OCDACTIVE

The Fort Myers Offshore Club is proud to announce “Captains Corner”. This will be a reoccurring exposition that will introduce fellow club members in efforts to bring the club closer together. Over the years we have expanded dramatically and while growth is great in many aspects it does make it difficult to continue with our close knit philosophy and family characteristic that has drawn so many to the club. We plan to share with you on our Facebook Page: (Ft. Myers Offshore, Inc. (FMO) and our club thread on Offshoreonly.com a weekly profile of one of our members and their boat(s).We will begin with the board of directors in prelude to our annual trip to Sarasota so that you will know a few familiar faces in case you should have questions at the event. We hope you enjoy these exposes and we urge you to volunteer to be profiled in the near future.

OCDACTIVE

Fort Myers Offshore presents:
The Captain’s Corner, by Scott Verdonck

In recent years Bob Barnhart semi-retired from his home building and land development businesses, and now devotes even more time to his passion for offshore boating. While his primary home is in Ontario, Canada he also has a seasonal home on Marco Island, FL where he can often be found in the winter months.

Bob enjoys his role as Chairman of FMO as a way of sharing with his fellow offshore boating friends a sport that he has truly loved over the past 24 years. He says it is pure pleasure to get out for a day on the water with his FMO friends and at the same time help raise funds for the clubs student education fund.

His favorite boating waters are Georgian Bay during the summer months, SW Florida, and the BVI / Eastern Caribbean in winter.

His “claim to fame” is setting the world speed record between Key West, FL & Cancun, MX and back in June, 2008 with his Nor Tech, Team PREDATOR which still stands today.

Current boats include his “big water boat” the diesel powered 50’ Nor Tech V, the recently added 32’ Renegade CC (fun boat !) and a 38’ Donzi ZR powered by Merc 525’s which was recently listed for sale.

And it is apparently true that his favorite color is blue? LOL


Next member to be featured - FMO Club President, Eric Belisle

OCDACTIVE

Fort Myers Offshore presents:
The Captain’s Corner, by Scott Verdonck
Today’s Captain: President Eric Belisle

Our clubs’ President Eric Belisle is one of the few who was actually born here in Fort Myers. Growing up his entire family was passionate about boating. Some of his earliest childhood memories are from boating with his family and extended family.

Eric’s interest in powerboats started when in middle school. He tells a story whereby he was at the orthodontist and was told by that doctor that he was going to sell his Sutphen. In talking with one of his friends’ about the boat his parents overheard them which led them to buy it. To this day he still has vivid memories of that first boat ride. Since then he was ultimately hooked on the sport.

After graduating college his love for boating brought him back to SWFL. He is a partner in a CPA firm that was started back in 1999. He feels very fortunate to have an amazing wife who has the same enthusiasm of boating. This passion has already been passed down to their two boys Dominic (3) and Teague (5 mo). Even at such a young age, Teague smiles and giggles the entire time when they are on the water.

One aspect that led Eric to the club was that he and his wife had received scholarships, much like those provided by FMO to attend college. So even though his life-long passion for boating helped attract him to the organization he very much enjoys the charitable aspects as a way to give back.

Next member to be featured - FMO Board Member: Bill Lemanski

Bobthebuilder

Nicely done again, Scott. In reading the article I even learned some things about Eric that I did not know before. We are proud to have Eric as our club President.

Bob

OCDACTIVE

Fort Myers Offshore presents:

The Captain’s Corner, by Scott Verdonck

Today’s Captain: Board Member, Bill Lemanske

FMO Board member Bill Lemanske is a Pharmacist and drug store owner. He currently resides in Grosse Ile Michigan with his lovely wife Lori and son Billy Jr. During the summer months they spend much of the time on the Great Lakes visiting favorite destinations ranging from Put n Bay, Ohio to Boyne City Michigan. Annualy, Bill and Lori participate in the Boyne Thunder poker run on Lake Charlevoix. When the cold weather arrives, the Lemanske family travels often to their southern residence on Fort Myers Beach.

Bill, fifty years young, says he been a boater almost his entire life starting out with a 18’ checkmate in his teens to owning a 32 skater in his late twenties where he campaigned on the APBA racing circuit. These days Bill and family can be found on their Nor-Tech 39 CC which Bill describes as his favorite boat to date. Their name on the Nor-Tech “Fast Priority” also has a story to it. Before Bill and Lori were married their first purchase together was a 39 Sea Ray which they named First Priority. Since then, the name was traded into “Fast” with the advent of owning a performance boat once again.

