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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Click here for News Release: Corps suspends operations at navigation locks as of 6 a.m. Wed. Sept. 28 due to Hurricane Ian
Erica Skolte
Public Affairs Specialist
Corporate Communications Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Palm Beach Gardens
Cell: 561-801-5734
Twitter @JaxStrong
Jacksonville District Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict
Jacksonville District: A team of professionals making tomorrow better “Keep Calm and Essayons”’
Cruisers Net lists only one marina, Four Winds Marina, suitable for drafts less then 3.5ft, at the northern tip of Pine Island. However, there are several good depth anchorages at the southern tip of the island just north of the Caloosahatchee River and the Okeechobee Waterway.
Of the entire US, Pine Island is the 118th largest island and resides in Florida’s Lee County, which is west of Cape Coral. Pine Island is a part of a chain of islands that constitute the Matlacha Pass and separates it from the Florida Mainland. On the west side of Pine Island reside the Intracoastal Waterway, a waterway that runs from Massachusetts to Texas, passing around the Florida Peninsula. Of the nearby islands, Sanibel Island lies to the south, North Captiva Island to the west, and Captiva Island to the southwest.
Similar to nearby Fort Myers, Pine Island is made up of deposits of coral rock. This variation of limestone encrusted with fossilized shells, animals, and even pine trees found in the northern tip from the excavation is common throughout southern Florida. Following millions of years of North America settling into place from the continental drift, that state’s land mass was twice as large. This saw extensive forests, dunes, and tributaries with the coast of the Gulf of Mexico starting another 100 miles west of Pine Island. Thus, came the ice age, which brought forth flooding as the glacier defrosted. Around 4500 BC, the shape of Florida formed into something similar to today. The former ice age also increased water levels and created the long and narrow islands seen off the gulf coast, including Pine Island. With churning ocean water, channels, shoals, and the unnamed sand beaches that are a familiar attraction of Pine Island formed. However, the mingling of freshwater and saltwater from the tributaries’ output created sedimentation. The fallen trees from the shore, among shells, animals, and other items fossilized in this sedimentation, created the limestone, better known as coral rock.
Long before the town of Pine Island existed, the Calusa Indians were the first known inhabitants of this island, around 800 AD. The first contact with outsiders did not occur until the mid-16th century when Spanish conquistadors landed. By the 19th century, there were no further documented occurrences of the Calusa Indians, and it is believed the tribe could have died off or dissolved into other tribes. Ongoing research is being conducted on Pine Island to further understand the Calusa Indians, with artifacts being unearthed as of today.
When boat owners from across the country make a seasonal visit to Lee County docks, they’ll receive bling bags.
Bling bags welcome visiting boaters to Southwest Florida
The News-Press
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
AREA SPONSORING MARINAS
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Legacy Harbour Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina
Cick Here To View the Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulf Harbour Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Gulf Harbour Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field
Dock at one of the most accommodating marinas, CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Long Boat Key Club Moorings, and get off the boat for a few days to enjoy Longboat Key Club’s recently renovated rooms and resort special areas. It will renew your inner-most appreciation of Florida’s West Coast.
Click here for Get the Look: Longboat Key’s Oh-So Yacht Sleek – Opal Unpacked
Once again, Jim Healy graciously imparts his experience in response to a Looper’s questions on AGLCA’s Forum with an excellent description of the Okeechobee Waterway. Jim is a true cruiser helping cruisers! Thank you Jim.
1) How many days should we anticipate to cross Florida going west at 9 knots. Currently thinking 1 day to Pt Mayaca, day 2 to Clewiston or Moore Haven, then day 3 and 4 from Moore Haven to Alva, FL (WP Franklin Lock).
“It all depends.” This trip is “Old Florida.” This is orange grove and sugar cane country. On the St. Lucie Canal, there are marinas at Stuart and Indiantown. There is a Corp Of Engineers dock at St. Lucie Lock with is $15/day with a Golden Age Pass. There’s not much/nothing to see at these stops, so one night overnights are typical for cruisers. A place to shower and sleep. So, typically, what we do is stop at the anchorage in Stuart. Then, Stuart to Clewiston. Then, Clewiston to Ft. Myers. I recognize that is a longer day than some people may want, but we do this trip twice a year, and as I said, very little to see. We stay at Roland Martin’s in Clewiston. Very nice Tiki Bar, and a relaxing place. Sammy the dockmaster is a wonder to enjoy. There are nice public docks in Moore Haven with power and water for $1.00 per foot. There are public docks at the library in Labelle. First come, first serve; Med Moorings. Good wifi. It’s the only place in the canal system to actually see a town. There is also a COE dock at the WP Franklin Lock; also $15/day with power and water. There are two locks on the St. Lucie Canal and three on the Caloosahatchee end. The highest lick is St. Lucie; around 16 feet vertical lift.
