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    • Dec 7, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Bottom Paint Yard Recommendations in the Fort Myers Region (Western Florida)

      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

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    • Mar 26, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Port Royal Southern Offshoot Anchorage (off Gordon Pass Inlet)

      The overnight haven that I term the “Port Royal Southern Offshoot Anchorage” is accessed from the channel which eventually leads north to Naples, just north of this passage’s intersection with the Gordon Pass marked passage.
      Note Captain Thomason’s quite correct warning below about a shoal which must be bypassed when entering this anchorage. This is yet another passage where a working GPS chartplotter aboard would be ever so useful!

      Have anchored here twice, most recently on March 20. The mud is no worse than many other places (or maybe we North Carolinians are more used to mud!) It is a very quiet anchorage surrounded by nice homes. The only drawback is there is no way to go ashore closeby that we know of.
      I meant to add that Sea Tow was dealing with a sailboat that was on the charted shoal on the north side entering the canal. Be sure to stay close to the green 21 side going in for good depths.
      Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Port Royal Southern Offshotte Anchorage

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    • Mar 15, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Fort Myers Beach Marine Surveyor Recommendations

      Below, I’ve copied a series of messages which originally appeared on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mail list. If you happen to be looking for a marine surveyor in the Fort Myers – Fort Myers Beach region, this data will prove invaluable.

      Greetings,
      We need to do an in-water insurance survey, anyone know of a good surveyor in the Ft Myers Beach area they would recommend.
      Thanks in Advance,
      Todd & Brenda

      I used Kip Turner to survey a boat I bought in Englewood. He was very thorough and conscientious. I believe he is based in Punta Gorda.
      Go to www.captainkip.com.
      David

      I too have used Kip Turner and highly recommend him as well.
      Jay

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    • Mar 5, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

      Sounds like a really good place to pick up a mooring. If memory serves, and sometimes it does not, every single posting here on the Cruisers’ Net concerning the Fort Myers Beach mooring field has been overwhelmingly positive.

      We have stayed in the mooring field at Ft Myers Beach just across from the shrimp fleet and Ballard’s Fuel: $13.00 per night included is a dingy dock on the Ft Myers Beach side with good resturants. The Mooring Ball office is located just under the bridg adjacent to the Matanza Inn and resturaunt, recomended.
      Bevferg

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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    • Feb 14, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Good Fuel Stop in Fort Myers Beach

      We cover Ballards Oil Company, the subject of the message below, on our “Western Florida Fuel Prices” page, and, yes indeed, they usually do have very good buys on diesel fuel. Click the link below Captains Jim and Lisa’s message below to learn the current price.

      Hi from Kismet:
      Florida: Good Fuel Deal-Fort Myers Beach
      For those that will be cruising through the Ft. Myers Beach area and need fuel (Florida) we wanted to pass along what we thought was a good deal.
      We stopped in Ft. Myers Beach today for three days and topped off our fuel tanks at Ballard’s (239-463-7677) and the current price for diesel, including taxes, is $2.69… keep in mind their hours are 8 to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday and they like cash or checks.
      Safe Cruising.
      Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet
      Fathom 40 Fast Trawler

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Fuel Prices Listing For Ballard Oil Company

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    • Jan 18, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Dredging Underway on Gordon Pass (near Naples, FL)

      Well, it’s about time. Over the past two years, we have had multiple reports about shoaling along the northern edges of this important inlet. Now, as soon as the dredging project, linked below, is complete, all this will hopefully be only a bad memory for a long time to come.

      Hello Claiborne,
      Saw this in paper yesterday FYI.

      http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jan/14/gordon-pass-dredging-project-underway/

      Kevin J. Hopper

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    • Dec 28, 2009by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Marina and Anchorage Recommendations for Southwestern Florida

      Below is more superb marina and anchorage recommendations from Captains Tom and Sue (copied from the AGLCA mailing list), this time stetching south from the “Miserable Mile” to Little Shark River.

