We are relocating to Cape Coral area from So Cal in a couple years so I need to prepare soon. In the context of a 38 foot OS, what are the pros and cons of keeping the boat at home on a canal? We are interested in Punta Gorda to Fort Myers, with Gulf Access.

What type of lifts are recommended? What do you do with the boat upon hurricane approach? (Just earthquakes in California with NO WARNING)

Is it recommended to have a cover on the lift and should it be removeable for high winds?

Any other thoughts on Gulf Access canal life?

Wy?

Wy?

Not sure I understand the code thing but we moved to a canal home in Punta Gorda and just recently got another boat. We like the smaller town atmosphere better than Cape Coral or Ft Myers. We love it here and while the weather is great, we never expect the amount of wildlife and sealife around here.

One thing to consider though, it is 25 miles from downtown to the Gulf and at 25 mph that takes um, well, ah, about a while to get some of the hot spots like Cayo Costa and Gasparilla. Plus if you get way back in a canal, add that time at idle as well.

Only been down to Ft Myers in the boat once so far so I can't say anything about it.

F

Hello-

My father has a place on a canal in SW Cape Coral and My Wife and I live about 3 blocks away from him over off of Country Club. Its a great area to live and property is very cheap now. The canal ride is about 30 minutes to the river and another 30 minutes to the Gulf. But make sure you stay in SW Cape Coral or your canal ride could be more than an hour to get to the river.

Do a search on here for cape coral and alot of information will come up. Here are a couple links.


http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ape-coral.html

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...ght=cape+coral

The Cape and fort Myers aren't like they where 10 years ago. To many rules and nature nazis Every time we run down there buy boat I get pulled for something! Port charlotte and Punta gorda are like Cape coral and Fort Myers 10 years back.

Those are great responses from everyone. Maritime put out some informative links. We have looked into the Punta Gorda area too. Thanks for the tips on canal distance, location and time to open water. Very important.

For anyone else looking into Cape Coral, I found this page:
www.come-to-cape-coral.com

What are your thoughts on keeping a boat in the canal on a lift? And what the heck do you do when the winds get crazy during hurricane season? I have read about people cross tying boats to both sides of a canal, if it is narrow enough.

I too did not get the Wy. Sorry, not a big "poster"

Everyone has there boat on a lift down here. If you have a cover over your lift you just remove the canvas if the winds are going to be greater than 50mph. No big deal. Also you dont have to have a 38 ft boat down here. I thought the same thing when I moved down here and purcahsed a 38 formula fastec, now I own a 30 Motion. I think its the perfect boat down here. Outboards are great for saltwater. Way easier to take care of.

We would like to be able to take local boating trips and an occasional trip south of Naples, even to Key West. Most of the west coast boating is in the lakes like Havasu (4 hours) Mead (4 hours) or even further to Powell (5-6 hours). As for ocean boating here, the destinatons are very limited. Once you have been to Catalina Island...You've been to Catalina. The rest of the Channel Islands are basically uninhabited with lots of cliffs and rocks. We like the idea of a bigger boat for an overnighter. We have "cove" camped here and that's a lot of fun.

We won't be bringing California to Florida. California stays here.

Depending on wind and sea conditions a 17ft flats boat could make it to Key West from Sanible. On other days the Key West Express could have troubles gettin there and thats 85 or 90ft long (Ive been on it when this happens). Long trips by boat require a very flexible schedule to wait and find the best days to go and come home. 90% of the time a 24 to 28ft boat is all you will need.