2) Where best to dock/anchor along the route?
You are permitted to anchor in the canal after closing at 1700. No one does [anchor] on the St. Lucie end except at the lock, on the north side.. You cannot anchor in the canals during the daytime hours of lock operation.
3) Is it better to cross the lake (route 1) or go the rim route (route 2)? What criteria to decide?
DO NOT TAKE THE RIM ROUTE WITH A 5′ DRAFT. PERIOD. We have never taken the Rim Route. The cross lake route is shallow enough, and even more so this year. The Southwest Water Management District has been holding the lake level down to avoid large water releases of the vile Lake O water into the canals. Not sure it’s doing any good, but check the Route 1 water depths. In the spring, we crossed when there was only 5′ of water, and the place that will affect you is the 5-mile channel from the lake into Clewiston.
4) What water level reading do we need from COE for our 5′ draft?
Five feet, of course. There are two places where the control depth is measured. One is in the channel out into the lake at Port Mayaca, the other is the channel from the lake into Clewiston. STAY IN THE CLEWISTON CHANNEL. The lake bottom is limestone, not sand. The Clewiston channel is dug, so the edges are rock. Much like the “Rock Pile” in South Carolina. There is no tide in the lake, but winds can change water levels at the north and south by as much as a foot or more. Watch winds that have been blowing for many days…
Bonus Question: What the current status of the Red Tide?
Yes. Red Tide is a problem on the gulf, not in the lake. IT IS A NATURAL PHENOMENA, NOT RELATED TO POLLUTION. It’s blue/green algae that you have to worry about in the canals and lake. Both conditions are problems in Florida. DO NOT SWIM IN THESE WATERS. They do contain nasty bacteria, but there are larger reptile hazards here, too. Big lizzagators live here. We wear nitrile exam gloves when handling lock lines.
Heading East to West consider 1) sunset bay marina & mooring field @ Stuart ( 2) transient docks at Indiantown Marina (3) Clewiston Roland Martins transient docks or Clewiston City Docks (4) Moore HAven City & (5) stop at Ft Myers City Marina at downtown There might be newer facilities since I have not crossed in many years. Enjoy.
Loved Franklin locks Campground and docks!
Here is a chance to hear about, and maybe voice your opinion on, issues related to the Gulf Coast waterways. The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center is at 2310 First St, Fort Myers. See River District Connections April Calendar.
SAVE THE DATE
Fort Myers River District Alliance Townhall Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 * 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Speakers:
Fort Myers Councilman Kevin Anderson, Ward 4
Fort Myers City Manager Saeed Kazemi
RDA President & CEO Lisa Sbuttoni
More information to follow……
Lisa Sbuttoni lsbuttoni@rdafortmyers.com
Lisa Sbuttoni
President & CEO
River District Alliance
Fort Myers, Florida
www.fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com
Respectfully,
Tracy L. Hayden
T: 239.337.1071 – F: 239.337.1076
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. And, of course, several CRUISERS NET SPONSORS will be visited in their 2019 spring cruise schedule: Legacy Harbor, Pink Shell Resort, and Fishermen’s Village.
LEGACY HARBOUR CRUISE JANUARY 2019
By Mike Stewart
Ahh, good old bitter cold weather with high winds…perfect cruise conditions! Seems like a January constant.
Legacy Harbour dock hands helped six boats to their berths on Tuesday, with two more boats arriving on Wednesday. The cruise leaders, Mike and Brenda Stewart, he with a shoulder replacement and she with a knee replacement less than a week away, left their boat at home and took a room in the Legacy Marina Hotel and Suites for the three days of the cruise. It took the Jettons, their two guests and two hotel employees to unload the Stewart’s car’s load into the room!
The hotel room was most fortuitous as it served the group as respite from the brutal weather conditions. “Heavy” hors d’oeuvres, provided by the cruising ladies, were eagerly downed by the bone-chilled cruisers, who then escaped to the hotel room for cocktails and tales.
