I am planing to tow my H240 all the way from Indiana to Punta Gorda in Florida for about a week of sailing in early February. Am I nuts or has anybody done something like this before? If so I sure would like to hear from you. I have only sailed for two seasons in Indiana now, but I am ready for some more adventure!
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Go for it. It's a heck of a better plan than
shoveling snow. Respect the limits of your 240 and you'll have alot of fun. Fair winds and lots of sunshine. Ray S/V Speedy 95 H26
shoveling snow. Respect the limits of your 240 and you'll have alot of fun. Fair winds and lots of sunshine. Ray S/V Speedy 95 H26
Florida Sailing
I've towed my 23.5 to Florida from Kentucky three times. I opted for a shorter drive, going to the Destin area in the panhandle. We sailed in the Choctawhatchee Bay, visiting Destin Harbor, docking for lunch or dinner. We didn't sleep on the boat. I found a nice marina with rooms and left the boat in a slip for the week. We thoroughly enjoyed all three trips. Bill Jones s/v Wind Dancer
I've towed my 23.5 to Florida from Kentucky three times. I opted for a shorter drive, going to the Destin area in the panhandle. We sailed in the Choctawhatchee Bay, visiting Destin Harbor, docking for lunch or dinner. We didn't sleep on the boat. I found a nice marina with rooms and left the boat in a slip for the week. We thoroughly enjoyed all three trips. Bill Jones s/v Wind Dancer
Have a great sail!
We've towed our Hunter 26 from St. Louis to the Florida Keys twice. Just make sure your trailer tires are inflated and you keep your wheel bearings greased. Bearing buddies and a hand operated grease gun are good ideas, as is checking out your lug nut wrench. The trailer wheels may not use the same size as your car wheels. Have a great trip!
We've towed our Hunter 26 from St. Louis to the Florida Keys twice. Just make sure your trailer tires are inflated and you keep your wheel bearings greased. Bearing buddies and a hand operated grease gun are good ideas, as is checking out your lug nut wrench. The trailer wheels may not use the same size as your car wheels. Have a great trip!
Indianapolis 240 owner
Reinhold, I'm hoping to do that trip in a few years. My towing is limited by the size of my truck. I tow with a 3.0 liter Ford Ranger and that truck would not live to pull that distance/cross the hills between Indiana and Florida. I'm hoping to get to Lake Michigan this summer. Where do you sail? Wawasee? Ken
Reinhold, I'm hoping to do that trip in a few years. My towing is limited by the size of my truck. I tow with a 3.0 liter Ford Ranger and that truck would not live to pull that distance/cross the hills between Indiana and Florida. I'm hoping to get to Lake Michigan this summer. Where do you sail? Wawasee? Ken
been there
I have sailed several times on Charlotte Harbor and love it. Its relatively shallow but protected. Don't miss Caya Costa preserve, shelling on Sanibel/Captiva, cheesburgers at Cabbage Key.
I have sailed several times on Charlotte Harbor and love it. Its relatively shallow but protected. Don't miss Caya Costa preserve, shelling on Sanibel/Captiva, cheesburgers at Cabbage Key.
Sailing Charlotte Harbor
I agree with Steve O. Charlotte Harbor is a great place for your boat, and plenty of great spots to go without having to venture out into the Gulf. Have Fun, you may not want to go back to the great white north!!!
I agree with Steve O. Charlotte Harbor is a great place for your boat, and plenty of great spots to go without having to venture out into the Gulf. Have Fun, you may not want to go back to the great white north!!!
Avoid Millers Marina
Log entry 12-5-00: "Millers Marina at 26N44.766 82W15.345 on Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande) is not sailboat friendly". There, I feel better now, no longer a harbor to resent.
Log entry 12-5-00: "Millers Marina at 26N44.766 82W15.345 on Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande) is not sailboat friendly". There, I feel better now, no longer a harbor to resent.
Visiting florida's sailing grounds
Have your local charts ready as there are many shoal areas that you will not be able to see as the waters are tanin stained and not very clear in the winter time. Sojurn up the peace river for miles and check out the many wonderful sites. The barrier islands are beautiful this time of year and many resorts like south seas plantation on Captiva are the finests facilities you will ever find. Bring some cool weather gear and hang on cause when the cold fronts sweep thru the area you are in for some exciting sailing (mostly north winds) Stay away from the Caloosahatchee river on the weekends cause the power boaters do not know left from right and think their vessels have brakes. Go up the Caloosahatchee on weekdays to the power plant and see the manatees....Have a safe trip..Denny P.
