Extravaganza Party; and Change of Watch Dinner and Dance. Several cruises are planned during the year, about one a month. Some of the cruises last a couple of days some last a couple of weeks. The destinations are to marinas with all of the amenities or they may be just on the hook. They cruise from Key West to Tarpon Springs, and the Keys to Georgia. They also have gone to the East Coast of Florida, the Bahamas and the Dry Tortugas. The cruises are well organized and you will enjoy the company of the other members. The popular “Go Fly A Kite” cruise is an annual February event to Palm Island Marina. This year, the outing had a flotilla of 3 powerboats and 12 sailboats sailing through Pine Island Sound. At Palm Island Marina, there were skilled dockhands securing lines and helping with power and water hookups. After sailing, members were welcomed to enjoy a heated pool and hot tub, Happy Hour and a potluck dinner staged by the marina. After-dinner, there was card playing and other games. The main event the next day was a trip to Palm Island Resort and an afternoon kite-flying competition. The 15-minute water taxi took club members to the resort where they could rent bikes or golf carts and explore the island or walk the Gulf beach, where kites were launched. The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society Sailing Club (CMCS) sail Southwest Florida and beyond. The very active sailing club host up to 14 cruises every year. Cruises range from weekend events to 2-week extended trips. They sponsor 11 race events every year, a combination of buoy races and off-shore races; offshore cruises lasting 10 days or more; coastal cruises lasting 3-5 days; distance races in the Gulf of Mexico; buoy races in the Gulf of Mexico; and monthly socials and meetings. Guests are welcome at monthly meetings at 6:30 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. In March and April, there is a Pelican Bay Cruise; Ladies Bridge Club; Cape Haze/Palm Island Marina Cruise and a Grill Night; and to cap it off, an All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Festival Regatta on the Gulf with 11 boats to race.