Well as retirement looms closer we are making a move south, most likely Cape Coral Florida area. I've always sailed inland lakes (40 years) and consider myself an average sailor. I sail for fun now, gave up racing when I got rid of my Lightning. I now have a Hunter 23.5 and am curious as to what others think about a boat of this size sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. I'd also like to know what I should consider adding to her in the way of instrumentation. I'm already thinking I'll need to upgrade my outboard from my little 6 horse Tohatsu to maybe an 8 or 9 but what else should I be thinking of. If I'm completely nuts and should have a bigger boat that's always a possibility as well.
Opinions wanted on sailing the west coast of Florida
- Thread starter Tony_Furst
- Start date
more fuel capacity to get you to open water and back home again....Our friend that lived in a great condo in Cape Coral
had nearly a 2hour motor to get to open water......seemed like a long way to Tipperary..
had nearly a 2hour motor to get to open water......seemed like a long way to Tipperary..
Good idea, I don't have the external tank on my 6 and at times it's a pain in the a**. I actually carry a 1.5 gallon gas tank with me just in case.
To be able to sail in Florida you will need a Bimini Top. It will be necessary for the Bimini to be able to be used when underway, which in the h23.5 may cause a conflict with the height of the boom. Some raise the boom while others tilt it up and others are just OK with a low top just do not give up shaded area.
Having sailed a Luger 21 in the Caloosahatchee river around N Ft Myers and Cape Coral I will tell you that a swing keel or centerboard is essential , the river is locally described as a mile wide and an inch deep. The channel is 12 feet but very twisty, and its 25 plus miles to the gulf. Might want to think about a slip for the season (although weather varys only from hot and dry to hot and wet) down in ft myers beach, or estero or bokeelia etc. Bimini also very good idea.
I live in Ft Myers Beach and sail in the Gulf every time we go out. The size of your boat is fine. You will NEED a Bimini the sun can be brutal. Draft is an issue around here, not just in the River,but most places have shallow spots.
As for Cape Coral; are you planing to get a residence on a canal and keep the boat behind the house? If so the Cape is not ideal for a sail boat. Many places in the Cape are well over an hour from the Gulf and trying to sail in the lower part of the River is next to impossible what with all of the crazy power boaters coming way too close going way too fast. I think you would do better setting you sights on Punta Gorda Isles. Lots of canals with direct access to Charlotte Harbor. Not as much to do off the water though, if you like small town ambiance you would like it. We lived in Punta Gorda when we first moved here and coming from Southern California it was just to quiet and small townish for us. If you want the benefit of the more developed Ft Myers/Cape Coral area Fort Myers Beach is much more suitable for a sailboat. Or you could live anywhere and keep the boat in a marina here (or trailer the boat if you can?).
Feel free you ask any specific questions about the area and I'll try and answer them.
As for Cape Coral; are you planing to get a residence on a canal and keep the boat behind the house? If so the Cape is not ideal for a sail boat. Many places in the Cape are well over an hour from the Gulf and trying to sail in the lower part of the River is next to impossible what with all of the crazy power boaters coming way too close going way too fast. I think you would do better setting you sights on Punta Gorda Isles. Lots of canals with direct access to Charlotte Harbor. Not as much to do off the water though, if you like small town ambiance you would like it. We lived in Punta Gorda when we first moved here and coming from Southern California it was just to quiet and small townish for us. If you want the benefit of the more developed Ft Myers/Cape Coral area Fort Myers Beach is much more suitable for a sailboat. Or you could live anywhere and keep the boat in a marina here (or trailer the boat if you can?).
Feel free you ask any specific questions about the area and I'll try and answer them.
Not sure about the Ft Myers/Cape Coral are, I am just north of Tampa. I had a H22, and sailed the Gulf all the time. I used a 6hp Tohatsu sail drive, and it worked just fine, but from my marina we didn't have that much tidal current, but I feel that it would have been for most times. As said you will definitely want a Bimini. A swing/lifting keel is almost a must on the West coast of FL. And put your boat in the water year round. try to get as close to the gulf as you can. to save some money on slip fees look around (craigslist) for people who have personal docks for rent. Sometimes these can be half as much as a marina.
I think that's a GREAT boat for southwestern Florida, over 2' more LOA than my C22. I'll bet your existing 6HP will be fine, too. And you'll be very very grateful for your shallow draft. We regularly motor through areas as shallow as 2-3'. And don't trust charts where shoaling sand is present, which is practically everywhere. I have seen a sandbar complete with sea oats, small mangroves, and turtle nests right where the channel was supposed to be, and I've hit bottom with our 5' keel when the chart said 13'. All right near where you will be sailing.
I have sailed 25-26' boats for 30 years and I think your 6 hp will be fine but do as suggested and get a large gas tank. Be sure you always carry at least 2 anchors properly rigged with about 20' of 1/4" chain and rode 100' + EACH. You will need to rig the highest reefing system that works quickly as the big water is a serious ol' girl! A 2 man inflatable kayak makes a great dinghy and can easily drag or put aboard tied to the rail. I have 2 of the kayaks as well as an 8' dinghy w/ 3.5hp Toshiba. At least a handheld VHF radio and GPS/sonar. Hope this helps, Chief
cape coral is closer to major metro area (ft myers) but is not the best sailing area. (but this is a great fishing/recreationial area)
charlotte harbor or punta gorda are superior for sailing, but further away from major stores....
look at active captain, and the water depths. -that boat is fine in the summer. winter is windy and cool. reef early!
