Great Loop Route #87: Cape Coral, Florida to Fort Myers Beach, Florida | What Yacht To Do

Welcome to What Yacht To Do, a real life documentary of our great loop route. Today Rev and Sam are moving from Cape Harbour Marina in Cape Coral, Florida. We were headed to Naples, Florida until we hit something near Fort Myers Beach, Florida. So we had to scratch our plans and get hauled out instead. We are cruising around America's Great Loop and selected a Carver named the Here's To Us!! as our Great Loop boat. So much goes into Great Loop planning and we share every trip with you. Welcome aboard!
See more pictures and read all about it here: www.whatyachttodo.com/87-cape-coral-florida-to-fort-myers-beach-florida/
You can always contact us at [e-mail] if you have any questions or comments about doing America's Great Loop.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

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[@williamhalliburton2921]

Happy belated birthday

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks William

[@bobduff9357]

When you left Cape Coral you were still in the ICW. At marker #101 if you turn west the ICW continues. You went south and did you notice the channel markers reversed from green on the port to red on the port? That's my boating area.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Awesome. Yes. We made two day trips out to the Ding Darling anchorage. Takes a lot of paying attention in that area and a lot of traffic.

[@myjavadogs]

Great place to be! My parents had a place in Fort Myers and we used to travel down and stay with them and hit the beaches and Time Square.....they've since sold it so there's that.....

[@WhatYachtToDo]

A wonderful place. We intend to be there for later in 2021 for the winter.

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

It looked like they did a nice job reconditioning the props for you. The should run smoother now with less vibration. Just a little unexpected chance to see and visit some different restaurants on the loop. I would not be surprised if it were a piling broken off below water.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Yes, for sure!

[@theresasmm1958]

Greetings from Cape Coral. You won't see too many manatees this time of year due to cold waters. They move to the heat of the power plant in Ft. Myers.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Teresa! We did have two of them by our boat slip yesterday in Marathon. Very exciting!

[@oday3514]

You ran aground off Bowdich Beach on the northernmost tip of Estero Island. The shoals here are ALWAYS shifting, and you must navigate by eye. You should NEVER enter a set of waypoints into a chartplotter and blindly follow them.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks. Well we were not blindly following them. Had a watch out and did not see anything and then just BOOM. I did put an Active Captain marker out there to warn others coming behind me. Wish those who knew it was always that way had done so.

[@garyamatthews1]

Our "Buddies Made It"... had to go to an alternate and land... at least it wasn't the wrong airport! Glad you made it safe and "South" to the "Big Island" of Key West. Boat show waiting for you, us too... see you soon - God bless, G&D show.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Gary! Having a great rest here at Boca Chica!

[@billbehrens4487]

Great video

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Bill!

[@hdlure3595]

Thanks for the update I’m glad you guys are safe. Safe travels!!!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thank You 😊

[@VWilliams411]

Aw! You’re leaving! We will be returning around the 19th. Sorry we won’t get to see you again! Please come back to cape Harbour someday! Have a great journey and hopefully, we will meet up again! Vicki and Ben from “Serenity.”

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Yes, had to depart, but loving the Keys and catching up with some Loopers. You two are a class act and such a beautiful boat! Sam & Rev

[@jomarkelly3932]

We love Ft. Myers Beach... Time Square and the Trolley... Safe Travels

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks JoMar!

[@patriciagolding7092]

You are great teachers, as usual!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Patricia!

[@byronstyron3893]

Another exciting episode you all. Sure glad to see prop was okay with minimal damage. Sure hope you get to see some unicorns I mean manatee's and dolphins. :-) Looks like it is warming up for you. Safe travels you guys looking forward to the next one. HAPPY BIRTHDAY REV!!!!!!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks so much Byron! 😊

[@seatiger3540]

Looking forward to Rev's video on locking. Glad the repair went well.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks. I think it will be about a month til we get to it. Cheers, Sam

[@BrianStDenis-pj1tq]

Did you go through that lock twice? Or did you enter somehow from the other side?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

We went through it to enter the harbor, then out to exit. But in our lock count on our web page www.whatyachttodo.com we only counted it once.

[@edbaird5609]

I am looking for a looper boat and I really like the size / foot print of your 504 Carver. How do you rate it regarding overall build and durability. That is my only concern. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Hi Ed, I would rate it as very durable. I have not owned many boats, but would definitely buy another Carver. Cheers, Sam

[@buckpowers4837]

Great to see you were able to get prop repaired so quickly and now on your way south. always waiting for the next step in the loop. Travel lifts are amazing to watch for those that have never seen one. Enjoy the trip we all sure enjoy the video.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks so much Buck!

[@jrac863]

How long does a take to boat from Cape Coral to fort Myers beach.We have a Yamaha ar240

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Depends on how fast, but at 10mph less than 2 hours should do it. For more inside information be sure to ssign up for our Newsletter at www.WhatYachtToDo.com Cheers, Sam

[@larrydicenzo987]

Always sucks when you hit something when you're IN the channel. Curious what the cost was to recondition your props. As always good information and video, thank you.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Not as much as I thought it was going to be. Total for haul out and labor was $1400.00

[@BrianStDenis-pj1tq]

Did you say it took 4 days for them to recondition the props? Thanks!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

A 1/2 day to actually overhaul, once they got to them. But had to wait a day. The additional time was due to weather.

