|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Cape Coral Yacht Club
|
|
|
Next up is the best known section of Cape Coral, the Yacht Club. (Located in the SE corner of the city). This was the very first section of the city to be built, with groundbreaking beginning on November 7th, 1957. Here you will find the Yacht Club community park which includes a small riverfront beach (634 feet of beachfront), a fishing pier, barbecue grills, a city pool, tennis courts (5), racquetball courts (2), a boat ramp, and of course, a marina / yacht basin. There’s also a nice little restaurant called the ‘Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill’ right beside the pier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yacht Basin info: Though most buyers in Cape Coral tend to want to park their boat directly behind their boat, a convenient alternative for large vessels or those visiting the area by boat is the Cape Coral Yacht Basin. It is located at 5815 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904, or near ICW marker 78[A], by boat. There are 89 wet slips (plus 4 transient slips), supporting up to 55 foot vessels. Slip rentals are available daily, monthly or annually and there has indeed been available slips in recent times (especially in slower summer months). Amenities here include fuel/diesel, bait, ice, restrooms with showers, laundry, pump out station and it is adjacent to the beach, pier, pool and all other Yacht Club amenities. 30 & 50 amp service is available. 5 foot draft. Staff monitors channel 16 or call them at 239-574-0809 for more info, 8am-5pm daily. Most recent rates: $9/ft + $35-45/m utilities on an annual basis. Monthly $12/ft + $35-45/m utilities. Daily $1.75/ft + $4.00/day utilities.
|
|
|
|
|
If you like, click on the image below to bring up (in a new pop-up window) an interactive aerial map to get a feel for this section of Cape Coral is like.
|
|
|
|
Though this area is referred to as the ‘Yacht Club’ the name is a bit misleading. Though there are various club type organizations here (ex: tennis & racquet clubs) the name really is just referring to the Southeastern most edge of the city. Properties falling into the area we refer to as the Yacht Club are easily identifiable by their street names. Whereas most all other sections of the city use a numbering system (ex: 2007 SW 35th St), the Yacht Club addresses are easily identified as they almost all just end in ‘Court’ (ex: 5602 Delido Ct). Also, so that you are aware: you do not have to be a member of a club or even a resident of the Yacht Club section of town to make use of these city facilities. Some features (ex: the pool) charge nominal usage fees.
|
|
|
|
In addition to all these amenities, all waterfront homes in the Yacht Club are a very short run to the river. And on top of that, many of these properties are direct sailboat access too. All this adds up to some of the more sought after land in the city. It should come as no surprise that the combination of older homes plus valuable land has meant an increasing number of homes have been leveled to make way for modern new residences. Some of the new homes in this area are significant, especially on the riverfront sites. If you want to invest in waterfront property for future appreciation, this area is a prime target. However, if you are very particular about the neighborhood all being very ‘conforming’ of similar style, age, and upkeep it truthfully may not be the best choice. Because it is an old area, a number of old homes still exist today. Some have seen very nice updates, some have not and are very much vintage 1960’s homes. It makes for quite a variation from one street to another. But if you place more importance on short boating runs than on age of homes, this is a good target area.
Vacant lots are, at the time of writing this, occasionally found under $250k. Superior lots a little pricier. Older and dated homes from the 1960’s can also be found starting around $300k or so (in some cases even cheaper than vacant land). Those definitely need updating though! $400k+ will certainly expand your options quite a bit. They will still certainly be older homes, but many have received at least partial updates. MANY good options including later model homes can be found in the $500s and $600s in this area, though you can certainly spend far less if you are willing to do some updates yourself on the older ones. And if it’s new construction you are after, its available starting in the $700s. That ensures you have the great combination of brand new + really great boating too.
Note: the closer you get to the river itself, the pricier they get, in general. Canal width also directly affects prices. There are 80 foot wide canals between most streets, but take note of the 200’ canals just off of the Southernmost riverfront streets. Those huge canals can accommodate very large yachts and you’ll probably see a few parked here.
On the following map note that red indicates unrestricted sailboat access areas, while orange areas have bridges. The access in that orange section is limited to it’s approximate 8.5’ bridge clearance under Del Prado Blvd.
|
|
|
|
Depths on canals is another item largely effecting usage and value. While the Yacht Club has excellent depth at the Southernmost points for any large vessel that is appropriate for this area, some canals are a bit limited for larger, fixed keel sailboats. The city contracts to maintain all canals to approximately 5-6 foot on center throughout the canal system, but there are of course exceptions out there. Especially as you near the end of dead-end canals.
Also note: when going through this guide the term ‘sailboat access’ refers largely to no bridge obstructions- it does not necessarily mean depth is significant. That said, most Yacht Club canal depths are sufficient for the majority of powerboats that draft a couple feet. If you are trying to accommodate a vessel in excess of say 28 feet, I recommend you check with me at 239-603-6100 for better assistance though. For your reference, I’ve compiled a canal depth chart listed below. Because it is very detailed, please click on the image below to open a much larger, legible version (opens in a pop-up window).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note to other agents:
I realize many other agents utilize my site to better understand the Cape Coral waterways. That’s great as it gives everyone a better understanding of the complex system. That said, please note the depth chart and all other portions of this website are copyrighted and were time intensive for me to develop. No portions may be copied or reproduced without my express written permission. However, you CAN link or point to pages of my site. Just contact me if doing so. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Orchid Community
|
|
|
|
Above the Yacht Club the river takes a turn to the North. The next Northernmost neighborhood we find is the Orchid Blvd area. This is a small community, with very wide canals which makes property here pretty valuable. Whereas so many area canals are roughly 80 feet wide, most here are around 200 feet across. It makes for a very nice waterfront setting to many of the homes in this section. And they are all sailboat access as well (up to 55 feet in height, due to the Cape Coral Pkwy bridge which crosses the river). And on top of that, many are extra deep, so that’s a plus too. You are quite likely to see a few large Yachts behind homes in this location and it is a good area of consideration for buyers looking to park vessels in excess of 42 feet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s also extremely convenient to Fort Myers as well as to Downtown Cape Coral so for those who want to be near the restaurants, shops and commerce, yet tucked away in a quiet zero-traffic community, this is a good target.
Due to the Orchid Community’s small size, there is a fairly limited number of homes for sale, but what is currently listed can be viewed at the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The Savona Community
|
|
|
Slightly further North is the Savona area. This is an area of sailboat access homes, ranging in age from the 1960’s to new construction. Most are well maintained in this area, and all waterfront in this area is direct sailboat access. Again, the closer to the river, the nicer the homes typically. There are a good number of oversized canals in this area, with the 200’ wide ones on the edges of this section being highly desirable and priced accordingly. Prices in Savona start in the mid to upper $300,000s for older and somewhat dated homes, $500k+ for the newer and nicer properties, though there are a fair number of respectable options from the $400,000s, on up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Like the Orchid community mentioned above, this is also a very convenient location to shops and restaurants, commerce, etc. That is as long as you don’t mind the mixture of some older homes in the area. It’s a very good choice for those who need sailboat access, but don’t want to spend the extra money to be in the locations South of Cape Coral Pkwy. You get a little more for the money as you move up the river, along this Eastern side of the city.
|
|
|
|
|
