The most fun and active yacht club on Marco Island. We have a Long Range Cruisers group for multi-day trips to distant marinas. We have Day Fleet events to various island beaches or boat accessible restaurants along with other boating activities. And we have the only Jetski / Craig Cat Special Interest Group for exploring the 10,000 islands and backwaters. For over 53 years, our Club’s history and traditions has drawn those who love the water, power cruising, and a full and active social life. Check out our calendar of events and articles of past trips and you will will see why we have attained an island reputation as “The Fun Club”. The last Monday of each month is designated as “Monday Madness” Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at CJs at the Esplanade. Join us and become better acquainted with our members and activities. You can belong to another Yacht Club and find us so affordable that you will join us for the boating and social events as well.
Not a member yet? Join us: CLICK HERE to fill out the membership application. The fun awaits you!
For those who went north for the summer, we who stayed, enjoyed our monthly Monday Madness and dine arounds at USS Nemo, Blackbirds, and Unidos. Check out the gallery of photos of the events. Welcome back, keep an eye out for eBlast for upcoming club events. Looking forward to seeing there.
Wednesday Oct 22.
MBYC started the Day Fleet season with a ride to Wahoo’s Bar & Grill. The weather was fantastic, no wind and the Gulf was nearly glass like. As typical, we did have an issue with one boat before it left the dock at Marco, but our host Tony D’Alba swung by and added 4 more people to his boat for the ride.
We had 17 members attending the event and we sat outside since the weather was so nice. We were nearly the only ones there. The service, hospitality and food was commendable.
Our next Day Fleet event is to Doc Fords in Ft Meyers, Nov 18. The Long Range Cruisers will already be in Ft Meyers that week and are planning to swing in for lunch. Should be a big attendance so RSVP early.
Click on the picture below to start the video. If there is no audio, click the speaker icon twice.
MBYC JSIG (Jetski Special Interest Group) goes out a couple times each month and has a wide variety of routes. We do Turtle rides (slow and relaxing) and Rabbit rides (faster and about 50 miles long). This video is from my favorite route that I call Canopy Lane. It is actually very challenging and takes about 45 minutes to get through.
MBYC celebrated Monday Madness with a beautiful sunny afternoon at the Esplanade. Around thirty members were in attendance, enjoying a few cocktails and shooting the breeze. Margi and Judy ran the raffle, the winners were, Margi White $45, Brad Shaw $30 and Lynn Tuttle $15. There were a few goodbyes from some snow birds leaving for the season. And a good time was had by all. Looking for to seeing you for May Monday Madness on May 26.
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/
February 22 found MBYC members gathered at the Marco Esplanade Marina for the annual Presentation of the Fleet where the newly installed Bridge, Commodore Paul Schneeberger, Vice Commodore Bob Gagnon, and Rear Commodore Jeff Wilson conducted the annual review of the Fleet.
Commodore Paul Schneeberger welcomed everyone and the USA National Anthem was played to open the program.
Chaplin Alan Sandlin read a History of the Marco Bay Yacht Club and followed with a prayer for the blessing of the Fleet.
Fleet Captain Brent Cook presented the fleet for review which included the vessels:
Top Shelf Captain Mike and First Mate Maria Adamson
Cookin’ Captain Brent and Susan Cook
O Sea D Captain Vern and First Mate Ann Graham
La Vie en Rose Captain Bill and First Mate Debbie Schroeder
Upon completion of the review, the vessels were berthed and the Bridge, crews and other MBYC members proceeded to CJ’s on the Bay for a celebratory luncheon.
The Fifty-first Annual Change of Watch (Commodore’s Ball) was held Friday January 31st at Hideaway Beach Club. At this beautiful venue, nearly 80 members attended and were welcomed with a glass of champagne. Linda Gagnon reflected on her 2 years as Commodore and recognized and thanked the many volunteers and board members who supported her leadership. A delicious meal was served followed by a presentation of the Bridge. 2025 Commodore Paul Schneeberger spoke as his first official duty as commodore. Kellee Kaysee wonderfully entertained us all evening. The dance floor was packed as members danced the night away.
The Marco Bay Yacht Club was proud to participate in the Holiday Street Parade this year. Naples Marine generously donated a 26’ pontoon and trailer for us to decorate and show off during the parade.
Sixteen club members and one club dog came together to decorate and/or accompany the float on its journey. We chose a theme of Fun on Land & Sea since we are the ‘FUN’ club of Marco Island. From whimsical octopi to lighted pelicans and marlins, the float really glowed. Even the Gagnon’s truck was decorated with a fun scene. We had lighted Christmas trees, Octopi and a Shark walking alongside the float with candy for the kids. Although we did not win a prize, we were definitely one of the best floats in the parade!!
