Punta Gorda
A common local expression is to refer to a home as a sailboat waterfront home. In short, this means there are no bridges to pass under in order to get to open water.
The canal systems in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte comprise of intersecting waterways that lead to the harbor. Some homes are situated on what is known as a “Sailboat Canal” which means that there is no bridge to pass under. It does not guarantee water depth. Homes that have waterways that pass under at least one bridge are known as “Power Boat Canal” homes.
In Punta Gorda one main road in is West Marion which leads from downtown Punta Gorda to Ponce de Leon Park to the west. This road is one dividing line for sailboat homes versus power boat homes. All homes on the north side of West Marion are sailboat homes and this area is considered the “Old Sailboat Section”. Another main road that runs north to south is Bal Harbor Blvd. which intersects with West Marion. Generally speaking the south and east quadrant formed by these two streets is known as the “Power Boat Section”. There are several canals that lead out to the harbor from these homes and they all must pass under West Marion. These are “Power Boat Homes”. The BRIDGE HEIGHTS and BRIDGE WIDTHS vary slightly from canal to canal. Please click on my link to bridge heights and widths to get dimensions.
Port Charlotte
The major road in to Port Charlotte waterfront homes is Edgewater Drive. Edgewater generally runs east to west and creates a dividing line between sailboat waterfront homes and power boat homes. Boaters leaving from homes on the north side of Edgewater have at least one bridge to go under which is Edgewater Drive. Depending on the canal location there may be one or more bridges to pass under. The homes that are on the south side of Edgewater before reaching Midway are SAILBOAT WATERFRONT HOMES. There are several sections: One is locally known as “Doctors Row” which are the homes located on the side streets off of Edgewater to the east of Harbor Blvd. These sailboat waterfront homes have super quick access out and deep water. Many of the local doctors live there as it is a very convenient location to town.
Another sailboat waterfront area is known as the Beach Complex area. This is located off of Harbor Blvd., south of Edgewater. This is often known as the New Sailboat section.
I was unable to get an official answer on these bridge heights. Most bridges appear to have an 11 foot clearance and in talking with various home owners they confer on this as a safe number.
