MBYC has something for everyone with a motorized watercraft. For the larger vessel, there are monthly trips around the coast of Florida lasting from 1-2 weeks. For the mid size vessel we generally schedule at least one monthly convoy event to a restaurant from Marco to Ft Meyers or Chokoloskee or anywhere in-between. Our experienced Fleet Captains will help you learn safe passage to these destinations or you can follow in their wakes and enjoy the ride.
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Due to the up and down weather that resulted in cancellation of the March Beach Picnic, the decision was made to swap in a short boat / car ride to The Crabby Lady. The owners had recommended we get there early which turned out to be great advice given that the place was packed with a waiting line shortly after our arrival. Participating members enjoyed perfect Spring weather along with fast and friendly service, good food and good friendship.
The MBYC Jetski Special Interest Group made an incredible find this month. We discovered a new route where the mangrove made a complete canopy that was more than a mile long.
I talk about Rabbit Rides and Turtle on this topic, but because this was completely new and highly risky, it took about 60 minutes to travers at no wake speed. There were many mangrove branches and tentacles in the channel, but weaving and positioning the jetski around them is part of the fun and challenge of this route. We saw several birds, but no alligators. On a trip around last Thanksgiving, I did have an alligator cut in front of me on the Black Water River and he could care less that I was only 15 feet behind him in a channel that was too narrow for me to pass him.
I call the new route Canopy Lane, and it is complete Nirvana.
Here we have pixs from the trip of the route. These are not dead ends.
Eventually, I hope to post a short video of the trip. You can see other videos from the Jetski SIG on our website.
https://marcobayyachtclub.com/category/activities/boating/jetski/
The MBYC Jetski Special Interest Group (JSIG) finished 2025 in memorable fashion.
The last weekend of the year we took both a Turtle Ride and a Rabbit Ride. The Turtle Ride on Saturday involved 4 jetskis and a Craig Cat. There was a breakdown about 75 minutes into the ride and one of the vessels needed to be towed out to open water to meet up with a commercial tow vessel. A great example of why you never go out alone.
The Rabbit Ride scheduled for Sunday was pushed out to Monday due to wind. Once in the backwaters, the water is always calm, but getting there no one likes to get splashed in the open water this time of year. For both rides we had mostly MBYC visiting family members and/or prospective new members.
On December 11th, twenty Day Fleet participants enjoyed a lunch outing at the historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglade City. For those who have visited Everglade City know that nothing moves fast there, including fulfillment of our lunch orders, allowing extra time for catching up with other members. Having said that, the staff was as friendly as always, and the food was good. Despite being a beautiful Fall day to be outside, the forecasted wind and water conditions led to a cancellation of the boating portion of the event. That turned out to be the right decision. While in Everglade City, a couple additional dining options were explored for future event consideration.
Stay tuned!
Check out our short videos of rides in Palm Bay and Blackwater River at
https://marcobayyachtclub.com/category/activities/boating/jetski/
This is somewhere between a Rabbit Ride and a Turtle Ride. We go at the safe speed of the slowest rider.
4 skis on this trip. Please drop to no wake whenever you cross another boat.
Click on the image below to launch the video.
Rabbit Ride with 3 skis.
Click on the picture below to start the video. If there is no audio, click the speaker icon twice.
MBYC Cruise to HavAnnA Cafe in Chokoloskee
Planning a day of sun, tropical scenery, and culinary delights, we anticipated a cruise to HavAnnA Cafe in Chokoloskee. Little did we know, the journey would take unexpected turns, transforming a simple outing into a memorable adventure.
The boating portion of the cruise hit a roadblock as a small craft advisory forced the cancellation of the maritime option. Undeterred by the change in plans, we embraced the challenge and pivoted to a land cruise.
As we dined, we found themselves immersed in the captivating outdoor ambiance of HavAnnA Cafe. The venue, adorned with vibrant flowers, transported everyone to the laid-back charm of Key West. The unexpected beauty of the surroundings elevated the overall experience, turning a setback into a serendipitous discovery.
Surprisingly, the setbacks of the day fueled enthusiasm rather than dampening spirits. Some boaters suggested considering another trip to The HavAnnA Cafe in the future. The collective interest and eagerness for a repeat adventure spoke volumes about the resilience and camaraderie among our members.
Thanks to Participants
Thanks to each of you who participated in the MBYC parade event, you all made it a spectacular event.
From the decorators, to the walkers and riders it was perfect. Logistical and nourishment support from Holly Erker was so appreciated. Alex Orsolini lending his generator and running down at the last minute for a final top off was great. Rudi stopping by to add decoration support was appreciated and Barry Gelfand’s music was a huge addition to the impact of our float.
It would not have even happened without the support of Steve Stark to secure the boat and Charlie Erker to assist in this effort.
Brent Cook’s on site coordination and decorating knowledge was greatly appreciated.
Basically, the club came through as a team to make this happen.