Wednesday morning showed no warming trend so everyone gathered in the Stewart’s room for scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, bagels, fruit and orange and tomato juices prepared by the cruise leaders, with early rising sausage chef Pete Oiderma. Couples Scavenger Hunt III was explained after breakfast. The couples had until 11:30 AM to return with their collection of items off their boat. Again, ingenuity and creativity were encouraged. The participants returned and each submission was documented and “inventive” items were agreed on or rejected by the group. Score sheets were left behind for Mike and Brenda to tally scores and determine First, Second and Last places to be announced with prizes to be awarded at 4:30 PM at happy hour.
At 4:30 the hotel room again filled with boaters. After some time for everyone to warm up a bit, it was time for contest results. First place was Moonlighter, Lee and Brenda Jetton and guests. Second place was Semper Paratus, John and Patti Queen. Last place was claimed by Spoiled Yacht’n, Armond and Pam Sikes. Prizes were in large bags and a blind pick conducted according to placing. Deals were struck on trades afterwards and everyone was happy.
Thursday. Oh well, just repeat Wednesday without the game! The weather relented some, so there were a couple of hours later in the day that negated the need for layered clothing. It was ideal weather for lunch and exploration downtown.
It was back to the Stewart’s for cocktails before dinner at Pincher’s. Cruisers were joined by car attendees, some of whom had also joined the group for breakfast/cocktail activities. After some cancellations, we ended up with 26 attendees. We had a long table in a side room shared with a yacht club. Yes, it was loud!
On Friday everyone left by boat or car and peace returned to Legacy Harbour.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina
The entrance to Cape Coral Bimini Basin is on the north shore of the Caloosahatchee River from Waterway marker 86 off Piney Point. These arrest allegations are unconfirmed at this time. See Bimini Basin Anchorage by Claiborne Young from a kinder, gentler time.
Bimini Basin in Cape Coral is a sheltered, convenient anchorage on the Caloosahatchee River (Florida Cross Waterway-Okeechobee waterway). The news has reported that the city fathers have decided that ANYONE THAT DINGHIES ASHORE WILL BE ARRESTED!
August Trometer
Bad behavior has been an issue in Bimini Basin for some time:
Cape residents want more regulations on boaters in Bimini Basin from NBC Channel 2
Cape considering ordinance after boats left unattended in Basin form NBC Channel
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Bimini Basin Anchorage
What law is being broken? First- we are all for the mooring field. This place needs to be cleaned up. We anchor there for 3 days max to provision. We have a huge holding tank so that’s not an issue but there are too many unscrupulous dregs that ruin it for the rest of us responsible sailors a bad name. It’s a safe harbor for us and we use it as such. We’d rather be sailing the rumbline trust me. Fishbowls we no like.
Any update on this? Are you allowed to dingy to shore?
There has been a growing collection of boats anchored in Bimini Basin. The majority are sailboats that appear abandoned or poorly maintained. There have been a few very nice boats that are occupied and this is what is generating issues with water quality since there are no pumpouts and those folks are not holding it until they go ashore to some facility. The basin is tidal and surrounded by high density housing therefor it is not certain that some or all of the pollution is from anchored boats. Many smaller powerboats pass through the basin everyday. There have been no arrests that I am aware of. There are two concrete docking piers for dingies.
I am in the Turks and Caicos and was surprised to have this message displayed when I clicked on the above link: “Forbidden – Visitors from your country are not permitted to browse this site.†???
Boats lay on their sides after the tide has pushed out on Hurricane Pass on Fort Myers Beach, Fl. on Sept. 10, 2017
Skipper Pestik is seeking local knowledge on the entrance channel into Owl Creek Boat Works and Storage which is located 10 miles east of downtown Ft. Myers on the Caloosahatchee River between markers 5 and 6. Can you help?
What’s the chance of boat with 50′ mast and 6′ draft making it in there and out?
George Pestik
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Owl Creek Boat Works
I assume you are coming from the Gulf of Mexico
Bridges – no problem, draft – tricky in narrow channel upstream of Ft Myers.
Call Owl Creek for info on deepest route from Okee Waterway into their facility.
But why do you want to go so far inland, there are excellent haulout marinas in Ft Myers Beach
Legacy Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located at Statute Mile 135 on the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway, in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, Florida. Multiple dining and shopping opportunities are found within easy walking distance of this absolutely first-rate marina!
