Fort Myers Offshore On Track For Record Turkey Run

Though the combined aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton wasn’t enough to derail the 2024/2025 season-opener for Fort Myers Offshore, it did make things tricky for organizers Tim and Cyndee Hill and their crew. The nonprofit scholarship fundraising outfit’s first event had to change destinations at the last minute and attracted just 18 boats. But the show went on with a modified plan.

Better still, it hinted at pent-up demand for club outings this season.

The Fort Myers Offshore fleet will taker over the docks at the Riviera Bar and Grill in Punta Gorda tomorrow. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

The proof of that demand? Tomorrow’s Fort Myers Offshore Turkey Run to the Riviera Bar and Grill in Punta Gorda sits at 48 registered boats—already a record turnout for the event—with plenty of time for more sign-ups before the fleet leaves its traditional Sanibel Island Bridge departure point.

Last year’s Turkey Run attracted 32 entries.

“I think we’ll end up with 55 boats,” said Tim Hill.

Among the Fort Myers Offshore members ready for tomorrow’s Turkey Run are Chuck Stark and his wife, Shannon, of South Carolina. The Starks, who have a second home in the Fort Myers area, plan to run their new-to-them, 2020 model-year MTI 390X catamaran. The Turkey Run will be their first event in their recently acquired 39-footer.

Said Stark, “It’s going to be a blast. We’re looking forward to seeing all of our friends in Fort Myers Offshore.”