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Junkanoo Below Deck will be hosting Fort Myers Offshore on their outdoor bar and patio area located directly at the docks on the beautiful back bay of Fort Myers Beach. Sponsored by Performance Boat Center, the Sweetheart Run directly supports the Fort Myers Offshore scholarship mission, with events like this helping fund educational opportunities for local students. This fun run is free of charge for current paid FMO members.Registration: This event is FREE for paid members. Please use the link below to register so the restaurant can properly prepare for our group. https://ftmyersoffshore.com/event-5/
Membership Renewal:
If you have not yet renewed your 2025 / 2026 FMO membership, now is a great time to do so. All memberships are on an annual FMO schedule so if you have not renewed you membership since this past summer you need to do so. Please use the link below to renew your charitable membership. https://ftmyersoffshore.com/membership/
Starting Procedure:
STARTING PROCEDURE / ROUTE:
Color-Group Virtual Start Format
To enhance safety and reduce congestion at the start of the run, Fort Myers Offshore will utilize a color-group virtual start procedure led by designated safety boats. This format eliminates clustered starts while maintaining an organized and enjoyable departure.
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Group Assignments
• Each participating boat will be assigned a departure group color:
o Red- CATS
o Green- V Bottoms
Group Staging
• Each color group will stage at a predetermined gathering area.
• Each group will have a designated lead / safety boat displaying that group’s colored flag. This is the area you should gather and mill waiting for your groups virtual starting time.
• Boats should arrive early, idle safely, and stage calmly within their assigned area. A map of your area between the Sanibel Causeway and the lighthouse will be sent to each registered captain.
Virtual Start Windows
Each group will depart during a virtual start window:
• Red Group: 10:55 AM
• Green Group: 11 AM
These times are intended to space groups naturally and prevent overlap.
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Departure Procedure
• At the assigned start time:
o The lead / safety boat will lower its colored flag
o The lead boat will casually and smoothly get on plane
o Boats in that color group may follow at their own pace
• There will be:
o ❌ No flag drops
o ❌ No pacing boats
o ❌ No aggressive acceleration
The instruction is simple: When your lead boat goes, you go.
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Operational Rules
• No racing, passing, or aggressive maneuvering during departure
• Captains are responsible for:
o Passenger readiness
o Safe spacing
o Running at a comfortable and controlled speed
• Alcohol consumption by captains prior to or during the run is strictly prohibited
FMO Fun Runs are about camaraderie and charity—not speed.
Your responsibility is to your passengers, fellow boaters, The Club, and the community.
Route Description:
The run will follow a coastal course south along Fort Myers Beach past the former pier location. After passing the pier, boats should proceed on a southwesterly course to create distance from the shoreline, as the extreme southern end of the beach near Big Carlos Pass can be shallow. Once through Big Carlos Pass the route will turn north along the back bay of Fort Myers Beach. Please note that the area previously marked as a 25 MPH zone from the start of the back bay condominiums past the Fish Tale Marina canal has reverted to NO WAKE. After this section the channel returns to 25 MPH and consists of well marked S curves. It is recommended that boats proceed through this section in single file while on plane. At the end of the S curves the bay opens back up and transitions to an idle zone again, with Bayfront Bistro located ahead on the port side.
Dockage:
Junkanoo Below Deck and the adjacent Snook Bight Marina have reserved floating dock space and several slips for FMO boats. A dedicated docking map will be posted a few days prior to the event.
Fuel and Distance:
The distance from the Sanibel Bridge to Bayfront Bistro is approximately 15 miles including idle zones. All boats should depart with sufficient fuel, particularly those requiring high octane fuel that may be difficult to source. Ninety octane fuel is available at Snook Bight Marina where we will be docked.
Food:
Meal service is to be determined. We will either order from the full menu or utilize a dedicated FMO event menu.
Waypoints:
Sanibel Bridge N 26 29.00 W 82 00.88. Big Carlos Pass N 26 24.261 W 081 52.855.
Safety: Each captain is responsible for operating their vessel safely and for the safety of their crew. The Intracoastal Waterway can be a high traffic area. Please give other vessels a wide berth and adhere strictly to the rules of the road.
As always, no alcohol for captains. The event officially concludes upon arrival at our lunch destination and participants may depart at their discretion.
Contact Information:
Tim Hill cell 630 363 1986. Cyndee Hill cell 239 238 0777
Email [email protected]
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Junkanoo Below Deck, 4761 Estero Blvd,Fort Myers Beach, Florida, United States
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