Florida Ranked Among Top Charter Destinations
SW Florida singled out as best kept secret

Posted Wednesday, November 15, 2006

 
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Southwest Florida Ranked Among Top Ten World Charter Destinations

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – With a salute to Southwest Florida, Britain’s Motor Boat & Yachting magazine has ranked Florida among its top ten bareboat charter destinations in the world.

The top ten list, from number 10 to 1, were French Riviera, New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds, Florida, Bahamas, Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, Dalmatian Islands on the Croatian coast, Greece, Pacific Northwest, Virgin Islands and Spain. The destinations were scored on their availability of boats, suitability for inexperienced boaters, attractiveness, shore-side amenities and ease of access from the U.K.

The December-issue article, entitled “Bare Necessities,” urged readers to explore southwest Florida’s “quiet waters, secluded anchorages, islands and miles of sugar-white beaches.” Southwest Florida Yachts, N. Fort Myers, was spotlighted as a major charterer for Florida’s west coast.

Recently, Southwest Florida Yachts announced that two 42-foot Grand Banks luxury trawlers have joined the charter cruising fleet for exploring the famous Gulf barrier islands of Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa and Gasparilla.

Each vessel charters for $4,170 for seven days in the winter and $3,334 in the summer. From the other end of its power fleet, Southwest Florida Yachts charters two 32-foot trawlers for $2,391 for seven days in the winter and $1,914 in the summer. SWFY also charters sailboats from 24-34 feet including Island Packet, Hunter and Catalina yachts.

Southwest Florida Yachts, founded in 1984, maintains its fleet of power yachts at Marinatown Marina on the Caloosahatchee River in N. Fort Myers. Its fleet of sailing vessels is based at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda. Fleet vessels, sail and power, are also used as live-aboard classrooms for students attending Florida Sailing & Cruising School.

For more information about charters and courses, contact Hansen at info@swfyachts.com or by calling 800-262-7939.