      5. If you come east across the ‘miserable mile’ and turn to stbd (south) rather than north to the waterway, you have very close by the very protected Port Sanibel Marina (239-472-8443). Turn to port at marker G 11 and enter the Punta Rassa channel. Near the marina (easy walk) is the Lighthouse restaurant.
      6. Ft Myers Beach — southbound on the ‘inside’ before the fixed bridge (vert clear 65′) is Moss Marine (239-765-6677) to stbd (fixed docks), with a casino boat that operates out of their facility. USCG station just across the channel. After passing under the bridge you have a terrific mooring field, priced in the $12 to $13 a day range. No longer any anchoring in this area, with the balls controlled by the city of Ft Myers Beach but operated by Mantanzas Inn. Call 239-463-9258 when you enter (no reservations) and from our experience they do not monitor any VHF channel. They have a good dinghy dock near the Mantanza Inn restaurant under the west side of the bridge. There are 5 restaurants you can dinghy to from this location. On the east side of the mooring field and south just beyond the shrimp boat fleet is Salty Sams Marina (239-463-7333) with floating docks, fuel and the regular amenities. The terrific Parrot Key restaurant is located here also.
      7. Heading south on the Gulf after Ft Myers Beach is Big Carlos Pass, and a good anchorage with a lunch stop you can dinghy to. As of October ’09 you could enter easily with up to a 4′ draft. Some large sport fish boats & trawlers come thur here from just north on the GIWW, so water depth is typically sufficient for many boats. Bridge (vert clr 23′) opens on request. The outside green marker actually is located south of the channel entrance approx 6/10 ‘s of a mile offshore, and you need to be very careful to locate the channel markers when entering. Anchor east of the bridge on the south side of Coon Key. Dinghy for lunch to “Flippers” on the south shore near R2 between the two mid rise bldings.
      8. Fish Tale Marina(239-463-3600) – Enter thru Big Carlos Pass and turn north(to port) on the GIWW. Turn to port at the frst channel to the left near G 59, and steer at idle speed down the channel to FishTale. Call ahead. Great bar/restaurant on the premises.
      9. Wiggins Pass – County run fuel dock (diesel & gas) on the north side of the 3 high rise condos after entering the channel. 10 cents a gal discount if Boat US member, and is normally the lowest fuel prices on the Florida west coast. Channel is well marked and dredged last year to 7′ – 9’, but need to follow a zig zag pattern among the markers when entering. Call Pelican Isle Yacht Club Harbormaster on VHF 16 before entering for local updated knowledge.
      10. Naples – Gordon Pass entrance. You have City Dock Marina, plus the mooring balls just south of the docks as of October were installed and being used. There is also Naples Yacht Club and Naples Boat Club down toward the city, but usually in the Winter months do not take reciprocals. Good anchorages in the various bays among the homes in Port Royal (to port) after entering Gordon Pass.
      11. Marco Island – good protected anchorage—-when entering the main channel to Marco from the Gulf, head east to marker R 12 and turn into Collier Bay. Entrance always looks tight, and current can be running fast depending on tide, but depth is good. I have seen 65 motor yachts enter here. Follow marked channel (stay in channel!) around to Smokehouse Bay and anchor to the north of the Esplanade Marina (239) 394-6333; which also has very good transient dockage within walking distance to shopping, restaurant(s) and a large Publix’s grocery store across the street. The marina as of 6 months ago still allows boat anchoring to bring dinghys for docking.
      12. Marco Island Yacht & Sailing Club (239-642-2531) east on the river near the bridge on the sbd side takes transients—nice facility w/pool.
      If you have Skipper Bob “Crusing the Gulf Coast”, there is mention of other anchorages in the area.
      13. On south you can enter Indian Key Pass heading in to Everglade City. Without going all the way into the city there is a very good anchorage that will hold a number of boats in Russell Pass near marker 7…turn to port.
      14. If you do not want to jump down to Marathon or Key West from here, stop at Little Shark River for a night, and anchor in the area of marker R 4.
      Regards,
      Tom & Sue
      m/v Marbles

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    • Sep 25, 2009by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Dredging of Doctors Pass Inlet Complete (north of Naples and Gordon Pass)

      Doctors Pass is a small inlet north of Naple’s Gordon Pass and south of Wiggins Pass. Glad to hear this passage has just been dredged, but, the sand is likely to wash back in almost as fast as it was pumped out.

