Information Thread for Thanksgiving Weekend Charity Fun Run - Sat. Nov. 29/08
Our run to South Seas Resort on Captiva Island ( and optional overnight stay ) http://www.southseas.com/ will be a fund raising event to help fund our student scholarship program.
We are asking that each participating boat donate a minimum $100.00 ( more at your discression ) towards this cause. The preferred method of payment is a check made out to Ft. Myers Offshore, Inc. Checks will be collected at the lunch stop. In addition we will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets at lunch. Other fund raising ideas can be discussed as the thread evolves. Come out and have a great day on the water and lets show our support for worthy students entering university / college or other institute of higher learning in Lee and Collier Counties. ( Please read our mission statement http://www.ftmyersoffshore.org )
Route:
Our starting point will be the south side of the Sanibel Bridge. Boats should assemble around 10:45 am and we will leave by 11 am sharp. Marco boats can meet me at the mouth of the Marco River. We can then meet the Naples boats at 10:00 am and then continue north to meet the main group of boats at the Sanibel Bridge. Bonita and FMB boats can pick us up on the way by or go directly to the Sanibel Bridge.
We will be in two groups, according to speed. Group 2 will be those boats capable of cruising at 50 - 60 MPH and will be the first to start, at 11:00 AM, travelling up the intercoastal waterway. This route is shorter and more protected than the offshore route that group 1 will be taking. A paceboat will be assigned to lead this group. Also please be aware that the intercoastal waterway can be busy and we need to respect others using the waterway.
Group 1 will be boats capable of cruising at more than 65 MPH and will start shortly after Group 2 has left.
When we start our run we will go south and make a wide sweep around the bottom end of Sanibel Island ( do not cut the corner as this part of San Carlos Bay is shallow), eventually going west into the Gulf and then up the coast staying a couple of miles or more offshore. If the seas are too rough, then the alternate route will be to run up the Intercoastal Waterway. The offshore group will stop at Redfish Pass for a few minutes to wait for the back of the pack to catch up. At this point you can choose to go into South Seas via Redfish Pass or continue about 15 miles further north to Boca Grande Pass and come back down the Intercoastal Waterway to South Seas.
Fuel / Distance:
From the Sanibel Bridge to South Seas and back should be about 50 miles and for those running offshore up to Boca Grande Pass about 80 miles. South Seas Plantation has 89 octane fuel. No 91 or higher octane is available along our route so please have your tank topped up prior to the run.
Lunch and apres lunch:
South Seas will be setting us up on the East Lawn with the Spinnaker room as backup if needed. This area is conveniently close to the Marina.
They will be serving: Mixed greens with red and yellow tomatoes and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing followed by Grilled herb marinated Chicken Breast; Penne Past Primavera & Gorgonzola Cream.
The cost is $32.00 per person including gratuity and tax. ( I intend to talk to them about a lower rate for children ) They also have a set up fee of $350.00 however I have that covered off. While this may seem like a lot of money for lunch, please bare in mind that they are providing the dockage as well as use of the facilities including the drop dead gorgeous pools. Bring your bathing suits and stay and enjoy all that the better than 5 star South Seas Resort has to offer. No need to rush off after lunch. Leave at your leisure.
Since they required prepayment at booking, I have given them my credit card and will collect from everyone at South Seas.
On arrival it is important that each boat Captain check in with the Dockmaster and get a Resort Card that will allow access to the property and may be used to charge items. South Seas is a cashless resort.
Communication:
Interboat communication to be on VHF channel 72. My cell number is 239 776 0481. Anyone dropping out after the start should let me know so we do not spend time either waiting or looking for you. Leave a voicemail if no answer.
Pictures:
Our official photographer Jayboat ( Jay Nichols ) will be aboard Team PREDATOR. Jay will try to capture as many of the boats running as possible. Feel free to come alongside and do a fly-by keeping a safe speed and distance of coarse. No need to get too close with Jay's jumbo lens he can catch you a ways off.
It is in our plans to put Jay in a helicopter for our New Years Day run.
Tide Information: Taken from this site: http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/sites_usgulf.html
Marco River: LT 8:08 AM; HT 2:45 PM; LT 7:52 PM
Naples Bay : LT 8:05 AM; HT 2:32 PM; LT 7:49 PM
Estero Bay ( Little Hickory Isl ) LT 8:10 AM; HT 4:18 PM; LT 5:29 PM
Sanibel Bridge ( Punta Rassa ) LT 7:56 AM; HT 4:15 PM; LT 5:15 PM
Cape Coral Bridge HT 2:10 AM; LT 11:17 AM; HT 6:31 PM
South Seas Resort (Redfish Pass) LT 8:04 AM; HT 4:23 PM; LT 5:45 PM
Waypoints:
Marco Island: N 25 58 38; W 81 46 25
Naples ( Gordon Pass): N 26 05 50; W 81 48 67
Sanibel Bridge: N 26 29 00; W 82 00 88
Redfish Pass- ( catch up stop # 1): N 26 33 14; W 82 12 70
Boca Grande Channel ( offshore): N 26 41 78; W 82 17 90
Where Intercoastal meets Boca Grande - ( catch up stop #2): N 26 42 88; W 82 14 62
South Seas Resort- N 26 32 58; W 82 11 43
Weather / Sea Conditions: To be posted 5 days prior to event and updated daily referencing The Weather Channel and NOAA.
Safety:
Each boat Captain is required to operate his vessel in a safe manner and is responsible for his / her crew and their safety. Familiarize yourself with BSAFE ( Boating Safety Association for Events ). Visit www.boatingsafe.org
When running in the Intercoastal Waterway be aware that this can be a high traffic area and we ask that other boats be given a wide berth and that the rules of the road ( waterway ) be adhered to.
Bob
cell: 239 776 0481
e mail: bobthebuilder@rogers.blackberry.net
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The barefoot photographer.
