Eglin Yacht Club
Information for
Visitors and Transient Boaters

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The Eglin Yacht Club is located in Building 2816 on the water at Ben's Lake at the north side of Choctawhatchee Bay. The entrance is right next to the Eglin Officer's Club property. The approximate GPS coordinates for the outer channel markers are 30 deg 26.91 min North 086 deg 36.24 min West. The base had the channel dredged last winter, but tropical storms this past summer filled it back in somewhat and knocked down one of the mid-channel markers (east side). The depth heading in is generally between four and seven feet, but becomes even less during the winter tides.

Once inside the entrance, the depth in most of the lake is between four to six feet with a soft bottom. About 300 yards from the entrance is the new Ben's Lake Marina. The marina is operated by the 96th Services Squadron and offers fuel sales (gas only), boat storage and a small bait and tackle shop. The marina has one or two slips set aside for qualified transient boaters on a first-come, first-served basis. A military ID is required. The cost is $5.00/night and water and electricity are available on the dock. Average depth at the dock is about four feet. The marina (bait shop) hours are from 6 AM - 8 PM in the summer and 7 AM - 5 PM in the winter. Their phone number is (850) 882-7730 and they tell me they monitor Channel 82.

The EYC is located about 300 yards beyond the marina on the west side of the lake. The club is manned only during meetings and special occasions, so transient visits by qualified boaters, i.e., military affiliated, are handled on a case-by-case basis by the club manager, Mr. Neil Schaible, who coordinates the activity with the Commodore. We have eight deep-water slips (4-6 feet) with 30 amp power, water and cable at the dock. However, these slips are often full during club events, most of which occur on Friday evenings and sometimes over the weekend. For transient needs, I suggest calling Neil at the club (850-882-3122) or at his home (850-678-7084) to check out availability and he'll help make arrangements as required.

Good luck and give me a call after work at (850)  678-5834 if you need more info. My home email is johnfaris@aol.com.

John Faris
Commodore, Eglin Yacht Club