Bill has been on the FMO board for over a year and say’s the Clubs growth, which he credits largely to Club founder Bob Barnhart, is awesome and feels honored to be a contributor.

Next Captains’ Profile: Board Member, Stan Quinn

OCDACTIVE

Fort Myers Offshore presents:

The Captain’s Corner, by Scott Verdonck

Today’s Featured Captain: FMO Board Member, Stan Quinn

Board member Stan Quinn is a full time resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is a frequent visitor to Cape Coral, Florida and a proud Director for Fort Myers Offshore.
Stan’s home water is the St. Lawrence River at Rockport, Ontario. Located in the heart of the 1000 Islands, this is considered one of the top ten boating destinations in the world.

While Stan did not grow up on the water his passion for speed has fueled his love of performance boating. This need for speed was not quenched by his first boat yet it planted the seed for a relentless drive for something bigger and faster! After an insistent pursuit he finally got the green light to purchase a 28’ Sunsation which brought a smile to his face right from the start. Stan’s current ride is a 2011 32’ Sunsation which he enjoys during the winter in the coastal waters of Florida.

When not at work or at the helm of his 32’ Sunny, Stan enjoys his many road trips with “MY WAY”. Most recently he was part of the world record setting team at Lake of the Ozarks in August 2013 where the Mystic was clocked at 224 mph!

Stan and his wife Inez share the love of boating and now she is giving another “green light” for something bigger and faster!

Next Captains’ Profile: FMO Board Member,Scott Verdonck

tax man

Great stuff Scott. We need more details from Stan on this next ride! Cat? Vee?

Bobthebuilder

Fort Myers Offshore presents:

The Captain’s Corner, by Bob Barnhart

Today’s Captain: Board Member, Scott Verdonck

Scott Verdonck is the most recent addition to our Board of Directors. A recent transplant Scott moved his young family from New Hampshire to Fort Myers in May of 2013. His passion has always been boating where he began his career driving run-abouts at the family’s summer home on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

After piloting various boats over his life; ranging from Boston Whalers, Jet Skis, Baja’s and even Pontoon Boats, he was drawn to Offshore Boating after getting involved with the Active Thunder group up and down the East Coast. After many years of searching and saving he purchased his now 28’ Active Thunder which is named rightly so after Scott’s personality: “OCD”.

Scott has already had a long career of being a boating and community activist. He is founder of Safe Boaters of New Hampshire (SBONH) an organization put together to work for boaters interests. He served on the Governor of NH’s Public Water Access and Advisory Board, is an active member of the Freemasons, US Power Squadron and past chairman of the Goffstown Republican town committee.

Scott graduated Bentley University back in 1999 and now works as a business development manager for a staff augmentation firm, also he is a Disney specialist / travel agent. Outside of boating, Disney and warm weather Scott is a hardcore New England Patriots fan and spends most of his time with his beautiful wife (Susie) and children: Sam (6) and Summer-Rae (2).

Next Captains' Profile: Board Member & Club Treasurer, Hans Haedelt

Temper Tantrum

We can talk over a

OCDACTIVE

Fort Myers Offshore presents:

The Captain’s Corner, by Scott Verdonck

Today’s Captain: Treasurer & Board Member, Hans Haedelt

FMO’s Treasurer and Director Hans Haedelt is a full time resident of Naples, FL, having moved from New York almost ten years ago. Hans is proud to have worked alongside Bob Barnhart since the inception of Fort Myers Offshore, and the Jennifer Molter Trust.

Hans did not grow up on the water, yet spent most of his childhood and adolescence moving from country to country around the world with his father being a diplomat.

His love of boating started in his teens, when his family would often visit Ft Lauderdale. He remembers spending his afternoons on the rock jetty by the inlet to Port Everglades marveling at all the offshore boats going in and out.

Years later Hans bought a 24ft Baja Outlaw that was mostly used on the Hudson River and then here in South Florida.

Now 51 years young, he has spent most of his life working in the Music Industry in New York City and Los Angeles. After leaving that business Hans now co-owns Independent Brokers Realty based in Naples and Marco Island.

Hans is a single dad and lives for his two kids, Gabriella(15), and Sebastian(12). Both children can often be found helping at the merchandise table at the FMO fun runs. The kids are encouraging him to get another boat as soon as possible.

“Working with my fellow directors on FMO's board is an honor. It’s fantastic to be able to raise money and help deserving young people move closer to their educational goals."

Next FMO Profile: Club photographer. Jay Nichols