Florida Vacation

[Craig16877]

Ahoy!We are planning a short Christmas vacation in the Sarasota / Bradenton area from December 25 thru the 27. Is there anyplace I can rent, borrow, or hijack a 26 to 34 footer for a day (actually a partial day) sail? I'm currently laid off and the kids are giving us a present in the form of the airfare so money is an object.ThanksCraig

 

[Paul F]

Recommendation

Recommend Bayshore Boat Club. We belonged there for seven years, great people and excellent location. Here is their web page. You may like to get a runabout and go shelling/picnic on the islands instead of sailing, both are fun.http://www.bayshoreboatclub.com/

 

[Sanders Lamont]

or Burnt Store Marina

which has a good charter operation in Charlotte harbor. Nice boats. Good rates.It's about one hour south of Bradenton. I think it's call SW Florida yacht Charters, but Google for "bareboat southwest florida" will get you there.We chartered a Island packet there several years ago, and it was a good deal.

 

[ConchyJoe]

I am with Sanders on Charlotte Harbour

Besides Burnt Store Marina, there are others to choose from.We use Burnt Store for our H23.5 trailer sailer because it is a good launch point, and good inshore and offshore spots.Soling42 is bouncing around and may have some comments as well.

 

[Steve O.]

Southwest Florida Yachts

SWFY has a sail fleet at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, but the main office is at their trawler fleet in Ft. Myers Beach. www.swfyachts.com

 

[Lou 14643]

A different take on SW Fl. Yacht Charters

We also chartered from them several years ago. Also an Island Packet, 34 I think. (Maybe the same boat Sander?). Second day out we were at anchor for the evening, (in one of the places they recommended in their chart briefing), when we were struck by lightening. Once we knew we were OK, and only damage was to boat's electronics (substantial), we brought the boat back to the base for repair. In discussing when the charter base thought we could go back out, the response was "as soon as you come up with another security deposit - the first one has been forfeited." We were floored and ultimately ended the charter having lost the deposit as well as the remainder of the week's fee. We Lawyer letters from home did not make any progress, and we ultimatley decided to put the matter behind us rather than incur more expense. Subsequent charters we now ask about "acts of god," and have been reassured that lightening damage would not be our tab. Curious to know if anyone else has ever experienced anything like this, and if so, how it was handled.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

WOW Lou

Thanks for that posting. That's really something to consider in chartering. Was their argument that your deposit covered the deductible on their insurance on the boat itself? I'm really amazed that your sec dep was applied for such a situtation.At least you and the family were ok.

 

[Lou 14643]

That was exactly the argument

They contended that while we were in possession of the boat, it was "as if we were the owners, and the security deposit was the equivalent of the deductable" ($750 or so, if I remember correctly). The loss, they said, was the owner's loss, and since we were the owners during that time... Other charter operators I've spoken to since have said that either their insurance would cover such a loss, or they would out of pocket. The lesson for chartering may be to either have something like this clearly stated, although I don't think you can think of every contingency, or to work with a charter who offers insurance, usually something like $25/day, instead of asking for a deposit. Maybe this winds up a little more expensive, but no nighmare unexpected expenses.