Homes on the Water that can Moor a 40 Foot Boat or Larger.

Many people that arrive in Sarasota, who may have never had any interest in boating, soon discover that they want to have a boat because there is so much to do on the water. Others who are looking at Sarasota, and who love boating, are looking at Sarasota because there are many places you can moor a boat larger than 40 feet. That is the topic of today's article: Finding places where you can keep a large boat in the water. I will discuss locations from St. Armand's Circle down to the south bridge on Siesta Key that are ideal for large boats.

I want to start in the downtown area.  Bird Key is an ideal place for boats that are over 40 feet in length.  The outside of the island, while more expensive, has no problem handling large vessels.  The water is deep and the lots are typically 150' wide, enabling an owner to keep a very large boat moored at their dock.  The interior canals are also very good, too.  The houses are less expensive, but the canals are wide and deep.  The lots are also wide.  There are some canal front homes that are now around $1,000,000.  Houses on the exterior start much higher, usually over $1.7 million.

Moving to the west from Bird Key is the water on the east side of St. Armand's Circle.  Most of the water is very deep and there is no problem getting larger vessels in and out of the coves.  Anywhere on the east portion, whether it is north or south of the Ringling bridge, is good water. Google Map offers a great view of this water http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.315197,-82.562857&spn=0.015138,0.045319&t=h&z=15.

As you move further south, towards the north end of Siesta, 90 percent of the homes that are on open water have excellent water access for a large boat.  As you head out towards the gulf, Bayou Louise, is the last place where docks are allowed for mooring boats.  There are also several canals on the north end of Siesta where a large boat can be stored and is more protected than on the bay.  See link http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=27.304463,-82.552192&spn=0.00757,0.022659&t=h&z=16.

To the east, north of the Siesta Key bridge, you can find protected water on the Hudson Bayou, in Harbour acres and south into Cherokee Park.  Further south gets iffy as the water is quite shallow.  Follow the link http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.318304,-82.542944&spn=0.007569,0.022659&t=h&z=16.

Moving south of Siesta Key bridge, there are many superb places for boat mooring.  Either east of the bridge or west provide spots for large boats.  Roberts Bay is a very protected bay that can easily handle a boat over 40 feet and it is a wide body of water.  There are many good spots along the western shoreline as you move south on Siesta Key.  The house values are also better. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.294681,-82.552257&spn=0.00757,0.022659&t=h&z=16

On the east side, there are many great spots.  Heck, there are even a few condos in Tidewood where a large boat can be kept and the values are great.  There are many canals in Aqualine Estates.  Stanford, Ridgewood, Baywinds and Meadowood are all nice canals.  Only downside is some of the canals are not very wide.  It makes turning around a challenge. Most have been dredged and can handle nice sized vessels in spite of the width challenge. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.265464,-82.538695&spn=0.015144,0.045319&t=h&z=15

One lot, in particular, that is on the bay that has good water is a listing at 1616 Baywinds.  With southern exposure and views of the bay, this 12,000 foot lot has water that is nearly 5 feet deep. it is a perfect lot to build on and is priced at under $645,000.  It is one of the best deals on the bay in Sarasota.  You can view it on my website at http://www.discoversarasotarealestate.com/.  See an aerial view here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.265464,-82.538695&spn=0.015144,0.045319&t=h&z=15.

There are also several nice mooring spots on Hollywood Ave.  Another nice lot is nearly 1/2 an acre and is bank-owned.  It has western exposure in the back and very nice water.  The lot is listed for just under $800,000.

That takes care of Bird Key to the middle of Siesta Key.  Next week I will look at spots from the south Siesta Key bridge down to Blackburn Road bridge.