Choosing a Sailboat Waterfront Home: Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda
By Capt. Chuck Eichner
Most anyone looking in Charlotte County considers either Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda when looking for a sailboat waterfront home. Sailboat waterfront here means different things so please be aware. For instance, in the Englewood area this term is used loosely as in many other areas. The term “Sailboat Waterfront” technically per the average realtor and resident, means without a bridge as everyone knows a sailboat has a mast and none of the bridges (except for Rt 41 across the Peace River, 45’ height) will accommodate a sailboat. With this said, as any sailor knows the most important aspect is sailboat draft and it goes without saying you cannot have a low bridge on your course. Draft is normally measured from the top waterline of the hull displacement to the bottom of the keel. Anyone that has run aground will tell you nothing is much more frustrating and of course, can be very dangerous depending on sea conditions.
Often in MLS listings the words sailboat waterfront are used very loosely and buyer beware after you have made the purchase. I can assure you this will never happen on my watch! If you are a sailor, or own a deep draft power boat or perhaps are interested in sailboat accessible homes because you realize there is intrinsically more value be sure you know what the water depth is from your dock to the outlet.
Port Charlotte in general has less water depth than Punta Gorda but it all depends on where in each town. Up the river in Punta Gorda is not a consideration for most sailors because river currents move the soft bottom of the river and shoaling and shallow water are quite the possibility. On the other hand, Port Charlotte has its share of shallow water sailboat homes. I call deep water here 6 feet and up, however you will find many will call deep water 5 feet. There are lots of waterfront homes with less than 5 feet and of course we are a tidal watershed with a normal 2 foot tidal swing from high to low. Sometimes on an east or north east wind in the winter months the tidal drop to low water will be more significant. Add a full moon and watch out as the tides go even lower. This is mother nature’s plan and you can expect this every winter. A 50 foot bluewater sailor might be fine with watching the tides for a month long venture to the Caribbean however if you are a day sailor with a 36’ craft you probably don’t want to watch the tides.
There are many complexities in choosing the right waterfront home for you and your boat. Only first hand knowledge and periodic canal and inlet soundings can assure you of which town is right for you. In fact, it is more accurate to say which town and which canal system and sometimes add to that where exactly the homes are located on the canal.
I do my homework so you don’t have to. Call The Captain when you are ready to buy a home for your boat!
