Fort Myers Offshore’s Spectacular Holiday Fun Run Shatters Records with Thrilling Energy!

Bob Barnhart, the warm-hearted Canadian who established Fort Myers Offshore in 2005, was present at yesterday’s lunch-run venue with Eric Belisle and Lori Lemanske—both long-time advocates of the Southwest Florida-based vessel club—and discussed topics of interest. The trio beamed as they admired the crowd that had occupied the Riviera Bar And Grill in Punta Gorda.

The ambiance of the day was certainly uplifting for the Fort Myers Offshore collective. Images by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“During my presidency of the club, the highest number of boats we ever had at a gathering was 50,” Barnhart remarked.

What a transformation nearly two decades can bring. The record-setting event of yesterday drew 91 vessels—106 registered—creatively squeezed at the Riviera docks. This equated to nearly 400 thirsty individuals (minus 91 designated drivers, of course) savoring the pleasant, low-70-degree weather.

Fort Myers Offshore dignitaries, Eric Belisle, Lori Lemanske, and Bob Barnhart reconnected at the Riviera Bar and Grill.

The attendance didn’t unsettle club president Tim Hill and his spouse, Cyndee. It frightened them.

“Upon seeing that 106 vessels had registered by Friday, I began to pray for a 10-percent drop-off,” Hill disclosed to the gathering, then chuckled. “And it happened.”

Vessels of all forms, sizes, and models were involved in yesterday’s holiday fun run.

This event heralded the commencement of the 2025 boating season. It gathered a prominent crowd eager for good times. Devin Wozencraft navigated his 34-foot Victory catamaran alongside Tom Hall, a reporter on crutches due to an injured knee, and the 2024 Super Stock-class national champions/deckhands Reese Langheim and Julian Maldonado. Michael and Sarah Howe of Howe2Live and Kraken sport-yacht fame mingled with three-time tunnel-boat world champion Shaun Torrente, whose STR high-performance marine equipment design and manufacturing firm served as the primary sponsor of the event.

The annual ending-of-year lunch run commenced—as do all Fort Myers Offshore events—at the SanibelIsland Bridge.

Artist Stephen Miles bounded around the area like an unrestrained pinball. Lake Cumberland Thunder Run coordinators Dan Weiss, along with his wife, Julie, and Justin Lucas found respite at the tiki bar. Inside the adjacent eatery, DCB Performance Marine showcased an impressive group of M37R catamaran owners including Dan Kuhn, Greg and Heather Scheller, Kiran Pinisetti, and Kelly O’Hara repping the brand.

The roster of familiar names was extensive and remarkable.

South Carolina powerboat enthusiast Chuck Stark (left) had a moment with Fort Myers Offshore leader Tim Hill.

“This venue is extremely hospitable and inviting,” stated John Cosker, the creator and proprietor of Mystic Powerboats, who recently hosted a lunch gathering at the Riviera site accompanied by his spouse, Robin. “We’re certainly returning next year for one of our lunches during our owners’ gathering.”

Faces from the 2024 Fort Myers Offshore Holiday Fun Run.

From today until the upcoming Joey Gratton Memorial New Year’s Day Fun Run, boat owners nationwide will partake in loosely structured—notable terms—lunch outings along with their personal adventures on the Gulf of Mexico.

Kelly O’Hara and Kiran Pinisetti were among the DCB M37R catamaran owners who took part yesterday and will remain in Southwest Florida until New Year’s Day.

However, due to light sporadic rain, particularly in the Sarasota region, most boats will remain at the docks today.

Tampa is located just up the coast from Sarasota, where several excursions will commence next week. Fort Myers and Cape Coral lie just down the shore. The choice of where individuals settled for the coming days likely depended on where their companions were located. Yet no spot is too distant from the others, especially by water.

All routes will unite at the Gratton event on January 1. Until that time, there’s a wealth of speed on the water to experience.

And much to report. Stay tuned.

The participation of 91 boats marked a record-breaking turnout for Fort Myers Offshore.

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