Boating is...by boatguy Ed Fort Myers Beach is a satirical site!

I sure hope you and yours are okay after Irma tore through Florida. Sorry for not updating this blog more often but we were all discombobulated for a while. No one on the 'Dead End Canal' died or suffered major damage although everyone suffered some. Seawalls, trees and pool cages were the worst hit along the canal. Roof tiles and shingles flew around and crashed against the streets and houses. Most of us left. We did too but only to take advantage of our Son and Daughter-in-Law's second story in case those hysterical weather-holes were some how right about the scientifically impossible storm surge. My wife and I stayed to see all the boats in the canal low and dry. No water, where did it go? Sunday, we split for higher ground, reluctantly. No one had power since early Sunday morning. FPL you assholes! So we sat in front of their open front door and watched the 'cane go by thanks to their recessed alcove! Cell phone service stopped early Monday morning...

What is a 'Snug Harbor?' Merriman-Webster's Dictionary defines a snug harbor as a cozy comfortable retreat;  especially   :   a home for retired seamen. That isn't it at all! I have always thought of it as a secure cove with good holding ground for one or two anchors and easy access to the beach or town. My fellow 'Dead End Canal Yacht Club' members have different definition depending on their financial status and type of boat. Most sailors agree with my description. The holding ground (bottom) is most important. Not many anchorages have everything. If you have chartered in 'the islands,' you've probably seen the chart of the nearby islands and their anchorages desirability rating. Some use a scale of 1 to 10, others A to Z but all are very helpful. It's very tempting to pass up a crowded anchorage for an empty cove but you'd better check the rating. If a rock slide had covered the bottom near shore during a long forgotten...