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MOCEAN OUTPOST at Kingman Yacht Center

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MOCEAN OUTPOST at Kingman Yacht Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.36 mi) Wood Duck Inn
• (0.52 mi) Fall- a beautiful time on Cape Cod! And even better- Reduced Rates!
• (0.58 mi) New listing! Coastal, dog-friendly cottage near Hen Cove w/ sunroom!
• (0.64 mi) AFFORDABLE WATER VIEW Cape Cod
• (8.33 mi) Isaiah Jones Homestead Bed & Breakfast
• (0.09 mi) Chart Room
• (0.98 mi) Somerset Creamery - Rout 28A
• (8.64 mi) Maison Villatte
• (1.14 mi) Corner Cafe
• (1.24 mi) Daily Brew

Bookings for 2024 now Available! Click here to book now

All Cape Boat Rentals

Your cape cod boating adventures start here.

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Center Consoles

Rent one of our most popular boats.

• Most Popular Boat

22′ Pontoon Boat

Enjoy some well-earned leisure time on board the Pontoon! With a quiet four-stroke engine and room for 10, you can float around the inner harbor and Lewis Bay in total comfort.

• Best Seller!

20′ Dauntless Boston Whaler

Our most popular family boat, the 20’ Dauntless holds up to nine people. With ample bow seating for four people and five seats behind the windshield, there is room for everyone.

18′ Ventura Boston Whaler

Pile in! The larger sister of the 16′ Ventura, the 18′ offers seating for seven and a 135hp engine to get you everywhere you want to go.

Watersport enthusiasts, fishermen, avid boaters, casual sailers, and even dogs are welcome!

All Cape Boat Rentals offers an exceptional boating experience that guarantees endless excitement and unforgettable memories! We boast a team of highly skilled and friendly staff who are dedicated to ensuring a seamless and safe boating adventure for all our guests.

Our prime location on the picturesque Cape Cod Bay offers breathtaking scenic views and access to an array of stunning destinations, allowing guests to explore hidden coves, sandy beaches, and vibrant coastal towns.

With room for up to 12 passengers on our boats, you can bring your entire crew (even Fido). And because our Boston Whaler boats are so versatile, you can waterski, wakeboard, go tubing, or go for a leisurely cruise. We also offer pontoon boat rentals and center console boat rentals .  You can rent waterskis, tubes, and lines directly from us. Call ahead for availability for these additional rentals.

Each of our boats is also equipped with several rod holders for the fishermen in your crew. Please bring any other fishing equipment you might need.

With transparent pricing, flexible rental options, and top-notch customer service, All Cape Boat Rentals stands as the ideal choice for anyone seeking an exceptional and hassle-free boating experience on Cape Cod. Your Cape Cod boating adventures start here!

Check out our Yelp! reviews

My family and I were impressed with you and your staff from our first contact on your website, our subsequent phone conversation, your advice and help getting me familiar with the boat, the area, and advice on the best itinerary! Quality and safe equipment and quality, knowledgeable and friendly people.

The team here at All Cape Boat Rentals really nailed it. When I say "team" I really do mean team, too. They have a great staff of mainly Maritime educated individuals that enjoy their job and want you to enjoy your time on the water.

Great communication with Jake prior to coming to Cape Cod and he made us feel welcome when we arrived. We rented a 22' speedboat for tubing. My children had a blast!! The boat was clean and fast. The surrounding area was amazing. We truly would recommend All Cape Boat Rental.

Thunderstorms interfered with what would have been a longer ride, but Emma at kept us posted with weather alerts by cell phone, and gave us the all-clear when the storm cleared. The boat was seaworthy, in very good shape, gas included in the rental, reasonably priced, and we had a terrific time.

Sheila Kathryn (Dwyer) Wilson

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Sheila Kathryn (Dwyer) Wilson of West Harwich, MA passed away gracefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Sheila was raised in Montclair, NJ, the daughter of the late Patrick and Eleanor (Sullivan) Dwyer. After high school, Sheila attended the nation’s first Catholic liberal arts college for women, then Trinity College and now Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC, and went on to receive a Master of Education at William Patterson University in Wayne, NJ. Sheila was passionate about her work in special education and her superpower was that she could teach anyone to read. She taught in the Morris School District, Morristown, NJ for over thirty-five years, retiring in 1999. After retirement she moved to West Harwich, MA where she would re-establish her life and cultivate a new set of lifelong interests and friendships.

