sailors/fleets in SW FL

I am a new and so far happy owner of a used but in great condition 17. I have come to realize how much there is to learn about the boat and I'd like to learn from people who have been doing this for a while. Does anyone know of any Hobie 17 owners or fleets in the SW FL area, specifically the FT. Myers/Naples area?

Hi Mark!
Unfortunately there is not much cat sailing going on in SW Florida...unbelievable considering where we are at...beach access is very limited, and there is no racing in this area. I have a H16 and keep it at Gulfport Yacht Club (www.gulfportyachtclub.com) just south of St. Pete, a small club dedicated to beach cats with mast-up storage and club races every other weekend. There are a few others from this area doing the same. I bring the boat back here to Ft. myers so once in while and sail from the Sanibel causeway or on the Caloosahatchee river from the north beach at the US 41 bridge. Where do you usually sail your boat?

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Arie
H 16 107568

Arie,

We always launch off of Summerlin, just before you get to the toll booth on the Sanibel causeway. It's a great spot, it's free, the area is in a grass flats and you can sail pretty easily out of there. I thought about launching at Bunche Beach but I haven't been down there in a while so I don't know if I can get the boat to the water even on beach wheels and at this time of year when it's so crowded I'm afraid to drive my truck and trailer down there because if the parking lot is full I couldn't turn around and would have to back the truck and trailer a couple of miles to a spot where I could. You can e-mail me at [email protected] and I will give you my phone number. Maybe we can get together and go sailing.

I always launch from the Sanibel side of the causeway--but then one would have to pay the toll. Since when I'm down there, I'm visiting my wife's parents, I'm already across the causeway. Sometimes I cartop the Wave to get to other beaches.

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Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave

I live up in Punta Gorda and there is even less cat activity here. But Port Charlotte Beach is a good place to launch. I' ve also used the YMCA Park on Bayshore Road in Charlotte Harbor. From May to November I do have private Gulf access in Englewood.

On March 16 the Punta Gorda Sailing Club is having a Sail Charlotte Harbor Day. They are hoping to get 100 boats on the bay. I'm going to break out my faithful Hobie 16 Come on up and join in the fun

Jack

Sounds like fun! Do you have any details about this event?

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Arie
H 16 107568

The Punta Gorda Sailing Club website (pgscweb.com) does not have any details posted yet. When I see some news I will post it here.

Jack

When I get this boat together I will be ready to get the sailing bunch together, I grew up on these things. What I have seen is when there are a bunch of these cats together they start looking cool on the beach and the peeps want to get their own. I know that if i scared the pants off of some of these volleyball guys that I know once they will want one. Cheers. I have bad delam to deal with prior to getting back out there. Nemo.