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 View the Cruisers’ Net’s 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

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

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ft Myers Yacht Basin

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!

Cape Coral Cruise Club Cruises to Legacy Harbour Marina
By John Queen, Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club

Legacy Harbour Welcome Sign

Each month, the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes a scheduled cruise to a different marina in SW Florida and stays for several days enjoying the amenities and hospitality of the marina. We do this nine times a year along with an extended cruise each spring. We take a break during the summer months of July and August, as many members return north. This January vessel compasses pointed towards Legacy Harbour Marina in downtown Fort Myers.

Moonlighter arrives at Legacy Harbour.

Club boats headed out on Tuesday, January 26th on what was actually a nice dry day, and boats headed home on Friday, January 29th, also a nice dry day. Everything in between – fergetaboutit!  It was rain, rain, and more rain. Did I mention it was wet? The Club plans its monthly cruises months ahead of time and cannot of course control Mother Nature, but did she really have to rain on our parade all that week?

Seven Cape Coral Cruise Club member boats made the journey plus 2 club members live-aboard and reside at Legacy Harbour year round (they didn’t have to go far). On Tuesday night, club members gathered at the Tiki Hut for drinks and a potluck dinner. That’s when the rain began. It didn’t stop until Friday morning.

Wednesday morning, after serving up a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and Bennett’s doughnuts, a tour was planned at the Edison-Ford Estates Museum and Laboratory. Seven club members made the trip only to find that Edison-Ford had closed the estate tours and grounds due to inclement weather. We toured the museum and laboratory, but it was disappointing that that the main estate was not accessible.

Wednesday night, several members brought out their best chili recipes for a chili cook-off contest. The Tiki Hut at Legacy was lined with 7 crock pots, each vying for attention. After scouting the marina to find a person who would serve as our ‘official’ chili judge, as luck would have it, Eric, the Legacy Dock Master volunteered. At the time, we didn’t realize what a true chili aficionado Eric was.

At the stroke of 6:00 PM, Eric showed up with a clipboard and judging sheet divided into 5 or 6 categories of aroma, texture, and consistency…, from which to judge. Before judging, Eric also gave an impromptu verbal lesson on the history of chili. Eric was the perfect judge! After carefully writing notes and quickly sampling each offering, Eric rose from the steam laden crocks and declared victory: Pati Queen was declared the winner followed by 2nd place to Stephanie Carrico, and 3rd place going to Bonnie Martin.

On Thursday morning, we laid out a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, dry cereals and juices for everyone. Of course it rained the night before, and the rain continued throughout the day.

Over 40 members enjoy dinner at Pinchers Crab Shack in Ft. Myers.

Thursday evening about 45 club members converged on Pincher’s Restaurant a few blocks west of Legacy Harbour. Since several members came to Pincher’s by car, they helped shuttle boaters stay out of the rain. It’s always nice to have non boating club members join the boaters for the group dinner. Pincher’s was quite hospitable by housing all club members in a private dining area.

On Friday morning the rain finally stopped and the boaters headed out to the Caloosahatchee returning to their home slips scattered around Cape Coral. The Club certainly thanks the staff of Legacy Harbour Marina for their hospitality, as well as Pincher’s Restaurant for accommodating us on this event. We thank Mother Nature for giving us a dry trip back home on Friday.

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. The Club website is being updated so the short video of recent Club activities and additional Club information may not be accessible. Club website, www.c-c-c-c.org

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s 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

These two reports on City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, come from our friends at AGLCA Forum. Fort Myers Yacht Basin lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east.

