My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing

My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing: A Community Fundraiser Powered by a Serious Offshore Boat

The My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing is more than just a neighborhood event — it’s a powerful way for Merritt Island to come together, share great food and live music, and raise real dollars for local families in need. At the heart of it all is an incredible prize: a custom 2004 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console donated by Ralph Perrone of Perrone Properties.

This isn’t a basic runabout or an aging project hull. It’s a meticulously maintained offshore fishing machine paired with a brand-new custom trailer — and one lucky ticket holder will take it home. Every ticket sold, every plate served at the My Island Cookout helps keep support right here in the Merritt Island community, with 100% of the funds staying local.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the boat, the cause, and the people behind the donation, with all the key event details waiting for you at the end.

What Is the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing?

The My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing is a community-focused fundraiser hosted at My Island Thrift Store in Merritt Island, Florida. It’s a day filled with:

• Great food from the My Island Cookout

• Live music that keeps the energy high

• A meaningful opportunity to support local families

• The much-anticipated drawing for a serious offshore Bluewater Boat

Every single dollar raised from this event goes directly to serving families on Merritt Island. There are no middlemen and no outside marketing firms involved. The money doesn’t leave the area or disappear into overhead — it stays right here, working for your neighbors and community.

At the center of this fundraiser is a generous gift: Ralph Perrone of Perrone Properties has donated a fully equipped 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console to be given away during the Bluewater Boat Drawing. That means one ticket not only supports local families but also gives you a chance to win a professionally maintained, ocean-ready sportfishing boat and custom trailer.

Meet the 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console

The star of the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing is a 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console — a platform known for its ability to serve both family cruising and serious offshore fishing.

This particular boat was custom-built in 2004 for a single owner and has been kept in exceptional condition. It has been meticulously maintained, stored in a boathouse, and comes with complete maintenance logbooks, so its history and care are well documented. Everything about this Bluewater was built around performance, reliability, and the open ocean.

Power: Twin 2011 Suzuki 300 HP Outboards

Reliable power is critical offshore, and this boat delivers it with twin 2011 Suzuki 300 HP outboards. Each motor has approximately 1,500+ hours, maintained with care over its life. Those engines are well-matched to the hull, providing:

• Strong acceleration

• Confident cruising capability

• The reassurance that comes with documented maintenance

The Bluewater also runs on upgraded Mercury Marine Bravo I performance props, selected for their time-to-plane performance, mid-range punch, and strong top-end speeds. That combination of hull, power, and propellers makes this boat a serious contender when conditions get sporty offshore.

All-New 2025 Custom Float-On Trailer

Getting to and from the water is just as important as performance on it. This boat comes with a 2025 custom Float-On trailer, completed in December 2025 and designed specifically for this hull. A properly matched trailer offers better support, easier loading, and greater peace of mind on the road.

For the winner of the Bluewater Boat Drawing, that means the package is ready for road trips, nearby launches, or seasonal storage, all on a trailer tailored to the boat’s dimensions and weight.

Command from Above: Full Tower with Second Helm

For serious fishing and navigation, visibility can make all the difference. This Bluewater features a full tower with a second helm, giving the captain a clear vantage point to scan the horizon, spot surface activity, and position the boat with precision.

The tower is equipped with:

• “Fly-by-wire” controls

• Gauges

• Trim tabs

With complete control from above, it’s easier to manage boat positioning in tight areas, follow bait, or keep a watchful eye on changing sea conditions.

Electronics, Radar, and Navigation Technology

This Bluewater is more than just a solid hull and big motors — it’s loaded with professional-grade electronics designed to support safe navigation and efficient fishing.

Key components include:

• Furuno 6.5 kW marine radar – Powerful radar for tracking weather, vessels, and landmasses.

• 1 kW sonar and chart plotter – Serious fish-finding and depth-reading capability paired with detailed electronic charts.

• Upgraded Navnet head unit – Enhanced LED/LCD graphic display for crisp, modern visibility of radar, sonar, and navigation data.

• Dual VHF radios – Redundancy and clear communication offshore.

• Bluetooth stereo – Music, podcasts, and entertainment for long runs or relaxed days on the water.

These systems work together to give the skipper the information needed to make smart decisions offshore, from reading bottom contours to monitoring weather systems.

Built for Long Runs: Fuel, Power, and Range

When you’re running offshore, range and power management are critical. This 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console is built to stay out where the fish are.

It features:

• 340-gallon fuel capacity, distributed across three separate tanks for balanced weight and extended range.

• Four onboard batteries, with two dedicated to the motors and two supporting accessories, ensure reliable starting power and dependable operation of electronics, pumps, lighting, and audio equipment.

This setup supports long days offshore while maintaining the electrical redundancy that smart captains look for on open water.

