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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/29/2003 : 21:02:38

We have a few windows of opportunity to go sailing as a family between now and next May, and since I've already seen samples of "the white stuff" it sure as heck is not going to be around here.

So, I'm contemplating relocating Lady Kay to Florida for the winter......I'm looking for:

A nice cruising area, with some semi protected water. A beach to float up to for the kids, and some nice sailing destinations (read marina's) within around a three quarter day sail.

Proximity (less than an hour) of several major airports.

A nice marina with a ramp, and a secure dry storage lot which can be reached with the pole up. I would fly down, so I would not have a vehicle to put it in. I would either need them to operate a truck, or have a truck for me to operate.

When we're there we'd need a slip. The admiral insists on clean showers. The kids like a pool.

I know you have to pay to play, but there's reasonable and ludicrous. I don't need khaki clad young men to catch my dock line. I do want an operation which is run by competent, caring people, that are friendly and accomodating.

South Florida is an option. It definitely has the best chance of nice weather, but it's not the cheapest part of the world and busy. (read full flights, we travel stand-by)

Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota is on the list.

North Florida (Gulf Coast) is beautiful and laid back, but is harder to get in and out of, and not always warm enough.

North Florida (Atlantic Coast) is also not always warm, but easier to get in and out of, and the least amount of driving for the relo, but somewhat limited in the destination department.

I'm looking forward to replies.....:"There's this place...."

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Lady Kay IV, Dragonfly 25 # 54 Former C30#618-C250WB#618-C42#76

Edited by - Oscar on 10/29/2003 21:09:06

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 21:19:18

Charlotte Harbor? In and out of Ft. Myers... A little less of everything than Tampa/St.Pete/Sarasota, which can be a good thing. Seems like we have some members down there... (??)

Edited by - on

Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 21:20:26

Oscar the place is called "Burnt Store Marina" on the west coast between Ft. Myers and Sarasota.
Clean clean clean ... pool, private restrooms (also clean) and quiet, classy surroundings. Good access to the protected bays and Gulf ... utilities, nice restaurant, security, check 'em out on the web ("google" Burnt store marina)
Enjoy.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 22:49:58

Actually visited Burnt Store while on a mission down there. Was told by a somewhat stressed out dock master that If I did not own real estate in the place there wasn't a whole lot he was going to do for me. I did like the marina. I'll have to give them another call. Wouldn't happen to have a name would you?

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 22:51:39

Oscar, I second Mark's suggestion. I bare boat out of there almost every June in a Packet 32'. The marina has all the conforts as Mark mentioned, but most of all the people are first class. I am sure they would work with you on all your requests. You might want to contact Southwest Florida Yachts there at Burnt Store and they could probabley point you in the right direction. Their EM address is swfyachts.com and the owners are Vic and Barbara Hanson, great people and extra helpful.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 08:47:26

I sent Burnt Store and e-mail....here's the response:

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">We do not have facilities for storing boats on trailers at this marina. The only thing I have
available for you is a wet slip, 35 ft. minimum at $12.50 a foot and a minimum of 6 months.

Don Thompson, Dockmaster<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Thats $2625.-.....

Thanks, but no thanks.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - Oscar on 10/30/2003 08:48:16

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 09:06:21

I do not trailer, so am not knowledgeable about that part of your query. For example, there are a couple of places in the Venice area where the actual dead storage would be no problem, and cheap, but slips are at a premium, most places have waiting lists, and I don't know about launching. But here is a suggestion: there is a large, active marina at Gasparilla (Gasparilla Marina) which is just barely North of Boca Grande pass between Venice and Fort Myers, at the bridge to Gasparilla Island. This is a short distance from the pass and cruising grounds would include Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island sound, Fort Myers area, etc, some of the nicest cruising in FSW Florida. I spoke to these folk about a haul-out some time back and was impressed with their cheerfulness, flexiblity, and energy. Had I not hauled closer to home, would have gone there. Suggest you give them a call and ask your questions. I know they have slips, but whether they are all taken in season I dont know. I know they have a 70 ton lift, but have no idea about trailer launching. I will ask around here for more info. Also I dont klnow if you can join the Sarasota Sailing Squadron as a non-resident of the county, but they have trailer storage boats, mast up, two good ramps, and swell sailing area, but this is not a marina facility, there IS a small clubhouse, no pool. Will check further, good luck, ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 09:28:46

Thanks Oscar for asking your question. this year plan to explore the east coast and the next time we come to Florida, we plan the west coat. This is all great information. Thanks again.

