Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) is a community that consists of sailboat friendly waters meaning No Bridges to restrict mast height. Sailboat waters in the greater southwest Florida area has no reference to water depth however most neighborhoods in Punta Gorda have at least 6 feet of water depth in the exit channels and even more in the canal systems.
Locally there is a term used known as the “Power Boat Section”. This is strictly in reference to Punta Gorda Isles only. The power boat section of PGI is a clearly defined area that has a bridge that restricts mast height or upper stations on power boats when leaving your dock and heading out to open water. The average bridge height for overhead clearance is around 14 feet on most of the bridges that are ONLY found on West Marion Avenue that runs east to west and is a major thorough-fare into the neighborhood. The first bridge as you head west is located just west of Fisherman’s Village with the water exit below known as Bass Inlet. The second bridge is just past Maria Court to the east and the last bridge which is the highest is just past Divinci Drive to the east. The waterway at Divinci Drive which we call the Colony Point canal is the only canal that runs from the Peace River and Ponce de Leon Park. This canal system has significant water flow because it has two exit points. If you are on the north side of the bridge you are sailboat friendly on the south side of the bridge its sailboat friendly but you must travel to Ponce Inlet, about 18 minutes or so to get to open water. Homes on the south side of this bridge can easily go under the bridge with quicker exit to the Peace River if mast height or helm station clearance is not an issue. Plenty deep water in this canal system as well.
The physical land boundaries to the Power Boat section are roads as follows: West Marion to the north, Aqui Esta Blvd to the south, Coronado Drive to the west and Magdalina Drive to the east.
Over time the sailboat lots were identified as more valuable because of the lack of a bridge. The reality of the boating world is that sailors actually are a much smaller segment of the boating population than power boaters. To me, the logic is not there but the selling price of a power boat lot is almost always less than a sailboat lot. The power boat lots are also quick access to the Peace River, meaning 15 minutes or less for most homes. That’s the short story. Many of the power boat lots are a very good bargain. They have quick access to open water, good water depth and most boaters will not have a problem with the bridge clearance. Still the sailboat accessible lots sell for more money and I expect that trend to continue.
