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. The BRIDGE HEIGHTS and BRIDGE WIDTHS vary slightly from canal to canal.

I contacted the canal maintenance department in the city of Punta Gorda to get their official response on bridge heights and widths. I am not guaranteeing these numbers but they look fairly accurate based on my travels to and from the canals. If you have a vessel that has a tower or upper station or is extra wide and you are concerned about these constraints you may wish to measure these for yourselves by hiring a captain to take you in to the canals. Here are the numbers I was given based on Mean High Tide. On average our tidal variation is about 2 feet but strong northeasterly winds can cause a very low tide and a strong southern push of wind can increase the tides as well.

Punta Gorda Isles Bridge Heights and Widths

1. Bass Inlet (next to Fisherman’s Village)- 13’ 8” Clearance, 28’ Width
2. Sailfish Inlet- 13.0’ Clearance, 30’ Width
3. Tarpon Inlet- 13’ 6” Clearance, 36’ 3” Width

Port Charlotte Bridge Heights

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.

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.

Route 41 (Tamiami Trail) and Interstate Rt. 75 Bridge Height

There are waterfront home communities above these bridges along with waterfront homes directly on the Peace River. In general, 45’ is the common number used as a limiting height for sailboat masts leaving from this area. I do not have an official answer from the county at this time but some have indicated 42’ as the magic number (perhaps a sailboater on the conservative side). For powerboaters, the bridge height shouldn’t be an issue. Sailboaters interested in Harbour Heights often must consider this bridge height as the limiting factor as to whether this community fits with the size of vessel they plan to moor at their dock.

The post Bridge Heights appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

To get the local tides you can go to www.saltwatertides.com

Most mariners are accustomed to a relatively predictable tidal pattern of 2 high tides and 2 low tides in a 24 hour period. In fact, Atlantic tides can be predicted each day by adding about 55 minutes to the low or high tide on each successive day. This is not the case for the gulf waters and Charlotte Harbor. We have days where there are only two tides! A tide chart is something that you have to refer to daily to know what the tides will be.

An explanation of how our area has such complex tides follows and I think you might find it to be very interesting. The different tides that you see reflect our unique geography – we’re caught between two basins, the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

The Atlantic coast has an orderly pattern of semidiurnal tides, with two high tides and two low tides each day. The Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico (Pensacola station) has predictable diurnal tides, with one high tide and one low tide. Southwest Florida, located right between these two distinct patterns, has mixed tides: sometimes two high tides, sometimes one daily high tide each day and sometimes an odd mixture of the two.

The particulars of water movement or oscillation within the Atlantic and Gulf basins is the major reason for the confusing variety of tides in our state. Tides move through these huge basins as waves, formed by the gravitational attraction of the sun. Exactly equal, balancing waves occur on the opposing side of the earth, due to centrifugal forces. As the earth turns on its polar axis, the successive high tides are a series of waves moving around the globe from east to west. Each flood tide high-water is the crest of a wave circling the earth – there are a series of waves with a distance of 12,000 miles from crest to crest.

When these enormous westward flood tide waves reach the coast of a continent, all of the energy cannot be absorbed, and a wave is reflected back toward the east – you cannot see it but it is there. This creates an oscillation of tidal energy back and forth within each geographic basin. Each ocean, sea, gulf or bay has a natural pattern of oscillation, which it determined by its length and its depth. Certain rhythms of those back-and-forth tidal oscillations fit better in large ocean basins, while other wavelengths are more closely attuned to smaller basins.

The lunar tidal influence results in two tidal waves circling the globe each 24 hours (to be exact, one wave crest, or flood tide, every 24 hours, 26 minutes). In addition, the solar tidal influence passes around the oceans of the northern hemisphere once a day, and creates another wave crest or flood ride that arrives once every 24 hours (exactly).

