NORTH FORT MYERS, FL -- Chances are your last vacation was like the one most people took. That probably meant that it involved a series of long lines - a line of cars, a line to check-in, a line to check-out, a line of planes waiting to take off, a line to eat at a restaurant, or a line to ride the best ride.

When you opt for a vacation aboard a charter boat, however, the only line you'll deal with is the one you untie to leave the dock. From that point on, you'll spend your time island-hopping via water instead of line-hopping. There are no humiliations imposed by rude clerks and haughty agents -just squawking birds and snapping turtles.

Here, from the charter-boat experts at Southwest Florida Yachts in North Fort Myers, and with apologies to David Lettermen, are ten reasons why your next vacation should be aboard a charter boat. (Cruise ships don't count!)

10. Vacation afloat and you won't have to fret about those frequent flier miles that you never get to use anyway.
9. Vacation afloat and you won't run into a highway construction zone that takes you half a day in bumper to bumper car traffic to get to the other side of town.
8. Vacation afloat and you won't have to check in to a room that smells like the housekeeping department just spilled a gallon of industrial-strength disinfectant.
7. Vacation afloat with children and you avoid worries about the baby waking the neighbors at night, sulking in the back seat of the car, and teenage over-spending in the gift shop.
6. Vacation afloat and you won't have to eat fresh frozen fish at a restaurant. You can catch your own fish and cook it on the grill.
5. Vacation afloat and you'll see real wildlife like dolphins playing off your boat's bow instead of the Discovery Channel or mechanical lookalikes at a theme park.
4. Vacation afloat and your jealous colleagues back at the office won't send you overnight packages.
3. Vacation afloat and you'll learn more than you ever thought possible about your traveling companions.
2. Vacation afloat and you can sing old songs without anyone hearing you.
1.Vacation afloat and when you go out on deck at night, you will actually see real stars instead of movies and Mickey Mouse.


Sidebar, with Vacation Afloat

If you have yet to discover the barrier islands of Southwest Florida, now is the time.
-Barb Hansen, Southwest Florida Yachts, Inc.

Southwest Florida Yachts operates one of the largest yacht charter fleets in Florida with more than 20 sail and power yachts at two locations, Marinatown Marina in North Fort Myers and Burnt Store Marina on Charlotte Harbor.

Its sister company, Florida Sailing and Cruising School, offers live-aboard training on single and twin-engine trawlers as well as on sailing vessels. Sailing courses are certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA).

"If you have yet to discover Sanibel, Captiva and the barrier islands of Southwest Florida, now is the perfect time to do so," said owner-operator Barb Hansen . "There are hidden treasures of cruising opportunities here in Southwest Florida which most people really don't realize."

Trawlers available for charter are from 32 to 49 feet long. Sailing vessels are from 24 to 44 feet. Charters are from one day to several weeks or more, with or without captains, depending on qualifications. Price range example: One week aboard a 36-foot Grand Banks twin engine, $2,787. One day on a Cal 24 sailboat, $175. Prices are subject to change.

Now in their 16th year of chartering and schooling, Captains Vic and Barb Hansen still talk to every client personally to help make sure they book the right charter or the right course