THE SAFE HAVEN AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Situated just east of Marker 49 on the Okeechobee Waterway is Legacy Harbour Marina. Its central location along the Caloosahatchee River makes it the ideal spot for stopovers or extended stays. Just a few blocks from the historic Edison & Ford Winter Estates and just a short walk from the diverse nightlife of downtown Fort Myers, Legacy Harbour Marina is both a safe haven and a safe bet for those looking to make the most of their visit.
For starters, our marina is protected by one of the largest floating breakwaters on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Its 131 floating slips are easily accessible by your vessel regardless of tide conditions. While the tidal range is very small in this part of the world, wind-driven tides can be a factor, with winter bringing wind-driven (NE) low tides and summer wind-driven (SW) high tides. This makes our floating docks very desirable for easy boarding and docking. To see a layout of our docks click here.
This 131-slip marina features state-of-the-art floating docks that accommodate boats up to 120 feet. Surrounded by one of the largest ‘floating breakwaters’ on the Gulf of Mexico, its open layout and large fairways make its slips easily accessible to almost any size craft.
If you feel right at home on the water, you’ll feel right at home with us.
From its many amenities to its convenient location, Legacy Harbour Marina is the ideal place to dock your boat. Whether your plans call to stay for just a few days, months or on an annual basis, you’ll find our facility—and our rates—to be as accommodating as any of Florida’s finest marinas.
Once here, you’ll enjoy a full-featured facility with all the conveniences of home. Relax in our heated pool or work out in our fitness center. Enjoy spectacular views from The Boaters’ Lounge; perfect for everything from after-cruise cocktails to private parties. Our beautifully-manicured grounds provide great riverfront strolling and excellent access to all of historic downtown Fort Myers.
Other conveniences include cable TV, laundry, air-conditioned showers, metered-at-the-slip electric, wireless internet connections and in-slip pump-out station.
In addition to its well-equipped dock area, Legacy Harbour Marina offers skippers and their guests the Boaters’ Lounge where the entire crew can relax and unwind after a day on the water to some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.
Or, enjoy The Chickee Hut and relax by the refreshing pool. Hungry? Joe’s Crab Shack is located on the adjacent property just a short stroll down our beautiful walkway and the downtown River District is just a few blocks to the east.
Need to provision your boat? A grocery store is within walking distance as well as several restaurants, a liquor store, beauty and nail salons and retail shops. For your landlubber guests, the Legacy Harbour Hotel & Suites offers waterfront suites and hotel rooms. Just click on the link above for more information.
WATCH YOU-TUBE VIDEO OF LEGACY HARBOUR MARINA
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13. Pink Shell Resort and Marina is one CCCC’s favorite destinations, see March 2016 report.
PINK SHELL CRUISE FEBRUARY 21– 24, 2017
By Captain John Queen, Past Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club
The Cape Coral Cruise Club has monthly cruises to a variety of destinations in SW Florida. For the month of February 2017, that destination was the popular Pink Shell Resort and Marina on Fort Myers Beach. There was a good turnout with 17 club boats that made the trip ranging in size from 30 to 50 feet. Most of the boats arrived Tuesday, February 21st with fairly decent weather on their bow. Many boats waited until slack tide before arriving, as past experience knows, it is tricky trying to dock at Pink Shell in strong tidal currents. Since my wife Pati and I were the cruise leaders for this event, we were one of the first boats to arrive. We slid “Semper Paratus” into slip 20 around 10:30 AM just as inbound current was subsiding. Dockmaster Dave and his sidekick Craig did an excellent job in getting us and all other boats safely into assigned slips.
Tuesday afternoon was a time for relaxing and catching up with nautical conversation with other club members. At 4:30 PM, the members crowded the marina upper deck for our traditional Docktail hour with chips, pretzels and the like. As in the past, the marina has provided our club with a conference room at the resort, and this outing was no exception. At 6:00 PM club members convened in the conference room carrying food for the scheduled 1st night potluck. It’s always amazing how much love and innovation goes into the preparation of food in this club – members never go back to their boats hungry.
After dinner, club members anxiously waited for me to describe the fun and games portion of the evening. I had told them previously that we were going to play “The Awful Waffle Game” – with absolutely no other information provided.
As club members watched, 25 frozen waffles were stacked on an empty table in the center of the room. I asked for everyone to divide into teams of four. The object of the game “is easy”. “All you need to do is take the waffles and spread them out into 5 rows of 5 each, making sure that all waffle lines are perfectly aligned both horizontally and vertically”. I demonstrated with my hands how to do it. “After that, all you need to do is pick them up and dump them in this trash can across the room”. Again, I demonstrated how easy it was.
