I am leaving Indiana in November to permanently occupy a waterfront home I have in Punta Gorda Isles, Fla. After much thought and financial considerations I have decided to take my 2002 240 with me. I have never sailed the Gulf, Charlotte Harbor or for that matter the channel and canal behind my home where my dock is located. I have only sailed fresh water lakes for the past 30 years. As a consequence I am seeking thoughtful advice and suggestions to prepare me for the changes I will experience. My 240 will no longer be trailered as it will be moored at the 30 ft boat dock behind my house. How should I have the boat prepared for the change? My engine is a 13 yo tohatsu 8 hp electric start, should I be considering a change and to what? How about bottom paint, obviously I know it is needed but what specific type? How about getting the bottom cleaned periodically? Any help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am not a Bob Villa type so I intend to find a marina in Punta Gorda to prepare the boat before it is launched, any thoughts on specific marinas and work other than new bottom paint?? Thanks in advance as I am very much aware I am out of my element now that I am heading for salt water. Also what do people do with there boats moored behind their houses when storms come and the tide may surge to elevated levels? The final question, am I making a mistake not purchasing a larger boat since I intend to sail as far as the lower keys from Punta Gorda??????...Thanks in advance, Gary
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Ken
Patoka Gary
Hi Gary, It's good to hear you're making the jump to Florida. My wife and I were down in the Punta Gorda area in January visiting friends. It looks like a great place to keep a 240. I understand from other posts on this board that the water is quite "thin" in the Charlotte Harbor area so the swing keel should come in handy. My opinion is the 240 would be a great boat to have in that area. If you progress beyond Bay sailing then I'd consider an upgrade. It sure would be nice to be in your position. It's going to be a few years for us. Hopefully we'll make it down to Patoka before you move south. Ken
Hi Gary, It's good to hear you're making the jump to Florida. My wife and I were down in the Punta Gorda area in January visiting friends. It looks like a great place to keep a 240. I understand from other posts on this board that the water is quite "thin" in the Charlotte Harbor area so the swing keel should come in handy. My opinion is the 240 would be a great boat to have in that area. If you progress beyond Bay sailing then I'd consider an upgrade. It sure would be nice to be in your position. It's going to be a few years for us. Hopefully we'll make it down to Patoka before you move south. Ken
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Steve O.
??
You had to think about taking your boat? To your home with a slip on a canal? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Charlotte Harbor is great sailing waters, with cruising to Sanibel, Cabbage Key, Caya Costa. Enjoy it.
You had to think about taking your boat? To your home with a slip on a canal? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Charlotte Harbor is great sailing waters, with cruising to Sanibel, Cabbage Key, Caya Costa. Enjoy it.
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nick maggio
WAIT and LEARN
The 240 is a great boat I sailed on a friends 240 before I went from my 18 hobie cat to my 290. Now I want a 356 but I'll wait two more years before I retire to port charlotte and get a taste of the harbor and the gulf. I sail in mostly protected bays now and when the weather report sounds good I go out further in less protected more open water but I always check the weather. Good luck and enjoy florida sailing, go slow and hope to see ya on the water in a few years. nick
The 240 is a great boat I sailed on a friends 240 before I went from my 18 hobie cat to my 290. Now I want a 356 but I'll wait two more years before I retire to port charlotte and get a taste of the harbor and the gulf. I sail in mostly protected bays now and when the weather report sounds good I go out further in less protected more open water but I always check the weather. Good luck and enjoy florida sailing, go slow and hope to see ya on the water in a few years. nick
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Tim Peoples
Scrub the bottom
Gary, I live in Sarasota FL a bit north of there. For a while I kept my boat in the water. I had bottom paint but don't know what it was. I relied on the local boat yard to use what worked best in these waters. Since the water is so warm here things grow very easily on the bottom of the boat. At the recommendation of the boatyard that had done my bottom paint, I had a diver scrub the bottom once a month. Since so many boats need this done it was quite reasonable - $35.00 a month ... and it made quite a difference in the boat's performance.
