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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

going boat shopping in Punta Gorda next weekend

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/12/2007 : 14:24:27

Hi there
I'm still looking for an Ericson 32, or 35
I'm flying into Ft Myers on Friday evening and will look at the Ericson 32 in Burnt Store Florida, and the Ericson 35 in Punta Gorda, both listed on boats.com and also yachtworld.com. Check them out if you wanna see some really pretty boats. I have sailed a 32 and it's really nice, I'm a little nervous about the 35 as sometimes I single hand when I go sailing on the spur of the moment. Both will serve well as a weekend condo on the lake. Check out the teak wine racks in the kitchen. The double doors above the starboard settees hide a teak liquor cabinet with slots for bottles not to fall over

The tables drop down to make a large, 6'6" long mid cabin bed

The 35 has central air conditioning

Can anybody recommend a good seafood restaurant/harbor hangout for me to get a good fish dinner on Friday or Saturday night in either punta gorda or Ft. Myers?

Frank Gloss
Formerly 89WK/TR
85 Ericson 32-3 shoal draft "Molto Bene"

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2007 : 15:21:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 ...will look at the Ericson 32 in Burnt Store Florida,... Can anybody recommend a good seafood restaurant...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...for some smoked snapper?

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Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2007 : 18:15:53

See if someone might take you over to Cabbage Key. It's been a few years since I've visited so I can't vouch for the food but it's a neat little place to visit:

http://www.cabbagekey.com/

Legend has it that Jimmy Buffet wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise" there.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2007 : 20:08:42

Cabbage Key is a great little place for a Cheeseburger, and scenery, but food wise that is all there is a 1/2lb. Cheeseburger.
There are a couple of good seafood restaurants on the river in Ft. Myers, but I can't remember the names. Just ask the locals. The restaurant at Burn't Store is a nice place for lunch.

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Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2007 : 07:19:55

Frank, if you need crew for the delivery of your new boat, I may be available for the Florida west coast leg.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2007 : 07:46:50

Hi Don
Thanks for the generous offer.
If I buy a boat I'll have it derigged and trucked to Knoxville.
It would take about 3 to 4 weeks to transport it by water from SW Florida to Mobile, then up the river to Knoxville.
I just can't get that amount of time off work.

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Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2007 : 08:59:23

Good luck on your shopping trip. I attended a conference down there a couple years ago and enjoyed eating at The Bridge, I believe it was called.

http://www.thebridgerestaurant.com/menu.htm

708 Fisherman's Wharf
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 765.0050 (Phone)

It is tucked away on the mainland right before crossing the bridge to Ft. Myers Beach. It is somewhat of a local place since it is off the main drag but the food, service and drinks were very good. It is also nice to walk the docks and look at some nice big boats of all kinds.

They have a sister restaurant across the bridge that looks a bit more upscale. There is a link to it on the website.

I found that restaurant on the recommendation of Steve Madden, lightnup. He was a frequent contributor to this forum but had to sell his boat in during the winter. He may still be around and be able to give some other recommendations.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2007 : 20:20:22

thanks George
I can afford upscale, but prefer casual on the dock local kind of restaurants.
I know of several of these in the Keys

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2007 : 14:00:26

Hey Frank
Here's a 1987 Ericson 34 for sale at my dock. It looks pretty nice (but I have not been down below):
http://monarchyachtsales.com/core/listing/photo_gallery.jsp?slim=broker&lang=en&ywo=monarchyachtsales&hosturl=monarchyachtsales&units=Feet&id=1691887&back=/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp&boat_id=1691887

If you'd like me to check it out for you let me know...

Edited by - bbriner on 08/19/2007 14:01:38

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2007 : 15:14:53

Need a hand tripping around to FLA?

Paul

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2007 : 17:07:55

IMHO: Ericson 35 is a great design and one of the best values available on the market. They were a 'boat to beat' in their day and are still highly regarded for a giving good turn of speed. Lots of nice Ericson 35's out on the West Coast (wrong side for you).

Further IMHO stuff: I think of boats belonging to 'classes' based on the effort required to sail/handle them and ownership expense. There is not a huge jump from handling a 32' boat to a 35' boat. (physically and fiscally)

In my my mind, boats from 25' to 30' go into one class. then there's a change when you graduate to mid-range boats from 32' to 38' (or so) then a jump up into another class roughly from 40' to 48'. When you get up to a 50' vessel, it's getting into some pretty serious effort (4 crew) and expense (cubic dollars).

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2007 : 05:07:46

well I came back from SW Florida. I checked out the Ericson 32 and the 35. I gave an offer on the 32. (the one in Burnt Store Florida)It was as pristine a 20 year old boat as you will find. It has a fresh water history. Very little sign of salt water corrosion.
We'll see if the owner accepts my offer, or what we negotiate to. Next step is a survey. Then purchase, then transport by truck to Knoxville.
As an interesting aside, the broker representing me (the owner has another broker) told me that you should buy the smallest boat which will suit your needs. Less expense and work, more sailing. It made sense to me. The 32 is about 10 grand less. This was impressive as he will get lots less commission on the 32 than the 35, which he is representing. An honest man.
Then sell my 89 wing with trailer.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2007 : 10:39:47

Sounds great, Frank... A successful broker makes his living on his reputation--your guy is probably very successful. I agree with Bruce's classes, although I also still find that every 3' in length up to about 35' increases the "size" of a boat from 50-75%, and in boats designed for cruising, 30-32' makes a very liveable interior for two people (with an occasional two more).

I do like those Ericsons!

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