Each group was told it would be timed and the fastest team would win. Just before the first team started, I said, WAIT… there’s a catch! ELBOWS…ONLY!” (There is always a catch with my crazy made up games). Let the fun begin! It was a wild and funny sight watching these seasoned boaters trying to move and twist waffles with their elbows. Each team worked feverishly to beat the time of the previous team. When it was over, the winning team prevailed with a record time of 1 minute and 53 seconds. Prizes were awarded to the winning team and everyone had a good time. Thank goodness there was a vacuum cleaner in the room as scraps of waffles were everywhere!
The next morning, we prepared breakfast on our boat for 38 people consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, croissants, and juice and carted everything up to the conference room for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, it started raining early Wednesday, and the trip from the marina to the conference room was not the best experience. But we got everything set up, and most boaters hiked up to the room to enjoy the breakfast.
After breakfast, our next fun game began. I explained to everyone that we would be doing a scavenger hunt. There were 10 questions or riddles to solve and the winner would be based on accuracy and speed. With that, I handed out envelopes to each boating couple and told them good luck.
As they opened the envelopes, they seemed unsure what to make of it. Each sheet of paper had what seemed to be a random spattering of letters running across it for several lines. It made absolutely no sense. (Of course it made no sense! I like to make people think!) I gave them one clue: “You need to work together to solve this!” Soon people started comparing their sheets of paper with other teams and realized not all sheets were the same. Finally, some of them realized that if they held the four variations the sheet together up to a strong light, it would reveal the message” THIS SCAVENGER HUNT SHOULD GIVE YOU A THRILL, YOUR LIST OF QUESTIONS ARE UNDER THE GRILL”. And with that, off they went.
Pati and I continued cleaning up the room after breakfast and retreated to the boat. I knew it would be a while before I saw anyone turn in their completed scavenger hunt questions. Some teams decided to wait for the rain to subside, while I saw other teams out there with their umbrellas and a wet sheet of paper trying to solve the riddles. As the day went on, the answer sheets started to trickle in. There were 8 teams that braved the weather and handed sheets in. I told everyone the results and winners would be announced at dinner that night. The rest of the day was spent by club members at the pool, walking the beach, shopping at Times Square, or simply ‘chillaxing’ on their boat.
At 6:00 PM everyone met at Matanzas Inn Restaurant for our group dinner. We usually have a group dinner on our cruises where other club members join us by land yacht. This outing was no exception as we had a total of 43 club members at the restaurant. The results of the scavenger hunt were revealed and prizes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place team. Everyone had a great dining experience at the Matanzas Inn and left will full stomachs. Since we had a number of people arrive by car, they were able to shuttle the boaters back to the marina and save them the 20 minute walk.
Thursday morning, we prepared another breakfast for all the boaters. Fortunately, there was no rain and we were able to set everything up rather quickly. After breakfast, some of the ladies stayed in the conference room to play cards, while others took walks, went back to their boats or simply enjoyed the Pink Shell Resort amenities. The weather was great most of the day.
Thursday night, club members headed off in different directions for dinner. On our club cruises, we usually designate Thursday night as ‘on your own’. Most of the boaters ended up at a handful of different restaurants on Ft Myers Beach.
Friday morning came too soon, and everyone prepared their boats for the journey home. Some boaters left early in the morning while others were in no hurry to get underway. The Pink Shell cruise was another great boating experience for members of the Cape Coral Cruise Club.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
Pink Shell pool at night
Docktails on the marina upper deck
Cruise leaders on board
Elbow waffle shuffle
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
York Island Anchorage is located off the southern shores of York Island, well northwest of the ICW’s flashing daybeacon #13. Our thanks to Skipper John for this report.
We anchored close to York but actually right in front of St James since we wanted a shorter dinghy ride to town. Winds were as predicted from the NW at 10 to 15 MPH so it was a pleasant evening. We got a bit of boat wake bouncing us around in the day time but nice calm evenings. I think there would be less boat traffic in front of York but then you have a longer dinghy ride if you want to go into town. St James is a pretty casual town, a few bars, a minimal general store, nice gift shop, and a pottery shop. Gunk holing the canals of St James in the dinghy was pretty cool.
John
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of York Island Anchorage
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Legacy Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway, in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, Florida. Multiple dining and shopping opportunities are found within easy walking distance of this absolutely first-rate marina!