In the simplest terms, the lunar semidiurnal rhythm is synchronized with the natural oscillation of the Atlantic Ocean, while the solar diurnal rhythm is attuned to the natural oscillation of the Gulf of Mexico. Although Southwest Florida is part of the Gulf coastline, it is also near to the Atlantic tides; caught between these two tide patterns, Southwest Florida has a mixture of diurnal and semidiurnal tides. Between Pensacola and Flamingo, there may be one high tide in 24 hours on Monday, and then two high tides in 24 hours on Saturday of the same week. There may be no movement of water at all for six or more hours at a time. This complexity can be a source of frustration for fishermen as the fish completely understand how to react to these various tidal patterns but not always so easy for the angler.

The post Tides Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf of Mexico appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

Charlotte Harbor is a remarkably easy body of water to navigate. The shallow areas of the east and west side are distinctly obvious due to the presence of a sandy bar that runs parallel to the shoreline. On the outside of the bars you quickly will find 5 feet of water or deeper in a short distance. The amazing thing about Charlotte Harbor is that a deep spot is approximately 20 feet! Chart study will tell you that there are only a few of these “deeper holes” before entering Boca Grande Pass which leads you directly into the Gulf of Mexico.

The harbor is very well marked with day markers leading from the Peace River into the harbor. There are flashing buoys for nighttime navigation and a simple rule is to stay in the middle. Regardless of vessel type, deep draft sailboats, sport fisherman, trawlers and all larger vessels will not have a problem. You will certainly want to study your charts prior to navigating the harbor and one important navigational feature to be cautious with is Cape Haze Point. Cape Haze is the southern end of a mangrove peninsula located on the west side of the harbor and has a submerged sandbar that runs for over a mile in a general south-southeast direction. A buoy marks the southern end of the sandbar which makes it easy to keep from running aground. Depending on tide height a shallow draft boat can normally cross over the bar as long as it is not too close to the actual mangrove shoreline. Wave action and good water visibility will be your guide to navigating Cape Haze bar if you ignore the channel marker.

On the south end of the harbor lies an island named Bokelia which is actually the northern tip of Pine Island. Avoid getting too close the island as sandbars are formed there as well. Plenty of buoys and day markers will guide you to an easy and comfortable ride around the harbor or to the gulf. The harbor is quite a bit larger than it appears on a map and most mariners are amazed at how large it really is. On many days you will not have to leave the harbor to have an enjoyable day on the water.

The inter-coastal waterway (ICW) is located just east of Boca Grande Pass. Easy to spot on the chart and a wonderful deep water channel that will take you north and south. Countless great islands to visit, restaurants and hotel destinations. A boat ride to the Florida Keys is a common boating excursion and if you are in a fast boat can make it in 8 hours depending on sea conditions.

Going in the opposite direction the Peace River is an fantastic boating destination in itself. This is more geared towards the shallower draft boats and a day spent on this scenic river is quite remarkable. It is well marked with day markers to keep you in the channel.

Navigation from your waterfront home to the open channel waters varies depending on your canal. Generally, from Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) there are markers to guide your way out and a few trips back and forth will re-enforce your confidence. Several PGI canals exit from the north side of the Peace River in Punta Gorda Isles and there is an exit via the Ponce De Leon channel on the west side. Your home location will determine which canal you will use. Burnt Store Isles exits into Alligator Creek which is well marked. Pirate Harbor has a distinct set of channel markers for this community. There are other waterfront communities as well on the Peace River that have distinct channel markers. Port Charlotte canals lead to distinct channels that are very well marked making navigating safely to the harbor a breeze.

• Click here for more detailed information on water depths

The post Water Depths & Navigation appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

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.

The post Sailboat versus Powerboat Waterfront Homes appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

Capt. Chuck offers tours to preview homes from the waterside or to explore the many canal systems that lead to the homes. You may want to explore the many waterfront restaurants (some only accessible by boat), do a little fishing, beach shelling or just boat ride on one of the most beautiful and uncrowded waterways in southwest Florida. Whether you are looking to buy a waterfront home or an inland home, everyone’s life in Charlotte County is complimented by the waterfront lifestyle. Fresh seafood, waterfront restaurants, boat races, fishing tournaments, sailing regatta’s and waterside festivals are just part of the attraction.

