With 52 boats in the fleet, Fort Myers Offshore set a record for its annual New Year’s Fun Run. Photo courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image.

Backed by presenting sponsor Double R Performance, a full-service Nor-Tech, Outerlimits and Mercury Racing dealer based in Ontario, Canada, Fort Myers Offshore’s annual New Year’s Fun Run yesterday attracted 52 boats and more than 200 participants for the trek from the Sanibel Island Bridge to CJ’s On The Bay restaurant on Marco Island for lunch. Two helicopters—one carrying photographer Jay Nichols and another with Trond Schou of Nor-Tech—took to the air to capture the action.

“This was our tenth year going to Marco Island,” said Eric Belisle, the president of the nonprofit club, which raises money through designated events for its college scholarship fund. “It’s great to see the camaraderie among all the members—even the dock-master made a comment on how friendly everyone is.”

For a look at the action from yesterday’s Fort Myers Offshore New Year’s Fun Run, check out the slideshow above. All photos courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image

The fleet included high-performance catamarans, V-bottoms and center consoles from Active Thunder, Baja, Cigarette, Concept, Donzi, Doug Wright, Fountain, Hustler, Midnight Express, Marine Technology, Inc., Motion, Mystic, Nor-Tech, Outerlimits, Skater, Spectre, Sunsation, Sutphen and more. In addition to the club’s well established contingents of Canadians and Midwesterners, members came from Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Illinois and—sure to be a lock for the club’s unofficial ‘farthest traveler award’ if they ever offer one—Norway to participate.

“In addition to several new members making the run we also had three brand new boats: Jim and Kelli Agles with their 44-foot Mystic catamaran, Ray Seuffert with his 41-foot Cigarette GTR center console and Bill Kehn in his 32-foot Sunsation center console,” said Belisle. “Six new corporate sponsors also signed up at the event.”

The run reportedly raised more than $10,000 for the scholarship fun.

“The entire Fort Myes Offshore board is extremely pleased with the turnout and the funds raised for our student scholarship foundation,” said Belisle. “Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed.”

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