Cape Coral Cruise Club looks back at 2013.
Cape Coral Cruise Club – 2013 Recap
The Cape Coral Cruise Club, founded in 1963, is unique among S.W. Florida boat clubs in that it owns a portion of a private island on the Caloosahatchee River east of the Franklin Lock near Alva. Over the years a covered pavilion has been built where the members enjoy monthly elaborate picnics, bocce, horseshoes and other relaxing activities.
January, South Seas cruise: A fleet of sixteen vessels belonging to CCCC members cruised to South Seas Resort on Captiva Island for a unique and entertaining adventure January 16 – 18. Under the cruise leadership of Past Commodore Phil Quick and wife Lyn, our adventure took a realistic turn with members going on a treasure hunt at the resort to find a wonderful hidden prize. Over the course of three days clues were given to attending members to assist in locating the prize. Joanne Zimmer was successful on Friday.
February, 2013 Prime Rib picnic: This was a milestone for CCCC as more than 70 members, guests and prospective members attended. The prime rib dinner, prepared by Gary and Kathy Taake and their able assistants was especially delicious as Gary and Kathy brought the selected meat from their Nebraska cattle operation. Topping off the outstanding meal was the individually packed citrus sorbet packets that both cooled and cleansed the palette. No one departs hungry from a monthly CCCC Island picnic.
February, Pink Shell Cruise: Twenty boats from the CCCC cruised to Ft Myers Beach on February 19th to participate in the opening and festive ribbon cutting of a wonderful new marina – the Pink Shell Marina. This Marina features great amenities, including floating docks, cable TV, dockside pump-out, and access to the Pink Shell Resort’s 3 heated pools, white sand beach, spa and food & beverage facilities. In addition, the marina offers the closest access to the Gulf of Mexico of any Ft. Myers Beach marina. Three days of fun, relaxation, and use of the Pink Shell amenities made for an outstanding cruise.
March Little Loop extended cruise: Three “slow” boats, and eight “fast” boats departed the CCCC owned Island on the Caloosahatchee River east of the Franklin Lock near Alva on separate days in mid- March due to weather conditions for crossing Lake “O”, eventually to meet on the east coast at Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach. Off and on weather was a determining factor for arrivals and departures from Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Miamarina in Miami, Hawks Cay Marina & Resort on Duck Key, and Key West. Weather concerns are predominant when it comes to member boating safety. Overall with good friends, good meals, some outstanding fishing and swimming with dolphins, the group had a fine time cruising the Little Loop.
April, 2013 a busy CCCC month: Events following the Club Island picnic on the first Saturday of the month included:
50th Anniversary celebration cruise: The CCCC celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala dinner cruise and dance aboard the beautiful 100 foot Sanibel Princess on Wednesday, April 10th. Founded in 1963 by James Holmes and a small group of Cape Coral boaters, the club’s objectives are to encourage the sport of boating, promote good seamanship and fellowship in cruising the inland and coastal waters of Florida, and provide a clubhouse for the recreation and use of members and their guests.
Sixty members and guests, dressed for the occasion, boarded the Sanibel Princess at 6:00 pm for a four hour cruise, starting with a happy hour complete with full bar, and appetizers of vegetables, dip and cheese platter with fresh fruit. Then dinner was announced which consisted of a sumptuous buffet of several salads, winter medley mix of vegetables, red russet potatoes, beef tenderloin, chicken breast with wild rice, pan seared salmon with glaze, crab meat with pasta casserole, and delicious assorted desserts.
Each couple was given a beautiful commemorative acrylic plaque to honor the occasion. The Captains and crew members of the Sanibel Princess went out of their way to show club members a great time, and many who had never been aboard the boat agreed that the food, ambience and service exceeded their expectations.
April, Snook Bight Marina cruise: CCCC members had a great time at Snook Bight Marina for the April, 2013 monthly cruise. Members began arriving just before 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 16th, and despite the breezy conditions and fast tidal current from the SE, all boaters docked without incident. As the sun settled into the west, John Queen surprised everyone by transforming into ‘Alex Treebark’ and delivering a hilarious rendition of ‘CCCC Jeopardy’. Using a laptop and power point, John separated the crowd into three teams and grilled club members on subjects such as Club History, Hidden Island, Boating Safety Regulations. Two days followed enjoying the sights and sounds of Times Square, Santini Plaza, good meals and friendship, and the sands of Ft. Myers Beach, before members started their engines and headed for home on the 19th.
