Charlotte Harbor is a premier sailing destination and has been recognized by SAIL Magazine as one of the top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States. Sailboat regattas are a way of life here and encompass races in various boat classes. We have it all from professional regattas to formats that allow beginners to enjoy the sport and everything in between. Charlotte Harbor is a relatively protected body of water perfect for short courses and long courses extending over 20 miles. No need to enter the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy sailing!
Charlotte Harbor has been host to 4-day events, with top 3 finishers in each class along with wonderful social mixers. One hundred boats can be expected at such an event with more than 400 sailors hailing from New England to Florida and California. This is a true community event and spectators can enjoy the action from sight-seeing boats.
There are many sailing clubs and many types of sailors and many types of races and regattas. There are series that race on weekdays where there is no fanfare, drinks and partying after the race. On the other hand there are fabulous events on the harbor and in other nearby locations in Ft. Myers. The Summerset Regatta is one such event at Ft. Myers Beach which even includes buoy racing. There is a Charlotte Harbor Regatta board along with other club partners that stages the U.S. 2.4mR Class Association Pre-Worlds, the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World Championships which has been tremendously successful. Most of these have become annual events and the community supports these events with festivals, barbeques and a beach party might even be included at the Charlotte Harbor Beach Complex. There is also a sailing center in Punta Gorda that has become very active in the community involving the youth in this great sport. Sailboat rentals are available.
The Leukemia Cup has been held here many times and annually there is the Conquistador Cup Regatta. Club races are frequent and countless friendships are made. You can expect day, weekend and week long sailing excursions with local friends – race fans of course enjoy this too! Stops to beautiful Gulf Islands and perhaps a night at a beachfront hotel with your boat moored on the bayside might be appealing as well.
The CMCS Summerset Regatta has a history as the oldest continuous regatta in Southwest Florida. The venue changes but the theme remains the same with buoy and distance race competitions, banquet dinner with special trophies and door prizes, lots of racing yachts, supportive cruising boats and sponsorships. This race has taken place in Naples, Marco Island, Burnt Store Marina and Fort Myers Beach. This is a fun event for the entire family including racing, happy-hour events, outdoor poolside cocktail party, fabulous door prizes, and the awards banquet dinner. Seasoned skippers and beginners enjoy the lifestyle and share great times together. Most local races start at red Day Marker #2 in the Peace River which is within sight of the Peace River bridge and Fisherman’s Village.
As you can see sailing, racing and living the waterfront lifestyle go hand in hand. There is nothing more pleasurable than leaving your own dock and in a short time hearing the horn blast of the beginning of a race. Owning a sailboat waterfront home in Punta Gorda or Port Charlotte is a dream for many and I can help you live the dream. Call The Captain! Chuck Eichner 941-628-8040