Sheila loved competitive sports and played tennis from a young age and ran for fitness. On the Cape she found golf and was a member of the Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich, MA where she would be out on the course very early most mornings and loved to play in the available leagues. She was an avid reader and bridge player. Sheila was an active member of the West Dennis Yacht Club and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster.

Most of all Sheila loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and always enjoyed a good laugh.

She is predeceased by her beloved first husband William Bohen, sisters Patricia Long and Mary Ellen Bohen. She is survived by loving husband of thirty-two years Donald Wilson; her daughters Dr. Erin Bohen (Peter Braviak), of Rockville, MD and Kara Collin (Jeff) of Needham, MA; her sons Bill Bohen (Lainia) of Old Tappan, NJ and Patrick Bohen of Randolph, NJ; and their children Lindsay, Caroline, Matthew, Ryan, Arina, Liam, James, Luke and Grace; her brother John Dwyer (Pam) of Summit, NJ her stepchildren Edward Wilson (Judi) of Brewster, MA and Suzanne Pierce of Brewster, MA and their children Braden, Hannah, Eli, Jake and Emma.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Monday, May 20, 2024, at Our Lady of the Cape, 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, MA 02631 followed by a committal service at Holy Trinity Memorial Wall, 248 Main Street, (Route 28) West Harwich, MA 02671.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Broad Reach Hospice, 390 Orleans Road, North Chatham, MA 02650, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For online condolences or to share a memory visit https://www.doanebealamesharwich.com/

Posted online on May 07, 2024

Published in Cape Cod Times

Moment Sailing

Deluxe private cape cod sailing charters.

Hey everyone! Sailing charters of our classification are permitted and we are ready to take you out on the water! As always, we only offer private sails. We will be following all federal / state / local guidelines to remain compliant including requiring everyone to wear masks. We will be regularly sanitizing Moment and have hand sanitizer at the ready.  It’s a little different this year, but the mesmerizing beauty of sailing and the sea hasn’t changed a bit!

With much love and appreciation, Captain Chris

Our Most Popular Charter

Provincetown Two-Hour Sail

Set sail, tour the harbor, and enjoy the Moment! Get a taste of the sailing life on this brief trip. Our two-hour sailing charter is one of our most popular options. Our 8:00AM sail is $499 and all others are $699 all season except Independence day week.

Browse All Sails by Date

Welcome aboard.

We look forward to having you aboard for an unforgettable sailing experience!

Moment Sailing Adventures is outer Cape Cod’s only choice for deluxe private captained day sailing charters. We offer 2, 4, and 6-hour sails for groups of up to six guests (strict US Coast Guard Policy, which includes children in the count) . Aboard the 47-foot Moment, you will experience the wildlife, beaches, lighthouses, and sunsets of this New England gem.

We are proudly considered one of the 5 Best Sailing Charters by Yankee Magazine, are 5 Star Excellence rated by TripAdvisor, and have been featured in Cape Cod Life Magazine .

Sailing Yacht Moment

The 47-foot Moment, designed by Sparkman & Stephens is a 1981 Stevens 47 and bases in Provincetown, Cape Cod during the summer months. She can take up to six guests (strict US Coast Guard Policy, which includes children in the count) on a day or evening sail. She has a guest toilette, refrigeration for your beverages, and a tender named “Tary” to carry you ashore. Moment’s advanced systems allow the captain to handle virtually all the sailing, giving you the freedom to relax and enjoy the Moment.

Moment’s rich history includes a circumnavigation of the world and was actually the very first Stevens 47 built. Her mold was used to make hundreds of other Stevens and then Hylas yachts into the 1990s. She underwent an extensive refit during 2013-14 and is continually maintained to be seaworthy and beautiful for all conditions, from delicate sunset cruises to offshore passage making.

What Our Guests Are Saying

This past week, six of us went on our third annual trip with Moment Sailing Adventures around the Provincetown harbor. Each time, the six hour trip is a different adventure, dependent on the wind and what we want to do that day. This is always a highlight of the week for us. With a stunning backdrop of Provincetown, a great captain, and a beautiful boat, there's nothing else like it.

Our time on the water yesterday was the highlight of our trip to P-town. Chris was an awesome host, he created the most amazing birthday experience for my husband (and our friends), I cannot wait to come back and sail again!