Have your local charts ready as there are many shoal areas that you will not be able to see as the waters are tanin stained and not very clear in the winter time. Sojurn up the peace river for miles and check out the many wonderful sites. The barrier islands are beautiful this time of year and many resorts like south seas plantation on Captiva are the finests facilities you will ever find. Bring some cool weather gear and hang on cause when the cold fronts sweep thru the area you are in for some exciting sailing (mostly north winds) Stay away from the Caloosahatchee river on the weekends cause the power boaters do not know left from right and think their vessels have brakes. Go up the Caloosahatchee on weekdays to the power plant and see the manatees....Have a safe trip..Denny P.
Come Visit
Been sailing Charlotte Harbor for 8 years and love it. During winter we can have a week of Northerly winds which make for fun but cold sailing (50-60 degrees with 15-20 knot winds) Rest of time expect winds under 15. Harbor is perfect for shallow draft boats with loads of room and not that many boats. Your boat should be perfect. I can send you a listing of GPS waypoints if you have one. Not that one is needed. Most places are easy to find and easy to get around. Very few rocks so the worst thing is having to get out and push if you run aground. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. You might want to click on the following link and get info about the anchorages in the area. Check out the rest of the Florida Sea Grant Site for other info too. http://www.flseagrant.org/science/anchorage/anchorage_inventory.htm
Been sailing Charlotte Harbor for 8 years and love it. During winter we can have a week of Northerly winds which make for fun but cold sailing (50-60 degrees with 15-20 knot winds) Rest of time expect winds under 15. Harbor is perfect for shallow draft boats with loads of room and not that many boats. Your boat should be perfect. I can send you a listing of GPS waypoints if you have one. Not that one is needed. Most places are easy to find and easy to get around. Very few rocks so the worst thing is having to get out and push if you run aground. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. You might want to click on the following link and get info about the anchorages in the area. Check out the rest of the Florida Sea Grant Site for other info too. http://www.flseagrant.org/science/anchorage/anchorage_inventory.htm
Puget Sound Clubs
Interested in sailing/yacht clubs in the Puget Sound area. I am interested in renting a 23-26 foot sailboat June 2002. Also any info on the area, might trailer my 23 H.
Interested in sailing/yacht clubs in the Puget Sound area. I am interested in renting a 23-26 foot sailboat June 2002. Also any info on the area, might trailer my 23 H.
Reply to Ron Stephanson
1. State Launch Ramps: A link to the state launch ramps is at: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parksearch.asp Select Saltwater Activities/Boat Ramps and then "Find". That gets the state ramps state-wide but there are a number of county ramps. 2. State Boating Link: Another link in the same department, which is more general, is for the Boating Program: http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating.asp 3. Other Boating Links: http://access.wa.gov/government/awrecreat.asp#Boating. At this url (http://boat.iac.wa.gov/) select "Boating and Water Access" and there will be maps where ramp information is hot linked. This is the most comprehensive list of ramp information. 4. A good selection of sailing links for Puget Sound, including clubs, etc., is at the 48 North web site: http://www.48north.com/sailinks.htm 5. For charts I'd recommend the "Evergreen Cruising Atlas" for around $50 at http://shop.hunterowners.com/books/bookdetail.tpl?sku=90704
1. State Launch Ramps: A link to the state launch ramps is at: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parksearch.asp Select Saltwater Activities/Boat Ramps and then "Find". That gets the state ramps state-wide but there are a number of county ramps. 2. State Boating Link: Another link in the same department, which is more general, is for the Boating Program: http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating.asp 3. Other Boating Links: http://access.wa.gov/government/awrecreat.asp#Boating. At this url (http://boat.iac.wa.gov/) select "Boating and Water Access" and there will be maps where ramp information is hot linked. This is the most comprehensive list of ramp information. 4. A good selection of sailing links for Puget Sound, including clubs, etc., is at the 48 North web site: http://www.48north.com/sailinks.htm 5. For charts I'd recommend the "Evergreen Cruising Atlas" for around $50 at http://shop.hunterowners.com/books/bookdetail.tpl?sku=90704
to Warren Enninger
Thanks for your input. If I was somewhat hesitant before I am now all cranked up to go for it! Yes I would like some GPS positions for points of interest and areas to avoid. My regular email is rfussle@kconline.com Can we get by without a dingy?
Thanks for your input. If I was somewhat hesitant before I am now all cranked up to go for it! Yes I would like some GPS positions for points of interest and areas to avoid. My regular email is rfussle@kconline.com Can we get by without a dingy?
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