Sanibel bridge is not too bad on current but around matchula its strong. and if you went outside at grande pass you'd have big trouble against a tide. HP might be ok, but you'll want a low pitch prop...
on upgrades a depth finder, gps chart plotter. hand held vhf. bimini. heavy anchor gear (current).
charlotte harbor or punta gorda are superior for sailing, but further away from major stores....
look at active captain, and the water depths. -that boat is fine in the summer. winter is windy and cool. reef early!
Sanibel bridge is not too bad on current but around matchula its strong. and if you went outside at grande pass you'd have big trouble against a tide. HP might be ok, but you'll want a low pitch prop...
on upgrades a depth finder, gps chart plotter. hand held vhf. bimini. heavy anchor gear (current).
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For about 11 years I sailed out of St. Petersburg, FL up and down the SW Florida coast in a Pearson 30 w/ a 5-ft draft, fixed keel. We touched a few times; usually it seemed just a week or so after getting the bottom done! A bigger boat is better for cruising IMHO, one with a wheel, inboard diesel and w/ shallow draft or, as others say, a swing keel. I would add a spray dodger and Bimini; one high enough to stand under. Most of the time the wind is either light out of the SE, or blustery out of the NW to NE with the passing cold fronts in the fall, winter, and early spring. Sometimes moderate (12 kt) westerly sea breezes in summer. Travelling the ICW is slow; sailing out in the Gulf is usually faster but w/ more variable conditions. An outboard is not so good in steep wind chop, which is something you can expect. Near shore in conditions you could be bouncing around a bit. Charlotte Harbor has nice sailing but you might wish to make a trip to Key West or to the Dry Tortugas wherein a bigger boat would make for a much nicer journey.
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Thanks everyone for all of the information, lots of things to think about including where we ultimately end up. The admiral is still not sure about me single handing in the gulf and unfortunately she doesn't sail at all. It sounds like I have numerous options about where to sail, guess I'll have to hook up with other local sailors once we get there and sort everything out.
Sailing in the Gulf is no big deal on a nice day with fair winds, etc., i.e., day sailing. The guys are just telling you that from Cape Coral you'll spend a lot of that day getting to and from the Gulf water if that is where you keep your boat. Keep it somewhere else and no hay problema. Cruising along the Gulf coast would be much more enjoyable in a bigger boat as I described, as far as I'm concerned, but that should not keep you from making short hops in your Hunter in and out, or up the ICW, etc., to sundry destinations. There are a few worthwhile ones right there in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound where a small boat with shallow draft could easily visit. For example, "the world famous" Cabbage Key and the anchorage off Useppa Island, etc., lying just off the ICW. Another is overnight at Pelican Bay behind Cayo Costa Island. There are many. No need to be fixated on "Gulf" sailing in making your plans.
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As others have said above I believe that you would get in a lot more days on the water if you reconsidered Cape Coral and looked at the Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda area and had access to Charlotte Harbor which is huge and gives you a lot more opportunity to sail on short notice vs. the Cape Coral location. I think the sailing in and around Charlotte Harbor is also more varied and enjoyable vs. just heading out into the Gulf. You will still be able to plan trips into the 10,000 Island/Everglades area and the Keys if you want. One option for the Keys is to trailer over to South Dade Marina and putting in there if you don't want to make the trip south down the west coast and across Florida Bay but I've really enjoyed that route on a couple occassions (see links below).
Living in SE Utah where it is a 80 mile drive to the nearest Walmart I find plenty of stores and restaurants within 10-20 minutes of the boatyard where we keep the Endeavour. 3 Walmart's and a large Mall and West Marine stores and about anything within 30 minutes max from the boatyard...
http://charlotteharborboatstorage.com/
...that is somewhat remote by Florida Standards. If you were in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte cut the travel time in half.
Good luck in your relocation,
Sumner
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1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
I wintered is the Sarasota, Venice area for a few years I found it to shallow for me I moved to
the east coast. Deep water better sailing
the east coast. Deep water better sailing
I think your boat too small for the Gulf unless you check and check the weather for nice weather and as said Cape Coral into the Gulf is a long haul unless you are near Ft Myers.
You would do very well if in Charlotte Harbor and need more fuel container for sure.
You would do very well if in Charlotte Harbor and need more fuel container for sure.
I sail North California with a Catalina 250 and it sure isn't too small even for some of the toughest rated seas in the world. I have run 16' seas and had complete control. I can't imagine a 23.5 Hunter being too small for the gulf! It should be a great boat Tony. Chief
Offshore on the Gulf side of Fla are some of the most deceptively treacherous waters in the country. It is very shallow a long way offshore, barely reaching 60 feet as far as 30 miles out. The sudden summer afternoon thunderstorms can turn a pleasant afternoon's sail into a fight for life.
I'm not saying don't go sailing, just be cautious until you understand the weather and stay close to your inlet until you do.
I'm not saying don't go sailing, just be cautious until you understand the weather and stay close to your inlet until you do.
You can do it so our lake-boat, trailer-sailor of "average" (see post #1) skill whose wife has doubts (see post #12) can too; is that the argument?
Yeah--until you've seen it, it doesn't register. There's no true swell periodicity in close. It's all wind chop and wind-driven seas; a veritable washing machine. Not a good place for a small outboard IMHO. Before owning the Pearson 30 w/the inboard diesel, I sailed Cal 20, Cat 22, Paceship 23, and a Ranger 29--all with outboards-- around Tampa Bay and Lower Tampa Bay. Steep following seas with an outboard was not fun when actually trying to use it. So happy to get the inboard diesel!!
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