10 photos tell the story of behemoth boat stuck in time near Fort Myers Beach

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·4 min read

It has been a long eight months since Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida.

While so much of the region has returned to life the way it pretty much was before the powerful Category 4 storm hit on Sept. 28, 2022, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Pine Island − the hardest hit areas − in many respects still look like it's Sept. 29, 2022, the day after the destruction.

READ THE FULL STORY: What the former owner of the boat experienced during Hurricane Ian

One of those places is Bonita Bill's on San Carlos Island, which is right across the Mantanzas Pass and Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach. While the popular restaurant and bar reopened on March 27, a giant boat that was ripped from its slip in the marina is stuck on a dock, only a couple of feet from being in the dining area.

The uncanny view the boat provides has caused a buzz on social media. Some people want it to stay right where it Hurricane Ian left it. There is no time set yet for its removal.

Here are 10 photos that tell the story about the giant boat stuck at Bonita Bill's:

It's a very big boat

Here is a side view of the "Batchelor Pad" outside of Bonita Bill's near Fort Myers Beach.
Here is a side view of the "Batchelor Pad" outside of Bonita Bill's near Fort Myers Beach.

The boat is 42-feet long and weighs 20 pound or 40,000 pounds. It was made by Bertram.

The boat is called 'Batchelor Pad'

A close-up of "Batchelor Pad", which has become a local celebrity of sorts along Fort Myers Beach since it ended up there during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. Many want the boat to stay.
A close-up of "Batchelor Pad", which has become a local celebrity of sorts along Fort Myers Beach since it ended up there during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. Many want the boat to stay.

It was made in 1977 by Bertram. Back then the boat cost $200,000, according to the boat's former owner, Eddie Kane. He said on the day Hurricane Ian struck it was worth approximately $40,000-$50,000. The nameplates were removed by Kane recently and given to Katie Reynolds, the co-owner of Bonita Bill's bar and restaurant. She plans to hang the nameplates on a wall in the restaurant.

Why hasn't the boat moved since Sept. 28, 2022?

This is a dock post crushed by "Batchelor Pad" when it was ripped from its slip during Hurricane Ian. It ended up on the dingy dock at Bonita Bill's. What you can see are two dock posts under the boat. They impaled the boat keeping it in place.
This is a dock post crushed by "Batchelor Pad" when it was ripped from its slip during Hurricane Ian. It ended up on the dingy dock at Bonita Bill's. What you can see are two dock posts under the boat. They impaled the boat keeping it in place.

A couple of reasons. First, the boat is sitting on top of two dock posts. The dock posts have impaled the boat. Not even a high-tide has been able to set it free. Second, there are numerous boats in a variety of places around Fort Myers Beach that have to be removed. FEMA is working on that. There is no date set for the removal of "Batchelor Pad."

'Batchelor Pad' has become a 'must see' Hurricane Ian spectacle

Tables and chairs at Bonita Bill's are set up near the giant boat that has been stuck to the dock since Sept. 28, 2022. Three people were having lunch on May 18, 2023.
Tables and chairs at Bonita Bill's are set up near the giant boat that has been stuck to the dock since Sept. 28, 2022. Three people were having lunch on May 18, 2023.

People have been showing up to Bonita Bill's to take photos of the boat and photos of themselves and family members next to the boat. There are even a couple of table and chairs in the general area of where the boat is stuck. It is roped off so restaurant patrons remain safe in case it suddenly shifts.

Where exactly is 'Batchelor Pad' stuck at Bonita Bill's?

This is where the boat "Batchelor Pad" is stuck. Two dock posts from Bonita Bill's dingy dock have impaled it.
This is where the boat "Batchelor Pad" is stuck. Two dock posts from Bonita Bill's dingy dock have impaled it.

The boat, which can comfortably accommodate eight people, is on top of what is known as the dingy dock. A dingy is a small boat. Customers coming to Bonita Bill's by boat would drop anchor in the Mantanzas Pass and take their dingy over for dockside dining. In this photo you can see a dingy next to 'Bachelor Pad.'

What did 'Batchelor Pad' look like right after Hurricane Ian hit?

This is a photo of "Batchelor Pad" the day after Hurricane Ian in September 2022 pushed it into a dock next to Bonita Bill's restaurant and bar on San Carlos Island near Fort Myers Beach.
This is a photo of "Batchelor Pad" the day after Hurricane Ian in September 2022 pushed it into a dock next to Bonita Bill's restaurant and bar on San Carlos Island near Fort Myers Beach.

The former owner of 'Batchelor Pad', Eddie Kane, took this photo the day after Hurricane Ian hit. Kane has signed over ownership of the boat to FEMA, which is now responsible for the removal of the boat.

Welcome to Bonita Bill's!

If you look closely you can see the very top of the "Batchelor Pad" bow sticking up above the roof of Bonita Bill's.
If you look closely you can see the very top of the "Batchelor Pad" bow sticking up above the roof of Bonita Bill's.

In this photo, taken from the front entrance of Bonita Bill's you can see the bow of 'Batchelor Pad' sticking up above the roof of the restaurant. It almost looks as if it was put there by design.

There are now two uncanny backdrops at Bonita Bill's

A longer range view showing where "Batchelor Pad" ended up when it was broken free from its slip during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022.
A longer range view showing where "Batchelor Pad" ended up when it was broken free from its slip during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022.

Along with the view of 'Batchelor Pad', customers at Bonita Bill's get an amazing view of the majestic Mantanzas Bridge that spans the Mantanzas Pass.

Lots of work to do before 'Batchelor Pad' can be removed

Not far behind where "Batchelor Pad" is stuck are two boat that sunk during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. One is a 38-foot steel tugboat. The other is a sail boat. Their antennas and masts are sticking out of the Mantanzas Pass near Fort Myers Beach.
Not far behind where "Batchelor Pad" is stuck are two boat that sunk during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. One is a 38-foot steel tugboat. The other is a sail boat. Their antennas and masts are sticking out of the Mantanzas Pass near Fort Myers Beach.

A few feet behind 'Batchelor Pad' are two boats that ended up at the bottom of Mantanzas Pass on Sept. 28, 2022 when Hurricane Ian hit. One is a 38-foot steel tugboat. There other is a sailboat. You can see the antenna of the tugboat and the mast of the sailboat in this photo.

A special message has been left on the bow of the 'Batchelor Pad'

Someone recently scribbled some graffiti on the "Batchelor Pad", a 42-foot, 20-ton yacht that was pushed into the dock at Bonita Bill's near Fort Myers Beach by Hurricane Ian.
Someone recently scribbled some graffiti on the "Batchelor Pad", a 42-foot, 20-ton yacht that was pushed into the dock at Bonita Bill's near Fort Myers Beach by Hurricane Ian.

Someone recently used a marker to write a message on the bow of the boat. It says: "FU Ian 2022" and it is signed.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Boat at Bonita Bills near Fort Myers Beach stuck since Hurricane Ian