Contributing Writer Laurie Carlson
Cape Coral Cruise Club
“Where boaters become friends and memories last forever.”
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It's why we boat
There are certainly easier ways to spend a weekend than owning a boat.
There are less expensive ways. There are less complicated ways. And there are definitely ways to spend a Saturday that don't involve checking the weather, the tide, the batteries, the fuel level and approximately 47 other things before you even leave the dock.
And yet…we do it anyway. We boat.
After a summer break, September marks the beginning of our return to the water and the start of another season with the Cape Coral Cruise Club. Our first picnic of the season may not have been our biggest gathering, but it reminded me of something important: boating isn't really about how many people show up for an event. It's about the people, the friendships and the experiences that happen whenever boaters get together.
Because when you think about it, why do we boat?
Is it the destination? Sometimes.
Is it the boat itself? Certainly—we wouldn't spend all that time polishing, maintaining, repairing and occasionally talking to our boats as if they could actually hear us if we didn't love them.
But I think the real answer is something much simpler.
We boat for the memories.
It's the feeling of leaving the dock and watching the everyday world disappear behind you. It's sitting on the fly-bridge with a cool drink while the sun drops toward the horizon. It’s the first sip of coffee on the bow at sunrise, with a gentle breeze and the sounds nature. It's spotting dolphins alongside the boat or discovering a beautiful little anchorage you hadn't visited before.
It's finding a waterfront restaurant where you can pull up by boat and feeling just a little bit smug that you didn't have to deal with traffic.
It's the unexpected moments—the ones that weren't on the itinerary and somehow become the stories you tell for years.
And then there are the people.
Boating has a funny way of introducing us to people we might never have met otherwise. You can pull into a marina, tie up at a dock, join a raft-up or cruise into an unfamiliar destination and strike up a conversation with someone you've never met. Before long, you're exchanging stories, comparing boats and helping each other figure out why something on the boat isn't working.
That spirit of camaraderie is one of the things I love most about the Cape Coral Cruise Club.
For more than six decades, this club has brought boaters together—not just to go places, but to enjoy the journey together. We share cruises, meals, sunsets, stories, boating knowledge and, occasionally, a little friendly advice about whose anchor technique needs some work!
Our boats may be different sizes. Our boating experience may range from decades to just getting started. Some members prefer a quiet evening at anchor while others are always ready for the next adventure.
But once we're on the water, we have something important in common. We love boating.
And now, as we move into October, it feels like Southwest Florida is beginning to wake up from its summer boating slowdown. The days will gradually become more comfortable, the humidity will eventually give us a break, and the calendar begins filling with the cruises, gatherings and adventures we've been waiting for.
Curious About the Cape Coral Cruise Club?
If you've ever wondered what the Cape Coral Cruise Club is all about, November is the perfect time to find out.
On November 7th, we're hosting a special open-house-style picnic on our private island, and we're inviting boaters from the community who own a cruising-style boat with full overnight accommodations to come meet us and experience the club for themselves.
The picnic is free for invited non-member guests.
Space is limited, all non-member guests must RSVP in advance to reserve their spot.
You don't have to know anyone in the club. You don't have to be an experienced cruiser. You simply need to own a boat that's suited for cruising and have a love of being on the water.
Come spend a few hours with us. See what we're about. Meet the people behind the boats.
You may just discover some new cruising friends.
Because at the end of the day, I don't think most of us will remember every destination we've visited or every mile we've traveled.
We'll remember the sunset.
We'll remember the dolphin that followed the boat.
We'll remember the laughter around the table.
We'll remember the friends we made along the way.
That's why we boat.
And that's why, after more than 60 years, the Cape Coral Cruise Club is still out there making memories on the water—and making new friends to share them with.
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Laurie Carlson
Cape Coral Cruise club
Come Join The Fun!
If you have a vessel with full overnight accommodations, and would like more information about joining our Club, please contact our Membership Chairperson, Laurie Carlson, at 239-910-5543! You can also check us out on our Facebook page or our website at: www.CapeCoralCruiseClub.com