Edited by - on

mtiffee
1st Mate

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USA
57 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 09:37:15

Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa has a ramp as well as mast friendly dry storage. Lots of places to go, especially around St. Pete.

Also, if you want to leave her on a hook, there's a free anchorage just south of downtown St. Pete that is highly protected, this is where my Dad keeps his 36 foot ketch. (his lives in the adjacent neighborhood). The anchorage is called Big Bayou.

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 10:40:39

We have our boat at Clearwater Bay Marina near downtown Clearwater, FL.

Best of all worlds: Marina is on the intercoastal waterway, so you can sail in protected area, or go out to the gulf waters in 15 mins. That is what we do.

There are little spoil islands all up and down the intercoastal waterway, with beaches and places for cookouts, camping etc. There is actually 1 only about 1/4 mile away from our slip. And many more all within the near couple of miles.

Clearwater is part of the Tampa/St.Pete/clearwater tri-city area. We have the Tampa Intl' airport about 20-50mins away, depending on where you're coming from, and the St.Pete/Clearwater Intl' Airport right here. That is where I keep my airplane.

For a younger family, I think that this area would be much better, and have much more to do than south of here. Around here, we younger types refer to Sarasota as "sorry sota." Ft. Myers and that area has many more retired types.

I guess it depends on what you're looking for.

I'd be happy to offer any other help I can as you get closer to decision time.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 10:49:47

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A nice cruising area, with some semi protected water. A beach to float up to for the kids, and some nice sailing destinations (read marina's) within around a three quarter day sail.

Proximity (less than an hour) of several major airports.

A nice marina with a ramp, and a secure dry storage lot which can be reached with the pole up. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
The west coast of Florida, south from Tampa Bay to Ft. Myers is just what you're looking for. On a 2-3 week cruise, sometimes I start from Tampa Bay and cruise leisurely south to the Charlotte Harbor area, and then return to Tampa Bay, stopping at different places on the way back. Or, you can start at Charlotte Harbor and work your way north to Tampa Bay, and then return to Charlotte Harbor.

I haven't been there for about eight years, but marinas usually charge transient yachts a certain amount per foot to stay overnight. As I recall, the most expensive were about $2.00 per foot per day, but they are probably more now. They had nice restrooms and showers, and most had swimming pools, nice restaurants and other amenities. South Seas Plantation, on Captiva Island, was the absolute best of all. From there, you could dinghy over to North Captiva Island and walk a beach that is undeveloped, and remains as it has been for centuries. In my experience, the best of them were very receptive to all yachts, large and small, as long as you were considerate of their other guests and kept your boat reasonably neat and orderly.

Make some insect screens out of extra fine netting for your forward hatch and your main hatch. The no-see-ums are nasty little buggers, and they can get through ordinary mosquito netting.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 11:21:33

Don,

Last winter we visited St. Augustine...near Jacksonville. We stayed at the Conch House Marina and resort, and had a very nice time.

http://www.conch-house.com/

They have a trailer storage lot, and there is a public ramp nearby, next to the historic light house. St. Augustine is touristy, but very nice. It is one of the first stops over the border. Unfortunately you can't get from the ramp to the marina with the mast up, (over the road that is) so it is not suitable for the current mission profile.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - Oscar on 10/30/2003 11:23:16

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 22:30:18

Oscar, try www.camacheeisland.com, my daughter-in-law says this is really nice and she thinks they may have mast up dry storage. It is located about 2 miles north of downtown St. Augustine.
I do know one thing, if you come that way and don't stop in Orange Park we will be disappointed.

Edited by - frog0911 on 10/30/2003 22:31:12

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