CRUISING FLEET

For the first time in many years, the Cruising Fleet ventured as a group to Naples. A swap arranged with the Naples YC provided capacity for us to enjoy each other’s clubs for three days in mid-March. Many of our cruisers opted to stop at other FCYC clubs en-route to break up the journey and check off some boxes on their FCYC Cruising Logs working toward their 2023 Founder’s Award (earned by visiting, by boat, at least 13 FCYC clubs in a calendar year).

Those making the journey were rewarded with a fun-filled time organized by Port Directors, Kelly Lee and Jay Rice. Highlights included docktails aboard Mac n’ Rice III, a delicious meal in a private dining room at Naples YC, a scavenger hunt on the Naples beach, plenty of shopping, and for a brave few, a very cold dinghy ride to enjoy lunch at Naples Sailing & Yacht Club. On the return journey, six boats stopped in Venice to extend the fun and check in on fellow cruisers stranded with a mechanical issue. After some paddleboarding, bike rides, shopping and some tiki bar and dining time at the Venice YC, we made our way safely home, stranded boaters and all.

March also included other “firsts” for the Fleet. We had our first DayTripper’s luncheon at The Getaway which was enjoyed by all. We had our first outing to see a Lightning game with 30 in attendance and eight boats docking at downtown Tampa for the weekend. And, we had nine fleet boats serve as “bravo” boats during the Tall Ship’s St Pete event assisting with security during the “Parade of Sail”. This makes us appreciate the variety of activities our great city and club offer!

Check back in the next issue of Smooth Sailing for photos from our 2023 Commodore’s Cruise taking place in late April. With 33 boats following various itineraries to Captiva, Key West and Stuart, FL, its sure to be an adventure!

• Monthly meeting (lunch) – Thurs., May 4th featuring special guest: Ed Tillett, Waterway Guide, Editor-in-Chief and General Manager

• Longboat Key Club Cruise – May 19th -21st

• Monthly meeting (dinner) – Thurs., June 1st

• Clearwater YC Cruise – June 15th - 18th

by Rich Treinen

We have some interesting characters in the Wing Shooters. A guy we call Pull was taught to fly by his Army Air Corps father who had flown the hump into China during WW2. This guy, John Hanner, was taught to fly by instruments since he was so young and short he couldn’t see out of the window. Pull flew solo on his 16th birthday, the 1st day possible. After high school Pull walked into the Post Office intending to join the Coast Guard. He ended up in the Navy. After his Navy days were over Pull pursued a career guided by interest and opportunity. As a cabinet maker he landed a job in the boating industry. He was summarily fired because the drawers he built for a sailboat landed on the cabin sole the first time the boat heeled over. Pull stayed in the construction industry with a successful career as a building contractor and real estate broker. He still works as a building consultant and tinkers with wood projects and has incredible stories from his Navy days. He was assigned to a carrier based A-3 heavy bomber. His plane flew out of the Eastern Mediterranean with potential missions on the northside of the Black Sea. When you see him at the Club, ask him what happened with the Coast Guard and that one A-3 bombing mission, averted by diplomacy, where his plane would have ditched in the mountains of Greece.

To meet more characters like Pull, join the Wing Shooters. Contact Grand Marshall Frank Robinson at: fhr506@gmail.com.