a
Your go-to source for performance boating.
HomeEvent CoverageFort Myers Offshore Closes Season With Solid Sarasota Weekend

Fort Myers Offshore Closes Season With Solid Sarasota Weekend

From Baja sportboats to Mystic center consoles, more than 30 boats showed up for Fort Myers Offshore’s weekend fun run to the Sarasota Hyatt. All photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

For the local Floridians, as well as a healthy contingent of Midwesterners, Northeasterners and Canadians who comprise the membership of Fort Myers Offshore, the season came to an end yesterday with a weekend Fun Run to the Hyatt Hotel in Sarasota, Fla. The event, which like all FMO runs began at the Sanibel Island Bridge just north of Fort Myers, attracted more than 30 boats.

While the final total isn’t in, the event’s live and silent auctions during Saturday night’s banquet reportedly raised more than $25,000 for the FMO scholarship fund, according to Eric Belisle, the club’s president.

“I am always amazed at how generous everyone is,” said Belisle. “I’d also like to thank our presenting sponsor, Double-R Performance. They’ve always been good to us.

“This season was incredible,” he continued. “We ended up with just over 100 boating and corporate memberships. We’re very pleased with that.”

For a look at some of the action from Fort Myers Offshore’s final event of the season, check out the slideshow above.

Belisle said the group “took its time” running from the Sanibel Island Bridge to the Hyatt on Friday morning. Saturday saw the fleet head for lunch, set up by St. Petersburg-based club member Bill Munyan, at the Blu Mangrove in advance of the evening banquet. On Sunday’s return leg, several boats caravanned to lunch on Cabbage Key.

With the 2015-2016 season in the books, the FMO leadership has started looking toward the next season. “The board met up while we were there,” said Belisle. “We’re already working on next season’s schedule and some new destinations.”

fmosara16 07

With a successful season behind them, the leaders of Fort Myers Offshore have started planning for the 2016-2017 season (click image to enlarge).

Editor’s Note: Look for a recap of the FMO Sarasota Fun Run in the upcoming March/April issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine.

Related stories
Fort Myers Offshore Cooks At Cayo Costa
FMO Burnt Store Run Attracts Strong Turnout
Fort Myers Offshore Sees Record Turnout For New Year’s Run
Gallery of the Week: Fort Myers Offshore’s Post-Turkey-Day Flock
Inside SOTW Mag: With Open Arms