3444 Marinatown Lane N.W.  *  North Fort Myers FL  33903
1-800-262-7939 * 239-656-1339 * Email: info@swfyachts.com

	E-YARDARM December 2006
HAPPY HULL-IDAYS! All of us at Southwest Florida Yachts wish you fair winds this Holiday season and calm seas in the New Year!

November Power Cruising article reprints are now available.

Power Cruising

Power Cruising Editor, Pierce Hoover cruised with us in August aboard our Grand Banks 42 trawler to get a first-hand look at our beautiful cruising area.  In his article, “Surveying the Sound,” Pierce gives a complete overview of the anchorages, marinas, restaurants and marine facilities awaiting you in Southwest Florida.  Come and see for yourself why everyone loves cruising Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa, Gasparilla and all of our beautiful barrier islands.  The article appeared in the November issue of Power Cruising.    Call us at 1-800-262-7939 if you would like a copy of this article.

Waterfront Renaissance

By Barb Hansen

It’s been more than two years since a hurricane named Charley raced over Southwest Florida’s beautiful barrier islands and the picturesque waterfront communities around Charlotte Harbor.

I’ll remember Charley as the storm that made me proud of my fellow citizens who leaped to help their friends, neighbors and strangers in a jam. 

I’d say it took about one day, maybe two, for everybody here to dedicate themselves to restoring their homes, businesses, and municipalities. Insurance helped, as it was supposed to. Governments, too. But in my opinion the collective can-do human spirit here made all the difference.

Southwest Florida has a lot of that can-do spirit, as well as water, sunsets, scenery and exceptionally good weather (with exceptions like Charley). It all fuels our number one claim to fame – tourism. 

Boaters get the best view in my opinion. So it is with pleasure that we announce that proprietors of the waterfront services for our visitors – restaurants, marinas, resorts, inns, parks, tackle and bait shops – have put their places back into shape (and then some) and have reopened for business with a smile.

By the numbers of dolphins, manatees, and birds I judge that the natural areas are fully restored as well. I’m told that a storm like Charley actually helps rebuild wildlife habitats.

Don’t take my word for it. Power Cruising magazine’s editors cruised our paradise recently and have proclaimed that all is very well and good along our sheltered cruising corridors. Editor Pierce Hoover’s article, Surveying the Sound – A Return Visit to One of America’s Coastal Cruising Grounds, is in the November issue.  The article actually confirms what we have been saying all along.  The marine facilities are even better and more beautiful than before the storm.

Pierce puts his “A-OK” stamp on all of our favorite ports of call -- Burnt Store Marina, Useppa Island Club, Boca Grande Marina, Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa State Park, South Seas Island Resort and Yacht Harbor, ‘Tween Waters Inn.

Google spent $1.6 billion on YouTube, an investment in the future of the Internet. They’re betting that millions of pairs of demographically desirable eyeballs will stay glued to videos on the World Wide Web. Maybe. Or will Google’s desirable demographic of a certain age get bug-eyed staring at a computer screen and decide they prefer real world views, not simulated views?

The people of Southwest Florida invested in the future too and have spent many times over what Google spent. We’re betting that demographically desirable human bodies (not just their eyeballs) will return for real life scenes like dolphins surfing their bow wave, a family of manatees coming by their boat to say hello, and glowing Gulf of Mexico sunsets.

Wall Street talks about companies reinventing themselves. Well Southwest Florida does not need to reinvent itself. It is what it is, what it was, and what it will be -- a blessed intersection of earth, water, and climate.  Our waterfront reconstruction renaissance just makes it that much easier to enjoy.

We receive lots of nice emails and letters from both our charter and school clients.  Here is one that we wanted to share with you.  Thanks to all our great customers!

Hi Jan,

First of all, Patty and I want to thank you and all the staff there for the courteous help and guidance before, during and after our charter experience.  Please pass our appreciation on to everyone there. 

Jim and Patty- Minnesota
Jefferson 42 Charter

FOR SALE:
1983 Grand Banks 36 Single Engine Trawler
with Stern Thruster – REDUCED! $129,500!

La Rigolade recently underwent a mechanical refit that included a NEW engine, NEW transmission and NEW stainless steel fuel tanks!  If you are in the market for an older GB that is both a sound cruising vessel and a great value you will want to consider this yacht. 

FOR SALE: 
2003 Mainship Pilot 34 Express Cruiser - $178,400

The accommodations aboard Peachy Keen II include a private forward stateroom, spacious head with shower, fully-equipped galley, convertible leatherette dinette and roomy cockpit with bench seating.

Equipment includes:  Single Yanmar 370 hp. diesel with bow thruster, Generator, 3.5 kw, Air conditioning with reverse cycle heat, GPS,  2-burner electric        stove, Refrigerator/ Freezer, Stereo with CD player & Color TV.

This popular “picnic” style boat is perfect for a long weekend getaway afloat, or an extended cruise!  This vessel cruises easily at 15 knots with approximate fuel consumption of 10 gph.  Peachy Keen II is available for Private ownership or Charter fleet placement.

Call Vic or Barb Hansen to make an appointment to see any of these lovely yachts.

WE NEED LISTINGS, TOO!  We have recently sold several of our listed vessels!  We have buyers looking for nice, clean sail and power yachts.

	Our New International Airport Makes it Easy to Get to Southwest Florida! It’s now easier than ever to get to Southwest Florida!
Southwest Airlines began serving Fort Myers for the first time last year. Other airlines serving our area include Air Tran, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, Northwest, Spirit, US Airways and many more!  Check your local airport guide for the airline that will serve you best.  For more information go to: www.flylcpa.com

	NEED A LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEA?  CHARTER OR CLASS CERTIFICATES MAKE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT!
Looking for a special gift for that special someone?  Let us suggest a gift certificate from Southwest Florida Yachts or The Florida Sailing and Cruising School!  Purchase a day sail, a week-long charter, or a live-aboard sail or power course and your gift will be remembered for years to come.  Give us a call today and we will get a gift certificate out to you right away!

For Complete charter, school and yacht sales information, try our websites:

www.swfyachts.com
www.flsailandcruiseschool.com
www.swfyachtsales.com

For more information on charters, classes, charter yacht ownership, or brokerage yachts for sale, please call us at 1-800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339.
E-mail: info@swfyachts.com

Top of Page

E-Yardarm Archives

October 2004
November 2004
December 2004
January 2005
February-March 2005
April-May 2005
June-July 2005
Fall 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
May 2006
July 2006
September 2006
October 2006