Fort Myers Beach to Tampa Bay

[Pammy]

That's good to know.
Looks like the weather forecast for next weekend is deteriorating
Oh well, we may be traveling homeward in the rain.

[GregF]

Rain you can live with but lightning or rollers in the mouth of Tampa Bay might have you pulling into a safe harbor for the night.

If you are planning on making this a 2 day trip I would try to make that Tampa Bay part early in the day before the sea breeze kicks up.
Boca Grande pass may kick up a little too but it is not as far across.

[Pammy]

We were planning to do it in one day. I thought the tri toon made it stable like a v hull. It has a double bimini, but no camping provisions at all. We should be able to make it in one day, shouldn't we? I think it is less than 150 miles. I was guessing about 10 hours at the most.

[GregF]

If the weather cooperates it should be a one day trip. I was just thinking about what happens if it doesn't. You might want to look into a place South of the Tampa Bay that you could stay, just as a backup.

A tritoon is pretty stable but if there are rollers in the Tampa Bay, you still may not have enough boat. Lightning is a whole other thing.

[Pammy]

Thanks so much for the advise. I will be sure to update you on our big adventure. We are anxious to get the boat home and start enjoying some serious Toon Time!

[GregF]

Here is hoping you have a smooth ride and a great time.

[Ron Burgundy]

Good luck, enjoy your new toy!

[Texoma Toon]

Good luck and don't forget the pics!

[Pammy]

Looking forward to the trip.

Having a little problem with the bunks on the lift(don't have any).
The lift company is wary about making the bunks for the V Toon. It has 23 inch outer toons and a 27 inch center toon. The brackets and bunks will be aluminum. The center will have 2 and the outers will have 1 each.

They are going to try to get them on tomorrow. Have been on the phone with Manitou today and the dealer in Ft Myers trying to get an idea about the placement of the bunks we will have. We have to be concerned about the placement of the outers especially due to the lifting strakes.

It will be extremely heinous if we get back with the boat after the long trip and the boat won't fit on the lift. I can picture the hissing fit that would occur...and then I would be upset too....ha ha

[GregF]

Although it is not optimal, leaving the boat in the water for a few days while they get the lift right is not a big deal.
Think about what happens when you take the boat to a hotel or visit a friend for a few days.
I would start with the center bunk low, load the boat on the outer bunks and adjust the center bunk up to it.
I am curious how they do it. The chances of actually measuring dry and getting it right the first time are minimal.
If it doesn't look right when you are picking up the boat, stop and call the lift people.

[Ron Burgundy]

Yea a couple days in the water so you can tweek the lift is no big deal. Even a week in the water and all you need is a pressure washer to spray off the algae.

[Pammy]

I told 'He who must not be named' that we should have picked it up Saturday, but he almost stroked out....well, just a slight dramatization. Heaven forbid, should you keep a boat. in the water. What was I thinking. I said that it would be better to have the boat at the ready to use for fitting the bunks.
Now the weather is crappy. Looks like he may need to decide on getting a trailer earlier than anticipated.

[Ron Burgundy]

I told 'He who must not be named' that we should have picked it up Saturday, but he almost stroked out....well, just a slight dramatization. Heaven forbid, should you keep a boat. in the water. What was I thinking. I said that it would be better to have the boat at the ready to use for fitting the bunks.
Now the weather is crappy. Looks like he may need to decide on getting a trailer earlier than anticipated.

I usually regret not listening to my wife's advice too. It's just in our jeans I suppose.

[Pammy]

In your genes too...

[GregF]

Maybe a Freudian slip.