Alafia River Lunch Cruise to Tiki Docks Restaurant Leaving From Jerry’s Dockside Bar & Grill, Gibsonton
March 23, 2026
⚓ First Timers Lunch Cruise Registration Policy
The Community Honor System
Our lunch cruises have become a wildly successful staple of the Sportsman’s Club! To ensure our newer members have a chance to get on the water, we are implementing a Community Honor System. Since our registration software doesn't have an automated gatekeeper, we’re asking all members to help us keep things fair and ship-shape.
1. The "Two-Lane" Sign-Up
First-Time Cruisers: If you haven’t had a chance to join us yet, please use the Direct Sign-Up link.
Returning Cruisers: If you’ve enjoyed a cruise with us before, please join the Waitlist. We love having you back, and we will move you to the active list as soon as slots are available!
2. Member & Guest Limits
Active Members Only: Sign-ups are strictly for club members.
The Individual Limit: To save room for others, individual members are limited to two slots (yourself plus one spouse, companion, or friend).
3. Bringing Guests as a Couple
We know you love sharing the Florida sun with out-of-town friends!
The Group Max: A member couple may host a maximum of 4 people total (the couple plus two guests).
How to Register: To reach this 4-person total, the couple must be individual active members and sign up individually for two slots each.
Thank you for your cooperation and for keeping our club welcoming for everyone. We’ll see you at the dock!
Pontoon Boat Lunch Cruises
Our Pontoon Boat Lunch Cruises continue to be very popular among members. Here’s how the process works – Club members who belong to the Freedom Boat Club share their boat reservations with the Sportsman’s Club. We then choose a convenient date and select a nearby restaurant as the destination for the lunch cruise. After that, we decide on the departure marina, from which the boat will leave. These enjoyable trips generally last from around 10am until approximately 3pm. Sign-ups are on a first-come, first served basis through SignUpGenius.
The boat usage itself is already covered through the Sportsman’s Club member’s Freedom Boat Club membership, so there is no additional charge for that. However, Club members are kindly asked to make a donation to help cover the expenses of fuel, docking fees (particularly in St. Petersburg), and a gratuity for the dockhand who assists.
Watch for a Club Newsletter Announcing the Next Lunch Cruise!
Tampa Bay Lunch Cruise to St. Petersburg
We meet at Little Harbor Marina, 606 Seagrape Drive, in Ruskin. We board a 10 passenger pontoon boat for the 45 minute ride across Tampa Bay to St. Petersburg. Lunch is at Doc Ford's Restuarant. Convenient boat docking nearby. After lunch we'll tour around St. Pete harbor. There are usually dolphin near the breakwater. Plan is to head back to arrive in Ruskin by 3pm.
Alafia River Lunch Cruise
We meet at Jerry’s Dockside Bar & Grill, 9808 Vaughn St, Gibsonton, FL 33534. We'll board a 10 passenger pontoon boat for 45 minute ride on the Alafia River. Lunch will be at The Tiki Docks Restaurant. Convenient boat docking nearby. After lunch we'll tour around the river and, conditions permitting, venture out into Tampa Bay (not too far!). Plan is to head back to arrive at Jerry’s Dockside by 3pm.
Hillsborough River Lunch Cruise
We meet at Rick's on the River, 2305 North Willow Ave. in Tampa. We board a 10 passenger pontoon boat for 45 minute ride down the Hillsborough River to the heart of Tampa. Lunch will be at the Columbia Cafe located in the Tampa Bay History Center. Convenient boat docking nearby. After lunch we'll tour around downtown and, conditions permitting, venture out into Tampa Bay (not too far!). Plan is to head back to arrive at Rick's by 3pm.
Treasure Island Intercoastal Lunch Cruise
We meet at Johns Pass Marina 12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island, FL 33706. We'll board a 10 passenger pontoon boat for 45 minute ride down the Intercoastal Waterway from Treasure Island to Tierra Verde. Lunch will be at The Island Grille & Raw Bar. After lunch we'll tour around and, conditions permitting, venture out into The Gulf of America(not too far!). Plan is to head back to arrive at Johns Pass Marina by 3pm.
Are you a Freedom Boat Club Member?
Volunteering to skipper a pontoon boat on a lunch cruise is a great way serve the Club, meet new friends, and enjoy a great day on the water. Interested in learning more? Call or text David Christensen 610-216-6148 or email davidjannlauren@aol.com Thanks!
