boating around Port Charlotte , FL

[rickasbury]

Hi all, new to this web site looking around and thought I'd pose the question as I saw some other posts from folks in the Port Charlotte area....

My wife and I are staying on Cayo Costa next week, will be on the water on Saturday. Leaving out of Pineland Marina on Pine Island, our dock we are going to is almose due west of Cabbage Key and the marina. I've been looking at charts of the area, and it does not look like I can travel east to west without possibly running aground. It looks like I need to head kind of north west towards the inlet and go over more to the state park area/pelican bay and then hug the island south to where I need to go.....or pick up the icw on the east side of cabbage key but it looks like water depth is a problem getting over to Cayo Costa. I've a 20' Tahoe inboard/outboard. Thoughts in general for navigating the area???

Thanks!

Rick

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: boating around Port Charlotte , FL

Hi Rick,

I am very new to boating and don't think I will be much help but... I live in Fort Myers/Cape Coral which is exactly the area you will be in. Last year my wife and I rented a 26' hurricane and took it out to cayo casta from Cape Coral. Cabbage key, is that the one with Barnacle Phils?

There are a lot of shallow areas as you said... It was our first time boating and it really scared the crap out of me. We just purchased a 16' hurricane and are planning on taking it out of estero tomorrow morning.

Just stay in the designated areas and you should be fine. There a usually quite a few people out during the weekends, so you shouldn't have trouble finding someone to help guide you.

Anyway, have fun!

Matt