2006 USEPPA ISLAND CATBOAT RENDEZVOUS
It's time to think about winter fun in the sun, sailing, and camaraderie on Useppa Island, Florida the weekend of January 27th - 29th 2006. Two years ago we had over 150 people, and know this Rendezvous will be equally popular.
You don't need to own a Catboat, or even be from Florida to attend this event. We just want you to be a Catboat aficionado. At each Useppa Island Catboat Rendezvous there are Catboats of all types and sizes. If feasible, please bring your boat. Otherwise just come and savor the tranquility of a real island off the SW Florida Coast. You will most likely be able to crew with someone sailing around Pine Island Sound, be part of the Race Committee, crew in the races, or watch from a spectator boat.
Our agenda is as follow: Friday night - Pot Luck Beach Party. Saturday morning - guided tour of Useppa offered for non-sailors finishing up at the Useppa Museum. Saturday night - Buffet Dinner at Useppa's historic Tarpon Bar. Brunch and the Awards Ceremony will take place after the races on Sunday morning.
This Rendezvous is a grand time to renew old friendships and make new ones.
Racing will take place most of the day Saturday and Sunday morning with a number of short races as determined by our Race Committee Chairman Bob Stevens.
The 15' Marshall Sandpiper World Championships will be held. Most likely the 22'Marshall World Championships will be raced too; and maybe the 18' Marshall Sanderling Mid-Winters, if we have enough Catboats. And hopefully a Small Mixed Catboat Class and a Large Mixed Big Catboat class - all depending on what boats want to race, and how our Race Committee sees fit to divide them.
Many of you may know a little about Useppa Island. It is an 80-acre private is land located north of Sanibel and Captiva Islands and south of Boca Grande, on Florida's West Coast. Useppa is due west of Ft. Myers and Cape Coral. Our mainland base is Pine Island. First inhabited by the Calusa Indians thousands of years ago, developed by Barron Collier in 1912, Useppa is now a winter home to about 40 adventurous souls who like the peace and quiet of real island living.
Useppa is accessible by boat and seaplane only. There are no cars. The eye of Hurricane Charley - Aug. 2004 - went directly over Useppa, resulting in major damage; but the island has made great strides towards recovery and will be ready for your visit.
Hopefully all your questions will be answered with the following information.
Most people will receive this notice by e-mail; please print it out and respond. Others will be notified by mail. It is impossible to look at the CBA Directory and know who winters in Florida. Nor can we know what other Catboat folk might want to participate. So please, pass on this e-mail, and spread the word about our unique Biennial Useppa Island Rendezvous.
You do not have to be a member of the Catboat Association to attend the Rendezvous, though you are encouraged to join by mailing The Catboat Association, P.O. Box 246, Cataumet, MA 02534. Or visit www.catboats.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27th:
Arrive on Useppa. (See Logistics).
6pm: Cocktails and "Pot Luck Supper Beach Party" on the beach in front of Gretchen and John Coyle's home. Hot dogs, hamburgers and all drinks will be supplied. Please bring an appetizer, salad, casserole, dessert, or something easy.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28th:
Breakfast on your own. Breakfast may be available at the Collier Inn or Tarpon Bar.
9am: Walking Tour of Useppa, ending up at the Useppa Museum for a private tour. (Golfcarts will be provided for anyone who cannot walk the half-mile.)
10am: Skippers/participants meeting on the beach.
10:30am: First, second and third races.
10:30am: Sailing around Useppa and parts of the Pine Island Sound area in Catboats of all types for those not racing.
Lunch on your own.
2:00 or 2:30pm: Afternoon races.
3pm: Afternoon of sailing or relaxing.
6:00pm: Cocktails - cash bar -and Buffet Dinner at Tarpon Bar. "Fun Awards" will be given out.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29TH:
Breakfast on your own.
9am: Races. Fun sailing for those not racing.
Brunch and Awards Ceremony after the last race on the beach in front of Kay and Charlie Chapin's house, about 11:30am.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
You can stay on your boat if that is feasible. You can anchor on the East Side of Useppa right off the beach (hope you have a dinghy). Or you can call the Useppa Island Club dockmasters to arrange for a slip at the Useppa Marina. Say you are part of the Catboat group. Call 239-283-1061 for dockage availability and cost. E-mail: harbormaster@useppa.com
There are a few places for rent on Useppa - rooms, cottages and houses.