This was the best part of our trip! Chris was so amazing and made our trip perfect. We got married on Moment and couldn't be happier, I just wish we had chartered it for a longer trip. He's quite a skilled captain, he made everyone feel at ease and comfortable. Chris went above and beyond to make our special day even more special. I can't wait for our anniversary, so we can go again!

This is always the highlight of Provincetown. Such an amazing experience -- I make sure and do a 4-hour sail every year. Chris takes care of everyone like family and goes out of his way to ensure guests have an unforgettable time.

Moment's Sailing is six-hour one of the best experiences of my life. I had some free time so I took some time to breathe and escape on a sail that turned out to be more than I imagined. Captain Chris shared stories of his adventures going up and down the Atlantic Ocean each season and needless to say he is living life. Do it! I assure you won't be disappointed.

Second time on Moment with Chris. Great sail. Relaxed host and flawless captain - cruise by tea dance was an added bonus (wink to Chris). Perfect sailing the bay. Don't be in PTown without a Moment.

From the first call to Chris to the time we got on the ship, these guys were great. Captain Craig, was incredibly knowledgeable about boats, sailing and the Cape. He was also really warm and nice. Our son wasn't feeling great, and he went out of the way to ensure he was ok. Great day and so glad we did it. Next time we will go longer!

proposed to my now fiance on this yacht and it was all around fantastic. Chris is a great captain, he led us out to smooth waters, made sure we had the best food and took fantastic photos. I could not have asked for a better experience or a better captain. The yacht is also GORGEOUS inside and out. Whole heartedly recommend for romance, relaxation or both.

We had an amazing 4 hour sail, two-hour to 12:30pm. The food that Capt. Craig prepared for us was incredible, and we brought all of our own bubbles and wine. I wished we had gone for 6 hours, but you never know what the weather will bring in Provincetown. This is a must do trip!

Our time on the water this past weekend was the highlight of our trip to P-town. Chris was an awesome host, he created the most amazing birthday experience for my husband (and our friends). He went above and beyond in coordinating cake, champagne, and even colorful balloons for the occasion. I cannot wait to come back and sail again!

Gift Certificate

Experiences are the most valuable and cherished gifts – so why not give a sailing experience!? Select 2, 4, or 6 hour sail and you will receive a printable  gift certificate  with code to be redeemed within a year.

Sailing for Special Occasions

Let us help you celebrate your special occasion in a unique and unforgettable way. We love to accommodate all types of guests and parties. Read our feature in Cape Cod Life Magazine about Kim & Michelles’s special day aboard Moment .

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The Club was chartered, and incorporated, as the Orleans Yacht Club, Inc. on September 22, 1947. Founding members included Harry Snow, Edgar Downs, Helen Smith, Mrs. Norman Downs, Dr. Fred Raddin and Jarrett Blodgett, who became the first Commodore. The purpose of the Club as stated in the Charter is: "to encourage yacht building and sailing, to promote interest in yachting and aquatic sports, as well as social intercourse among its members, and to secure and maintain suitable buildings and equipment to accomplish these purposes."

The first Clubhouse was Edgar Downs' boat house located in the southwest corner of Town Cove and it is still visible today as a privately-owned guest cottage. The current Clubhouse was built on land donated by Henry K. Cummings of Orleans. It has been enlarged and modified several times over the years to what you see today.

The OYC actively encourages sailing and maintains a fleet of its own sail & power boats in order to promote its sailing programs. The OYC has run a popular summer junior sailing program (JSP) since 1947 and also offers an Adult Sailing Program to current members. It’s the home for Nauset Regional High School Sailing Team’s practices and regattas, the DaySailer Fleet 15 ’s races every Sunday, as well as being the host for the annual Sherborn Yacht Club's Yankee Duo Sunfish Regatta . Furthering its marine involvement, the OYC hosts the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s and the Cape Cod Power Squadron's boating courses every year.

The OYC's dedication to the "social interaction among its members" is evident from the variety of the many social activities throughout the year; these events include a progressive dinner, lobster/clam bake, a Commodore’s reception (every two years), holiday themed parties, weekly summer picnic nights, bingo/casino nights, dance parties, weekly suppers & Friday Night cocktail parties. All of which are enthusiastically participated in by its Members.

The OYC also supports a 501c3 charitable organization known as The Robert Radtke Memorial Fund, Inc. which provides sailing scholarships for the Orleans Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program.

