Offshoreonly.com - Roll Call / Information for our Oct. 29th Season Opening Halloween Fun Run

Roll Call / Information for our Oct. 29th Season Opening Burnt Store Marina / Cayo Costa Halloween Fun Run

Last year we returned to Burnt Store Marina for the first time in several years. We were very well received and many wanted to return again this year. We have that opportunity coming up soon, with our first event of the season on October 29th. We will meet on the south side of the Sanibel Bridge like always with the normal 11 AM departure. I expect that we will have two groups. The “offshore group” will run north, offshore of Sanibel and Captiva (water conditions provided) and come into Charlotte Harbor via Boca Grande Pass. When entering Boca Grande Pass, be sure you do not cut the corner and avoid the Johnson Shoals. If you are unfamiliar with the waters, the pace boat should be followed. From there we will run east 12 miles across Charlotte Harbor to Burnt Store Marina. I will act as the pace boat for this group in Team PREDATOR.

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.

The Porto Bello restaurant at Burnt Store has reserved the entire outside patio area for our group and we will be served a buffet lunch.

After lunch we will have our usual 50 / 50 draw at 2:30 PM and depart for Cayo Costa for an hour or more ( see Cayo Costa info below ) so the group can have some additional social time / swim etc.

If you are planning on attending this event please let me know by noon Thursday October 27th as the restaurant must order our food and plan for our arrival 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.

This event is free of charge to FMO club members, however we ask that you be sure to keep your membership current. We will be have a 50/50 draw and be selling FMO tee shirts and hats to raise some money for our very worth while charitable cause. Come out and have a great day on the water with like minded powerboat enthusiasts.

Optional Halloween Dress:

To add an element of fun and with it being Halloween weekend, there will be a prize for the the best Halloween costume at the lunch stop. The winner will receive a high quality picture taken by Jay of either his / her boat or from a selection of pictures that Jay will make available at the next event.

Apres lunch Cayo Costa Beach Party / Swim:

Club member Frank Fasulo is very familiar with Cayo Costa and has provided the picture links below that will give you some idea just how beautiful the area is. Frank feels it is a better idea to drop anchor ( 2 if possible ) rather than raft up so we will not be as effected by passing boat wakes in the ICW. It is located about 12 miles from Burnt Store and I will lead the way with his help once we leave the lunch stop.

Skater 2011 Cayo Costa pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4383583...7627619560749/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4383583...7626991808860/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4383583...7626827164596/

Stingray 2011 Cayo Costa pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4383583...7627433271176/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4383583...7627209378974/

Membership Renewal:

Memberships are on a calendar year basis and if you have not yet renewed your membership for 2012, you may do so online by going to www.ftmyersoffshore.org or at any event lunch stop. There is no change in membership fees. Your membership will be good through until Dec. 31, 2012. 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 100 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 both up and back, the mileage will be as little as 80 miles. Burnt Store Marina has 89 octane fuel. 93 octane is very difficult to find these days so please leave with a full tank if you use high octane fuel.

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 ) informs me he will be in Key West at Fantasy Fest and will be burdened with the task of photgraphing that event and unavailable. LOL Frank Fasulo has volunteered to cover for Jay and will be aboard Team PREDATOR capturing as many pictures of your boats as possible during the coarse of the day. Please be sure to come alongside us for your picture. Later, Frank will post as many pictures of your boats on this OSO event thread as he can.

Tide Information:

PLEASE NOTE THE LOW MORNING TIDE IN SOME AREAS !

Marco River LT: 9:35 AM; HT: 4:36 PM; LT: 9:31 PM
Estero Bay LT: 10:15 AM; HT: 5:39 PM; LT: 8:16 PM
Sanibel Bridge (Punta Rassa) LT: 9:36 AM; HT: 5:25 PM
Cape Coral Bridge HT: 4:05 AM; LT: 12:57 PM; HT: 7:41 PM
Punta Gorda HT: 3:56 AM; LT: 12:22 PM; HT: 7:32 PM
Captiva Island ( outside ) LT: 8:27 AM; HT 4:06 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
Cayo Costa – N 26 42 16; W 82 14 57

Weather / Sea Conditions:

To be posted on this event thread, 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]