Living in Southwest Florida makes it possible to enjoy boating just about anytime of the year.  At Cape Harbour, the many knowledgeable boat merchants are poised and ready to provide the boating public with everything they need to make their "on the water experience" safe and enjoyable.  Whether you're looking to buy, sell, rent, charter a fishing tour or just cruise with family and friends, our boating industry professionals are right at dockside to help.

The Marina at Cape Harbour, located adjacent to Rumrunners Restaurant, is the closest marina in Cape Coral to the Gulf of Mexico.  The Marina has 78 deepwater wet slips, 16 transit slips for residents and the public and accommodates boats up to 65-feet in length according to the Harbour Master, Frank Muto.  The Boat House offers indoor "dry" storage and can accommodate boats up to 30-feet in length.  For more information about slip rentals, visit the Harbor Master's office, call 239-945-4330 or go to www.capeharbour.com.

Cape Harbour's Vacation Rentals office is also located in the Marina and continues to be a busy place this season.  Chris Hearn, Director of Property Management for Realmark Management Services, LLC, reported "an extremely busy time" starting last November through mid-April of this year.  Vacationers enjoyed deluxe accommodations in beautifully furnished one, two or three-bedroom condominium suites that overlook the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caloosahatchee River and the Marina at Cape Harbour.  Vacationers have access to boat or kayak rentals, fishing charters, and a boat shuttle to Fort Myers Beach or any of the islands for a day in the sun.  This year, guests came from far and wide, including Canada, Europe, and all across the United States.  The office is currently taking bookings for next year, with some condominium units already booked through the season in 2011.  Book your vacation by calling 239-540-1851 or toll-free, 888-540-1851.  Virtual tours as well as more information about Vacation Rentals are available on our website at www.capeharbourvacations.com. 

Galati Yacht Sales spokesperson, Karen Wellington, said the company recently welcomed a new line of yachts to augment their current lines. They are Maritimo Yachts and Grand Banks. Both are exceptional yacht companies and are new to Galati within the last three months.  On Friday, April 23rd from 10am -7pm join Galati for an Open House where they will feature the new Grand Banks 41 Heritage Europa with Zeus Drives.  Also view the 2010 Ocean Alexander 60' Trawler, the 2010 Ocean Alexander 58' Pilothouse, the 2009 Ocean 58' Enclosed Bridge and the 2001 Grand Banks 49' Eastbay HX.  Wine & Cheese will be served from 4pm - 7pm.

This coming summer, Galati is encouraging "rendezvous" cruises which are a chance for people to get together to cruise for a weekend or to take a few days to explore new territories.  The next one is set for April 23rd.  Classes for "Ladies at the Helm", training ladies and children how to manage a boat, will also be available soon.  To find out more and to register for events and classes call 239-541-5358 or go to www.galatiyachts.com .

Tow Boat US is celebrating its fifth anniversary at its location on the Marina on July 1st.  Tow Boat US provides on-water services for its Boat US members.  Co-owner Richard Paul said marine services include towing, maintenance and boat deliveries for its members.  Their fleet of five boats is located at four strategic sites; one in St. James City, two in Cape Coral, one on Ft. Myers Beach, and another in downtown Fort Myers.  Richard and co-owner Jay McMillin man the Cape Harbour office 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and the company here employs eight captains.  They also provide boat deliveries over the road and water, as well as delivering boat deliveries with a captain on board.  To find out more, call 239-945-1664 or check out their website on www.towboatuscapecoral.com.

Venture Out Charters & Trading Company is the "everything" store for boating and fishing supplies, in addition to being a virtual marine apparel ship's store.  Co-owner Chris Achilles who was one of the first to set up shop in the Marina said, "We have tried to turn the store into a cross between a fishing and boating pro shop".  It is a place to get the latest in weather information, book a sunset excursion or take an eco-tour to see the wildlife around the area.  In addition to bait, tackle and lures, you can buy low-level, mid-level and high-level as well as high-range rods and reels and other supplies.  To complete your day in the sun, the store also stocks Maui Jim sunglasses, men's and women's fishing apparel, assorted t-shirts, hats, visors, and nautical clothing and jewelry, not to mention soft drinks, beer, water, snacks and sandwiches. By the way, look for the store to carry exclusive Penn Shamino rod and reels in the near future, a top shelf addition to the inventory, Chris said.  To find out more, call 239-945-2031 or go to www.ventureoutfitters.com. 

Classic Electric Boats is Southwest Florida's only full service electric pleasure and fishing dealership.  Owner Rob Mang said they feature Duffy and Carolina electric boats and are one of the original tenants in Cape Harbour's boathouse celebrating six-plus years at the location.  The company is featuring one of the 15 remaining 30-foot launches for sale.  You can check it out at the main dock below Run Agrounds in Cape Harbour's Marina.  Call 239-549-2627 to see and drive and electric boat.  To find links to the manufacturer go to www.classicelectricboats.com .

Cape Yacht Management and Jim Kormos will provide many services, including one of the most important:  Keeping your boat in perfect condition so you can enjoy your boating time on the water.  They not only wash and wax on a regular schedule, but perform monthly checks on the boat's mechanical condition as well as underwater hull cleaning and checks. They keep you in top condition too, providing consulting to brush you up on handling your boat and to improve your general boating knowledge.  Their expert technicians can take care of any repairs you might need or consult on major mechanical problems.  In case of storms, they secure your boat.  They can also arrange for a licensed captain to relocate your boat anywhere in the United States and the Bahamas.  Should you desire to sell your yacht or purchase another, they can help with that as well as they are a licensed boat broker.  Call 239-542-8838 or go to www.capeyachtmanagement.com.

Carefree Boat Club of SW Florida Corp. and Steve Taylor have some exciting news. They have new additions to their marine fleet and they just recently welcomed Sean Foster as their newest staff member.  "Sean has been at the Cape Harbour location for the past few months and has been very instrumental in helping in the office, setting up boats for departure and return for members, and in detailing and maintaining the fleet", Steve said.  The newest addition to the fleet is a Chaparral Cruising Sunesta that's 27-feet long with a 220 horsepower, inboard and outboard.  Don't forget the club's upcoming social events at both The Joint and Rumrunners.  Call 888-505-2582 or visit www.CareFreeBoats.com.

Another long time tenant along the dock is the Lee County Sheriff's office.  Sgt. Dan Keim said the office just recently re-negotiated another five year lease and is now in larger quarters to better serve the boating public.  A staff of six marine deputies is on duty here and throughout the county.  They patrol about 600 miles of coastline from where the Caloosahatchee meets the Gulf of Mexico and between Bocca Grande and Bonita Springs.  The largest boat in the fleet, a 27-foot whaler, is stationed at the Marina and certainly attracts a lot of attention at dockside.  Keim said besides patrolling the waters to enforce Florida's boating laws, their primary mission is search and rescue. 

We also want to make our apologies to Pat Roush of Paradigm Yacht Sales on the Marina.  It seems that when we spotlighted Paradigm in our last Newsletter, we spelled Pat's name wrong.  We would like to remind everyone that Paradigm specializes in bringing yacht buyers and sellers together, nationally and locally, with experienced and professional personnel ready to assist.