Offshoreonly.com - Roll Call / Info for our FMO March 5th Burnt Store Marina / Matlacha fun run

Roll Call / Info for our March 5th Burnt Store Marina / Matlacha fun run

We have decided to make some changes to our March 5th fun run as a result of some feedback from some of the membership and discussion amongst the FMO board.

Instead of going to the Lighthouse Restaurant at Port Sanibel Marina as we have done for the last couple of years we are planning on the following:

Meet on the south side of the Sanibel Bridge like always with the normal 11 AM departure. We will have two groups again. The “offshore group” will run north offshore of Sanibel and Captiva (water conditions provided) and come into Charlotte Harbor via Boca Grande Pass. From there we will run east 12 miles across Charlotte Harbor to Burnt Store Marina. The entire outside patio area is reserved for our group and we will be served a buffet lunch at Porto Bello restaurant at a cost of $ 20.00 incl. tax and tip. A reduced rate for children under 12 is being negotiated, usually half price.*
There will also be an “Intercoastal group” that will be suitable for boats wanting to run in the 50 to 55 MPH range up the protected ICW to Charlotte Harbor, then east to Burnt Store Marina.

After lunch we will have our 50 / 50 draw at 2:30 PM and depart for Matlacha / home about 2:45 PM returning south through Matlacha Pass which we did for the first time last year. It was extremely interesting and fun with all the twists and turns. Some of us will act as guide boats to lead the way through this well marked but little used waterway that runs between Pine isand and the mainland. High tide is at 3 PM so timing is perfect. We will have an optional stop at Bert's at Matlacha which has a Key West feel to it and everyone enjoyed. Creative rafting will be required but it worked out fine last year.
After taking my 50 NT through Matlacha last year, I am satisfied any of our boats are suitable for this part of the run. There is no obligation to do so tho and the alternate route home can be back to Boca Grande and then south either by way of ICW or offshore.

This is a link to a cell phone video that Frank took of some of the Matlacha section when he rode along on Team PREDATOR last year. The last portion really captures it well !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkCEQs580I0

If you are planning on attending this event please let me know by noon Thursday Feb. March 3rd. as the restaurant must order our food in advance. You may e mail me, or post up on our event thread on OSO. I will only need a boat count as we can reasonably estimate the total number of attendees, based on the number of boats. Attending Captains should read this information thread carefully to minimize any confusion.

While this event is free of charge to FMO club members, we will be have a 50/50 draw and selling club tee shirts and hats to raise some money for our cause. New clothing items have been ordered and will hopefully be available at the lunch stop. Come out and have a great day on the water. ( Please read our mission statement http://www.ftmyersoffshore.org )

Noise:

Club member Joe Sabo has informed me of an encounter he had with Fish and Wildlife enforcement where he was told that there have been numerous complaints regarding the noise of some of our boats and they intend to vigorously enforce the noise laws. If you do not have mufflers for your boat, you may want to consider some form of noise attenuation. Up until now we have enjoyed relatively few hassles regarding this and I hope we can head this off before it becomes a problem. As I learn more about this, I will share it with club members.

Membership Renewal:

If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2011, you may do so at the lunch stop or alternatively mail it in. There is no change in membership fees. Your membership will be good through until the end of 2011. Go to www.ftmyersoffshore.org and download the membership form. If you are a current member we will only need basic information as it is already on file unless there have been changes. People tell me all the time what a great thing FMO has going on here and it can only continue if you continue to show your support for your club.

Fuel / Distance:

From the Sanibel Bridge to Burnt Store and back should be about 104 miles for those running offshore both up and back so that would be the max for any boats I expect. For those taking the ICW / Matlacha return route, the mileage will be as little as 70 miles. Burnt Store Marina has 89 octane fuel. 93 octane is very difficult to find these days so please leave with a full tank.

Food:

Porto Bello restaurant will be serving us a buffet lunch at a cost of $ 20.00 including tax and gratuity. Children 12 and under will be a reduced rate, probably half price.

Communication:

Inter boat communication to be on VHF channel 72. My cell number is 239 776 0481. Anyone dropping out after the start should let me know so we do not spend time either waiting or looking for you. Leave a voicemail if no answer.

Pictures:

Club photographer Jay Nichols ( Jayboat ) will be aboard my Donzi and will capture as many pictures of your boats as possible during the coarse of the day. Please be sure to come alongside us for your picture. Prints may be ordered directly from Jay by calling him at 941 276 5650 or e mail: [email protected] and he will let you know the cost of enlargements.

Tide Information:

PLEASE NOTE THE LOW MORNING TIDE IN ALL AREAS !

Marco River LT: 7:30 AM; HT: 1:20 PM; LT: 7:46 PM
Naples Bay ( North End ) LT: 7:27 AM; HT 1:07 PM; LT: 7:43 PM
Estero Bay LT: 7:34 AM; HT: 1:30 PM; LT: 7:50 PM
Sanibel Bridge (Punta Rassa) LT: 6:55 AM; HT: 1:16 PM; LT: 7:11 PM
Cape Coral Bridge LT: 10:16 AM; HT: 3:32 PM; LT: 10:32 PM
Punta Gorda LT: 9:41 AM; HT: 3:23 PM; LT: 9:57 PM
Matlacha LT: 9:42 AM; HT: 3:00 PM; LT: 9:58 PM

Waypoints:

Marco Island: N 25 58 38; W 81 46 25
Naples ( Gordon Pass): N 26 05 50; W 81 48 67
Sanibel Bridge: N 26 29 00; W 82 00 88
Redfish Pass- : N 26 33 14; W 82 12 70
Boca Grande Channel ( offshore): N 26 41 78; W 82 17 90
Where Intercoastal meets Boca Grande - N 26 42 88; W 82 14 62
Useppa Island – N 26 39 58; W 82 12 41
Matlacha – N 26 37 57; W 82 04 04

Weather / Sea Conditions:

To be posted on the Ft Myers Offshore forum on OSO, 5 days prior to the run and updated daily referencing The Weather Channel and NOAA.

Safety:

Each boat Captain is required to operate his vessel in a safe manner and is responsible for his / her crew and their safety.
When running in the Intra Coastal Waterway ( ICW ) please be aware that this can be a high traffic area and we ask that other boats be given a wide berth and that the rules of the road ( waterway ) be adhered to.

Contact:

Bob cell: 239 776 0481 or e mail: [email protected]