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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Bonita Springs, Florida

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Gambit
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Initially Posted - 05/25/2005 : 16:25:53

Does anyone have any recommendations for sailing clubs in this area? I am attending a conference there May 30 - June 3 with my wife. We would be interested in checking out any local clubs for a drink or dinner or perhaps crew if someone is short of rail meat.

As much as I like this trip I have to miss our Memorial Day Handicap

George
Catalina 25 #2429
Lima, NY
www.sailcyc.com

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Lightnup
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Response Posted - 05/25/2005 : 23:38:21

George -

There's lots of good waterfront places to eat that overlook or are part of a marina, but I wouldn't call any of them a sailing club. I'm more familiar with Ft. Myers Beach than Bonita Springs but the drive between them is short and beautiful with a fair amount of water vistas.

Our favorite: Parrot Key restaurant at Salty Sams Marina. Take Bonita Beach Road north along the gulf to Ft. Myers Beach, go over the tall bridge near the north end of the island and turn right immediately at the bottom of the bridge. Follow road to Salty Sams and Parrot Key. Or turn LEFT immediately at the bottom of the bridge and and go under the bridge to The Bridge restaurant. Great view of Matanzas Pass, the Shrimp Boat fleet and all the sailboats moored in the pass. Next to The Bridge restaurant is Bonita Bill's, a local favorite of the laid-back boating crowd with plenty of old Florida flavor, right on the water with sailboats all around.

There's several other marina restaurants under the bridge but BEFORE you go over it: Matanzas Inn, Snug Harbor Restaurant, which are also at marina's. You'll also pass a bunch of beachside restaurants on the way up Fort Myers Beach that might just strike your fancy. There's even a Hooters.

World's best pizza (IMHO): Doc's Beach House, Bonita Springs next to the park where Bonita Beach Rd meets the gulf and takes a hard right to head north to Ft. Myers Beach. Great sunsets and beachside tables but no sailboats.

Pick up a copy of the magazine "Times of the Islands" at any bookstore or you may find one in your hotel. They have a great cuisine section and restaurant listing. (Check out the Gulf Coast Grins column, too, written by moi.)

Lastly, I would happily take you up on your offer to crew but my Memorial Day is already spoken for (not sailing, unfortunately) and I head out of town on business Tuesday morning.

Hope you find this helpful and that you have a good trip.

Steve

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Lightnup
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1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2005 : 23:41:33

This ain't exactly sailing but it's awesome to see and since you'll be here....

Offshore powerboat races will return to Southwest Florida on Memorial Day weekend, bringing 40 of world’s largest, fastest race boats to Fort Myers Beach and race-related events to Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

The Hooters Offshore Race for Recovery will give race fans a four-day venue and bring an economic boost to the Beach and Lee County during May, a typically slower month for tourism.

It also will show a recovered Southwest Florida shoreline post-hurricanes and will raise money for cancer research, organizers said Monday.

Race boats will exceed 150 mph on a five-mile course 500 yards off the Fort Myers Beach pier that parallels the shore. Drivers in the Offshore Super Series-sanctioned race will bring 30 to 40 foot boats with power ranging from single 525 horsepower engines to twin 800 horsepower motors.

The fleet of boats is more powerful than those fans saw round the oval course in May 2003, the last time races were held here.

“I go every year, and when it was canceled on Fort Myers Beach, it was real disappointing,” said Jim Crumbie, a south Fort Myers fan who stays at a Beach house every race weekend.

“Now this is a whole new circuit, and you’ve got the biggest boats, the noisiest boats, the fastest and best-looking boats,” said Crumbie, 57.

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Gambit
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Response Posted - 05/26/2005 : 11:06:27

Thanks very much for the tips. Like fishing and sailing, a little local knowledge goes a long way. I will check out your "Gulf Coast Grins" column and while walking the docks I will keep an eye out for Marge and Tina.

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Lightnup
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1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2005 : 22:33:35

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Lightnup
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Response Posted - 05/26/2005 : 22:36:58

Another nice place is Tin City in Naples. I know, it's a stupid name but it's a neat shopping, eating, marina walking area on Gordon Pass near downtown Naples.

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Gambit
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Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 07:12:37

Two thumbs up for Parrot Key at Salty Sams Marina. Good view of the water, plenty of air movement, good drinks and food. Bonita Bills closed too early for us to try for any more than a beer.

Boy they sure can build fast in Florida. It has really changed since our last visit five years ago.

Thanks for the tips Steve.

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