Very few Realtors are licensed and have the knowledge to offer a boat tour. As one of Charlotte County’s top real estate agents, Capt. Chuck recognized that many people really need a look at the harbor to know what they’re really buying — in his own words: Charlotte Harbor — the biggest, most beautiful playground in the world and only minutes from your doorstep! Call The Captain today to help you find the house that you have always dreamed of!

The post Boat Tours appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

Most people interested in buying a waterfront home would like to know how long it takes to get out to open water. Open water generally means the open waters of Charlotte Harbor where you can put your boat up on plane. If a short boat ride time is important to you than you really need the straight scoop on how long a ride it is going to be from your dock. Realtors often don’t really know the boat ride times and “wing it”. Some get it right and some get it wrong. Needless to say there is a lot of variability when you try to put a hard and fast number on exactly what the boat rides times are. Your boat speed is the biggest factor and “no wake”, “minimum wake” mean different things to different boaters. The number of houses or absence of houses and the actual canal width will affect where you keep your throttle as well. You can buy a CANAL MAP from the local chart manufacturer WaterProof Charts. Ask for chart #03E to cover all of the canals in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda

The simplest way that I know to covey accurate approximate boat ride times out from various streets in various waterfront neighborhoods is by doing the boating myself or talking with neighbors that live on the various canals. These are going to give you a good honest general time frame out. If your anxious to leave the dock and get out there you may be doing it quicker or if your relaxing on your way back in and are put-putting your way in, it will be longer. Here is a list of boat ride times from named streets. I am constantly updating this list so that my customers will truly have a good idea of how long a boat ride to expect.

Burnt Store Isles

1. Macedonia & Isparta Ct. Intersection via Alligator Creek- 22-25 Minutes

Pirate Harbor

1. Henry Morgan to Pirate Harbor channel- 7-8 minutes
2. Pirate Harbor Blvd to Pirate Harbor channel- 4-6 minutes
3. Jean Lafitte Blvd. to Pirate Harbor channel- 10-3 minutes

Port Charlotte

1. Bangsberg to open water- 1-4 minutes
2. Rock Creek near Victoria Ave. via Pellam Waterway- 17-20 minutes
3. Collingswood and O’hara intersection via Manchester Waterway- 20-23 minutes

Punta Gorda Isles- Sailboat Waterfront

1. Flora Lane via Pompano Inlet- 5-6 Minutes
2. Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club via Pompano Inlet- 7-9 Minutes
3. Charlotte Amalie via Ponce de Leon Inlet- 10-12 Minutes
4. Parisian Court via Ponce de Leon Inlet- 12-15 Minutes

Punta Gorda- Alligator Creek

1. San Sebastion Harbor directly out to Alligator Creek- 20 minutes
2. Palm Drive and Boardman via Alligator Creek- 12-15 minutes

• Click here for more detailed information on boat ride times

The post Canal Boat Ride Times appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

For powerboaters, this is quite likely the best boating area in the southern of Florida. The waterways are largely uncongested, clean, full of fish and wildlife- add to that you will find waterfront restaurants, island hotels and marinas in perfect locations. You will find every style of boat being used here because the diversity of our waterways is unique with no other area of Florida having the combination of bay, harbor, remote backcountry, islands and gulf convenient from your doorstep. There is also access to the Atlantic via the Okeechobee waterway trail up the Caloosahatchee River. If you are a beginning boater you will find this the perfect place because there is no tricky navigation. Every day on Charlotte Harbor is remarkable and this is no exaggeration. You can expect to see dolphins jumping on every trip, manatees are very common, spotted eagle rays (stingrays) add beautiful grace to the waters and tropical seabirds such as the pink roseate spoonbill are here as well!

