Scott Le Roy – Page 4 – Riviera Dunes Marina

Tips For Naming Your Boat

02/23/202202/23/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Choosing your boat’s name is a right of passage. According to boating folklore, it’s bad luck to change a boat’s name, so it’s important to take your time in choosing the right moniker. The name should be classic, memorable, and show your personality. Here are some tips for naming your vessel. Keep it simple When naming your boat, we recommend keeping it short and simple. One to three words works best, in our opinion. The name should be short enough to fit on the transom and easy to understand if said over the VHF radio. We also recommend avoiding choosing a name that’s so obscure that not many people would understand it, like a private joke. Be Traditional Traditionally, many people have chosen to name their boats after important women in their lives, but you can consider naming yours after anyone you love. If you want to be less obvious, consider using the middle name of your spouse or children. Try a pun There’s nothing better...

Cortez Fishing Festival Returns February 19-20

02/17/202202/17/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The Cortez Fishing Festival will be returning for its 40th annual event this weekend, February 19-20. The festival is held in the small fishing village of Cortez and aims to celebrate the region’s history and those who work hard to supply fresh local seafood. Tickets are $5 per person and children 12 and under may attend for free. The event was first held in 1981 as a 1-day festival and drew 500 people to celebrate Florida’s commercial seafood industry. The festival has since grown into a 2-day event and hosts nearly 20,000 people each year. Walking around Cortez is like stepping back in time and visitors can enjoy the charm of the small cottages and friendly locals. Organized by the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH), the festival will include live music, arts and crafts, seafood, and much more throughout the weekend. The University of Florida is hosting educational “dock talks” and the public is welcome to explore local fishing boats and...

7th Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta Returns This Saturday

02/10/202202/10/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The Bradenton Area River Regatta is returning for it’s seventh annual event after being canceled last year due to Covid-19. The free event will be held this Saturday, February 12th at the Manatee River and will include powerboat races, live music, and family fun. Over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend. The main event of the day is the F-2 powerboat race, featuring Formula 2 boats that can reach a top speed of 120 mph. New for 2022, the regatta will also include SST-45 “Formula Lights” powerboats. These boats only reach a top speed of 70 mph, but their agile maneuvering makes for an exciting race. Powerboat Racing Schedule 10:30 AM - 12 PM: Test runs 1 PM: Formula 2 qualifying heats 2 PM: SST-45 qualifying heats 4 PM: Formula 2 final 5 PM: SST-45 final Those on land can enjoy live music throughout the day in both Bradenton and Palmetto. The Bradenton stage will feature headlining cover bands Almost ABBA and The Blooze and the Randy McNeely...

Health Benefits of Fishing

02/04/202202/04/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Fishing may seem like just another hobby or a way to get dinner, but did you know that it is good for your physical and mental health? From building physical strength to calming anxiety, there are a number of benefits to taking up fishing. Here are some of the ways a day on the water can improve your life. Physical Benefits You may think of fishing as a low-effort activity, but it may be more of a workout than you know! While fishing, you’re engaging your arms, legs, shoulders, back, and core. Casting and reeling is a great workout for your arms and being on a boat engages your core and can improve your balance. Want to step up your workout? Try hiking to your fishing location of the day! If you’re not planning to catch-and-release, there are also some physical benefits to eating your catch of the day. Consuming fish is great way to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, which...

Ladies Let’s Go Fishing Seminar Returns To The Gulf Coast

01/27/202201/28/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The Ladies Let’s Go Fishing Seminar is set to return to the Gulf Coast this March. The seminar will be held March 26-27 during the saltwater inshore fishing seminar at Bass Pro Shops Fort Myers. Ladies Let’s Go Fishing is “a national organization dedicated to attracting more women to sportfishing and to promoting conservation and responsible angling.” They were founded in 1997 and have since had over 8,000 graduates of their educational program. Their weekend seminars offer a complete fishing experience in a non-intimidating environment and have been dubbed the “The No-Yelling School of Fishing”. Participants are taught beginner and advanced fishing techniques and classes on inshore, offshore, bottom, and fly fishing and offered a final charter boat fishing day to test their new skills. Though called Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, the seminar is not limited to just women. No experience or equipment is required. The Gulf Coast Ft. Myers Inshore Fishing Seminar will be held Saturday March 26th and Sunday 27th...