We spent a lovely month at Fort Myers municipal marina last year about this time.
They were helpful, and kind. Legacy is closer to the Publix grocery. But if you need some exercise, the Publix is a 22 minute brisk walk from the city marina. We walked up to restaurants downtown and enjoyed the many festivals that abound on the area. There were car shows, parades and the like.
An added advantage was the saxophone player who serenaded us and the rest of the marina from under the highway bridge. Hope you are there when he is.
Because it is close to a city street , there are early morning runners if you are docked by the street. We have also found that docking close to the city walk invites ants to join you…depending on your thoughts, you may want to spray your dock lines with a Raid like thing.
But we loved it. Stayed a month.
Kathy Anderson
Sea Fever

Just stayed a month there, great experience. Very friendly and helpful staff, reasonable rates, and metered elec only totaled 25 bucks for the whole month.
Was not on the street side so can’t comment on that. Did hear the sax player a few times, very pleasant sounds. Close to most things you might need and a free shuttle to get you around the area. Highly recommended facility.
David and Barbara Doyl

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ft Myers Yacht Basin

Fort Myers Yacht Basin lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east. We are proud that this fine SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR is offering their expertise and advice to Okeechobee and West Florida transients!p>

Hello to all of those transiting the beautiful Okeechobee Waterway.
For current conditions on the waterway, please allow the staff at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin to assist you. We will be happy to provide tidal, lock schedule, weather and any other impacting information in order to help you make it through. We can be reached at 239-321-7080, yachtbasin@cityftmyers.com, llustig@cityftmyers.com and channel 16 when closer. We are open 8 to 6 and are here to serve you.
Thank you,
Leif Lustig, Dock Master

Notice of upcoming Okeechobee Waterway closures;
Please review the tentative schedule for waterway closures to navigation which can be found on the City of Fort Myers web page at http://www.cityftmyers.com/yachtbasin, as construction continues on the I-75 bridge at mile marker 129.
Thank you,
Leif Lustig, Dockmaster

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ft Myers Yacht Basin

More Fun Stuff: With a name like theirs, these folks are bound to be fun to meet and share a brew or two with. They are primarily off-shore sailors, but they are sure to be able to offer wisdom about the Okeechobee and the West Florida Intracoastal. The Cape Coral Yacht Club is in the vicinity of the transient slips at Cape Coral Yacht Basin.

The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society
Winner of US Sailing’s 2012 Outstanding Organizational Support Award
The sailing club with the very unusual name formed around 1970 at Cape Coral, Florida, with sailors from all over Southwest Florida as charter members. The unique name came from an effort to make it forever obvious that this was not a `Knife and Fork yacht club,’ but a group of offshore sailors who wanted to race, cruise and explore the coasts of Florida, the Keys, the Tortugas, and the Bahamas. The name also describes the offbeat informal humor of the offshore sailor. It consists of folks from all walks of life who unite in their love of the sea.

Guests are always welcome to one of our casual monthly socials / meetings at 6:30 PM on the third Tuesday of every month (except January) at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral, FL. (No dress codes here.) To learn more about CMCS, simply, scroll down on this page to view our online journal (BLOG). You may also go to About Us for additional links, or email us by going to Contact Us.

For schedule of activities, go to:
http://www.cmcs-sail.org/

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Cape Coral Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cape Coral Yacht Basin

A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Fort Myers Yacht Basin lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east.

The City Of Fort Myers Yacht Basin is well known for being a beautiful, convenient, well-run marina with transient and live-aboard slips, access to downtown amenities, and a protected location on the Caloosahatchee River. Change may be in the winds for this municipal facility, however, according to the September issue of its “DockLines” monthly newsletter:
http://www.cityftmyers.com/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?EntryId=5267&Command=Core_Download&method=inline&PortalId=0&TabId=303

ATTENTION YACHT BASIN CUSTOMERS
The City of Fort Myers Mayor and City Council are discussing `potential public/private partnerships with the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin’. More information will be provided once it is known. Public assistance in providing input to the elected officials will be very important in setting the direction that the marina is to proceed in. Please
contact the Yacht Basin for elected officials contact information. The City built and has successfully run the marina since 1937 to provide safe dockage to the area boaters. Please help us keep this a great public marina.
Thank you,
Leif Lustig, Dockmaster
239-707-5316

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ft Myers Yacht Basin