If you don’t see your question here, reach out anytime at club@fishtale.com.
General information
What is the Fish Tale Boat Club?+
The Fish Tale Boat Club is a relaunch of the former Fish Tale Grady Club, which began in 2007 and ran successfully for more than 13 years. After a pause during the pandemic and subsequent hurricanes, the club has returned, now open to Grady-White, Chaparral, and Robalo owners. It focuses on community-building, boating education, and organized on-water activities.
Who can join the club?+
Membership is open to Grady-White, Chaparral, and Robalo owners who purchased from Fish Tale Boats.
Is there a fee to join?+
No. The Fish Tale Boat Club is free to join. Members are responsible for their vessel and any associated trip expenses such as fuel, food, lodging, tackle, and dockage.
What happened to the original Fish Tale Grady Club?+
The original club operated for over 13 years and hosted many popular events including GradyFest. It paused due to the pandemic and subsequent hurricanes, and has returned under a new name with expanded membership.
Events & activities
What types of events does the club offer?+
Monthly evening meetings at the Fish Tale Boats showroom in Fort Myers
Day-trip rendezvous around Southwest Florida
Future planned overnight trips to the Florida Keys and Bahamas
Occasional specialty events (destinations may vary year to year)
What is the schedule for the 2026 boating season?+
The January–May 2026 event calendar can be seen on the events page. These dates are set, though additional events may be added later. The following boating season begins in October.
How are rendezvous planned?+
Each rendezvous is scheduled on a Tuesday, with the following Thursday reserved as a weather-backup date. Destinations are still being determined, and member feedback is encouraged.
Where do boats meet for a rendezvous?+
Boats meet at a designated central marker and follow a lead boat to the destination.
How will communication be handled during a rendezvous?+
All communication during the trip will be handled via VHF radio.
Will there be overnight trips?+
Yes; future seasons may include overnight trips to places like the Florida Keys and Bahamas. The 2026 season will primarily focus on local waters.
Meetings & member engagement
When are the monthly meetings held?+
Meetings are typically on the second Wednesday of each month at the Fish Tale Boats showroom in Fort Myers. They begin at 6 PM and last about 90 minutes.
What happens at the monthly meetings?+
Educational boating topics
Guest speakers
Q&A sessions about club details and boating topics
Rendezvous planning
Opportunities to meet other club members
Can I provide input on rendezvous destinations?+
Absolutely. A list of potential destinations has been shared, and the club welcomes your feedback.
Membership responsibilities
What expenses are members responsible for?+
Fuel
Tackle
Food
Dockage fees
Lodging (if applicable)
Any other vessel-related costs
Who is responsible for vessel safety and operation?+
The captain of each vessel is fully responsible for making safe decisions, assessing conditions, and operating the boat properly. Fish Tale Boats may offer guidance on weather, obstacles, or routing, but final responsibility rests with the vessel operator.
Should I have a towing membership?+
Yes. The club strongly encourages all members to carry a towing membership and to ensure their boats are well-maintained.
Communication & updates
How will I receive event updates or changes?+
Most updates are sent through mass email to members. Messages come from club@fishtale.com Please ensure the address is not filtered into spam.
The 2026 season runs January through May, with future events potentially added. The next seasonal session begins October, aligning with typical Southwest Florida boating patterns.