May, Up the GICW to Palm Island: On May 14, 2013 several members of the CCCC cruised northward on the Gulf ICW to Palm Island, a favorite annual Club destination. The trip up Pine Island Sound was a bit choppy, as was crossing Boca Grande Pass, but the five boats all arrived and docked without incident using the assigned assistance of Palm Harbor Marina staff. With near perfect weather and outstanding facilities, along with the hospitality planning of Captain Lynch, the arrival and securing of members boats was outstanding. The following two days were filled with trips to the beach, lots of pool time along with the traditional card games. Included on any CCCC cruise are outstanding appetizers, docktails, snacks and uniquely grilled meals. The morning of May 17 saw Club mariners slipping lines and departing for the southbound GICW cruise back home. The inter-coastal waterway was near calm and everyone returned without incident.
June, Final spring cruise to Burnt Store Marina: The final CCCC cruise before the Club’s annual summer break was to Burnt Store Marina hosted by Detlef and Denise Rohleder, and co-hosted by Phil and Pat Kryger. Four members cruised north on the GICW and up a very smooth Charlotte Harbor. After checking in and tied up in the assigned slips, boaters were on their own to do whatever, until docktails at 4:30. Snacks were provided by the host at the Marina pavilion, including yummy crab dip and crackers provided by Bobbie McEwen. Over the next two days several members arrived by land yacht to participate in the bocce games, trivia contests, excellent meals, and other traditional CCCC cruise activities.
August, Special Island event: Due to the heat and humidity of mid-summer in S.W. Florida the CCCC normally holds no Club activities. 2013 was different as a recent new member decided to provide a different Island treat, a Pirate theme party! On August 17, pirates attacked Hidden Island! In preparation the Captain and his crew arrived on the island Thursday to ensure that all was clean and ready for those members who elected to attempt the Saturday pirate invasion. CCCC members and appropriately attired guests crossed the GICW by Club pontoon boat shortly after 9:00 am on Saturday. Braving snakes, a raven and numerous hazards along the way, they arrived only to be met by defense cannon fire from Vice Commodore Phil Kryger’s unique PVC cannon. Len Grassini, pontoon boat pilot and the intrepid Island grounds’ keeper, returned fire with 3 quick shots with his trusty shotgun and the battle was underway!
Once the battles were ended the members were confronted with three puzzles to complete, and clues to decipher before scouring the island for Treasure hidden earlier by the Captain and crew. Our intrepid Commodore, Mike Stewart and matie, Brenda, were swift, diligent with clues, persistent, and courageous. They braved hazardous conditions, analyzed the clues, and in swift order returned to the pavilion with the treasure chest in tow! Upon opening it they discovered 4 wonderful casks of Grog, fabulous plastic jewels and a dinner for two at the fantastic Moorings restaurant in Cape Coral! Oh, what Bounty (booty)!
Shortly after the prizes were awarded, all relaxed and enjoyed steaks, marinated in a mysterious sauce were grilled and matched with many other wonderful offerings on the serving table. Desserts abounded and all of the crew was well fed. Tired, hot, but well fed, the invading pirates departed the island to return to their ordinary lives declaring as they went that “a pirate’s life is way too short!”
September, The Naples Boat Club: The CCCC resumed its schedule of monthly cruises to both near and distant locations, with the season kickoff cruise to the Naples Boat Club. Unlike the 2012 cruise to Naples, waves were 1 to 2 feet on the Gulf of Mexico southbound on Tuesday the 17th making for a very comfortable ride for all members. One of the popular features of this cruise is a catered dinner after arrival on the first night. This means no one has to cook a dish after cruising two to five hours on a hot day, so at 6:00 PM, Rib City catered a delicious meal of sliced BBQ pork sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad and slaw, with an assortment of fresh baked cookies for dessert.
At the Wednesday morning continental breakfast cruise leaders announced a group activity in the pool at 11:00 am requiring good hand and eye coordination, but no further details were divulged.
