Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral area

[AlphaLop]

Hello Everyone.

I grew up boating and fishing on the North Atlantic and after a 20+ year stint in the High Desert of Nevada I am back on the big salt that I missed so much.

Being a somewhat recent addition to the SW FL area, I am looking to find others with similar interests so I can start rebuilding my social life.

My wife and I had lots of friends where we lived before and used to have people over once a week to give me an opportunity to show off my culinary skills (I used to weigh 325#'s and always joke that I didn't get that fat NOT knowing how to cook, lol!) watch movies or have a friendly poker torney, etc.

After spending the last two weeks since purchasing my boat reading on the various forums and whatnot I figured what better place to start reaching out to people that share similar interests to mine then on Iboats forum. Everyone on here seems so helpful and friendly that I can't go wrong.

Additionally, while I am fully mechanically challenged. I really want to learn how to do most of the repairs and whatnot on my boat myself, both for the satisfaction and pride I can take from being able to say, "Yep, I did that" if even only to myself, and to save as much money as possible (I have more time than money anymore, lol!) so if anyone want's to get together and give me some pointers I will provide the beer and BBQ.

Are there any cool boater clubs in the area that I should look at joining?

Any help, info and/or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to seeing you all on the forums and the water!

Have a terrific day!
Anthony

P.S. If there are any outboard mechanics in the area that want to make a little extra money or trade labor for labor (Or stuff) I could sure use a hand every once in a while and would love to avoid paying shop prices. Currently trying to diagnose and repair a tilt/trim hydraulic leak on an 1985 70HP Evinrude. Darn Clymer book only has the electronics for the trim, not the Hydraulics. Their repair instructions consist of, "Take it to a qualified mechanic." If I wanted to do that I wouldn't have bought a darn book! :facepalm:

 

[Silverton34c]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Hello Everyone.

I grew up boating and fishing on the North Atlantic and after a 20+ year stint in the High Desert of Nevada I am back on the big salt that I missed so much.

Being a somewhat recent addition to the SW FL area, I am looking to find others with similar interests so I can start rebuilding my social life.

My wife and I had lots of friends where we lived before and used to have people over once a week to give me an opportunity to show off my culinary skills (I used to weigh 325#'s and always joke that I didn't get that fat NOT knowing how to cook, lol!) watch movies or have a friendly poker torney, etc.

After spending the last two weeks since purchasing my boat reading on the various forums and whatnot I figured what better place to start reaching out to people that share similar interests to mine then on Iboats forum. Everyone on here seems so helpful and friendly that I can't go wrong.

Additionally, while I am fully mechanically challenged. I really want to learn how to do most of the repairs and whatnot on my boat myself, both for the satisfaction and pride I can take from being able to say, "Yep, I did that" if even only to myself, and to save as much money as possible (I have more time than money anymore, lol!) so if anyone want's to get together and give me some pointers I will provide the beer and BBQ.

Are there any cool boater clubs in the area that I should look at joining?

Any help, info and/or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to seeing you all on the forums and the water!

Have a terrific day!
Anthony

P.S. If there are any outboard mechanics in the area that want to make a little extra money or trade labor for labor (Or stuff) I could sure use a hand every once in a while and would love to avoid paying shop prices. Currently trying to diagnose and repair a tilt/trim hydraulic leak on an 1985 70HP Evinrude. Darn Clymer book only has the electronics for the trim, not the Hydraulics. Their repair instructions consist of, "Take it to a qualified mechanic." If I wanted to do that I wouldn't have bought a darn book! :facepalm:

I am up in the Tampa bay area....too bad you are so far south....if you have a hydro leak, the sals are bad and need to be replaced. there is a special tool needed to remove to top of the hydro to replce the seals

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Am on PINE ISLAND, opposite RED FISH PASS. I dont boat much anymore do to health issues. Boat is on the lift but just dont have the enthusiasm to start it up. Turned a wrench on airplanes all my life so am still handy with a wrench and worthless advice. Still manage to close the bars down nightly so all is not lost. Maybe I can sneak this by. (EDIT: Nope, the email address is gone, but you can give him your email address using the PM feature) regards FRED There is a little dash ( underscore ) between stinkin and badges

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Hey Anthony,
I'm in Naples. We go out to the "R" tower to fish, but mostly just stay around the Marco, Goodland, Ft. Myers shoreline. As you can see from my string, I am in the middle of my latest project. It will be done in about 2 months. Post pix of your boat!! See you out there!
Dave

