Mainship 40 Trawler Joins SWF Yachts Charter Fleet
For not much money six very tall people can cruise comfortably on Alcyone

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla., September 10, 2010 – A Mainship 40 trawler named after the goddess of the sea -- Alcyone – has joined the charter fleet of Southwest Florida Yachts, offering two-cabins and a salon with six-berth accommodations plus a reputation for stinginess at the fuel dock.

Barb Hansen, owner/manager of Southwest Florida Yachts, said Alcyone has a large forward cabin with a queen-sized bed, a port side cabin with twin beds and large salon with a double-sized hide-a-bed. With its headroom of 6'6", all stand tall.

Alcyone's power is supplied by a single 385 hp Caterpillar 3126 Diesel engine that moves the Mainship at a comfortable cruising speed of about 10 knots, sipping a stingy 5-7 gallons per hour. An electric-powered side thruster aids with tight-slip positioning.

Hansen said Alcyone's galley has a refrigerator with freezer, icemaker, three-burner stove and oven, microwave and drinking water filter. Other conveniences and comforts of home include a washer/dryer, central vacuum system, hot and cold pressure water system, 50 amp shore power system, shower and head, air conditioning and heat, Bose 321AM/FM Stereo with CD player, two color TV sets, a wet bar on the bridge deck and a Jennair grill on the deck.

The skipper enjoys the latest in marine instrumentation and controls including GPS/chartplotter, autopilot, depth sounder, radar and VHF radios.

Alcyone charters for $3,373 for five days in the high season and $2,699 in summer and also qualifies for long discounts. Charters of three days or more between January through June and, also, October through December merit an 11 percent discount. Those who charter in July, August and September get double the discount – 22 percent, Hansen said.

Hansen said Alcyone is docked with 11 other power cruisers from 28 to 43 feet at Marinatown Marina in N. Fort Myers. Marinatown Marina provides quick cruising access, via the Caloosahatchee River, to the sheltered Gulf ICW. The company’s sailing charter fleet is based at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda.

Southwest Florida is ranked as one of the best sailing and cruising areas in the world. Visitors have scored the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva as the best islands to visit for their ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery.

For more information about Southwest Florida Yachts and Florida Sailing & Cruising School visit www.swfyachts.com , www.flsailandcruiseschool.com , www.swfyachtsales.com  Mailing Address: 3444 Marinatown Lane, N.W., N. Fort Myers, FL 33903. Telephone: 800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339, or email info@swfyachts.com.