At the appointed hour, all members in swimwear got in the pool, and waited patiently while hundreds of wine corks were dumped into the pool. It was explained that upon a signal, everyone was to grab as many corks as they could, and store them in any way they could. It was a hilarious scene as corks were stuffed into swim trunks, pockets, swim tops and bottoms, and both hands. When all the corks were gone from the pool, contestant’s collected corks were counted, with prizes to be awarded at Happy Hour later in the afternoon. First prize went to Phil Quick, who somehow collected 136 corks (an amazing feat), second prize was won by Phil Kryger, and third prize was won by Edie Limbright. A special booby prize was awarded to member Bobbie McEwen, who, despite using a portable oxygen tank, got in the pool and collected 29 corks. Although this was the smallest number of corks collected, she amazed everyone with her participation and effort.
Wednesday and Thursday were filled with Naples tours by trolley and water taxi, as well as another “Solo red bowl sailboat” build and race contest at the pool. Once again members enjoyed sinkings, devious antics, and laughs as contestants attempted to win.
Of course dinners out and member arrivals by land yacht rounded out the very successful and fun filled Naples cruise. Friday morning saw members slipping lines and heading back north with fond memories of CCCC cruising.
October, CCCC returns to Fisherman’s Village: Six club member boats cruised to Fishermen’s Village Tuesday the 15th of October. The water on Charlotte Harbor was smooth and that alone made the journey to Punta Gorda much better than last year when wind created very rough conditions. Upon arriving at the docks we had timely assistance from the marina staff. Dock masters Randy and Jim enhanced our stay by allowing us use of the boaters lounge for our happy hours and dinner time.
Over the next two days members used provided bicycles to ride into Punta Gorda, relaxed with card games, and enjoyed the activities on the pier. Friday morning attendees cruised back down Charlotte Harbor, turned south on the GICW for the return trip to Cape Coral and nearby locations. Another successful pleasure and fun filled CCCC cruise goes into the log books.
November, Uncle Henry’s Marina: Cruise leaders Mark and Kate Lewis planned the CCCC November trip to Uncle Henry’s Marina on Boca Grande. This is a location the Club had not been to in several years. Getting into Uncle Henry’s is a zigzag path through the channel off the GICW north of Boca Grande pass, but it is well marked and dock master Paul Robbins keeps a good eye on your progress so you don’t stray into trouble. The marina has a long single concrete dock with many good, wide slips. Twelve CCCC member boats cruised the GICW on November 19th to participate in the cruise. Bob and Bonnie Martin, on their 33’ Ranger tug Daisy Mae, arrived from Sarasota to join the group. They were on the final southbound leg of a several month Great Loop journey.
Kate prearranged for seven rental golf carts so members could explore Boca Grande. On Boca Grande locals and tourists use golf carts on special wide paved trails to move about the island. Over the next two days a few went fishing, some played cards while others left on carts to explore the Island, some going all the way down to Boca Grande Pass. Lunch for some was at the Loose Caboose and shopping is always a treat in Boca Grande.
On both Wednesday and Thursday several members arrived by land yacht to join the cruisers in the many fun activities to be had on Boca Grande. Friday, the trip home was pleasant although due to breezy conditions, seas were just a little rough. It was another great trip for the Cape Coral Cruise Club. Thanks to one of our newest member couples, Kate and Mark Lewis, for their attention to detail making this a very memorable event.
December, Change of Watch: Each December the CCCC has its only “formal” event where the current Club officers are recognized for their Club work and new officers are placed in office. Held at the Palmetto Pine Country Club this year, after dinner Past Commodore Len Grassini called Commodore Mike Stewart to give his outgoing comments followed by the swearing in of 2014 Commodore Phil Kryger and presentation of his flag. Commodore Kryger thanked Past Commodore Stewart for his achievements during 2013 and presented him the Past Commodore burgee flag.
Commodore Kryger asked for his new bridge to come forward: Vice Commodore Lee Jetton and Rear Commodore John Queen. They were presented with flags and sworn in. Then Commodore Kryger asked the rest of the board to come forward to be sworn in, followed by a short talk on his goals for the CCCC in 2014. Music and dancing rounded out the evening.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of Club activities and review additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.
Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Since my last report, we experienced some real shallow (‘skinny’) water in conjunction with a cold front and strong north/northeast winds. Fortunately, the fish remained active. Shown here is Maik Lindner of Frankfurt, Germany holding a nice size Crevalle Jack he caught in a Cape Coral canal on the way to the ‘flats’. His brother, Christoff is shown with his first Snook on an artificial presentation while trolling the canal. Both fish were caught the day before the last cold (cool) front. Once we were on the ‘flats’, both fishermen continued to enjoy angling Spanish Mackerel, Seatrout and other species.
