BOSTON -- Sixteen private yacht clubs that are sitting on prime state land have not paid a penny in rent for four years. And during that time, each of the clubs has blocked public access to their waterfront property. Team 5 Investigates' Janet Wu reported on Thursday that the state has finally cracked down and the clubs have finally paid up.

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In all, these yacht clubs owed the state almost $400,000. But up until now critics have said they've gotten a free ride because of political connections and the Romney administration's laissez faire attitude.

"At a time when the state is desperate for revenues, how do you justify this sort of freebie for your people with political connections?" asked Wu.

"We don't consider it a freebie," said James Tatosky, commodore of the Winter Hill Yacht Club, Somerville.

But the commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation did, and he took action after Team 5 Investigates exposed these sweetheart deals last November.

"Everybody has signed a permit with the exception of one and that one is in negotiations. So we've been satisfied with the response. People have paid their permit fees," said DCR Commissioner Richard Sullivan.

The last holdout is the Wollaston Yacht Club in Quincy which is refusing to allow the public access to its waterfront property. The state says the rest of the clubs are in compliance.

"Do you actually have the cash in hand from these agreements?" asked Wu. "Everybody has paid and they have two years left on those permits and they'll have to make those payments," said Sullivan.

"So Team 5 played a role here?" asked Wu. " Absolutely," said Sullivan.

The yacht clubs are still paying rock-bottom rates to sit on state property, according to state records. But until their leases run out in 2009, the state won't be able to increase their rent. That means taxpayers will continue to help keep those clubs afloat. The DCR Commissioner says he eventually hopes to change that. "Moving forward, we're happy to work with the Legislature and the yacht clubs, moving forward to find something that is in the best interest of the public," said Sullivan.

The commodore of the Wollaston Yacht Club in Quincy did not return Team 5's phone calls seeking an explanation as to why the club hasn't signed its permit. But the state said it believes the club will eventually come into compliance.