Club Scene

Want all the amenities and community of a yacht club while you're actually out at sea? Here's a novel idea: Join a yacht club whose clubhouse floats. That's what Ellsworth Marine is doing right now. The San Diego brokerage bought a 156-foot offshore supply vessel to convert into a luxury clubhouse for members of the Eastern Pacific Yacht Club (EPYC). "Our aim is to provide a new dimension to boating," says Tom Ellsworth, who founded the EPYC and opened it to 50 memberships.

Yacht Escort Ships began the conversion in January. The rechristened Pacific Provider will offer six staterooms, a bar, lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, gym, theater, tackle center, and dive-gear area. Boat owners can power out to the yacht club and moor alongside it or commute using the vessel's helipad. There are two 35-foot sportfishermen and plenty of PWCs, kayaks, and other watertoys for members to use. Pacific Provider should splash this summer. Ellsworth Marine plans to launch at least tow other floating yacht clubs as well.