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A (Not-So-Brief) History of the Cape Cod Canal

The idea for a canal across Cape Cod dated back to the 17th century. In 1623, Pilgrim Governor William Bradford noted that such a canal would save time and distance for ships traveling between Boston and New York. Over the next two centuries, various plans were proposed for a canal, but none were ever built.

In the 1870s, a series of devastating shipwrecks off the coast of Cape Cod highlighted the need for a safer and more efficient shipping route. The Cape Cod Ship Canal Company was formed with the goal of building a canal across the Cape. The company encountered numerous obstacles, including financial difficulties, legal challenges, and technical problems. Despite these setbacks, the company completed a ditch across the narrowest point of the Cape in 1873. However, the canal was only 6 feet deep and not wide enough to accommodate large ships.

In 1909, August Belmont Jr., a wealthy financier, obtained a congressional charter to construct a new, privately-owned canal. Construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1914 at a cost of $11 million. The canal was 17.5 miles long, had a width of 100 feet and a depth of 25 feet, and included several locks and tidal gates. The construction of the canal was a massive undertaking that required the excavation of millions of cubic yards of earth, relocation of several towns, and the construction of numerous locks, bridges, and other infrastructure.

The canal was initially operated as a toll waterway, with ships paying a fee to use the canal. The tolls were controversial and led to disputes between the canal’s owners and the shipping industry. In 1928, the federal government purchased the canal and eliminated the tolls.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers widened and deepened the canal in the 1930’s. The bridges and locks were replaced and the new canal was opened in 1940 with a width of 480 feet and a depth of 32 feet. It was an immediate success, reducing the distance between Boston and New York by 62 miles and saving ships an average of 7 hours of travel time.

During World War II, the Cape Cod Canal played a vital role in the transportation of troops and supplies to the war effort. The canal was heavily guarded during the war, and several German U-boats attempted to attack ships passing through the canal.

In 1948, the canal was widened again to 540 feet, making it the wadest sea-level canal in the world. In the 1960s and 1970s, the canal was modernized with the addition of new navigation aids and electronic monitoring systems. In 1997, a new vertical-lift railroad bridge was built to replace the old bridge.

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WAQUOIT BAY

A private, family-oriented, volunteer-run yacht club located at the head of beautiful waquoit bay, along the southern coast of cape cod, in east falmouth, massachusetts., the waquoit bay yacht club is located at the head of beautiful waquoit bay, along the southern coast of cape cod, in the town of falmouth. founded in 1926, the waquoit bay yacht club is a family oriented yacht club offering a full seasonal program for both adults and young people, and a seasonal social program for adults. the club's purposes are to encourage and promote the sport of yachting, to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and anchorage, and to assist in improving the waters of waquoit bay..

interested in joining the Waquoit bay yacht club?

Membership in the waquoit bay yacht club is purposefully limited in order to maintain our essential modest character.  learn more about joining the waquoit bay yacht club and our process for consideration of prospective member(s)..

• 35 ft Duffy – 6 Passenger Maximum
• 490 horsepower Cummins Diesel engine model QSC183-49DNT, 20 knot cruise speed, common rail high pressure fuel injection, NO SMOKE!!!
• 350 gallon fuel capacity
• Stern controls with tiller
• Striped bass fishing the rips of Nantucket and Monomoy Shoals
• Yacht finished cabin with bunks, very comfortable
• Private restroom “head”
• Plenty of seating in wheel house
• Custom 1200 pound fish box on deck
• Giant Bluefin Tuna/Shark hold below deck
• Stern Door, Giant Bluefin Tuna/Sharks
• Custom Lee/Carl Johnson Outriggers
• Swivel rod holders
• Salt water wash down

Electronics

• Radar, Furuno 1940
• GPS , North Star 6000i color chart plotter
• GPS , Furuno navigator
• LORAN C, RayNav 580
• Fish Finder, Furuno FCV 1100L color sounder
• Sea Temp, Dyteck ST 1800 sea temperature gauge
• Auto Pilot, Robertson AP22
• Radio Telephones, Ray 53 DSC & Simrad RTC 63 VHF
• Stereo, Kenwood stereo/CD player

Safety Equipment

• Annual U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection
• Life Raft, Switlik inflatable in float free rack
• EPIRB , category ll emergency rescue beacon
• Life Jackets, full complement of adult and child life jackets
• Fire extinguishers
• Signal Flairs
• First Aid Kit
• Searchlight

Marine Store, Gift Shop & Parts Dept

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Don't Forget The Marine Store and Gift Shop!

