Just in time for football season, the members of the Matlacha Mariners are offering an opportunity for armchair athletes to host tailgaters in their own homes in front of a new television.
Currently the Mariners are selling raffle tickets for a new Phillips 47-inch flat-screen digital HD TV. The Mariners will only be selling 300 tickets for this raffle making the odds of winning a mere 1 in 300. The cost of a raffle ticket for the HD TV is $10 each.
Also up for grabs are two kayaks suitable for two very different kayaking styles. The first is an RTM Key Largo sea-worthy fishing kayak. This vessel is a mottled green in color and is about 13 feet long, weighing about 55 pounds. The kayak has a bow-mount anchor; five rod holders;front and rear storage boxes, one of which doubles as a removable dry box and has a detachable rear wheel assembly making it easy to move the kayak about while on land. This is a sit-on-top kayak that is very stable and easy to maneuver. Only 150 tickets at $10 apiece for this raffle will be sold by the Mariners.
The second kayak is is a Peekaboo model manufactured by Ocean Kayaks. This, too, is a sit-on-top kayak about 13 feet long and weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. The kayak to be raffled is orange in color, has an oversized gear well and several cup holders. The unique feature of this kayak is the glass bottom for easy viewing of sea life that my be lurking below the vessel. Directly opposite the paddlers seat is a smaller jump seat suitable for a child and also has a clear view of the glass bottom window.
The Peekaboo is considered ultra stable and is suitable for the transport of smaller children who would enjoy an outing on the water with a parent or grandparent. Also for a $10 tax deductible donation, those purchasing tickets will have a 1 in 150 chance to win the Peekaboo kayak..
Both the Kay Largo and the Peekaboo kayaks were made available to the Mariners by Action Water Sports in Auburndale, Florida.
As soon as all of the tickets are sold, the ticket stubs will be delivered to an impartial third party for the drawing. This will be a public drawing conducted by the Pine Island Community Church and the winners need not be present to win. Announcements of the winners also will be posted to the Mariners Web site at matlchamariners.org
All proceeds from these raffles will benefit island charities and tickets can be purchased from any member of the Matlacha Mariners, at Traders Hitching Post in Matlacha or on-line at the Mariners’ Web site.