Contact:
Useppa Island Club
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
239-283-1061
For reservations please say you will be part of the Catboat group. Useppa web site: www.useppa.com or www.useppamembers.com . E-mail: Collierinn@useppa.com for reservations. Available for you on Useppa are 3 tennis courts, heated pool and hot tub, exercise center, croquet courts, and the use of the Collier Inn and Tarpon Bar.
Neighboring Cabbage Key rents rooms (you must provide you own boat transportation to Useppa). Dock space is also available by calling the Cabbage Key dockmaster.
Cabbage Key
P.O. Box 200
Pineland, FL 33945
239-283-2278
239-283-1384 (fax)
The Tarpon Lodge (Cabbage Key's sister resort) is located on Pine Island.
(Once again you must supply your own boat transportation to Useppa).
Tarpon Lodge
13771 Waterfront Drive
P.O. Box 410
Pineland, FL 33945
239-283-3999
239-283-7658 (fax)
E-mail: Tarponlodge@comcast.net
LOGISTICS
The logistics sound confusing yet can be very simple once you make your plans. Don't let this "bridgeless" island bit throw you. You can get to Useppa by any of the following methods. Charts and maps will be sent by request only.
1.. Fly to Ft. Myers. Rent a car or taxi to Bokeelia (on Pine Island), a 1hr 15min drive. Pine Island Taxi and Limo runs daily with reservations:
239-283-7777.
2.. Driving to Pine Island? Useppa has a ferry service to Useppa from their Bocilla Marina at Bokeelia. Call 239-283-5005 or 239-283-1061. Reservations required, there is a charge.
3.. Motor and/or sail to Useppa. Useppa is off marker #63 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. It is about 3 miles south of Boca Grande, 2 miles south of Boca Grande Pass, 5 miles north of Captiva, and 7 miles north of Sanibel. From Punta Gorda about 15 miles.
4.. Tow your Catboat to Useppa with your powerboat.
5.. Trail your boat to the Bocilla Marina (8115 Main St., Bokeelia - owned by the Useppa Island Club) and drop it in the water via their ramp. Call for ramp, car and trailer fees (239-283-5005).
6.. Trail your boat to Four Winds Marina and have them drop it in via forklift. Four Winds is located at 16501 Stringfellow Blvd. in Bokeelia (239-283-0250). Call for costs.
Needless to say it is imperative to make reservations at either marina in advance.
It is an interesting and confusing trip out to Useppa through the mangroves, so we will be happy to guide, assist, or even tow you out. Four Winds will give you a homemade chart. It is about a 20 min powerboat ride to Useppa from Bokeelia. Sailing out from Pine Island will take a very long time, and is not advisable.
The little village of Bokeelia on the northern end of Pine Island is about 45 min from exit #26 on I-75 or 35 min from US #41. Check MapQuest or a Florida map.
COST
The cost for the weekend is $80.00 per person, regardless of how much you participate. It is best to make your plans early. Payment must be received before arriving. If you have any questions please get in touch.
Gretchen and John Coyle
534 Leeward Ave.
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
609-492-2201
609-492-4554 (w)
609-492-4281 (fax)
After Thanksgiving:
Useppa Island
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
239-283-5008
Gretchen's cell phone: 609-276-0812
John's cell phone: 609-276-1549
Gretchen's e-mail: Gfcoyle@msn.com
John's e-mail: Coyle_john@msn.com
We are looking forward to seeing you the last weekend of January 2006 on Useppa Island!
PLEASE DETACH AND RETURN:
NAME(S):
________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
HOME PHONE: __________________________ BUS: __________________
CELL PHONE: _______________________________________
WINTER ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
PHONE: __________________
E-MAIL: __________________________ (PLEASE PRINT)
BOAT MANUFACTURER: ____________________________
LENGTH: _____________
NAME: _______________________________
SKIPPER: _____________________________
CREW: _______________________________________________________________
OUR ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE: ___________________________________
ENCLOSED IS OUR CHECK FOR __________________ FOR ______ PEOPLE.
THE WEEKEND COST IS $80.00 PER PERSON. PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO GRETCHEN COYLE. RESERVATIONS FOR THE USEPPA ISLAND RENDEZVOUS WEEKEND (NOT INCLUDING ACCOMMODATIONS AND MARINA FEES) MUST BE PAID IN ADVANCE.