Marine Store Video

Our Marine Store and Gift Shop has great deals on all the boating accessories, apparel and supplies a boater needs. Conveniently located at Hyannis Marina it is a one stop shop for any yachtsman, boater or fisherman. Make sure to pick up any supplies you need, either when passing through or if you are staying with us all season. Make sure to pick up a Hyannis Marina Marine Store Gift Card. It is the perfect gift for any boater and boat enthusiast. DISCOUNT PRICES ON: Accessories, Apparel, Water Toys, Gifts, Parts, Boating Supplies, Cleaning Supplies, Fenders, Line, Topside Paint, Bottom Paint, Batteries, Zincs, Engine Parts, Oils & Lubricants, Life Preservers, Foul Weather Gear, Pumps, Trailer Parts, Chart Kits and much more.

Now Available On "Etsy"

Cape Cod and the Islands Chart

By Hyannis Marina. Come check us out at

We have Official NOAA Charts and Historical NOAA Charts.

Also we carry Hyannis Marina Logo wear! Come explore our new online shop!

Check out our Online Catalog !

Most catalog items are in stock or available for next day delivery! Call Parts Department: 508-790-4000 x3

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Marine Store & Gift Shop

Store phone: 508-790-4000 x3.

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Watch CBS News

4 seriously hurt when boat capsizes off Cape Cod

By Matt Schooley

Updated on: April 28, 2024 / 7:09 PM EDT / CBS Boston

HYANNIS – A boat capsized off of Cape Cod late Saturday night, leaving one person in critical condition at a Massachusetts hospital.

It happened around 11:30 p.m. in the area of Point Gammon off the Hyannis coast.

According to the Hyannis Fire Department, the crew called to report the vessel was taking on water.

Sea Tow made it to the boat, but while preparing to bring the vessel back to shore, it capsized.

All four people who were on the boat plunged into the water.

The operator of Sea Tow pulled all four boaters from the water, and began to tow the vessel while the U.S. Coast Guard was notified.

Once back to land, the four people from the boat were rushed to Cape Cod Hospital.

According to the Hyannis Fire Department, one person was in critical condition and the three others were in serious condition.

• Hyannis News

Matt Schooley is a digital producer at CBS Boston. He has been a member of the WBZ news team for the last decade.

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Gem of the city: The original Cape Coral Yacht Club soon gone, but what of its legacy?

The original Cape Coral Yacht Club ballroom will soon join the ranks of former icons of the city's history – the Cape Coral Gardens, the original Gulf American Corporation, and the Waltzing Waters – as the area forges a new future.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," said Leonard Rosen, Cape Coral founder and then president of the Gulf American Land Corporation during the opening ceremony of the Yacht Club in 1962.

The Yacht Club and its developments signaled the true start of the city as we know it today, with its demise creating a hard-fought chasm within the community.

Janel Trull, the current executive director of Cape Coral Museum of History, said it's unfortunate the city has seen fit to tear down the historic building and believes it could have been saved.

"It is discouraging to know that the City Council thought it best to remove one of the last locations in town that was built by the Rosen Brothers, that was built specifically for the community, and are replacing it with something that's less of what the city is and more of a resort-style facility," Trull said.

Trull said she'll miss taking her kids to swim at the pool.

Why a massive change 60 years later?

Hurricane Ian disrupted the city's initial plans to renovate The Yacht Club Community Park , sparking a tug-of-war between traditionalists and the those advocating for progress on the fate of the facilities.

Workers started razing the building in April, after months of waiting for permits. The new Yacht Club will feature a two-story community center, a parking garage, new restaurant, pool, and other amenities.

The estimated cost of the project could be upward of $100 million with no clear date on when construction will start or be completed.

Yacht Club's new designs and plan Take a look at what architects pitch for a redesigned Cape Coral Yacht Club

The Yacht Club demolition begins Cape Coral's premier historic gemstone, The Yacht Club, will be gone by the end of May

Bustling beginning prompted by the Rosen brothers

Starting in the late 1950s, brothers Jack and Leonard Rosen, founders of Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Co., later renamed Gulf American Land Corp., embarked on a journey to turn a then 107-square-mile swamp peninsula into a company town that would eventually evolve into a still-growing city with more than 216,000 residents , according to the U.S. Census.

