The 46th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show will be hitting the streets and waters of the River District from November 15-18, 2018. The event will run Thursday through Sunday, bringing all the top marine industry brands, products and services together in one place. Although construction on the Harborside Event Center is underway, it’s not stopping us from putting on the biggest and best boat show yet!
Southwest Florida’s largest and most anticipated boat show returns for it’s 42nd annual exhibition of boats, equipment and seminars. The event will be held in the Harborside Event Center and the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin Thursday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 16. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“Few other shows in the country are able to offer both indoor and in-water viewing of boats and accessories.” says show manager, John Good. “This promises to be our largest in-water display in many years!”
The Harborside Event Center will be filled to capacity with boats and marine accessories. A new accessory display area has also been added along Hendry Street facing the marina. This leads to the “Welcome to the Water” Boating Lifestyle area in the City Pier Building on the river.
Fishing, Diving, Paddlesports, Boat Maintenance Tips and other boating how-to information will be on display inside and outside. Local fishing expert Fishin’ Frank will host a series of seminars covering techniques to catch many popular Gulf Coast species. Frank’s guides will be on hand throughout the show to offer advice on making the most of your fishing time on the water. The popular “Fishing Simulator” returns giving show visitors the chance to catch everything from bass to billfish.
Saturday and Sunday, one of Florida’s top divers, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie will hold seminars on spear fishing and catching lobster. Mathie is the author of two books, “Catching the Spear-it” and “Catching the Bug” that offer detailed information on improving your diving skills.
Boats however are still the show’s main draw. Every type of boat from kayaks and inflatables to yachts and everything in between. There will be more than 40 companies displaying boats, representing more than 90 boat lines, plus over 40 brokerage boats in-water.
Food and beverages will be available inside the event as well as several new downtown restaurants. Admission is $10.00 per person, per day and free for children under 16 with a paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information about the show, click here.
The cruise to Legacy Harbour Marina was fully attended with 15 boats cruising to and four resident boats participating. Harbormaster Eric Ravenschlag promised us 15 slips and he came through, and the marina was totally filled! While most people ate on their boat or walked downtown the first night, several of us tried out the little restaurant across from Joe’s Crab Shack. We had to stand on our burgers to get them thin enough to bite into!
Tuesday night saw cocktails at the chickee hut, followed by heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by the cruisers. Cruise leaders Mike and Brenda Stewart passed out cruise folders to those who missed the membership meeting and briefed everyone on the relaxed schedule for the cruise. No competing with the event packed cruise last month! The cruise leaders spent their time after hors d’oeuvres preparing fruit for breakfast Wednesday.
Chef Mike cooked up a breakfast of scrambled eggs with ham bits and cheese. Fresh fruit and croissants with butter filled out the meal. Most people then scattered to the winds in the downtown Ft. Myers area getting exercise, buying out the specialty shops and enjoying the vast array of lunch venues available. Others played cards in the room supplied by the marina.
It was Mike’s turn again Wednesday night as he barbecued 30 pounds of pork loin. Brenda brought out her delicious pasta salad, and for other tastes, the famous Club recipe coleslaw. Everyone got to choose the size/cut of loin they desired, accompanied by Brenda’s homemade applesauce, followed by several desserts provided by the ladies. Dinner was held at the chickee hut, but the food was on Lady Blue and the barbecues in front of the marina office.
Thanks to an army of the ladies the prepared meal was moved to the waiting ravenous club members at the hut. We had Ted and Beverly Hutson, Chuck Pollack and Sue Herzog, Dianne Myers, Jeannie Douglass’s grandson and two Limbright guests in attendance also. After dinner several of the crews headed downtown to listen to the harbormaster’s wife who was singing “torch songs” with her band.
Thursday morning breakfast leftovers were offered up to those desiring a bit to eat before getting their morning walk out of the way. The rest of the day was whatever cruisers desired to do. Many of the ladies duked it out again at the card tables. Others headed downtown again to try different stores and restaurants and that devilish purveyor of dietary supplements, Bennett’s Donuts!
Thursday at “3:27pm” a name christening was held by Phil and Lyn Quick on the dock behind their new 44 ft. fly bridge Sea Ray. After the champagne, everyone headed to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres hosted by Paul and Stephanie Carrico. The Marina, as thanks for our patronage, paid for the eats! NICE! We all then walked next door to Joe’s Crab Shack where they seated and served some 40 of us in grand style. The steam pots seemed to be the most popular menu items with steaks, ribs and stuffed shrimp in the running. The restaurant can satisfy most palates with their extensive menu.