Fishing Features for Serious Anglers

Everything about this Bluewater package reflects a purpose-driven design for anglers who spend real time offshore. The layout and hardware are built to manage active crews, multiple setups, and big fish.

Rod Storage and Tackle Readiness

Rod storage is often a limiting factor on smaller boats, but not here. This Bluewater offers:

• 12 gunwale rod holders

• 15 tower/T-top rod holders

• 9 under-deck rod holders

That’s a total of 36 rod holders, giving anglers the flexibility to run trolling spreads, store backups, and keep different setups ready for changing conditions.

Live Wells and Fish Storage

Keeping bait lively and fish fresh is essential for productive offshore days. This boat includes:

• Twin 50-gallon live wells – Ideal for keeping bait healthy or holding multiple species throughout the trip.

• Massive tuna storage in the bow, capable of holding 400+ lbs of ice.

• Two 50-gallon fish boxes in the stern – Additional insulated space for the day’s catch.

These storage options support everything from nearshore reef trips to full offshore runs chasing larger pelagic species.

Outriggers for Offshore Spreads

The boat also comes outfitted with outriggers, a staple for serious trolling setups. Outriggers help spread baits, reduce tangles, and present lures in a more natural pattern — all advantages when targeting fish offshore.

Family Cruising Meets Offshore Capability

While this Bluewater is clearly equipped for serious sportfishing, it was also built for family cruising. The center console layout, open deck space, and robust power make it a versatile platform for:

• Relaxed cruising with family or friends

• Sandbar days and local exploring

• Mixed-use trips where some are fishing, and others are just enjoying the ride

Because the boat has been stored in a boathouse and meticulously maintained, it presents as a well-cared-for family and fishing platform rather than a heavily worn commercial hull. The new custom wrap, designed by marine artist Jason Mathias, adds a standout, modern look. It’s promoted as some of the best fishing boat wrap graphics in the business, making this Bluewater as eye-catching at the dock as it is capable offshore.

Perrone Properties and Community Support

The boat at the center of the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing has been generously donated by Ralph Perrone of Perrone Properties.

Perrone Properties is a locally owned and managed portfolio of commercial properties on Florida’s Space Coast, with a strong presence in areas like Merritt Island and nearby communities. Known for providing clean, well-located commercial spaces for small businesses and professionals, Perrone Properties is firmly rooted in the local economy.

By donating this fully equipped 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console, Ralph Perrone is helping turn a high-value offshore boat into direct support for local families. The impact of that donation is multiplied by the event structure:

• Tickets raise funds for Merritt Island families.

• One attendee will take home a proven, well-equipped Bluewater boat and custom trailer.

• 100% of the proceeds stay in the local community.

It’s a clear example of how a locally owned business can support its neighbors, not just through commercial development, but by stepping up for community needs in a very tangible way.

Why the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing Matters

Events like the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing do more than fill a Saturday afternoon. They bring people together — boaters, anglers, local families, business owners, and supporters — around a shared goal: lifting up members of the Merritt Island community.

Several things make this event stand out:

• Direct local impact: Every dollar raised stays on Merritt Island.

• Transparent support: No middlemen, no outside marketing firms — funds go straight to serving local families.

• Unique prize: A fully outfitted 2850 Bluewater Sportfishing Center Console with twin Suzuki 300 HP outboards and a 2025 custom Float-On trailer.

• Community connection: Hosted at My Island Thrift Store, a familiar local spot where people already gather, shop, and support one another.

Whether you are passionate about offshore fishing, love being on the water with family, or simply want to support a meaningful local cause, this event offers a powerful way to get involved.

Event Details: My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing

Here are the key details for the My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing so you can mark your calendar and plan to attend:

Event Name:
My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing

Purpose:
Fundraiser for Merritt Island families — 100% of the money raised stays local. There are no middlemen and no outside marketing firms involved, just pure, local impact.

Date:
Saturday, June 6, 2026

Location:
My Island Thrift Store (Perrone Center Building)
234 E Merritt Island Cswy
Merritt Island, FL 32953

Schedule:

• Event begins: 12:00 PM

• Bluewater Boat Drawing: 2:30 PM (live on Facebook)

Your Ticket Includes:

• One delicious meal at the My Island Cookout

• One entry into the Bluewater Boat Drawing

• Purchase tickets at – ilovemyisland.org/boat-drawing/get-tickets/

You do not need to be present to win, but being there means you can enjoy the food, the live music, the community spirit, and the excitement of seeing who takes home the Bluewater Sportfishing 2850 and custom Float-On trailer.

The My Island Cookout & Bluewater Boat Drawing brings together an exceptional boat, a generous local donor, and a tight-knit community — all in service of Merritt Island families. Whether you’re drawn by the chance to win a serious offshore vessel or by the opportunity to support your neighbors, this is one event you won’t want to miss.