The messages below were copied from the ACLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association) Mail List. They were all in response to a request for recommendations as to bottom painting yards in the Fort Myers region of Western Florida.

Ft Myers Beach —Olsen’s Marine or Gulf Marine Ways.
We’ve used Gulf Marine Ways twice– we were happy with the work. We’re hauling out after first of the year and will probably go with Olsens (they are under new management) because we want to do our own work and they will do the work or DIY.
Steve and Gina Smith
M/v Island Time
Cape Coral, Fl

I’ve used Olsen Marine in Fort Myers Beach. They are a bit pricey, but I thought they did a good job. I’ve heard good things about Owl Creek Marine, about 15 miles up the Calosahachee River, and that their rates are much better.
Carl Schultz, Fort Myers, FL

We use Black Hawk and love it. We get three years from it when applied by a good boat yard. Had it done in Brandeton’s Sneed Island Boat Yard. Paint is manufactured locally and costs more than $200 a gallon but you can save by purchasing it over the internet. Make sure the boat yard will apply paint they didn’t sell.
Jack on Honga
Krogen-42

We would also recommend Gulf Marine. There is also Olson Marine, a smaller yard nearby, for smaller boats. For a harder bottom Paint on a Faster sport cruiser, try Petit Trinidad SR. We once tried an ablative paint on our sportfish and felt it affected our performance.

There are two areas in Ft Myers Beach that do bottom painting that I am aware of.
1. Snook Bight Marina – 239-765-4371; Enter from the north under the Manatanzas Pass Bridge. Contact gen mgr Larry Sincoskie. They did a terrific job on our 38′ a few years ago and I last saw them doing a SeaRay 42. They use a 50,000 lb fork lift for haul out, and rack store up to 45′ vessels inside.
We have used Trinidad SR for years in salt water and it has been excellent.
2. Gulf Marine @ 239-463-1666. w/ 150 ton travel lift. They do work on large and small cruisers, both power and sail; but I have no personal experience with them.
Regards,
Tom
m/v Marbles

Bob & Annies Boatyard in St James City ‘“ at the south end of Pine Island ‘“ does a very good job, and can haul by crane or (gasp!) marine railway
Captain Mike Smith