Friday saw the Carrico’s heading out on their Great Loop adventure. They were already underway by the time the rest of us got around to slipping lines and returning to home ports. Legacy Harbour Marina is a nice place to visit, and nobody seemed in a big hurry to leave.
Thanks to everyone who participated and thanks to the marina staff who took care of all our needs quickly and with a smile. It was a good event.
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.
By Mike Stewart
By Legacy Harbour Marina
If you are planning on making a trip to downtown Fort Myers, Legacy Harbour Marina is a great place to stop and dock your boat. To make your experience more enjoyable, here are a few tips on boating to Legacy Harbour Marina. Make reservations by telephone or email in advance, so that we may place you in a slip best suited to your boat! Legacy Harbour Marina is located on the Caloosahatchee River in the Downtown Fort Myers area. The river has a number of Manatee Protection and Boater Safety Zones. Always be aware of these zones and slow or idle as mandated. The marina lies within the quarter mile rim of the river which is a slow speed zone.
We monitor the marine radio on Channel #16. After hailing the marina we will ask you to change to our working Channel #12. The entrance to the marina is on our eastern side between Channel Marker #49 and the Caloosahatchee Bridge. We are happy to give you directions to your slip and help you with your dock lines.
It is a beautiful marina with all floating docks. Since the marina docks float up and down with the tide, it allows for easy access on and off your boat. Boats can be tied snug to the dock without worry of tidal changes. When arriving at the marina have fenders and dock lines ready: bow, stern and spring lines.
After you arrive you can relax and enjoy gatherings under the Chickee Hut, use the Heated Swimming Pool, our Captains Lounge or exercise in our Fitness Room. We provide two sets of Restrooms, Showers, Laundry, Free Wi-Fi and TV. Walk to Groceries, Shopping, Restaurants, Park, and Downtown Events.
S
outhwest Florida has just about the finest boating waters you will find anywhere. We have beautiful, protected waters. Great places for cruising, sightseeing, fishing, swimming, anchoring or whatever you enjoy. And there are plenty of restaurants, bars and overnight dockage spots within a short cruise from wherever you are. As a long-time resident and avid boater, I’m looking forward to sharing with you my favorite places to go and things to do on the water.
I’m sure that some who read these articles will be familiar with the destinations but may have forgotten just how nice they can be. And for newcomers to our coast, maybe this will help you enjoy your boating experience even more.
I thought we would start up the Caloosahatchee River a bit to the Ft Myers River District in the historic downtown area. By the way, in case you don’t know, the Caloosahatchee River is part of the Okeechobee Waterway System that connects the east and west coasts of Florida. That’s a really great trip if you feel a little more adventurous (I’ll cover that in another article).
Anyway, the River District, an easy boat ride east (about 15 miles up the river from the Gulf of Mexico) brings you to the City of Ft Myers Yacht Basin. Dockmaster Leif Lustig and his friendly staff allow complimentary daytime dockage, if available, with an easy walk to downtown. Or they can accommodate an overnight stay, at reasonable rates, if you prefer. Call the Yacht Basin at 239-321-7080.
Downtown Ft Myers has undergone a major facelift and revitalization over the past few years (with more on the way) and is proving to be a great boating destination. Once downtown, you can take advantage of a wide variety of restaurants (my favorite thing to do) historic structures and many on main and off main shops.
There is even an interactive butterfly house (sounds dorky but is actually pretty neat with a café on site) , The Southwest Florida Museum of History and even the Art of the Olympians building. And of course the Edison Ford Estate is just a few blocks away. If you’ve never done that tour, it is well worth your time.
The District has many planned events ranging from car and bike cruise-ins, to art and music walks, to outdoor concerts and is home to the Fort Myers Boat Show each November.
You are guaranteed not to go away hungry, thirsty or in need of entertainment. And, if you need a place for the night, the Hotel Indigo is right in the heart of downtown. There are also both slip and hotel accommodations a short walk away at the Legacy Harbour Marina (239-461-0775).
You can check on line at www.myriverdistrict.com for more details and event calendars.
Get that boat out and go have fun!