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Life's a Cruise!
On the charts we show them Cayo Costa, a Gulf island and state park
accessible only by boat, and point them toward the best anchorage on the
backside of the island. “You can row the dinghy in and it’s only a short
walk across the island to the beach. You’ll probably have it all to
yourselves.” .
From students who began their P101-102 class just two days after Hurricane Charley blew through: “We had a wonderful second half of our honeymoon on the boat “Forever.” Our hearts went out to all the hurricane victims and we were glad to see the good spirits of the people in the area. Our Captain’s wife had been planning to have a yard sale and instead loaded everything she could in her car. She then drove to some of the hardest hit areas and delivered the items in person, with tears in her eyes. We . . . thank Southwest for being so gracious.”
- Heather and Mike P.S. Be back soon for P103! Dear Southwest Florida Yachts, It has been three weeks since the end of our glorious cruise so I thought I would share some thoughts with all of you about what a great time we had. First, I want to thank you and everyone at SWFY for your very professional service leading up to and during our charter. Your guidance and advice on preparations for the cruise and assistance with choosing marinas, making reservations, etc. was very helpful. Bob's run-through of the boat's systems and equipment was very thorough and appreciated. We found "JuBaLi" to be a wonderfully comfortable yacht that was perfectly suited for our cruise with two couples aboard. She was clean and well appointed. Our captain for the first day, Greg Corsones, was extremely helpful and delightful to be with. We found the marina at Sanibel to be well equipped and pleasant . . . . Our second day of cruising found us spending the night at Cabbage Key. Dinner at the Inn was wonderful. Our third and fourth nights were spent at Boca Grande Marina (formerly Miller's). This place knows how to treat visiting cruisers . . . [they] assisted us in renting a golf cart which we used to explore the island. We were truly impressed with Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island and the friendly people there. Aside from [a few] inconveniences we found "JuBaLi" to be a great cruising yacht. We hope to do another cruise in a couple of years. We hope she will still be around. Thank you again for a wonderful cruising experience!
- Brad and
Mary Kay STAR the Wonder Dog!
Well, why not a World’s Best Boat Dog contest? I read recently about the Canine World Hero contest. I have read about a Dress Up Your Dog contest and a Monster Dawg Pull contest. There is a Most Like a Rock Star contest, a Looks like a Famous Person contest, and Looks Most Like Owner contest. We’re not looking for pedigree or prancing like you’ve seen on TV from the Westminster Kennel Club show. On the scale of dog contests, ours is on the other end, perhaps closer to the coon hunt where dogs harmonize in 10-parts and make their owners proud and in which all canine contestants are thereinafter declared winners. Our World’s Best Boat Dog contest would be something like that. But, of course, Star would be first among equals.
This contest would have a special division for deceased dogs and, in this category, Vic and I have nominated our dearly departed Shadow, a lab mix who gave new meaning to the term retriever. Environmentalist that she was, Shadow would dive in the water and retrieve beer bottles and other discarded containers tossed overboard by inconsiderate slobs. If we could have outfitted her with a mask and snorkel, Shadow would have dog paddled around for hours with her head submerged and her eyes searching the bottom for discarded bottles and such. I know they make personal flotation devices for dogs. Has anybody invented a mask-and-snorkel for dogs? Vic and I applaud all who have helped their dogs make the transition to boat dog. Spending time on the boat with your dog is good for the owners because pets, well, just smooth things out for their lucky owners no matter where they are. Most dogs grow to love the boating life. If you’re going for a cruise, they say, Take Me With You. That’s the way dogs are unless you’re going to the vet. How do they know? Yes, there are some things you have to do to accommodate their lifestyles, like row them to shore a couple or three times a day. But, that’s a small effort for the dog love you get in return. (Lord, please help me be the person my dog thinks I am.) Sit. Write. Speak. Think about that special canine companion of yours and all the great cruising time shared. Good
boy.
Captain's Corner
Gary is a native of Indiana and has three sons. Captain Gary has a passion for teaching, a dedication to excellence, and a love of both sail and power boating. ...Top of Page SFY Offers "Cruising Concierge" Service!
