Royal Palm Yacht Club: 60 Years
Strong
Traditions Afloat & Ashore
During its 60 years RPYC has grown to reflect the lifestyle of its
Southwest Florida location by incorporating a hefty dose of fun into the
time-honored traditions of boating
by Ellen Schneider
Originally
posted in WAVES on November 9, 2006
2006 -
2007 RPYC Officers and Directors form a snappy salute aboard
Dee Light
IF YOU GO
•
WHAT: Royal Palm Yacht Club open house to celebrate its 60th
anniversary
• WHEN: 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday
• WHERE:
Royal Palm Yacht Club, 2360 W. First St., overlooking the
Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the Edison & Ford Winter
Estates, in Fort Myers.
• HOW: Reservations are required for
the open house, which will include a champagne reception and
sampling of the club's food. Call 234-2176 for
information.
MEMBERSHIP
When population began
to blossom in Fort Myers three years ago, triggering a real estate
boom, Royal Palm Yacht Club memberships jumped as well, but it began
a downward turn as the market slowed. Here's a look.
• 2003:
825 members
• 2004: 1,000
• 2005: 940
• 2006:
850
TIMELINE
•1946: Idea of forming a yacht
club born from annual Edison Festival Regatta.
•1947: Chartered
as Fort Myers Yacht Club with 96 members. First meeting was Feb. 28,
1947, at the home of Bob Cramer. Clubhouse later built at City Yacht
Basin.
•1952: Name officially changed to Royal Palm Yacht Club.
Becomes registered with Lloyd's Registry of American Yacht Clubs,
and other national yachting and sailing associations.
•1958:
Bonds sold to members for $100 each to raise funds for riverfront
property for the clubhouse.
•1960: Along with 12 other yacht
clubs around Florida, formed the Florida Council of Yacht
Clubs.
•1961: Opening of new clubhouse on the Caloosahatchee
River. Club numbers 200 members.
•1984: Club youth sailing
program grows so large it spins off into separate organization,
Edison Sailing Center, still thriving today.
•1986: Renovation to
clubhouse adds second story, full restaurant-style kitchen and
doubles size of function areas.
•1986: Club votes to allow women
as full voting members.
•1987: Club celebrates 50th
anniversary
•2003: Carolyn Veglia is first woman to be appointed
commodore
•2006: Club begins yearlong celebration of 60th year
with about 900 members
|
 |
Age-old
yachting traditions blend with the casual SW Florida lifestyle at
Royal Palm Yacht Club in downtown Fort Myers, but on Sunday, October
1, tradition was the order of the day for a celebration of a new
“watch,” and the beginning of the club’s sixtieth year. Commodore
Hal Slaughter, new flag officers and the six-member board of
directors had been formally installed at a dinner dance the prior
evening. Now it was time to continue the celebration focusing on
the boating side of the club, which is located on the shore of the
Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the Edison-Ford Winter Estates.
Nautical
flags, patriotic bunting and colorful pennants of all kinds
fluttered in the early fall breeze as the fleet of Royal Palm Yacht
Club made ready for its Fleet Review. Based on long-standing naval
and maritime celebrations, the program from the deck overlooking the
marina included a memorial for departed members marked by a floating
floral wreath, while hymns were sung and trumpets sounded Taps. The
Reverend Ted Gault, RPYC Fleet Chaplain, blessed the fleet and
prayed for their safety from the perils of the sea.
Parade
Marshal Tom Bowles then gave the signal, and twenty-one of the
club’s member boats prepared to fall into parade formation for this
day’s Fleet Review on the river. Each boat from small to large
carried several members and guests. Three of the largest yachts
anchored at stations along the parade route. Dee Light, captained
by Marv Market, was the Fleet Flagship for the day, carrying newly
installed Commodore Slaughter, his Flag Officers, and the Board of
Directors, together with their guests. Aboard Utopia, skippered by
Rich Weiner, were the retiring Commodore Marv McMahon, and outgoing
flag officers, board members and guests. Finally, Harbor-nating,
with Dan Moske at the helm, carried past commodores and other VIP
guests.
As each of
the parade boats passed by the anchored ones, those aboard both
boats exchanged crisp hand salutes to the call of the command. A
blast from the cannon aboard Dee Light marked formal recognition of
each passing boat. The three-mile parade circuit extended north
past the Fort Myers City Pier, and south past the Edison-Ford
Estates. Casual boaters on the river and shore side viewers were
treated to the spectacle.
Returning to
the Club’s marina, and once more secured to land, the formalities
were abandoned. As the Flagship Dee Light re-entered the harbor
with the new club officers aboard, the air filled with the cacophony
of boat horns in riotous acclamation.
Disembarking
DeeLight and clearly elated, Commodore Hal Slaughter said, “This
event was an exciting way to launch our club’s Sixtieth Anniversary
Year. It has generated a wave of enthusiasm for our members as we
start our year.”
Although
yacht clubs have been in existence for centuries, they come with
many personalities. During its sixty years, RPYC has grown to
reflect the lifestyle of its Southwest Florida location by
incorporating a hefty dose of fun into the time-honored traditions
of boating. Although located near downtown Fort Myers, the club’s
900-plus members live not only in Fort Myers, but Cape Coral and
other parts of Lee County and beyond. About one third of the
members are non-boaters, both the boating and social activities are
organized by member volunteers.
Boats of all
sizes in the Club Marina are 'dressed' and ready for the Fleet
Parade
|
RPYC ‘s busy
program of on-water activities for boaters has
earned the reputation among its sister clubs as
“the cruisingest club in Florida.” The fleet
schedule includes day cruises, raft-ups, weekend
trips and longer cruises of all kinds. Fleet
Captain Randy Harwood says, “Whether you own a
deck boat or a sixty-foot yacht, participating
in RPYC fleet activities will add value to your
boating enjoyment.”
RPYC also
offers fine dining and casual food service six days a week in its
facility near the Edison-Ford Winter Estates. Diners have the added
benefit of the best sunset views in Fort Myers. Private party and
banquet services are also available.
RPYC is a
private, non-profit club listed in the Register of American Yacht
Clubs (RAYC). Although club activities and dining are open to
members and guests only, reciprocal privileges are extended to
members of other RAYC yacht clubs throughout the fifty states and
the Virgin Islands. There are a limited number of RPYC memberships
available for both boaters and non-boaters at this time. Commodore
Slaughter invites anyone interested in learning more about
membership in RPYC may call 239-334-2176 for more information and a
personal tour.
Next
month: Club cruising adds safety, confidence and fun for
boaters
Traditions Ashore & Afloat is a column
about the activities of Royal Palm Yacht Club in Fort Myers, written
by club member Ellen Schneider of Cape Coral. Ellen and husband
Herb Schneider have been boating for over 20 years and currently ply
the Florida waters in their 37’ Marine Trader, Waypoint Six.
|
