Fast cat takes first cruise to Boca Grande
Last weekend, the Miss Elissa catamaran made her first voyage to Boca Grande from Punta Gorda. The new voyage here is about 90 minutes, which is about an hour faster than before.
“It’s more stable and it can make better time,” said Elissa Allen, marketing director for King Fisher fleet and namesake for Miss Elissa.
The increased speed, and the word “catamaran” have made the new vessel a bit of a “hot button” for visitors. “Catamaran is such a sexy word,” said Allen.
The $59 day cruise from Punta Gorda to Boca Grande leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. It is only on Saturdays. Other offerings from King Fisher include a Cabbage Key “Cheeseburger in Paradise” voyage and a Peace River nature tour.
“If we’ve got a little load, that boat can fly,” said Allen.
The cruises leave Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. On the way, the visitors get a bit of history narration on the way over, including islands, sea life and islands on the way, including Cabbage Key.
Before they get off the island for their three hour, they give guests a bit of advice on how best to see the island in their time, so the groups have “got a plan and know what to do.”
“The crew goes group by group,” said Allen.
Most of the groups do not bring towels to swim, though they do take a route around town and through sights, including Banyan Street, and find a place for lunch.
“They want to do just about everything,” said Allen.
The Miss Elissa can also call at Pink Elephant docks if they are doing a special party for groups at The Gasparilla Inn.
While passengers are walking around the island, the vessel goes off to anchor, as there is no room to wait at the Boca Grande Marina.
The “Miss Elissa” began service with Christmas canal cruises. She was built by Scarano Boatbuilding of Albany, New York. The company built the “Dutch Apple” dayliner on the Hudson, the “Charles F. Mercer” canalboat in the C&O National Historic Park near D.C., and the “Ballyhoo” media billboard boat in Miami. Scarano also built a replica Salem East Indiaman sailboat for Salem, Mass.
