News release

NEWS RELEASE

For:  Southwest Florida Yachts

Release:  Immediate
Contact:  Jim Frankowiak – 813/220-3002

                   Email: [e-mail]

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA YACHTS MOVING TO TARPON POINT MARINA
Power/Sail Charter Fleets, School and Brokerage Consolidate

at New Location for 30^th Anniversary- 2014

NORTH FORT MYERS, FLORIDA  (July 23, 2013) – Southwest Florida Yachts, one of Florida’s premier power and sail chartering firms, and its related brokerage and power/sail school are coming together at Tarpon Point Marina, near Mile Marker 92 and the Caloosahatchee River in nearby Cape Coral. 
“We are especially pleased to be able to bring all of our operations together at a first-rate marina that will allow us to grow all of our endeavors while offering our varied and loyal clients some wonderful amenities,” said Barb Hansen, who manages and co-owns the companies with her husband Vic.  “This is a great way to celebrate our 30^th anniversary with unlimited options for the future.”
The new location is also home to the Westin Cape Coral Hotel with high-end lodging, quality shopping, fine and casual dining, tennis and a fitness and aquatic center.  It also offers single family, detached housing within Tarpon Estates and condominium homes at Tarpon Landings.  The new marina -- with a facility totally dedicated to Southwest Florida Yachts and related companies -- is located in a sheltered deep-water harbor and is safe from storms.  It provides easy access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Caloosahatchee River.  It has a ship’s store and offers boat and fishing charters, eco-guided tours and boat/kayak rentals.
“This move will bring our power and sail operations together at a single location as opposed to separate operations as they are now,” noted Hansen.  “We will be closer to the Southwest Florida International Airport and have the opportunity to expand our fleet, our power and sail courses and our yacht brokerage business.”  Hansen anticipates the relocation/consolidation to be completed by November 1. 

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The Hansens began the firm in 1984.  Today, the company maintains 10 power yachts from 32 to 50-feet at its current headquarters at Marinatown Marina here.  This location, just off the Caloosahatchee River, provides convenient access to the scenic and protected Gulf cruising channels around Pine Island and along Sanibel-Captiva and other Gulf of Mexico barrier islands. 

“The move will bring added convenience and we will be even closer to the waters of the Gulf,” said Hansen.  The five sailing fleet charter base is Burnt Store Marina near Punta Gorda on beautiful Charlotte Harbor.  Either location gives charterers what many consider one of the best cruising and sailing areas in the world.  Visitors consider the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva as the best to visit for their ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery.
The company has been commemorating its three-decade anniversary with free cruising days on all power and sailing vessels.  Three-day or longer cruises between December 15 and April 30 net an extra, free cruising day, while cruises of three-days or longer during the balance of the year provide an added two days of cruising.  The special anniversary offer continues through 2014.
For more information, visit www.swfyachts.com, email: [e-mail] or call: 800-262-7939.