SWF Yachts Adds 43-Foot Mainship to Charter Fleet
Life is sweet on “Sweetness II” for comfortably experiencing
Florida’s barrier island paradise

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla., April 13, 2010 – Southwest Florida Yacht has added a third 43-footer to its charter fleet so up to six adults can comfortably experience the Sunshine State’s celebrated barrier island paradise from Sanibel Island to Boca Grande.

The newest vessel is Sweetness II, a twin-engine Mainship 43 trawler-style cruiser with sleeping for six adults, a nicely-equipped chef’s galley, and stand-up-straight headroom in the big salon, two staterooms and two heads with showers, all with a 6’ 6” ceiling.

Sweetness II is the second Mainship 43 to join the Southwest Florida Yachts power fleet in recent weeks. Earlier this year the company announced the addition of …and Everywhere, borrowed from the title of a famous Beatle’s tune, Here, There and Everywhere. It’s the third 43-footer in the fleet, which also includes a Silverton 43.

Sweetness II joins a fleet of 11 other power cruisers at Marinatown Marina in N. Fort Myers. The power fleet also includes three Grand Banks 42 trawlers and other vessels down to 28 feet in length. The company also has a sailing charter fleet at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda.

Sweetness II distinquishes itself in several categories, including flooring (teak, holly), central air conditioning, hot/cold water system, washer/dryer, color TV, a stereo on the bridge and a nicely-appointed galley capable of whipping up fast food for a hungry crew or a full-course menu for special people at the end of the day. Appliances includes a three-burner stove and oven, a microwave oven and large refrigerator. The dining table seats four. The breakfast bar has two stools.

Barb Hansen, owner and manager, said Sweetness II has the comfort and speed to be one the best vessels in the fleet for “six-at-a-time to experience the best sailing and cruising area in the world.” Visitors have scored the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva as the best islands to visit for their ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery. Charters also have member privileges at exclusive Useppa Island near Boca Grande.

Twin 300-hp Caterpillar diesels give Sweetness II a very economical but quick cruising speed of 10 knots using only about 12 gallons per hour. For exploring the backcountry or visiting the beaches, the vessel also has a dinghy, a Walker Bay Apex A-9 powered by a Mercury 8 hp outboard.

An array of modern navigation tools are available to the skipper from one or both of two helms, one in the salon and one on the flybridge. Instrumentation includes a Raytheon 600 R autopilot, engine and system monitors, three VHF marine radios and Garmin 3210 radar/GPS.

Extra Cruising Days

Sweetness II charters for $3,789 for five days in the high season and $3,030 in summer. Through 2010, as part of the company's 25th anniversary, charters of three days or more get two free days of cruising between May 1 and Dec. 14.

Southwest Florida has been ranked among the top ten yacht sailing and cruising areas in the world and the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva have scored as the best islands to visit for their ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery.

For more information about Southwest Florida Yachts and Florida Sailing & Cruising School visit www.swfyachts.com , www.flsailandcruiseschool.com , www.swfyachtsales.com  Mailing Address: 3444 Marinatown Lane, N.W., N. Fort Myers, FL 33903. Telephone: 800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339, or email info@swfyachts.com.