So what type of boat do you need? First, know that you can Call The Captain anytime for advice on what boat to buy, how large a motor to put on your boat and quite often I know of a good deal on a used boat. For the fisherman, a good all around boat would be a 22-foot shallow draft bay boat. This will allow you to fish the shallow backwaters and flats but will also allow you to take short jaunts to the gulf to enjoy the beaches and perhaps Tarpon fish just off the beaches. True die-hard flats fisherman may prefer to use a flats skiff perhaps 18 feet in length. Poling the shallows and sight fishing for redfish and tarpon are common here. For the offshore purist, I would recommend two types of boats for fishing. For ranges of 20 nautical miles offshore or less a boat of 24-26 feet will do the job on most days. This will help keep your fuel expenses down as well and a single engine boat is quite common. For longer runs, say 30-60 miles offshore to the areas where fish rarely every encounter a hook and line a 29’ to 36’ offshore runner with twins or triples is the way to go. A Contender, Regulator or Yellowfin in the 32’+ range will get the job done. Just make sure your fish box is large and packed with ice because monster grouper, giant snappers, dolphin, tuna and even billfish are normal catches. Kingfish, Cobia, Amberjack and just about any Gulf species are relatively easy to catch! If you are a boater that prefers a simpler way of life, then bring your canoe and kayak. Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands have hundreds of miles of pure shallow water estuaries and wilderness to explore and the Blueway Water Trail has kayak trails marked in the boonies to be sure you make it back the same day. Remember the phrase “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”? Tippecanoe Bay is right here on Charlotte Harbor at the mouth of the Myakka River!

Really There Is No End To The Variety Of Boating! We have 2 major rivers that feed the harbor that offer an incredible adventure and are perfect for any type of small boater. Charlotte Harbor is fed by two rivers, the Peace River to the east and the Myakka River to the northwest. Each is a formidable river containing good water depths and run for 20-50 miles. Incredible fishing for largemouth bass, redfish, snook and tarpon are to be found! Fossil hunting is a way of life on the Peace and large Megaladon shark teeth attract fossil collectors from all around. Wiley gators will be observed on most days and surprisingly many people swim in the river without harm from the gators! The old Tarzon movies were shot on the Peace River- when I tell you that it feels remote and wild you can believe me!

For Boaters Who Want To Cruise This Is The Perfect Place! Boats for cruising are as diverse as their owners. Generally, 20 feet and larger is all you need. Some prefer a cabin for over-nighters and some like a simple boat with a bimini top. There are hundreds of quiet bays to explore and to spend the night on. Island places like Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Boca Grande, Little Gasparilla Island, Cabbage Key, Useppa, Pine Island Sound, Cape Haze, Cayo Costa, Lemon Bay and Redfish Pass are a day trip from any dock in Punta Gorda or Port Charlotte. Cruising to the barrier islands and beaching your boat is a lifestyle! Add to your day a visit to an island restaurant for a grouper sandwich and cold beer and you are pretty close to Paradise!! Tropical blue turquoise water is the quiet backdrop for shell collecting, beach exploring and sun bathing that is close to home. By the way, the beaches are never crowded and many of the islands are basically deserted. Bring the family dog and let him loose…..how could it be any better!

For The Trailering Boater – The good news is there are boat ramps in many locations and often lightly used. Many ramps are free or very inexpensive and provide access to great fishing areas in the harbor and some with quick access to the gulf. If you prefer to keep your boat in a marina, you will have plenty of options. In the water, dry land or rack storage will be found. Many marina operations will fuel your boat and clean it at the end of the day. Click Here for more information on local marinas.

With over 129 square miles of sparkling, protected waters you can spend hours sailing, kayaking, fishing or cruising without ever having to enter the Gulf of Mexico or the intracoastal waterway. There are hundreds of miles of rivers and canal systems that provide interesting boating experiences as well. If you are an experienced boater or just ready to retire wanting to give boating and fishing a try then Call The Captain! I will help you with any questions and if you’re interested we can spend a day on the water.

The post Boating in Southwest Florida appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

At 5 to 25 feet above sea level, Charlotte County enjoys a climate characterized as sub-tropic where extremes of temperature in both summer and winter are checked by the tempering influence of the Gulf of Mexico. Prevailing winds are an easterly average of 12-18 mph.