Feeding Stations Set Up For Florida Manatees

01/21/202201/21/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Algae blooms triggered by water pollution caused an unprecedented number manatee deaths in 2021. In an effort to slow manatee starvation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has started a new manatee feeding program. Warmer temperatures and fertilizer run-off from sugar farms and other agricultural sites, as well as city sewage, has caused an overgrowth of blue-green algae, which has decimated the seagrass manatees normally eat. A record 1,101 manatees died in 2021. The 5-year average has only been 625, so this dramatic jump is very concerning to wildlife experts. In colder months, manatees tend to gather in warmer waters, particularly near power plants. Unfortunately due to the algae bloom killing off seagrass beds, there may not be enough food to sustain the manatees once they arrive in these areas. A romaine lettuce feeding station has been set up at the Florida Power & Light plant in Cape Canaveral in hopes of reducing manatee starvation deaths this winter. While this program has...

Life Jacket Best Practices

01/12/202201/12/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Much like wearing a seatbelt when driving a car, properly wearing a life jacket while boating can save your life in an accident. Florida has some of the best boating in the country and it’s important to enjoy our clear blue waters safely. Here is some information about life jackets and requirements in Florida. Vessels 16 to 26 feet According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the vessel must have one approved type I, II, or III personal floatation device (PFD) provided for every person on board and anyone skiing must wear a type I, II, or III PFD. For vessels 16-26 feet, anyone under the age of 6 must wear an approved Type I, II, or III personal floatation device while the vessel is underway. You can read more about the requirements here. Life Jacket Fit To be sure your life jacket performs in a time of need, a proper fit is imperative. A life jacket that is too small may not...

Benefits of Winter Boating

01/06/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

While most of the country packs their boats away for the winter, we are lucky to not have an off-season here in West Central Florida. The temperature may be slightly cooler than the peak summer heat, but you may be surprised by the wonderful benefits of taking your boat out in the “off” months. Here are three perks of winter boating. Calmer and Cooler Weather In warmer climates, the weather tends to be more stable in the winter months. Boating during these times means calmer water and gorgeous views unobstructed by crowds or storms. For days with cooler temperatures, hanging out on deck cozied up in sweats and enjoying the view is as great way to spend your day on board. Fewer Boats on the Water While we don’t have a true off-season, boating does tend to slow down in the winter here in Florida, without the crowds of tourists and vacationers. Smaller crowds can also mean shorter lines for fuel and docking. Winter...

Winter Boat Maintenance Tips

12/21/202112/21/2021 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

In most parts of the country, boat-owners have to take extensive precautions to protect their vessels through the cold weather months. Winter is officially here and even though boating is a year-round activity in Florida, there are some steps you can take to protect your boat this season. Here are some tips to keep your boat in tip-top shape: Engine Maintenance While Florida’s winter temps are warm enough to be on the water, your boat still may be sitting for an extending period of time if you are traveling or just busy with holiday activities. Any time your boat is going to sit for longer than 6 weeks, it’s a good idea to fog the engine to prevent corrosion. If you are going to use your boat more frequently and choose to skip this step, be sure to start up your boat on a regular basis. Prop Performance Winter is a great time to make sure your propellers are in good shape. Use this...

Boaters Gift Guide 2021

12/17/202112/17/2021 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

With the holiday season in full-swing, now is the time to finish your shopping for the boat-lover in your life. It can seem like boaters have a never-ending list of gadget needs and you may not know where to start. Here are some ideas that are sure to be a hit! Boat Scuff Erasers by Better Boat In boating, dings and scuffs are bound to happen. What could be better than a magical eraser for your boat? These boat scuff erasers will gently remove marks and dirt without harsh chemicals. Better Boat Boat Erasers Docktail Boat Table This incredible table attaches to your boat via an adjustable rod holder mount and securely holds all your bar needs. It has perfectly-sized spots for cups and bottles and includes a cutting board and snack bowls. Whether you’re at a dockside party or on the sandbar, this is the perfect way to get your party started. The Docktail Boat Table Caddy with All Angle Adjustable Rod Holder Mount Squid Cup...