The first resident moved to the city in 1958, according to documents from The Cape Coral History Museum.

From there, the original Yacht Club opened its doors on June 10, 1962.

The $1 million complex included the iconic ballroom building, a yacht basis, tennis courts, a junior Olympic-sized pool, a fishing pier, and a beach. Architect William Kreidt designed the building with Fort Myers's Edelbut Construction Co., supervising construction.

The Gulf American Land Corporation owned the facility and would sell three-year memberships to the club.

"The very best way to enjoy the yacht club is not to wait for special programs, but to come by yourself, any day or night, perhaps for sunbathing on the beach …. or with a few friends, maybe for bridge – tables will be set up anytime," wrote William Thew, the first director and manager of the club, in the Cape Coral Sun in 1962.

A throwback to an Old Florida gathering place

Trull described the architecture of the original building as midcentury modern with a lot of personality.

She said it was a building akin to those built in the '50s throughout Florida.

"If you look back at some of the really early stuff that the Rosen Brothers put in the city, it follows along those same lines," Trull said. "It is a sought-after type of architecture today because things are not built in that format anymore, and it is very popular in South Florida."

Early residents could enjoy weekly square dances, and background music playing most of the day from outdoor speakers, soaking in the sun by the beach, or sitting by the blue water of the pool, according to the Cape Coral Sun.

Barbecues were frequent and plentiful as residents brought their families alongside an assortment of meats with the club supplying charcoal and pits, coffee, and cold drinks.

The Yacht Club was just a quarter mile from the first eight homes built in the city.

Eventually, a teen center that only allowed youths with a key was constructed.

Cape Coral Yacht Club gave birth to community service

Councilmember Tom Hayden called the Yacht Club the first true destination for the city.

He said because of the burgeoning nature in the early '60s, the facility was the only place that was big enough for events and groups to meet.

"Every single club got its original started at the Yacht Club," Hayden said. "From the oldest clubs: the garden club, the social club; the first churches in the Cape had their first services out there, all the city organizations started out there."

"It truly was the birthplace for how Cape Coral got its start," he added.

The city purchased the Yacht Club from The Gulf American Land Corporation in the mid-1970s for less than $1 million, and the teen club became the first senior center, The Tony Rotino Center, named after a former councilmember, according to documents from The Cape Coral History Museum.

Trull said the Yacht Club experienced so many changes and updates throughout its lifespan to reflect the community's needs.

"I think it did reflect the growth and the need for more facilities like that in the city because it was used on a regular basis by so many people," Trull said.

Former Cape Coral Mayor Joe Mazurkiewicz  previously said  his campaign launched at the Yacht Club, the meetings on whether the city should incorporate took place in the ballroom building, and it served as the site of many more substantial events.

Plans for the park

In 2018, voters approved a $60 million expansion of the city's parks and amenities through the Parks and Recreation General Obligation (GO) Bond. Part of that was intended for the Yacht Club Community Park.

The Cape Coral City Council had originally planned to close and begin work on renovations for the park in  2021 .

But then Hurricane Ian struck the city on Sept. 28, 2022, delaying the project with the council eventually opting to revamp the whole area, with the city pointing toward the  high cost of repairs and being over FEMA's 50% rule  as justification for moving forward with new buildings and amenities.

Longtime residents and former city officials opposed the plans – however, they could not sway the council to change its mind.

The  current plans  include a new two-story community center to replace the ballroom, removing the tennis courts, rearranging the area to accommodate a four-story parking garage, a new restaurant, and a new 14,500-square-foot resort-style pool.

The proposed changes would bring a four-story garage with approximately 685 parking spaces, 15 surface spaces at the main building, 46 boat trailers, and 158 boat slip spaces – totaling 904 parking spaces.

Current parking at the park; including for boats, vehicles, and boat trailers, amounts to 551 total spaces.

The new two-story community center would have 47,000 square feet and include a new ballroom, concession, history room, exterior balcony, storage and meeting space, and a multi-purpose hall.

Cape Coral has already begun the work toward these changes as demolition started in April with the cherished ballroom building coming down last week.

Johnson-Laux Construction, a full-service construction management firm that operates out of Winter Garden, has been contracted to demolish and deconstruct the Yacht Club for $987,716.04.