      Subject: Doctor Pass
      Cruising News: The dredging of Doctor Pass is complete. There is plenty of Water and the small bay north of the pass provides a well protected anchorage. This is a great place to stop if you\’re looking for a quick in/out from the Gulf between Marco Island and Ft. Myers. There are no facilities available unless you dinghy under the bridge into Venetian Bay where you\’ll find a marina and store. The inlet and bay are well marked. Make sure you stay close to the markers. The center of the bay is VERY shallow. The north end of the bay is a good place to drop the hook. It\’s five minutes from the Gulf.
      Bill Foster

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    • Apr 19, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Praise for Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

      Fort Myers Beach is a wonderful example of how a mooring field can be a positive step for the cruising community.

      Subject: Ft. Myers Beach
      Cruising News: It’s been a long time since we’ve been into Fort Myers Beach. The old anchorage area was scary and the stories about [the] . . . administration of the mooring field were enough to keep us away.
      We have just returned from spending almost two weeks there meeting up with friends and making repairs. The Matanzas Inn staff who now run the mooring field and pumpout boat were great to deal with. The beach shuttle made provisioning very easy. We also stayed at Moss Marine and Blaine was also a pleasure to deal with. Kudos to the City of Fort Myers Beach for becoming so cruiser-friendly. We’ll be back.
      Paul Carroll
      S/V Puffin


      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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    • Apr 15, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Moss Marine (Fort Myers Beach)

      Moss Marine is the first facility encountered as you enter Fort Myers Beachs. through Mantanazs. The facility wil be spied flanking the southern shoreline.
      Though it is not mentioned in note below, there is a gambling ship headquartered at Moss Marine. Be careful to inquire if it is about to be fuelled at whatever time you intend to leave. Duuring fuelling, it can block a good part of the dockage basin.

      We’ve stopped into Moss Marine, Ft Myers Beach, Fl. . . . The dockage is very reasonable for this area at $1.25 @ft with a $2.50 @day flat electric. The harbor master, Blaine, is very accommodating and they have an excellent boaters’ lounge. It’s locked and the facilities include heads, showers, washers/dryers (1.25 for each), coffee maker, large screen TV, etc. A very nice facility with recycle for plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard and paper. This marina is also the first you come to on the way in. There’s no AGLCA discount, but the prices are the lowest in Ft Myers and you can get a $0.10 @gal fuel discount if you stay at the marina. Walk to the beach, shops and restaurants . Trolley available for shopping @ .50 per ride or you can get a 3 day pass.
      Have a great day…
      Don & Rebecca,
      m/v Andante


      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Moss Marine

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    • Feb 26, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Salty Sams Marina (Fort Myers Beach)

      Of course Salty Sams Marina is a class act. After all they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONOSOR, and, as a matter of fact, they currently our ONLY sponsory in FMB!

      Subject: Ft, Myers Beach-Salty Sams
      Cruising News: If your visiting the Back Bay of Ft. Myers beach I would recommend trying Salty Sam’s Marina as a destination. The Back Bay is one of our favorite stops but we usually stay at one of the marinas on Estero Island for easy access to all the action and the beach. This past weekend we thought we would try Salty Sams and it was a great experience. The new concrete floating docks are long and much more user friendly than the fixed docks at the other marinas, expecially since the tide runs hard here. The dock staff is efficient and the adjacent Parrot Key Caribean Grill excellent. There is so much activity at this restaurant, the boat rentals and distant rack storage that is was enjoyable just people watching from our boat. If you’re there for a few days and want more variety of things to do all the island activity is a short walk over Matanzas Bridge.
      Greg Callaway

      I highly agree with Greg’s assessment of Salty Sams Marina. I have had my holding tank pumped and their staff were very accommadating. By the way, be sure to visit Doc Ford’s Restaurant under the bridge where they do have plenty of place to tie up.
      Donn Brown
      Namaste


      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Salty Sams Marina

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    • Dec 29, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Moss Marine – Fort Myers Beach

      Personally, we always berth at Salty Sams Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) when visiting Fort Myers Beach, or pick up a mooring in the city field. However, Moss Marine is certainly another possibility. Just don’t get blocked in by the gamgling ship when they are fuelling. Ask the marina personnel when the ship is to be fuelled, to avoid this problem.