Gary, I live in Sarasota FL a bit north of there. For a while I kept my boat in the water. I had bottom paint but don't know what it was. I relied on the local boat yard to use what worked best in these waters. Since the water is so warm here things grow very easily on the bottom of the boat. At the recommendation of the boatyard that had done my bottom paint, I had a diver scrub the bottom once a month. Since so many boats need this done it was quite reasonable - $35.00 a month ... and it made quite a difference in the boat's performance.
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Daryl
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Steve Kamp
Salt water changes.
Keep your current motor if it has been well maintained, or get a newer version, same or similar horsepower, but 4 stroke. Pay attention to what happens to the sacrificial anodes---- an anode that has been servicable in fresh water for a couple seasons will turn to swiss cheese in salt water in a couple of weeks. Get the appropriate anodes for salt water and protect your engine. Additionaly, since you will be keeping the boat at your home slip, raise the motor out of the salt water and flush it with fresh water from a garden hose after each use.
Keep your current motor if it has been well maintained, or get a newer version, same or similar horsepower, but 4 stroke. Pay attention to what happens to the sacrificial anodes---- an anode that has been servicable in fresh water for a couple seasons will turn to swiss cheese in salt water in a couple of weeks. Get the appropriate anodes for salt water and protect your engine. Additionaly, since you will be keeping the boat at your home slip, raise the motor out of the salt water and flush it with fresh water from a garden hose after each use.
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Gary Smith
Thanks for your advice......
Thanks to everyone and I have made a list based on your recommendations. Ken you will have this season to get to Patoka and I encourage you to take advantage of the hospitality of Hoosier Hills Marina when in the area. My boat is moored there and the owners are great to deal with....for those of you thinking about the Punta Gorda area don't hesitate to buy. I bought my 1976, 1700 sq ft home in Dec. 1998 for $176k, yesterday I learned it had appraised for $400k. I refinanced and was shocked to learn it's true value. Of course the property taxes are a killer and I need to occupy the house right away to stop the significant tax increase. I was paying in 1998 less than $2k a year, now it is $4700 annually. In Indiana we think property taxes are high but not compared to FLA.......
Thanks to everyone and I have made a list based on your recommendations. Ken you will have this season to get to Patoka and I encourage you to take advantage of the hospitality of Hoosier Hills Marina when in the area. My boat is moored there and the owners are great to deal with....for those of you thinking about the Punta Gorda area don't hesitate to buy. I bought my 1976, 1700 sq ft home in Dec. 1998 for $176k, yesterday I learned it had appraised for $400k. I refinanced and was shocked to learn it's true value. Of course the property taxes are a killer and I need to occupy the house right away to stop the significant tax increase. I was paying in 1998 less than $2k a year, now it is $4700 annually. In Indiana we think property taxes are high but not compared to FLA.......
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Bob Gravenstine
Charlotte Harbor is Great Sailing
I have sailed in Charlotte Harbor and it is a great sailing area with lots of places to go for day sails or overnight. I don't know where you are located in PGI so it is hard to tell just where you will be entering the harbor. The water is thin but you should be okay with your boat. Look me up in the owners listing and send me an e-mail if you want any sailing partners. My wife and I are getting ready to come back north next weekend, but there is next year. Good luck with your move and have a great summer. Bob Gravenstine S/V Gravyboat
I have sailed in Charlotte Harbor and it is a great sailing area with lots of places to go for day sails or overnight. I don't know where you are located in PGI so it is hard to tell just where you will be entering the harbor. The water is thin but you should be okay with your boat. Look me up in the owners listing and send me an e-mail if you want any sailing partners. My wife and I are getting ready to come back north next weekend, but there is next year. Good luck with your move and have a great summer. Bob Gravenstine S/V Gravyboat
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