tashmoo1

We're intetested in getting a place on a canal between Punta Gorda & Sarasota & wondered what Gulf access is like in those areas -rough, etc? We run a 29' Strike.

osprey34229

The thread just b/4 this ie Cape Coral/Punta Gorda
covers that area very well. Just a word of caution
on canals-- we have very low tides during the winter.
This factor plus silting problems render some canals
not usable 24/7 !! Get a chart of area this will help.
As you go north from Lemon Bay :
stump pass_silts and moves
Venice pass- good 24/7
Srq big pass -need local knowledge
Srq new pass-ok
Check on no wake zones as these are time killers.
I hope this helps.

cheesegrits

I agree with Osprey! My suggestion would be to get on www.virtualearth.com and look at some places in that area. You can zoom in and see cars in driveways when you go to the aerial view.

tashmoo1

Which are the safest inlets in that general area?

beachbum43

The safest inlet in the area has got to be Venice.

C Skip R

Charlotte Harbor

__________________
43' Cabo FB
36' Grady White
27' Contender

SPELLBOUND

The two best passes by far are Boca Grande and Venice.

mahi231

If you find something in Sarasota you like, New Pass and Longboat Pass will offer plenty of water for your Strike. They are on the north and south ends of Longboat Key.

__________________
Tom
31' Jupiter

jcbshark1

In a canal also be sure to check bridge clearance,too many are way low.

callforbids

I have seen boats go out into the Gulf of Mexico using Stump Pass passing the one acre?? island just east of the pass on both the north side (Marker 18) and the south side (Marker 17).

Can anyone tell me what the preferred routing is. I ran into some skinny water using the north side, but the channel is not marked very well and I may have varied a little too much to the left.

Thanks!

Steve