Cruise Club returns to Legacy Harbour
by Michael Stewart
It was bluebird weather for the Cape Coral Cruise Club members taking part in the 2017 Legacy Harbour Cruise. All 
nine boats made it in, one boat being late while waiting for refurbished props to be reinstalled. First time Club cruisers, Bobby and Joyce Miller arrived is style with their prospective member pennant proudly displayed. Welcome to the Club!
First night post docktail food was provided by the cruisers – just too much and too sumptuous to list. If anyone goes hungry on one of our cruises, they only have themselves to blame.
Wednesday morning started with a breakfast of toasted breakfast bread and butter, fresh fruit, quiche mini-muffins, orange juice and tomato juice. Attendees brought their own coffee. Following a short break after
Legacy Harbour’s Chickee Hut
eating, everyone reassembled at the Legacy Harbour chickee hut to begin a scavenger hunt. There were three outstanding prizes to be awarded, consequently, competition among the CCCC members can get quite intense…! Fierce competition ensued as the boaters returned to their respective vessels in search of the listed items. Would you allow two mismatched oven mitts as “work gloves”? How about a jar of “teak oil” that looked suspiciously like vegetable oil? And did the same miniature sewing kit get passed around with the teensy baby pin in it? Anyway, a lot of fun was had and Moonlighter, Hardee II, and Happy Ours triumphed as the successful winners. The prizes were wrapped so that no-one could tell what was inside (contestants were not allowed to touch the packages). First place got to pick, then second, then third. Then everyone hauled their collections back to their boat and split to various downtown Ft. Myers restaurants for lunch.
A non-cruise related Club function occupied many of the cruisers for Wednesday dinner, however, the remaining cruisers held their own docktails and happy hour before heading on the town for dinner.
Thursday morning breakfast, included a breakfast quiche (imagine a casserole of eggs, diced potatoes, spinach, diced ham and spices), fresh fruit, breakfast bread and juices. It was a game day for many attendees, lunch on your own, followed by dinner at Pinchers Crab Shack. The boaters were joined by some 15 club members who arrived at Legacy by land yacht that night to join in with us.
Prior to departure on Friday for their home ports, many boaters used the pump out facilities in preparation for the next month cruise to Pink Shell Resort. It is a LOT of fun cruising and being with fun people!
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina
Chino Island Anchorage is north of the Gulf Waterway’s intersection with the Okeechobee Waterway, off the southwestern shores of Chino Island, north/northeast of unlighted daybeacon #24. Our thanks to John for this report.
Great anchorage for us the evening of January 30, 2017. Winds were light and variable. We had the place to ourselves probably because it got down to 45 degrees F.
John
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Chino Island Anchorage
The river is Caloosahatchee and the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsors are Legacy Harbour Marina and Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Legacy Harbor Marina entrance is located on the Okeechobee Waterway East of Marker #49 on the Caloosahatchee River. Fort Myers Yacht Basin lies along banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east.
River District Farmer’s Market opens at new location this Thursday
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2016) – The River District Farmer’s Market will open this Thursday in a new location in nearby Centennial Park.
This move, from the market’s previous location under the Caloosahatchee Bridge at 2000 West First Street, will free up the more than 40 parking spots that were taken up by vendors.
“We are really excited about this change in venue because it now only frees up parking under the bridge for our customers, but also allows for seating under the pavilion and gives us a fabulous back drop of the River,” said Betsy Ventura, who, along with Jean Baer, owns Local Roots, LLC and will run the market each week.
The market will take place each Thursday and will be open all year except for Thanksgiving Day but will open on Wednesday, Nov. 23 for a make-up market. Vendors begin setting up at 7 a.m. with everyone in place by 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
According to Ventura and Baer, there will be plenty of lunch options including area favorite food trucks as well as fresh flowers, local fruits and vegetables, Greek olive oils, dog treats, and much more. Complimentary Jimmy Java’s coffee will be given to the first 100 shoppers starting at 9 am.
Baer’s son, Tyler, a graduate of the University of Florida and Ventura’s daughter, Sims, will be joining the duo this season to assist in managing the markets.
In addition to Downtown, Ventura and Baer also operate the Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Coconut Point, Fenway South, Lakes Park, FSW and Boca Grande (beginning Jan. 6) Farmers Markets.
