CHARLOTTE HARBOR
IN TOP 10 SAIL MAGAZINE GREATEST PLACES TO SAIL
SAIL magazine has listed Charlotte Harbor as one of the top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States. The June issue of SAIL describes in a "Heavenly Harbor" article the Charlotte Harbor as 20 miles long and 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and "provides cruising options galore." Lined with mangrove forests and protected by barrier islands, the harbor offers wide-open sailing areas, limited boat traffic, an abundance of anchorages, an (unusual for some parts of Florida) a lack of bridges. Gasparilla Island, the historic town of Punta Gorda, and Cayo Costa State Park on Pelican Bay are three of the area's cruising hot spots. Charlotte Harbor's sailing season is year round. Local cruisers and trailersailors are spoiled by water temperatures that top 85 degrees in summer and sea breezes that register 12 to 15 knots.
Once your're out of the harbor, the gulf is your playground. "it's wide open once you get past our red marker two," says Mike McCartan of the Burnt Store Marina. There's Venice to the North, Naples to the South, and scenic Captiva and Sanibel Islands.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR YEAR ROUND:
Average wind speed 7 knots
Average air temperature 74 degrees
Average water temperature (June) 85 degrees
Sunny days 67 percent
Rainy days 31 percent
Monthly slip $ 10-15/foot
Annual slip $ 10-11/foot
Overnight slip $ 1-1.55/foot
The large-distribution magazine is read by 180,000 sailing lovers.
The theme of the article fits with the motto used by the Charlotte County Visitor's Bureau, which describes Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf islands as "Florida's Best-Kept Secret."
The designation by SAIL magazine follows earlier high rankings by Forbes and Money magazine of Punta Gorda in Charlotte County. The area has also been recognized by Men's Journal, MSN and Florida Trend magazine.
Michael Mulone, sports marketing manager for Charlotte County Visitor's Bureau, said the listing means a new chance for the county to contact a wider audience. Also, the county can use the designation for future sailing events. With the backing of SAIL magazine, the county can more easily attract competitive regattas or national sailing events, Mulone said.
"This adds to the credibility of what Charlotte Harbor has to offer," he said.
The recognition means new residents and visitors, which will increase tax dollars, Mulone said. Just this March, tourist development taxes were at an all-time high, with $295,000 in total monthly revenue.
"The SAIL magazine means a new audience," he said. "It's sometimes hard to get on the map."
Does hype kill?
Mulone said the new attention won't hurt the "Best-Kept Secret" moniker. The difference between Charlotte County and other locations is preservation; the county has protected 82 percent of the shoreline, he said.
Even with new development, Mulone said the county waterways will retain much of their feel.
"As we grow, we'll still keep our flavor as an unspoiled designation," he said.
And while others might disagree, the new recognition will help, said boater Dennis Peck.
At 54 years old, Peck enjoys small boat racing and what he calls handicapped sailing. Peck moved to the area in 1970 because of his love for sailing, and the SAIL magazine ranking will help propel the local sailing scene, he said.
Specifically, Peck hopes the designation could quicken his attempt to create a Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center at Laishley Park. There, he hopes to build a community of sailing lovers that would include children and the handicapped.
"It's a long overdue recognition," he said. "Most of us moved here because of the harbor. We are a sailing community and we ought to be more of a maritime sailing community. You meet new people."
"Most people go sailing for the experience," Peck said. "So, you open your door and you let them in."
This weekend Sarah Buck has plans to go sailing. With the three-day Memorial Weekend upcoming, the sailing schedule is slightly more elaborate than usual.
Buck and two friends plan to sail to one of the locations mentioned by the June SAIL magazine, Cayo Costa State Park , which is on the island the makes up the south shore of Boca Grande Pass.
Beginning first with a sailboat race, the three plan to sail out, throw out the anchors and then dingy over to the beach. Once on the island, the three women may go snorkeling and bird-watching.
"There are so many different things; you have the wind, you have the tides." she said. "We'll be gone all weekend."