Kissimmee Boat-A-Cade 2010 Cruise Review
What would a small group of intrepid boaters name themselves (a tradition long known
to KBAC) but the Die Hards. Four from this hardy group left LaBelle on Friday noon to
make the 30-mile trek west to Legacy Harbour Marina in Ft. Myers, FL. Later that
afternoon the lone Georgian, completing this grand group of five boats, joined us. This
trip was going to be a joint effort with each captain taking a turn at leading a leg of the
trip. This also involved providing appetizers on the night of your lead. Our capable
leader this first leg was Moore Fun II and we also enjoyed a beefy round of meatballs
when we all arrived in Ft. Myers. In addition, what better way to kick off the trip than to
celebrate the move of the Morgan House? Well-priced drinks and free appetizers were
aplenty. This was a great way to begin our journey.
On Saturday Nic-Nac lead us down to Marco Island. It was so hot before we left, we all
had to take a dip in the pool. You couldn’t have asked for a smoother trip. The sea
was calm and a beautiful color of green. We all enjoyed an anchor out at the sandbar
before the threatening skies led us into the marina. We enjoyed appetizers of mini
corn dogs and then headed to Snook Inn for a wonderful dinner and sunset. We had to
call it an early night because Sunday was to be one of our long days.
On Sunday we left the dock at 7:30 to make the short trip to Goodland in order to all
fuel up before the trip across Florida Bay. We were all fueled and left Goodland at 9:00
a.m. and were lead by the ever-capable Nauti Nan. We can’t say that the entire trip
was without incident but the long and short of it is that we were all happy and safe in
Key Largo by early evening. There were staggered arrivals due to fueling but the
weather stayed favorable for the entire leg. To our surprise fellow KBACers Just Add
Water and Tinker Bell, who happened to be vacationing in the Keys, joined us. Nauti
Nan outdid themselves with appetizers of Champagne and mini crepes with tuna and
shrimp. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Coconuts.
Unfortunately for us there was a tropical wave south of the Keys around Puerto Rico
and Cuba. This caused quite a bit of wind and made for rather rough seas. Snorkeling
conditions were not favorable so many spent the days in the Keys on a local sandbar.
There was also a lot of floating in the pools, partaking in libations, eating, shopping and
resting. Again, other members visited us, the Massicotte’s, who have a property in the
Keys.
On Wednesday we had to begin our trip back to the mainland. The forecast was for
some wind, worsening on Thursday and potentially subsiding on Friday. Being that this
was a joint effort with not one leader, the decision was made to leave on Wednesday
since the Georgia boat had to be out of Florida on Saturday. Pam’s Paycheck decided
to take us on the inside passage and it was a beautiful trip. It was a little longer
however and there was fear that gas would be an issue for many. We all gassed up
again at Goodland and the tanks were pretty low (some very low). The remainder of
our trip to Naples Boat Club was via the Intra-Coastal Waterway. We did run into a
shower and many could be seen using rags to wash off the salt from the time in the
Keys. After arriving and getting settled, appetizers provided included Margarita’s and
hot crab dip. Once again a fellow KBACer Bruce Evans visited us. Later that evening
we all walked to Tin City and ate at Pincher’s Crab Shack.
We spent the next day in Naples and did touristy things. The girls went shopping, the
boys looked at boats. We spent the afternoon at the pool, which eventually led to an
evening at the pool. We had our traditional pizza dinner and Mystic lead us all in a
game for prizes and surprises.
Friday, Mystic brought us to our final overnight stay back at Legacy Harbour Marina in
Ft. Myers. It was a lovely cruise back up the coast with another day of great weather
and seas. Of course we all spent the afternoon at the pool and then shared appetizers
on the dock of assorted dips and wraps. This is the evening of our traditional banquet
but with such a small group we decided to have the festivities right there on the dock.
We did have a successful initiation of Tina Bradley. There was no bent prop award this
year but the “empty gas can” award Mystic easily won. Not having the reigning King
and Queen with us we made a unanimous decision, due to everyone’s efforts, to have
5 Queens and Kings this year.
Saturday brought the end to KBAC 2010. Mystic left at 6:00 a.m. for Georgia and the
remaining boats left for LaBelle. It may have been a small group but the trip was as
great as any before. We hope you will all join us next year!!