[@haroldbilboe9952]

What did you hit

[@WhatYachtToDo]

We don't know. Only one blade on the starboard prop was bent!! Not knocked, but bent!!

[@luhtathefinn3036]

Another nice one !!! Thanks :-)

[@WhatYachtToDo]

:-)

[@battlehymn6389]

Did they look at the cutlass bearing for your stbd shaft? Hitting something hard enough to bend a blade on a prop that large may have transferred enough energy to damage the bearing. If you still have a bit of vibration, or hear clunking sound when you shift from fwd to reverse you may want to get it checked. Too bad you don't have a sonar ... may have been able to figure out what you hit.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Yes, we had all checked out and everything is fine. No vibrations on the run after the checkout and repairs. 😉

[@luhtathefinn3036]

I ran aground near the Sanibel bridge at low tide one night...had to wait all night till high hide to leave....small boat with no blankets, no water just beer and it got a little cold....bad night :-)

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Ugh! Builds character for sure. At least you had beer! Cheers, Sam

[@paulhaas4299]

The Matinees are up at the power plant in Ft. Myers. They love the warm water from the plant. If you think you saw some pricey real estate in Ft Myers Beach, wait until you stop in Naples.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Paul. We are still looking. We took a drive down to Naples. Beautiful homes... And BIG!

[@pattigeiger9989]

That is a Floating Tiki Bar that you can rent, they do not serve you alcohol, the person just drives the Tiki Bar & you have to BYOB & they pretty much travel along the Beach/coastline. Not sure what Florida's alcohol laws are but because it is BYOB, they do not have the liability I guess. You will probably see them in the Keys also. Surprised Sam did not know what the Pirate Ship was...lol Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise! Arrrhh!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Yes. Saw the floating bar and the pirate ship (and heard it) quite a few times during our stay. And Shrimp boats. Put the anchor light on at night 😱

[@patriciagolding7092]

When you say ‘pump out’, are you referring to your sewage waste? I’m a full time RVer planning on a loop trip after retiring. We have black tank for potty waste and a gray tank for capturing water from all other sources. Do you have black and gray tanks?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Just a black tank. Two of them, one for each head. Our grey water pumps overboard into the water. We use bio-degradable products in the sinks and showers.

[@jamesbutterfield4856]

Would you share the expense of a dinged prop ?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Sure, The haul out was $600 and the prop repair was $600. Another $200 in labor for a total of $1400. Haulouts are based on linear foot of the boat. Our prop is a 32" four blade, 37 degree pitch. Cheers, Sam

[@jamesbutterfield4856]

What Yacht To Do thanks so much , insurance job or outa pocket?

[@RoyCHaven]

@@jamesbutterfield4856 Good question.

[@larrydicenzo987]

I saw your cost in another post, thank you. It always upsets me when there is a known reef or shoaling and the Cost Guard doesn't put out a floating marker.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Hi Larry, Yes, it is disappointing, but someday they will have perfected the forward looking sonar and the cost will be down to where it will be affordable!

[@camaro02dk]

Can I ask what that cost was...

[@stevestadterman9270]

What is the make & model of ur yacht...

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Hi Steve, It is a 1999 Carver 504 Cockpit Motor Yacht. We have a virtual tour video on our You Tube channel that will give you an idea of the boat inside and out. Have a great week. Sam & Rev

[@VWilliams411]

Any idea what you hit?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Probably shoaling. We reported it to the Coast Guard and also annotated it on Active Captain.

[@davidh4646]

I'm interested in knowing if you could turn your prop costs into your insurance company, or was this 'Out of Pocket'?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Hi David I'm not going to make a claim as it would be under the deductibe cost. Cheers Sam

[@bestfriendsrving-sailing8329]

You may want to consider a set of mechanic gloves while handling the lines. It saves on your hands.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Yes, we normally do in locks, but that one was a Baby Lock and we went through it a bunch of times during our stay. Cheers, Sam

[@davidmilitz2275]

Great video!!! Heading to Fort Meyers this week! Looking for future landing spots when we do the loop in a few years!

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Great. Lots of great spots there for sure!

[@larryfalco3691]

What do you guys use to film your videos?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

We use a cell phone, but soon will be going to a GoPro Hero8 with stabilization. It is onboard, but we need to figure it out!

[@larryfalco3691]

@@WhatYachtToDo Thanks for the reply, I am thinking about getting a GoPro myself.

[@steveeaton7315]

Love watching your episodes. Hope to get the opportunity to do the same in about two years, and I ordered two shirts I should be receiving them any day now can’t wait.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Thanks Steve. We will be cheering you on as you do the Loop. You will love the shirts. Very good quality. We tested them before putting up the store.

[@grantpeachey6908]

did you ever get a report about what you had hit . once a gain a informative vid

[@WhatYachtToDo]

We suppose it was shoaling. We reported it to the Coast Guard and also put a warning on Active Captain.

[@barneyrubel8703]

oh yeah, looks like you hit the reef, which is exposed at low tide, especially in the winter season.

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Unfortunately yes probably shoaling. There's a lot more water on the other side of the Green!

[@mikey0011]

Any idea what you hit?

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Probably shoaling. We reported it to the Coast Guard and also annotated it on Active Captain.