The post Southwest Florida Weather appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

Some guidelines on what to expect when you drop your boat in the water is always helpful. Many mariners considering buying a home often ask how long a boat ride is it to various locations. Weather and water conditions always dictate how fast you can go and we all have a different idea of what is a safe speed. Different watercraft will handle the seas differently than others and rarely do you ever go a constant speed for too long without changing the throttle, adjusting your trim or trim tabs.

As a general guideline, using one of my smaller boats (18’ flats skiff with 150hp motor) here are some approximate times. These times obviously do not count the time it takes to exit the canal.

• From the general Punta Gorda Isles area to Boca Grande Pass- 30-45 minutes
• From the general Punta Gorda Isles area to North Captiva- 50-70 minutes
• From Pirate Harbor to Boca Grande Pass- 17 to 20 minutes (this is approximately 11 miles)
• From Pirate Harbor to Useppa Island- 20-25 minutes

• Click here for more detailed information on boat ride times

The post Boat Ride Times appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.

One common misconception when reviewing MLS listings is a field that indicates Yes or No for pets. In general, you can ignore this field in the MLS as dogs and cats are allowed on nearly every type of property. All single family homes, most homes in gated neighborhoods, most condominiums and townhouses. There are a few exceptions but rare! Some condos have a size restriction and that is information that I can provide so that we match up the home-buyers & pets to the right type of property. So don’t worry, if you’re like me my pets go where I go and they are a big part of our life. Whether on land or sea, my dogs are with me. In fact, they get excited when I bring a fish aboard!

Dogs are welcome at many restaurants that have outside seating. There are also quite a few hotels that allow dogs and cats as well. There are beaches to take the dogs by car and beaches to go to by boat- pretty cool! I would guess that close to half the homeowners in SW Florida have pets and there are plenty of good pet stores and some excellent kennels if you travel. Below you will find a list of kennels and if you would like, I will recommend my kennel. My dogs come home happy and content from the kennel which is comforting after a nice vacation.

Below is a list of dog parks, beaches that allow dogs and other information. Generally speaking, there is a lot of open space in Charlotte County! Good news, because it makes walking the dog a pleasure.

Pet Kennels

• Click on the link below which will take you to a list of local pet kennels, groomers and vets. This includes a web link, map and phone number of each:
  Pet kennels, groomers and vets

Hounds of Henry Street

Punta Gorda dog park is located at Henry and Shreve Streets in Punta Gorda, next to the City of Punta Gorda’s Public Works building. The park offers a fenced area for large dogs, and a small dog and puppy fenced park area. Water is available. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs at all times. No public restroom facilities at this park.

Paw Park in Port Charlotte Florida

Located at the Edgewater Park 22410 Bayshore Rd. Port Charlotte. Dog owners can bring their dogs to run within a fenced in area. The dogs can be unleashed inside the park and the dogs need to possess a current

rabies vaccine and license before entering the park. The license tag needs to be displayed on the dog at all times when inside the park. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs at all times. This facility is managed by the Charlotte County parks and Recreation Dept. For further inquiries about this park, please contact (941) 627-1628

Venice, Florida

South Brohard Beach Paw Park

Fort Myers, Florida

Barkingham Park Fort Myers Lee County

Dog Beach Fort Myers

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota Paw Park

Located at 4570 17th Street, east of Beneva Road, west of Honore Avenue. Open dawn til midnight.

Lighted area, 6-foot fence, 7 acres, fenced, benches, tables, handicap, poop bags, trees, parking, restrooms, water, trash cans, dog shower, small-dog area, double-gated entrance, bulletin board. Directions: From I-75, take Exit 39 Fruitville Road. Go west on Fruitville to Honore Ave. Right on Honore. Continue north on Honore to 17th St. Turn left on 17th Street. Continue West on 17th. Pass first entrance to 17th Street. Paw Park is north of Fruitville Road; South of University, on 17th Street between Beneva Road & Honore Avenue.

Bird Key Park

On the John Ringling Causeway, not far from St. Armands Circle, east of the bridge. This is Sarasota’s only beach allowing both dogs and cats.

The post Pets appeared first on Southwest Florida Real Estate.