towing my C22 next winter from NM to Florida.

[Sailor boy]

I am doing early research for next winter (Jan & Feb). Long distance towing a C22 to Florida and any marina, anchoring, best sailing waters you will share. Plan to be in the Pine Island area (Gulf) and then down to the Keys. Appreciate any info to make our (first mate Hanne) and my journey special .... Sailor Boy

 

[31seahorse]

Hello,

On Pine Island you can launch from several places. Matlatcha (Matt la shay), Bokeelia (Boo key lee ah), or St James City (just like it seems). Matlatcha will put you into the channels and shallow waters between Pine Island and Cape Coral. Motoring necessary, but interesting for birds/wildlife/bugs/tourists! Bokeelia has a Lee County Launch ramp that purs you into canals for about 1/2 mile then out of Shell Cut through which you can enter Charlotte Harbor (great, protected water.....often like having your own sailing area....just avoid the sand bars out of Shell Cut) and go to Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, the ICW, Boca Grande, Cayo Costa State Park (a definite for good anchorage in Pelican Bay and going ashore to the park), Useppa, Cabbage Key and more going down the ICW.

Launching from Goodland south of Marco Island will put you in range of Everglades Park and will offer you many great anchorages along that coast.

Don't miss Marathon. Boot Key Harbor and the people there were helpful and friendly. We have not sailed south of the 7 mile bridge.

Use appropriate charts, a cruising guide, and a depth sounder! Shallow water abounds!

Contact us if you like via this site.

Phil

 

[Sailor boy]

sailor boy

Thanks for all the good info for Florida. Heading up to sail for a couple of days at Heron Lake. We Hanne and I will head for one of the several coves and drop anchor, swim -cook- and play ..... I have been reading about the sailing around Pine Island. Sounds real good plus I see there is some good seafood restaurants there. I haven't had any red meat in 25 years so I keep an eye out for very good seafood ..... :stirthepot:
Sailor boy

 

[seadaddler]

Charlotte Harbor

Charlotte harbor is a very protected are for sailing and many many places to launch your boat with cheap parking fees.
But try picking up some paper charts and Captain Bob's cruising guide SW Florida which has great info for anchoring and marina's all all kinds of really good info which I used for my trip this past april up to tarpon springs and cruisersnet has great info of the same marina's and anchoring and all kinds info.
When in Pine Island a must is Cabbage Key,Cayo Costa State Park,Pelican Bay.
Give us a shout when your coming down and we can help with all info needed for your trip.
Nick

 

[Sailor boy]

Re: Charlotte Harbor

hey thanks -- We will be heading down the first part of Jan 2012 - a Virgo getting going early forour two month journey.... will give a shout out
you might want to read my wife's story just published in LAT & ATTS mag last month ..
http://web.me.com/transatlantic2u/Site/Change_of_Course.html

 

[CaptDon01]

Enjoyed reading your link about sailing off the SoCal coast. Great story! We'll be departing for Catalina Island in a couple weeks ourselves and our first night will be in Oceanside. Second leg up to Dana Point, then cross to Two Harbors for 4 nights in paradise. Returning we'll have a long day from Two Harbors direct to Oceanside, then back to Mission Bay.

Nice looking C-22 by the way.....

Don

 

[Sailm8]

Check out all american boat yard for launch and storage of truck and trailer. http://aaboatstorage.com/. Also read Sumner's postings on his trip from Utah to Charlotte harbor. A lot of good info. His post is here in Destinations.

edit: Forgot to add that many launch ramps in the keys are very short. Our C22 had and extendable tongue but we still ended up dropping the wheels off the ledge at the end of the ramp. Several times we needed to find a lift to pull out. Also you might want to read: http://www.adventurevista.com/Cruising-Florida-2010.php

 

[zeehag]

and there is the forgotten coast--appalachicola and the icw to port st joe and white city and northward....and southward.... is beeeyoooteeefulll