      If you are north of Ft Myers Beach heading south we wanted to let you know we found Moss Marine to be reasonably priced @ $1.25 per foot and close to the beach, restaurants, etc. Their fuel prices are $2.63 diesel and $2.67 gas (all taxes included) and if you stay overnight you can subtract another 10 cents per gallon, which brings their prices a little closer to fair market.
      Jim & Lisa

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Moss Marine

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    • Dec 8, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Great Diesel Fuel Stop In Fort Myers Beach

      Located at Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway, 15 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Myers Yacht Basin is a well designed and protected marina. It is owned and operated by the City of Sounds like a great place to fill the tank!

      Those of you in the area of Fort Myers Beach, FL, here's a pearl.  In Ft. Myers Beach, Matanzas Pass, there is a company called Ballard Oil that has diesel (ONLY DIESEL) prices that are $0.20 below the next best prices in the area.  Ballard is a commercial fuel dock that fuels shrimp boats, but also fuels sport fish and non-commercial customers. Today, the cash/check price for diesel was $2.399 with all FL state taxes included.  Ft. Myers Yacht Basin was $2.579.  So, for cruising boats, a nice savings. 
      To get to Ballard, follow Matanzas pass through the Ft. Myers Beach Bridge, hard to port after the bridge and follow the channel around to starboard, past the shrimp boat fleet, to a 4 story white building that has a huge red "DIESEL" sign painted on it.  Contact is owner Jim Ballard.  Phone number is (239) 463-7677.
      Peg and Jim Healy, aboard Sanctuary

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    • Dec 8, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

      Even though Captain Katherine’s note below is in response to the “Western Florida Wish List” I sent out at the beginning of November, 2008, I wanted to post this message as a fresh entry. I know of few other communities who have made such a sincere effort to attract cruisers to their mooring field!

      I am chair of the Anchorage Advisory Committee for the Town of Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field and I keep my boat year round in the mooring field. We have a new floating dinghy dock under the bridge on the island side to make it easier to enjoy the island. Restaurants and shops are with a couple of blocks of the dock, and there is a trolley that can take you to grocery stores, drug stores, and all the other places cruisers need to visit. Matanzas Inn under the bridge is where you check in and has the land facilities for the mooring field. There are two beautiful shower suites with large dressing areas and a community room with four washer/dryer pairs. Water is available at Matanzas for jerry jug use. The rate is $13.00 a night plus tax and there is a monthly rate available. Pump-out (by boat) is included in the price and can be scheduled through Matanzas Inn.
      One of the complaints about our field is that the tethers are coated with slime and barnacles. They are cleaned regularly but unfortunately, the water in the bay is very fertile and stuff grows quickly. When we take our boat off the ball and are away for a few nights, slime has already grown back. We are exploring ways to alleviate this problem.
      There is much more information on the town’s website: fortmyersbeachfl.gov. Just click on the mooring field link. There is a map of the field, phone numbers for Matanzas Inn, and much more. We will be redoing the website in the coming months.
      I hope a lot of cruisers will come to our mooring field and enjoy the great town of Fort Myers Beach!!
      Katherine Light, S/V Alborada

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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    • Nov 12, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Salty Sams Marina (Fort Myers Beach)

      Salty Sam's Marina, 2500 Main Street - Fort Myers Beach, FL, Toll Free: 888-796-6427On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

      Salty Sams Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) is perhaps the best facility in Fort Myers Beach. Who has stayed here, and what did you discover?

      Responses follow:

      Dear Cruising Writer,
      In response to your West Florida Wish List, I’d like to comment on an extremely satisfying experience I recently had at Salty Sam’s Marina. Our family decided to take advantage of some excellent Southwest Florida fall weather and boat to Parrot Key for lunch. As we approached the Marina and made our way under the Mantanzas Pass Bridge, the kids were having a great time looking at the large shrimp boats and various pleasure boats moving in and out of the busy channel. When we arrived at the new, state of the art, floating docks we were greeted by a courteous dock master. Our dining experience could not have been better. The restaurant had a nice crowd and our waitress was attentive and upbeat. The menu had a great selection of food items for the entire family and of course a great selection of cold beer for the grownups.
      If you want a great excuse to take the boat out for the day or weekend, Salty Sam’s Marina is a perfect family friendly destination.
      Tight Lines,
      Rob
      Ft. Myers

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Salty Sams Marina

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