Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

As I watched Ryan Beckley put together his fun run out of Sarasota it has inspired me to do the same for interested offshore boaters in the Cape Coral / Ft Meyers area. After making some calls today I am satisfied there is support for a New Years Day fun run in this area too.
The plan is to meet at the Cape Coral Yacht Club with a departure at 11:00 am. There seems to be agreement that an ideal spot for lunch would be Burnt Store on Charlotte Harbor. I just want to share a thought or two on the run then would like to throw it open to any suggestions others might have to add to our day. One idea is , weather permitting, to head first to San Carlos Bay, then around the south end of Sanibel Island and head north offshore to Boca Grande Pass where we will enter Charlotte Harbor. After lunch the route south for something different could be down the Intra Coastal Waterway and if time permits make a second stop possibly at Tween Waters or ? [ suggestions please ]
This fun run is open to everyone so please feel free to join us.
Bob Barnhart AKA Bobthebuilder :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Confirmed boats at this time :

Bob Barnhart - PREDATOR, 50ft Nor Tech V
Larry Jones - MASQUERADE, 50ft Nor Tech V
Dennis Liebman - The Menace, 40 ft Skater
Terry Sobo - next ex 43 ? ha 36ft Nor Tech cat
Jay Forbes - 43ft Nor Tech V
Regeane Doucette 45 ft Sonic

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Thats about the same route as the old bravo shop poker run....depending on weather I may want to do this. Easier then towing to Sarasota. Keep us updated

Quite a list of boats...

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hello Dan,

I had wanted to go up and join the Sarasota group as well but had some logistical problems with getting up there after New Years Eve in Cape Coral. Ryan has done a great job putting their run together and I did not want our run to take any boats away from them. I am sure that there are enuff boats on the west coast that both runs will be a huge success so feel free to join us if that is what you decide. :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Heck with your list of boats you'ld be here in an hour by water!

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hello Ryan,

I know your route is pretty well decided but think about this.
Have your group head south and meet us at Burnt Store !! Wouldn't that be neat. I understand why that may not be possible tho. A lot of offshore exposure and too long and slow by Intra Coastal. If you only knew the weather would co - operate that would be great. Have we met possibly at the Sarasota Poker Run ?? I do it every spring and fall.
And good luck with your run. We don't even have sponsors or prizes!! :D
Bob

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Au contraire mon ami. The prize is a great day of relaxing and boating with firends!

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

exactly what I was thinking , what's the ole saying ? "Speed Freaks Think Alike"

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Meeting up half way would be a good idea. Maybe as an alternative plan?

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Sarasota to Burnt Store is the Lion's share of half. I know the intercoastal would add an hour to your trip. If I remember correctly (because sometimes I do forget) there are no "No Wake" areas from Ft Myers north to Burnt Store unless they recently made some additions.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

If I remember correctly (because sometimes I do forget) there are no "No Wake" areas from Ft Myers north to Burnt Store unless they recently made some additions.[/QUOTE]
You are correct sir!
I'll be there but can I get a wake up call from somebody Sunday Morning? :drink: :drink:

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

I will be up at 5 am, no problem. I will call at 5:01am! :eek:

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Ooooohhhhh !

If there's a "Second Annual" .... I'll be there for next years event ! :evilb:

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

I might still be up at 5:01!! :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

And if that does not work Dennis buzz his house with the turbo when you fly back from Orlando early on the 1st !! :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Thats a plan, they always take me right over Cape Coral for runway #5.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hey Jerry, there is no charge for riding along. I can always use another person who doesn't know what they doing. :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

I have a couple questions on this idea. The first one is, would someone have room for two if I was to fly down? I don't think I want to drag my boat back down there this year for one day.:D What are the odds of getting there with an Air Tran arrival of 9:30 that morning? That last one is who wants to guarantee me sunshine if I fly down for one day?

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

It would be close. I would bet you would not make it. Sunshine? No guarantee. Even though it is Florida you never know.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

I heard Bill Taylor from Poker Runs America was going to be at his Ft Meyers condo over the holidays. So I called him to invite him on the run and it looks like he will be joining us.
What do you think we should charge him for an entry fee , say $ 600.00 for him and navigator plus $ 125.00 for each passenger ?? LOL :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Update: Now that my little run down to Key West is out of the way it's time to get refocused on our New Years Day fun run. :D
I have spoken with the people up at Burnt Store and they will be ready for us at the Marina and Restaurant. They are going to give us the outside patio area which is great.
I have heard from from several more by phone or PM and it looks like at least 12 boats, however there could be more as word gets around. It will help me greatly if you will let me know one way or the other if you plan on joining us and how many on your boat. I am to give Burnt Store a more accurate count on Saturday. My cell phone is 519 498 6945.
Also I hurt PREDATOR coming back from Key West yesterday. :mad: The doctors are looking at her starboard motor and am unsure if it is fixable or not at this point. I have several offers for a ride if needed but one way or the other I will be there.
Thank you,
Bob

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

MAN Dennis .... I'm gonna miss it by about 12 hours ! Loooong story ! Don;t ask ! :(

I will be down all next week. I'd love to .... ummmm ... "buy ya lunch " if ya know what I mean ?!?!?!?! :drink:

JM

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Where's the rally point and what time?

