Though hoodies, windbreakers, gloves and mittens aren’t standard gear for most boating events in Southwest Florida, they were yesterday for the Fort Myers Offshore fun run from the Sanibel Island Bridge to the Hyatt Resort in Naples. Heading into the weekend, 53 members had registered for the run, which included an overnight stay at its destination. Temperatures in the mid-to-high 60-degree range under grey skies combined with morning showers caused the fleet to shrink to 22 boats.
Jared Bishop and company tackled the event in Bonita Boat Center’s new Fountain 38 Sport Console with Mercury Racing 450R outboard engines. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“We pushed the start back by an hour to allow everybody a dry ride down to Naples,” said Tim Hill, the president of the nonprofit scholarship fundraising club. “The Hyatt House had bars and tables all set up on the docks but upon our arrival the rain started again. But that didn’t stop our diehard members who made the 40-mile trek, and the party moved inside to the lobby bar.”
Fort Myers Offshore board member Troy Schirk, who planned the event, also took on the DJ role and “entertained everyone all afternoon,” said Hill.
Under cloudy skies, Fort Myers Offshore members faced lumpy water during yesterday’s event.
Of the club members who made the run, 12 captains and their guests opted to stay overnight. Conditions did not improve for the return trip this morning.
“The water was sportier than predicted, but that didn’t stop boats from 28 to 43 feet from braving the sub-60-degree temperature and returning to Fort Myers this morning,” said Hill.
Next up on the Fort Myers Offshore schedule is the outfit’s Bay Front Bistro/Raft-Up set for February 5.
As it usually does in Fort Myers Offshore happenings, Nor-Tech had strong representation yesterday.
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