March 7, 2009 Fun Run to the Lighthouse restaurant at Port Sanibel Marina

Welcome to another FMO event. We will assemble at the south side of the Sanibel Bridge departing at 11:00 AM. The plan is to circumnavigate Sanibel and Captiva Islands, before we have lunch at the Lighthouse restaurant at Port Sanibel Marina.

If you are able to join us, please post up here on SO on either this thread or e mail me at bobthebuilder(at)rogers.blackberry.net. Also since we are now formally a Club, and this is a sanctioned club event we ask that you complete your membership application by going to www.ftmyersoffshore.org and download the membership form if you have not already done so. You may either mail it in or submit at our lunch at the Lighthouse restaurant.
If your boat is down for service and you feel like driving to the Lighthouse restaurant and joining us for lunch, Club members are most welcome to do so. It is located on Mcgregor Blvd, a mile or so before the Sanibel Bridge. Remember a social membership is only $35.00 and boaters membership is $60 and covers the family. It is always very social and a good time. Please let me know so we can give the restaurant a head count.

Route: From the Sanibel Bridge we will run south for a few miles and round the southern tip of Sanibel Island, then heading west into the Gulf and eventually north off Sanibel and Captiva Islands. At Redfish Pass we will come back into the Intracoastal waterway and make our way back south to Port Sanibel Marina. The Marina entrance is just north of the Sanibel Harbor Resort.
Note to Marco and Naples boats. You are welcome to join me for the run up to the Sanibel Bridge to meet the main group of boats. I will leave Marco at 10 am and pass by Gordon Pass at 10:10 AM on the way north.

Lunch: We can order from the Lighthouse menu and each person will be responsible for their charges directly to the restaurant

50 / 50 draw: At lunch we will be selling raffle tickets. 100 % of the proceeds will go into the FMO scholarship fund. In April, we will be awarding 2 or possibly 3, $1,500.00 scholarships to area students. Please support your Club, and the good work we are trying to do.

Fuel / Distance: I expect the run from the Bridge around the Islands to the lunch stop will be approximately 50 miles max. Most vessels will have sufficient range for this run if they are full of fuel at the start.

Communications: Inter boat communication to be on VHF channel 72. Also 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: Jay (SO / FMO Jayboat) will be aboard Team PREDATOR, so make sure you come alongside for some great running shots of your boat during the coarse of the run. They will be posted on the forum and website, after the run.

Tide Info:

Cape Coral ( Bridge): LT:8:00 AM; HT: 2:52 PM; LT: 6:37 PM
Sanibel Bridge: LT: 4:39 AM; HT: 12:40 PM; LT: 3:15 PM
Naples Bay (north end) : LT: 4:16 AM; HT: 11:24 AM; LT: 4:19 PM
Marco Island: LT: 4:19 AM; HT: 11:37 AM; LT: 4:22 PM
Note the morning low tide in Cape Coral for those with boats on lifts

Waypoints:

Sanibel Bridge: N 26 29 00; W 82 00 88

Redfish Pass- ( catch up stop # 1): N 26 33 14; W 82 12 70


Weather / Sea Conditions: To be posted 5 days prior to the event and updated daily. Referencing:

NOAA Weather: http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.ph...656&syn=gmz606

The Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/outlook/trave...opnav_vacation

Safety: Each boat Captain is required to operate his / her vessel in a safe manner and is responsible for the safety of the crew and their safety. Familiarize yourself with BSAFE ( Boating Safety Association for Events ). Visit www.boatingsafe.org

Contact info: Bob cell: 239-776-0481. E mail: bobthebuilder(at)rogers.blackberry.net