Facts At A Glance
Southwest Florida Yachts, Inc.
Year founded: 1984
Founders/owners/operators:
Barbara and Vic Hansen, licensed captains, certified scuba divers, sportfishing enthusiasts, and year–round Florida residents.
Philosophy;“We are hands–on owners doing what we enjoy. We take an intensely personal interest and delight in the success of our friends and customers. We try to give them more than they expect. We’re celebrating our 22nd anniversary as owner–operators in 2006, and we look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries in the years to come.”
Chartering
- Charter fleet of pleasure trawlers from 32 to 42 feet long. Power vessels are docked at Marinatown Marina, North Fort Myers, Florida.
- Charter fleet of sailing vessels from 24 to 34 feet. Most sailing vessels are docked at Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, Florida.
- Charters run from one day to several weeks or more, with or without captains, depending on boater qualifications. Pricing examples: five days on an Island Packet 32 sloop, about $1,800 in the winter; one week aboard a 36–foot Grand Banks twin engine, approximately $3,500 during the winter months. Prices run about 20 percent less in the summer. Fleet and prices are subject to change. Concierge services include reservations for dock space and/or resort accommodations along Florida’s southwest coast.
Courses Offered by Florida Sailing & Cruising School, a division of Southwest Florida Yachts, Inc.
- Sailing courses include classroom and on–the–water instruction. Thirteen liveaboard courses include Basic Sailing, Bareboat Chartering, Coastal Navigation, and Advanced Coastal Cruising. Prices from $495 for the two–day Basic Sailing course to $3,195 for a 12–day “offshore adventure.” Courses are certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA).
- Powerboat courses include classroom and on–the–water instruction. Two–day, three–day, six–day, and eight–day advanced powerboating courses start at $295 and range to $2,995 per person for the eight–day offshore powerboat cruising course. Most courses include liveaboard privileges.
Power Fleet
Grand Banks 32, Patience
Island Gypsy 32 trawler, Kon Tiki
Linssen 32 trawler, Halve Maan II
Mainship 34, Peachy Keen II
Mainship 390 twin, SNAP’M
Grand Banks 36 twin, Blue Note
Carver 365 twin, Schatzi
Jefferson 42 twin MY, Final Sea–Lection
Grand Banks 42 twin, Maretta Rose
Grand Banks 42 twin, Mar–kat
Grand Banks 42 twin, Joy@Sea
Mainship 43 trawler, Soots Us @ Sea
Vessels are subject to change.
Sailing Fleet
Cal 24 sloop daysailer, Loose
Hunter 29 sloop, Magic
Island Packet 32 cutter, Argo II
Catalina 320 sloop, Mañana
Catalina 34 sloop, Cool Change
Hunter 34 sloop, Wind Song
Island Packet 35 catamaran, Firenze
Vessels are subject to change.
Cruising Area
Nearshore Gulf of Mexico and inland waters of southwest Florida; ranked number one cruising area in the United States by Cruising Worldmagazine.
Wildlife
Bald eagles, loons, herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants, brown and white pelicans, and ospreys. In freshwater cruising areas, wildlife includes alligators and the Florida panther (rare) in remote areas.
Sportfishing
Inshore and offshore fishing. Depending on tackle, location, and level of angling expertise, anglers may catch tarpon, snook, redfish, spotted weakfish, snapper, grouper, dolphin fish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, flounder, and sheepshead.
Swimming & Scuba
Saltwater temperatures are generally suitable for swimming winter and summer. Water clarity in the Gulf of Mexico is good, especially in the winter, subject to recent storm activity.