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Im up in Bradenton. Usually launch at the Braden/Manatee River launch, then head out to the ICW to somewhere

 

[Silverton34c]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Im up in Bradenton. Usually launch at the Braden/Manatee River launch, then head out to the ICW to somewhere

I live in Palmetto. We keep our boat in Terra Ceia Bay at Cut's Edge Marina. Love Egmont area and down ICW to Bradenton and Jewfish Island. Made it to sarasota for the offshore boat races this year. Stayed at Ramada Inn Sarasota...nice seawall and facilities to use overnight! Clearwater offshore powerboat races end of September coming up quick!

We have a 34 Silverton with Green stripe under rub rail. She is called Miss Behavin!

 

[AlphaLop]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

It's great to see that there are several people around here that boat! Fred, I might just take you up on that! I'm good for grunt work and following orders when it comes to mechanical stuff but I figure I can learn it. I attribute my late start to always being told, "Leave that alone! You'll just screw it up!" when I was a kid. (Not that they were likely to be wrong, lol!)

With so many people somewhat reasonably close by we should plan a "Boat-in". The wife and I were talking about hooking the Aqua-Trailer up to the boat, loading it with camping gear and stuff for a weekend out at Caya Costa State park. I'm getting broken in my ol' age so I will probably shell out the $40/night for a cabin, this way everyone in our group will at least have Bathroom access.

Has anyone here spent any time out at Caya Costa? I have been around it on a boat back when I had a membership at the boat club in Punta Gorda but never actually beached it there for a tour. I do like the fact that the only way to get to it is VIA boat so that will at least ensure that anyone else out there is at least somewhat of a boater minded personality. (it's been my experience that the majority of boaters are pretty cool, ignoring the odd exception to the rule that always seems to rear it's annoying head.)

Thanks for the info on the seal. I am really starting to wonder if they were right on that call. My reasoning is I see no sign of any leakage now that I replaced the Manual release valve and if I assist the unit to full tilt it will go up all the way and stay there. (I only tested it in that position for a couple hours but it never appeared to move.)

Additionally, it will only go down if I release the manual valve, even with all my weight on it and the tilt control down it won't budge. It did go fully up and down without assist after filling it but before replacing the valve and now I am thinking I may have a stubborn air pocket somewhere or the pump/motor might be weak? (As previously stated, my grasp of mechanical theory is weak at best so I could be way off base here.)

Anyway, I will post that in the appropriate section of the forum when I shoot the picks and start the rebuild post, but any tips or guidance is always appreciated!

I look forward to chatting with all of you guys/gals here on the forum and would like to thank you for your replies! If anyone else has any good idea's for a SWFL location for a boat-in type of gathering let me know.

See ya on the water! (Once I get this dirty girl sea worthy that is, lol!)

Anthony

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

I live in Palmetto. We keep our boat in Terra Ceia Bay at Cut's Edge Marina. Love Egmont area and down ICW to Bradenton and Jewfish Island. Made it to sarasota for the offshore boat races this year. Stayed at Ramada Inn Sarasota...nice seawall and facilities to use overnight! Clearwater offshore powerboat races end of September coming up quick!

We have a 34 Silverton with Green stripe under rub rail. She is called Miss Behavin!

We made it to the offshore boat races too. we were the boat that wandered on the course because we forgot about the races and were trying to get into new pass. :facepalm: Watched the fireworks from outside the green bridge, just in front of Pier 22 / Twin Dophin.

Always wanted to get into Terra Ceia, however dont know the waters and they look skinny on the charts

white and (faded) red Cruisers Rogue 2420 with a red Bimini, usually sporting a pink pirate flag (wife's). Rockin' Along on the transom. Usually anchored between Jew Fish and LBP on one of the days in the weekend. going to put a keel guard on to pull up to beercan, however may wait until all the political brew-ha-ha is done (pun intended)

Will be out there on Monday

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Looks like you got the address before the deleat, will be in touch. We had a FL. get together a few years back up by CRYSTAL RIVER. Was coordinated by TASHASDADDY who I believe is deceased now. He was from JACKSONVILLE. We showed up although we dont trailer. Was a good weekend, good turnout. regards FRED

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: Looking to connect with Boaters, Divers and Fishermen in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

Are there ever any boat-in's in the Ft. Myers area?