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Random Quote: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you get rid of him on the weekend.
I'm bringing the boat to Fort Myers beach area in November. sure could use some help. Whats the best boat ramp to launch a 24 footer. We are from Pa.( can't wait to leave) and the weather's starting to suck, the weatherman's calling for snow tomorrow. Anybody ever see or stay at Snookbrightmarina?
Never heard of Snookbright. There is a ramp on the south end of Ft. Myers beach at Lover's Key. I have never used the ramp, but I can tell you it's a very quick shot to the gulf from there. There is a very nice ramp a little bit further north, right before the Sanibel Island Causeway. I have launched and retrieved my 23' Boston Whaler Outrage there many times, never a problem.
If you've never boated the area, you will definitely want to review and bring a chart along. There are many, many flats out there and it's not all that tough to run aground. Still, inch for inch, one of the prettiest places I have ever had the chance to boat in. You won't be disappointed.
If you want any more info. on the area, send me a PM. I don't live there, but I have a condo in Ft. Myers and I go very often in the off-season when it's not rented out.
Cdave, ditto on the ramp at lovers key. On the left going south just over Big Carlos pass bridge.
The ramp at the sanibel causway is a nice ramp but the construction at the causway is a pain,
Ditto also on the shallow water, while you have great access to the gulf there are sandbars on both
sides of the pass, stay in the cannel and you should be fine. I hope this helps .
Ihope you are not a steelers fan, my buddies back in Cincy would kick my a$$ if they knew i helped
you , good luck
Your best bet is the boat ramp at Lover's Key like the other posters noted. Just head south along the beach you'll go over two bridges and you'll see the park on your left. The ramp is very nice and they have enough room for four boats to launch at one time. Do not leave anything in your tow vehicles as you might not have it when you return. any other questions about the area, shoot me a e-mail and I'll try to answer them. Have Fun.
I boat the area quite a lot when I am down there. Snookbright marina is located around mid island of Ft myers beach (Estero Island). It seems to be a nice marina....small but clean and friendly. Lovers Key is a very good place to launch from. This is a very nice boating area and good fishing too. There are a lot of things to do and places to go in the area. I'd be glad to assist with any questions or info regarding the area, nightlife, places to go, restaurants, etc.
Thanks Kevin, We are thinking of a different marina now,Maybe Salty Sams They have a ramp right at the marina. This would make life easy. Counting down the days till we can head south. After boating the great lakes in the summer we have such withdrawl in the winter, so the plan is to get some boating in throught the winter months around the Florida area. Hows the weather in Jan?
Salty Sams Marina is very nice. They have great docks, good restaurant and nightly entertainment.
A big plus is also that it is San Carlos island which is just before you have to go over the big bridge to get to the beach area (less traffic on this side). If you go to the Ft myers Beach CC webpage there is a good aireal view of the whole area---just click on it. My condo is located very close to Salty Sams on the back bay water. Make sure you stop by The Channel Mark restaurant---also has good food and nightly entertainment and has boat docking. Dockside restaurant has excellent pizza and bar food. There really is a lot to do in the area and some very good places/restaurants to go to.
Jan weather will be pleasant----can get up to mid 70's, but can also dip to upper 50's/60's at night. Good boating weather with a jacket/sweater. Don't hesitate to call if I can help with info.
Salty Sam's is one of my favorite places to go on my boat when I am there. Food's not all that great, but the view and atmosphere are very cool. Didn't realize they had a ramp. Have fun.
Thanks for the feed back on Salty Sam's. My Trucks fueled, boat's ready and I can't wait to take off. I owe you guys a beer for the tips! Sounds like my kind a place, Boating, good food and entertainment. Just doesn't get any better. Where are some of the spots you like to explore in that area, by boat?
You can't miss. One great place to go is Cabbage Key. You can look it up on your charts or you can simply ask around. It's a bit of a trip from Ft. Myers, but it's very pretty. Also, J.N. Ding Darling Park is very nice, although most parts are closed to motorized boats. Be careful with the shallow water. I can almost guarantee you will run aground. I almost always do!
In addition to the the already mentioned great places, Lover Key state park area is very nice. The gulfside beach area of lovers key is beautiful. Dog beach on the south end of Lovers Key is neat to see all of the people with their dogs. The back bayside of Lovers Keys is also beautiful boating. A little further south of Lovers Key (Bonita Springs area) on the beach is a good beach bar/restaurant (Docs)....you can throw anchor and get good food. Still further south, Goodland (known as drinking village with a fishing problem) is a great trip, especially on a weekend. This is on the end of Marco Island. It would be a bout a 1 hr trip from Lovers Key.
Going north, Sanibel Island is good and well known... about 15 minutes from Salty Sams. The Raggad Ass Saloon on Pine Island (St James City) is a neat boating stop (an easy 45 min from SS marina).
The previously mentioned Cabbage Key is further north in this direction.
Sanibel Harbour Resort is a neat place to dock and take a break.....great pools and nice property. It is on the Ft Myers side of the Sanibel bridge.
Bonita Bills on the water, down the road or waterway from SSams, just under the big bridge is a neat place....especially for morning coffee...even if you drive.
If you just want to throw anchor and listen to music......go to the Ft Myers beach area by Jimmy B's and the Lani Kai.....this is where boaters like to gather on the beach. This is a short ride from SS marina.
Just make sure you watch the markers and take it easy. Ask directions and also take note of tides and current when docking.....sometimes it can get tricky. Most af all relax and have fun!
Grinder, I have been going to Sanibel every year since I was about 8 years old and have been bringing my boat since I had one (about 15 years). I even have a condo in Ft.myers and bring my boat there every once in a while. I have never heard of some of those places you mentioned. Thanks. I am going to have to try those. Now I am jonesing to get my boat over there with enough time to run to the Lani Kai or Goodland. Sounds like a blast. Thanks for the good info.
Yes, it is a very, very nice place. Been there by both car and boat. While I always prefer boating, Sanibel/Captiva islands are also a very good place to visit by vehicle.....beautiful drive, neat shops, and restaurants. There is a $6 toll to pay going on to the island.
Definitely stop by Barnacle Phil's in North Captiva for lunch (south of Boca Grande pass). The approach coming from the south is via Pine Island Sound at red CM 48. Turn left and stay on the right side of the old Fish House on stilts (painted blue). There is a navigable channel very close to shore surrounded by very shallow water. On the way back, anchor up at Charlie pass where you can wade onto shore (very cool).
North Captiva reminds me of the way Sanible/Captiva used to be back in the 70's. Enjoy!
The trip was Great, we didn't want to leave. We stayed at Salty Sam's and the marina was top notch. Staff was very helpful too. My luck wasn't good the first part of the week, three days of small craft warnings ( crazy north wind ). We day tripped to Cabbage key on Thanksgiving day Graet ride and the Thanksgiving dinner there was the best. The next day we run from Fort Myers Beach up to the Colosahachee river then up river to Fort Myers. Great boating in that area. One of the days when the wind was up we ran south on the ICW almost to the San Carlos pass but maybe a 1/2 mile or so from the pass it got very shallow like 1 1/2 feet in the channel, it wasn't low tide either? i guess it needed dredged. Sure is a boater's dream in that area though.
Boat ramp Fort Myers Beach area?
Anybody ever see or stay at Snookbrightmarina?
Hows the weather in Jan?