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Good morning Terry,

Was wondering where you disappeared to, but then it's that time of year. Glad you are going to join us. The plan is to leave the gas dock at Cape Coral Yacht Club at 11:00 am.
That should be pretty convenient for you. There are some boats from Bonita and Ft Meyers Beach area that I have suggested just meet us near the Sanibel Bridge so they do not have to come up the river. I hope everyone thinks ahead and is fueled up and ready to go at 11:00 am :D

I had a bearing go out on starboard motor of PREDATOR on my way back from Key West on Wednesday. :mad: I will be riding in someone else's boat [ not sure who at this point ]. That will be different for me hitching a ride instead of giving a ride! It will be more relaxing for a change and am actually looking forward to it. :D

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Your on!!!

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hi Bob. Sorry to hear about Predator.

Thanks for calling today. Everything looks good on our end. Got her splashed and home on the lift. We have to finish fueling tomorrow (the marina ran out of 93, we are scavenging for octane boost in the morning). See you Sunday south of the draw bridge. Remind everybody that the entire bridge is now Idle Speed.

The Menace

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Update:

Weather is looking near perfect. Light winds out of the south 5 to 8 MPH. Temp. 79 deg. only slight chance of rain - 20 %
Seas will be flat. :D

I will be riding with Bill Taylor in the Poker Runs America Fountain :D since PREDATOR is laid up for a bit. :(

Looks like at least 12 boats which will make for a manageable size for our first year. Have a Happy and safe New Year. :D

Bob

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Couple of beautiful Nor techs :cool:

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

How about some more pics when you all get back.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Wow! I can't believe I missed the Run! :mad: Most of ya'll motored by me on the Miserable Mile in the Caloosahatchee. I was in the 31' Formula (in case you noticed). I slowed down to admire all the great looking boats and listen to all the horsepower! :drink: I hope the weather held out for ya. It looked a little iffy.

We were out just enjoying New Year's Day on the water. Something I've never been able to do until now. I'd say count me in for next year.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

We had a turnout of 15 boats which was a few more than we expected. That was good. The weather was not. The fog lifted by 10:00AM so that was not a problem. The forecast was for a 20% chance of rain and unfortunately it rained 20% of the time !! We were able to dance around some but not all of the weather.
The run started off great with our running the first leg of 30 miles on a flat Gulf of Mexico with no problems. Life was good ! Then our luck changed and we had to deal with a couple of the usual mechanical problems and weather.
The lunch stop at Burnt Store was probably a good choice and everyone seemed to enjoy that. The run back to Cape Coral in the ICW was quick and easy, other than a few rain showers. All in all it was a pretty good day and would have been a great day with better weather.
Thank you, to all who took part and my thanks to Bill Taylor who welcomed me aboard since PREDATOR was laid up. :D
Bob

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Thanks for the pics bearpaw. :D The top pic is Terry and Mellisa Sobo in their 36' Nor Tech cat and Frank and Milly Ricardelli [ sp ? ] in their 50' Nor Tech cat Warrior.
Do you have any other pics you can post ?
Bob

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Thanks for asking Jass. We may be short of pics tho. I forgot my camera [ had something to do with last night !! ]
I have PM'd Dennis the Menace to see if he took any that can be posted. Hopefully so cause it was a day worth sharing even tho we got wet.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hello Formula1,

Yes we did see you. And I thought you were there to join us. Plan on it for next New Years. I expect we will do it again.
We picked up several more awsome boats down at the Sanibel bridge. 40ft Skater / 45ft Sonic/ 43ft Nor Tech cat.
An impressive fleet.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Love this pic, and love this rig.....

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Count me in for next year. I was too hung over to even think about getting in a boat today.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Hey Bobthebuilder, I followed ya'll to the bridge and the headed over to Ft Myers Beach area. Was that your cat over @ Offshore in Cape Coral getting fixed?

I need to get more connected with my local OSO'ers so I can be ready for these fun events! :drink:

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Bob has a 50 Nortec Deep V.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

We didn't get a lot of pics (Erika was the photog). However, Dave W said he took some as well so when he gets home they can be posted.

This was us. A rooster tail makes it a little hard to see the boats lining up to pass.

Re: Cape Coral / Ft Meyers, FL New Years Day Fun Run - 2006
 

Nice looking Nortec Cat. OK, Is there any other kind?