We can assist our charter and school clients with transportation, docking, dining, sightseeing arrangements, and other special needs. Let us help put the "ease" back in cruising! We can . . .
Let us know how we can help make your vacation afloat a relaxing one! Just give us a call! We hope to see you soon in beautiful Southwest Florida! ...Top of Page Southwest Florida Yacht Sales and Brokerage
Featuring this month...
For a
showing on any of our vessels just give our office a call. FOR COMPLETE
SPECS AND PHOTOS ON ANY OF OUR YACHTS GO TO
http://www.swfyachtsales.com OR
CALL US AT
We have an immediate opening for yacht salesmen to join our professional yacht brokerage team. Sail and power boat handling and maintenance experience a must. Background in general business, marketing, or finance preferred. These are commission-only, contracted sales positions. We are currently looking for two energetic, proven sales people for our expanding yacht brokerage office. Join a well-established company with a reputation for excellence in the marine industry. Complete office and support provided. For more information call Vic Hansen at 239.656.1339 or E-mail Resume to Barbara Hansen ...Top of Page
Sail-A-Brate!! We are celebrating our 20th Anniversary with 20% off all charters of 5-days or longer between July 13, 2003 and July 13, 2005! Now there are only 6 months left to take advantage of our Anniversary “sale.”
The first year of our 2-year Sail-a-bration is history! Don't wait any longer! Call to reserve your charter or class dates today! 1-800-262-7939 Or go to our website at http://www.swfyachts.com/webpages/whats_new.htm Check out our websites!
SFY offers free video on VHS or CD-ROM!
For more information on charters, classes, charter yacht ownership, or brokerage yachts for sale, please call us a 1-800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339. Administrivia You are on this mailing list because you expressed an interest in Southwest Florida Yachts. If you would like to be removed from this list, simply click REPLY on your email reader and type the word REMOVE in the SUBJECT LINE of the HEADER, or if your email reader supports html just click here: swfyachts-2@cyberstreet.com?subject=REMOVE. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you would like to
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swfyachts-2@cyberstreet.com?subject=SUBSCRIBE. E-Yardarm Archives
October 2004
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A
visit to the beach almost always becomes part of the float plan when our
charters plot their cruises along the barrier islands of Southwest
Florida. “We’d like to spend a little time on the beach,” they say. Vic
and I expect this. “Yes, of course.”
What if
there were a World’s Best Boat Dog for 2005? You could submit your
nominations and Vic and I would be the judges. You should know that Vic
and I have declared Star, our border collie, as the winner. Your dog could
come in second. 
Traditionally,
border collies herded sheep. We have not given Star the opportunity to
herd sheep. However, Star may be the only border collie who herds dolphins
from the deck of any trawler or sailboat. Just a whistle and the cry "daaaalphin"
from anyone aboard, and Star leaps into action, rapidly moving from one
side of the boat to the other and barking at the playful creatures as they
surf our bow wave or jump in the boat's wake astern. 
Captain
Gary Graham has been a sail and power boat Captain and Instructor for
Southwest Florida Yachts and the Florida Sailing and Cruising School for
nearly 15 years. Captain Gary is a graduate of the Maritime School of
Florida. Gary is a US Coast Guard licensed Captain and a certified
American Sailing Association (ASA) instructor. In fact, Gary is a
four-time ASA “Outstanding Instructor” award winner. 
SFY
has created a special service to help our customers navigate their cruise
planning waters with ease! 
Our
Sail and Power Boating School is also celebrating with a FREE Weems and
Plath Navigation Kit given to all students who graduate from our school
between now and July 13, 2005! (The Gift does not apply to the 2-day S101
and First Mate Classes.)
For complete charter, school, and yacht
sales information, try our websites:
For a copy of our free
video, "Sailing and Cruising- Passport to Excellence" give us a call at
800-262-7939 or visit our Website and click on the video request form!
Watch our video and you will see why we love beautiful Southwest Florida!