The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society
The sailing club with the very unusual name was founded around 1970 in Cape Coral, Florida, with sailors from all over Southwest Florida as charter members. The unique name came from an effort to make it forever obvious that this was not a “knife and fork fancy yacht club”.
The club is very active. A brief summary of our activities includes:
- Seventeen cruises every year. Cruises range from weekend events to two week extended jaunts. Check out our Cruising Schedule under the Cruising drop-down menu.
- Eleven race events every year. There are a combination of buoy races and off-shore races. Check out our Club Racing Schedule under the Racing drop-down menu.
- Besides our monthly socials / meetings, the club hosts several other social activities throughout the year.
If you would like more information about CMCS, please contact us via email, or come to one of our monthly socials / meetings at 6:30 PM on the third Tuesday of every month (except January) at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral, FL.
Big Upcoming Events
DANGER ISLAND 2012
May 25 – 28 – The Danger Island Cruise (also known as Memorial Day weekend) is the number one cruising event of the year!!! As you all know, Danger Island – much like Margaritaville – is more than a place. It is a state of mind.
Get all the details from the Danger Island Handbill.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies Day Mermaid
June 9 – Ladies Day Race & Party! This regatta will take place off of Ft. Myers Beach in the Gulf of Mexico. For this Regatta only, special rules are in effect. A female must be at the helm at all times from the preparatory flag prior to the yachts start to the time a yacht finishes. Then, a Post-Race Party!
Click here for Diane’s Special Handbill, and her Special Entry Form.
Recent Society Stuff
Estable Night Race Dodges a Bullet
May 12 – Estable Night Race — great “hard core” sailing weather for this 15 mile off-shore race with sixteen boats starting at 6:00 PM. We saw the rain squall coming, but it moved on South enough to miss the fleet. Some real close finishes for over three hours of racing where you didn’t always know the location or your competition. Check out the ESTABLE RACE RESULTS.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chowing Down at Grill Night
April 17 – Our Tuesday evening membership meeting was “Grill Night” at the CCYC Pavilion. As usual, there was a great turn out simply because – as usual – there was plenty of FOOD on the agenda.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Start of the Cape Haze Cruise
March 29 – April 1 — The Cape Haze Cruise led by Gerry and Kathy Wellens was a great success! This year’s cruise was highlighted by four days of good weather and the greatest group of CMCS boaters. Fourteen boats in all. Pictured here is Thursday night’s cocktails on Slo Dance up at Pelican Bay. See the May Chowder Chatter for further details.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Loading Up Plates for All You Can Eat Shrimp
March 18 – The all-you-can-eat Shrimp Boil was a great success! About 70-people came to CCYC for excellent Gulf shrimp, and another dozen for chicken, with all the trimmings. Everyone had more than enough to eat. We even sent some shrimp and hush puppies home with people.
Everyone owes a special THANK YOU to all the tremendous volunteers. Shrimp Chef Brothers Bob & Bill. Chicken Chefs Rick & Uncle George. Receptionists Bev & Mary M. The stunning Shrimpetts – Candice, Rose Ann & Paula. And of course our Liberty Ashore Chairperson+1, Jennifer Curtis. (Hopefully, I didn’t miss anyone.)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Laura Li in the Shrimp Festival Regatta
March 17 – The Shrimp Festival Regatta in the Gulf of Mexico off Fort Myers Beach. We had 14 participants in four classes. Check out the race results.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A Deserted Beach + CMCS Cruisers = a Wonderful Cruise
March 9 – 11 — Our Pelican Bay Cruise had fantastic weather to add to another great CMCS cruise for 18-boats. Check out the full Cruise Report.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
March 4, 2012 – The Society’s very own Steve Romain and his crew on Air Supply take First Overall at Punda Gorda’s top regatta of the season – the Conquistador Cup – in Charlott Harbor (That is not Steve’s crew in the background of the picture. But, PGSC’s officers).
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
February 25, 2012 – Edison Gulf Regatta in the Gulf of Mexico off Fort Myers Beach. We had 17 participants in four classes. Check out the race results.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
- February Membership Meeting
February 21, 2012 — Membership Meeting/Social — It was Member Appreciation Night. Which means the Society provided appetizers to all members. The turn out was the largest gathering the Society has had for quite a few years, with 164 people attending!
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Shucking Oysters at Edison Festival of Lights
February 17 – 19 — It was another perfect weekend in paradise as 18 boats, and just as many “Land Cruisers” made it to Legacy Marina in downtown Fort Myers. Friday – appetizer potluck + pizza. Saturday – ALL YOU CAN EAT OYSTERS for lunch! A CMCS Potluck for dinner, maybe catch the parade, and definitely catch the fantastic fireworks.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
2012 Chili Cook Off
January 14, 2012 – All you GREAT chili cooks, thank you, thank you, thank you! On behalf of all the hungry CMCS-ers, I applaud you for all your efforts in feeding the troops. You managed to tickle the taste buds of about 85 people, and it set the stage for another successful CMCS tradition.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
CMCS's 2012 Officers
January 7, 2012 – CMCS’s 2012 Change of Watch. A delicious sit-down dinner, induction of our new officers, and dancing to a live band. A very formal event for CMCS – the closest we come to acting like a “Yacht Club”.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
CMCS Fleet at Fishermans' Village
December 28, 2011 – January 1, 2012 –Eighteen CMCS boats cruised up to Pelican Bay, and then on to Fishermans’ Village. Go to the Cruise Report to see more.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
- Summerset Check Presented to Charlotte Harbour Community Sailing Center
December 18, 2011 — At the Punta Gorda Sailing Club’s Holiday Regatta -Steve Romaine, Vice Commodore of the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society, presenting a $900 check to Sara Buck, for the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center as a result of the PGSC participation in the Summerset Regatta.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
2011 Thanksgiving Happy Hour
November 24 – 27 — Twenty four vessels of the Society ventured forth to Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, and Pelican Bay for a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. Go to the Cruise Report to see more.
