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Info Thread re: New Years Day 2009 fun run to Marco Island, FL
Our 3rd annual New Years Day Fun Run will be to Marco Island. Again, we will start from the south side of the Sanibel Bridge at 11:30 AM. We will be having lunch at C.J’s on the Bay in the Esplanade complex. If the weather is warm, we will eat outside on the patio surrounding the Star Bar. If coolish, they will accommodate us inside. This will be a rain or shine event. If the weather is not suitable to run down in our boats, we will do like last year, jump in the car and drive to the Esplanade as over 80 of us did and had a great time.
If you are able to join us, post up here or let me know by phone: 239-776-0481, e mail: bobthebuilder@rogers.blackberry.net Post your questions / comments here on this thread and I will do my best to answer them.
The run is open to all offshore boats capable of a 50 MPH min. cruising speed so tell your friends but please help by making sure they get the information in this thread. We also need to know who all is coming so C.J’s and the dockmaster can be prepared for us. It would also be helpful to pass along to them the membership form for FMO. Go to www.ftmyersoffshore.org click on Membership and download the form. First run, no obligation to join. Second run, you must like us, so time to sign up !! It can be mailed in ( preferred ) or presented at any run.
Bob
Route: From the Sanibel Bridge we will run single file behind the pace boats to the Ft. Myers Beach pier where Pete Boden from Performance Boats Magazine will get some shots as we go by. From there we will head south past Bonita Beach, Naples and go into Marco at Big Marco Pass.
We will likely have 2 groups and 2 separate starts. Each group will have a paceboat identified by a flag. Please assemble close to the group you choose to run in. Group 1 will be boats capable of cruising at over 70 MPH ( conditions provided of coarse ) and will start first. I will be the paceboat for Group 2 for boats, wanting to cruise at 50 to 60 MPH.
Fuel / Distance: The distance from the Sanibel Bridge to Marco Island is about 45 miles each way. All boats are urged to leave with full fuel as there is no convenient fuelling on Marco Island or anywhere in between. 93 octane is available at the Caloosa Island Yacht Club in Goodland which is 10 miles southeast of Marco and not real easy to get to. As well 92 octane is available at the Cedar Bay Yacht Club, about 30 minutes from the Esplanade. 93 octane is also available at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.
Dockage: The public dockage at The Esplanade is located along the seawall. Larry the dockmaster will do his best to keep as much dockage open for us as possible but he cannot turn the public away. Please do not use the slips as they are privately owned. He once opened up a T dock for us when space ran out. Don’t be afraid to flip him a few dollars to show your appreciation. Last year he brought some family in, unpaid, to help out.
Food: We will eat from C.J’s menu and each participant will be responsible to C.J’s for their meal / drinks.
50 / 50 draw: At lunch we will be selling raffle tickets. 100 % of the proceeds will go into the FMO scholarship fund. In October, Ben and Carrie Payne won enough to fill the gas tank on their boat!
Support your Club, and the good work we are trying to do.
Communication: Interboat communication to be on VHF channel 72. My cell is 239-776-0481. Anyone dropping out after the start should let me know so we do not spend time waiting or looking for you. Leave a voice mail if no answer.
Pictures:Club photographer, Jay ( OSO / FMO Jayboat ) will be aboard Team PREDATOR taking running shots as we go. Feel free to run alongside for awhile and Jay will get your picture. Also Freeze Frame Photography will have Jeff overhead in a helicopter shooting the run. In addition Pete B from Performance Boats Magazine will be on the Ft. Myers Beach pier getting some shots as we go by.
Tide Info: Note the low tide in the morning in most areas. Can you get the boat off the lift ?
Cape Coral Bridge : HT - 5:00 AM; LT - 1:04 PM; HT - 6:48 PM
Sanibel Bridge (Punta Rassa): LT - 9:43 AM -0.20 FT; HT - 4:32 PM
Estero Bay ( Carlos Point): LT - 9:34 AM - 0.23 FT; HT - 4:25 PM
Naples Bay (north end): LT - 10:01 AM 0.01 FT; HT - 4:33 PM
Marco River: LT - 10:04 AM 0.01 FT; HT - 4:46 PM
Waypoints:
Sanibel Bridge: N 26 29 00; W 82 00 88.
Naples: ( Gordon Pass ) N 26 05 50; W 81 48 67.
Marco Island: N 25 58 38; W 81 46 25
Weather / Sea Conditions: to be posted 5 days prior to event and updated daily
Safety: Each boat Captain is required to operate his / her vessel in a safe manner and is responsible for his / her crew and their safety. Familiarise yourself with BSAFE ( Boating Safety Association for Events ). Visit www.boatingsafe.org
Contact Info:
Bob cell: 239-776-0481 e mail: bobthebuilder@rogers.blackberry.net