They added that the goal of each of their markets is to strengthen the surrounding community by showcasing vendors that are selling produce and artisan products that are grown or produced locally. Products are packaged by owners in an environmentally friendly way and the locations of markets are clean and safe and reflect a community atmosphere.
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or providing live entertainment may visit the web site at www.BuyLocalLee.com.
Contact: Melinda Isley, APR, m.creativepr, 239-274-7736, cell: 239-565-1630, melinda@mcreativepr.com
Thank you,
Melissa Moore
Web/Graphics Technician
Anniversary Logo-03
1631 Hendry Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
T: 239.337.1071 – F: 239-337.1076
mmoore@cella.cc – www.cella.cc
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The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Moss Marine lies on the west side of Matanzas Pass across the channel from Marker #17.
CCCC Returns to Ft. Myers Beach
By Bruce Longman
For its’ season kick off cruise the Cape Coral Cruise Club returned to Moss Marine, a long-time favorite cruise destination. This facility is favored because of its close proximity to many restaurants, walking distance to the Ft. Myers Beach pier and the Times Square area. On Tuesday September 20 Judith, Joe and the Moss Marine staff were very accommodating assisting Phil & Pat Kryger on Y-Knot, Paul & Stephanie Carrico on Infinite Seas, and Bruce & Sue Longman on Surface Interval in securing their boats while dealing with a 3 to 4 knot tidal current. Moss Marine is also in the process of renovating its docks. Later in the afternoon the Mitchells and Petersons joined the group for docktails and an evening barbeque. Moss Marine provided a gas grill, placing it next to the covered picnic area.
A light breakfast of pastries and juice was provided on Wednesday by the Longmans, cruise leaders. Stephanie added a large dish of chilled mixed fruit. The rest of the morning was open. All boaters boarded Surface Interval around 11:30 for the short run down to the Bowditch Point Park pier. The cruise leaders provided a box lunch picnic with the afternoon set aside for shelling or just relaxing under umbrellas at the beach.
Later on Wednesday afternoon the boaters were joined by twelve other Club members for docktails at the air-conditioned boaters lounge. This is a very nice amenity provided by Moss Marine that includes a large laundry facility and well maintained, clean showers. Reservations for dinner had been made for the group of 18 at Nervous Nellies restaurant and hearty meals were had by all.
The plan for Thursday was a trip on the Key West Express to Key West. The Longmans and Limbrights took advantage of a reduced rate promotion and had smooth seas both going to and returning from Key West. They visited the Hemmingway home and enjoyed the interesting and informative guided tour. After a nice lunch we toured a few art galleries before having to return in time to catch the boat back to Ft. Myers Beach. In the future, if a trip to Key West is planned, it will be for at least one overnight as the time is too short to do Key West in one day. The other two boaters departed Thursday for their home ports.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
CCCC Members Boats Docked at Moss Marine
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City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east. Our thanks to Ralph Winkler for these good words for one our finest sponsors.
Over the last ten years I’ve visited the Ft Myers Yacht Basin on several occasions as I’ve cruised the cut to the AICW but I’d not visited there in the last year or so, boy have they done a nice remodeling of the cruisers men’s and ladies restroom/showers. This morning I talked to Brian the manager and complemented them on the nice upgrade to the facilities. This marina is a great location if you’re east or west bound thru the cut, fuel and ships store prices are very good, the location is within walking distance to Ft Myers historical district including several great pubs, eating choices and even a very highly acclaimed theatre is just a couple blocks away. Try it! you will not be disappointed.
Ralph Winkler
Punta Gorda, FL
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Thank you Mr. Winkler,
We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and we look forward to helping you to enjoy your boating in the Fort Myers area in the future.
Sincerely, Leif, Brian and the FMYB Crew
City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east. Our thanks to Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas for this report.
We have difficulty entering marinas because we can’t maneuver easily. We visit most marinas once, and most we decide we cannot return to because they are more suited to boats with twin reversible engines and bow thrusters. This marina [Fort Myers Yacht Basin] graciously and cheerfully allows us to tie up on their outside wall. We are headed there for our 4th stay on the way home to the Apalachicola area. It is the only marina we have been in more than once. With all the amenities and fun things close by, what’s not to like?
MV Santa Catalina de Guale
Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas
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Thank you for the positive endorsement folks. We sincerely appreciate the compliments as you and all the other area boaters are the only reason that we are here for.
Leif and the FMYB Crew
Leif Lustig, Dockmaster
City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin
http://Www.cityftmyers.com/381/yacht-basin
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