HURRICANE CHARLEY UPDATE #2

Southwest Florida Yachts reopens calendar for charters.

This is no consolation to those who lost family or property to Hurricane Charley, but we will note that it could have been much worse and for that we are very grateful.

One, the core of the storm was small, maybe only ten miles wide from eye wall to eye wall. So while those who live near Charlotte Harbor felt the full brunt of a Category 4, many others just a few miles south or north of Charley’s path avoided the most damaging winds.

Two, Charley moved fast, so it did not generate the storm surge that would have done the most damage to waterfront facilities and to boats in the water. Being south of the storm, we expected a huge surge on the Caloosahatchee River where our trawler fleet is based. It did not happen.

Our sailing fleet at Burnt Store Marina near Punta Gorda survived the worst Hurricane Charley could throw at it. Still, all the vessels stayed afloat and remained in their slips. Only three will require the attention of a boat yard. Only one of the vessels in our trawler fleet here in N. Fort Myers may require boat yard attention. So, with a little elbow grease and loving care, our boats will be back in tip-top shape very soon.

Most of your favorite stops on the ICW are ready for you, too, including ‘Tween Waters Inn, Sanibel Marina and Cabbage Key, home of the famous Cheeseburger in Paradise. South Seas Plantation, the hotel and the marina, had serious damage but even here the word is that South Seas will come back in stages and will be fully operational by the end of the year.

There are still many people to help and much work to be done, but boaters in Southwest Florida are now returning to the waterways to get that wonderful feeling you can only get by being in a boat on the water.

So, we’re pleased to announce that the Southwest Florida Yacht appointment calendar has now been reopened for charters starting September 1.

Sunny regards,

Barb and Vic Hansen