The firm is also tasked with  preserving a portion  of the old ballroom building, which includes interior ceiling beams, stonework, a fountain, and interior doors.

Hayden said he fought to have a history room dedicated to the old Yacht Club building in the new two-story community center design.

"Things evolve, but I think for early residents of the city, the significance of the yacht club was their life," Hayden said. "We can't necessarily control what

Bitter and sweet for residents and officials alike

Gloria Tate, a former District One councilmember and longtime Cape Coral resident said the loss of the original building deeply saddens her.

"Every fond memory I have is related to that Yacht Club. All of it is part of my life here in Cape Coral."Gloria Tate, longtime Cape Coral resident and businesswoman

Tate was against the city's plans to demolish the main Yacht club building and fought to preserve it as a historic building.

"Every fond memory I have is related to that Yacht Club," Tate said. "All of it is part of my life here in Cape Coral."

One such memory that she will always remember is petitioning to get into a Christmas dance at the teen center.

The year was around 1964, she was not 13 yet but wanted to be involved with the handful of teens in the then-small city.

"I was very happy to be allowed to access the property before I turned 13," Tate said. "It's nothing like it is today."

She said the new Yacht Club will never be what it was for the original pioneers in Cape Coral, but she's hopeful it will become a place for weddings, ceremonies, and "all kinds of life blessings" for the new generation of residents.

"I look forward to that," Tate said.

Though regrettable, Tate said she appreciates the council's effort to transform the area.

"I understand about progress, and I think it's going to be good to just get it started," Tate said. "After all this, let's just get on with it."

Not all residents share the sentiment.

Janis Keim, a Cape Coral resident since 1976 who worked as the Yacht Club manager for many years, said it hurt her heart to hear that the demolition began.

She spoke at council meetings to try to save the Yacht Club and mourns the loss of the community pool.

" Drowning is the leading cause of death of children under the age of 5 in the state of Florida , and we have no community pool in Cape Coral," Keim said.

Bob Lauson, who participated in the effort to save the Yacht club, called the city's plans horrible.

"I lost sleep over this," Lauson said. "I just didn't want that image in my head of that wrecking ball and whatever they are doing over there."

When he was made aware of the city's history five years ago, Lauson bought a '60s-style home in South Cape Coral. He would drive visitors to the Yacht club to witness where the city's history had started.

"I went to a lot of public meetings and events at the Yacht Club Ballroom, and I always thought it was a delight to go there, and my kids swam in the pool," Lauson said.

He hated the way the city switched its reasoning for not moving forward with the initial renovations of the club, from the city touting extensive damage to the facility as the main reason to later saying the deferred maintenance was the issue.

"It just seems to me that we have a council dominated by developers, real estate people," Lauson said. "There's some kind of race to 400,000 people, and I'm just concerned that the quality of life around here is going to go down."

He will miss the beauty of the building and what it represented.

"It just all goes with the narrative of the history of Cape Coral, and how they built that building to attract people to move here, and I think it was to show future property owners that they were really serious and that Cape Coral was going to be a special place," Lauson said.

The future of the park

Lauson said he's concerned that the Yacht Club area will remain empty for years before the city figures out how to pay and begin the construction of the facilities.

"You got to feel really sorry (for the neighborhood) because that's probably going to be an empty lot and an eyesore for years, and then there's going to be some big huge construction project," Lauson said.

Keim worries that the Yacht Club Community Park will eventually be commercialized.

"It just upsets me because I feel like Police and Fire (are) not under the gun to generate revenue like Parks and Rec," Keim said.

District One Councilmember Bill Steinke said the city's plans would enhance the area and provide a better place for more memories for future residents to enjoy.

"The great thing is that it will continue to be the gem (of the city), and it will be better than ever and will accommodate more of our population than ever.Bill Steinke, Cape Coral Councilman, District 1

"The great thing is that it will continue to be the gem (of the city), and it will be better than ever and will accommodate more of our population than ever, and it will provide services to our community members and our organizations – more than the previous facility could," Steinke said.

When the council member was an infant, his family would take him to go swimming in the original pool, with his kids using the facility for swimming throughout the '80s and '90s.

Additionally, he used to play racquetball and tennis there.

As a council member, he will work toward finding a suitable location for pickleball and tennis near the Yacht Club Park.

Steinke said he made many memories, but he's excited for the future of the park.

"You only miss your memories if you give up your memories," Steinke said.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official .