Sarasota is fortunate to have so many excellent boat storage facilities and marinas. This article will focus on some of the nicer marinas and their amenities, along with some of the fine yacht clubs in the area.
I will start at New Pass and the world class marina, Marinemax. Located on the south side of the pass and only minutes from the Gulf, this is an excellent facility that offers dry storage for boats up to 32", state-of-the-art service repair center, boat sales, and great amenities for boat lovers. They offer unlimited launches, engine flushes, hull washing and a variety of other services. They will even start your boat and fill your coolers with ice, if needed or requested. See there site here for directions and information http://www.marinemaxsarasota.com/.
Our next stop takes us downtown to Marina Jack's located in the center of town. If you want to have a boat downtown, this is the place to be. Located at the beginning of Main St., Marina Jack's has a variety of slips to offer, plus fuel, and a fine restaurant. They are capable of handling boats well over 100 feet in length. Go to their site and see it from the air www.marinajacks.com/ . Named Sarasota's first environmentally clean marina.
The Bird Key Yacht Club is directly to the West of Marina Jack's and is a family owned marina. There are lots of slips, but it can be a challenge to get one. There is no dry storage for boats, but it is a very protected basin for large boats. You can visit their site at http://www.birdkeyyc.com/.
Going west from there is the brand new Sarasota Yacht Club that was just recently completed and now open for business. It is a beautiful facility. Designed by Mark Sultana, the building has a modern beach feel to it. Clean lines and lots of glass throughout the building offer up stunning views of Bird Key and downtown Sarasota. They have excellent service and lots of slip storage. Their site offers a great look at the new facility http://www.sarasotayachtclub.org/Home-1.html.
Heading south through the ICW, the Field Club offers a nice storage facility for their members. No repairs can be handled, but you can get fuel at their main docking area.
The newest facility is on the Phillippi Creek. It is a brand new state-of-the-art facility that also meets hurricane standards. It is a five minute ride from the ICW. They offer launches, cleaning, and fuel. I have also noticed that there are some racks that are for sale at great prices, down from their high during the boom. Nice facility and centrally located.
Siesta Key Marina is located just south of of the Stickney Point Bridge and has been in service for many years. They have dry storage, repairs and a parts department that offer excellent service. They also have a sales department for new boats.
Four miles south of Siesta Key Marina is Turtle Beach Marina. They are located on the south end of Siesta Key. In business for many years, they offer dry storage, slips and repairs. They, too, have a restaurant and bar next to the marina. They provide all types of storage and have a new dry storage facility. They can detail you boat and shrink wrap it if you intend to keep it in storage for a lengthy period. See them at http://www.turtlebeachmarina.net/
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Longboat Key and North for 40 Foot Boats!
This is my last installment on great spots to moor a boat over 40 feet. In my last two segments, I discussed spots for larger boats in all the areas south of the John Ringling Bridge all the way south to Blackburn Road Bridge.
If you are more interested in areas north of the John Ringling Bridge, look no further. As you move north past the John Ringling Bridge, many spots are available. Most of the good water and docks are located along Longboat Key. On the east side, the closest place to town to store a larger boat are the docks provided by Condo on the Bay. There are several townhouses that have their own docks. You are right downtown and access is very good. From there, you are only 10 minutes to the Gulf. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.339654,-82.549521&spn=0.001892,0.005665&t=h&z=18
As you move north in the ICW, along the eastern shore, there are a few spots available, but once you pass Whitaker Bayou, it become more challenging. There are many docks, but the water is not as deep as there are sea grass beds along the shore and the water tends to be very shallow.
The better spots for large boat moorings can be found from New Pass to the north. In Lido Shores, along Westway Drive, the water is very deep and you are only minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. The only downside is that you are also vulnerable to storms and wave surge as there is not much protection as you are basically on the open water. Directly north there is a small enclave of houses in the Longboat Key Club where some of the houses are more protected. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.330581,-82.583016&spn=0.003784,0.01133&t=h&z=17
Moving north along the eastern shoreline of Longboat Key, a boat lover has a myriad of options to choose from when considering mooring spots for their larger boat. Country Club Shores offers 18 canals that provide plenty of space for larger boats. Longboat Key Club also offers great water and lots of bayous and harbours to store a large boat. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.344172,-82.596588&spn=0.015134,0.045319&t=h&z=15
One hidden gem, Emerald Harbour, is located at the north end of LBK. One of the nice features is that you are only 15 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. The canals are very wide and protected. It is also one of the few places where you live in a nice neighborhood and you have a deeded beach access. The walk is only a few minutes from any of the homes. Pricing is also a factor. This morning, I was able to pull up 3 nice homes priced under $800,000. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.420729,-82.663021&spn=0.007562,0.022659&t=h&z=16
Well, that about covers all the areas you can store large boats from the north end of Longboat Key all the way south to Casy Key.
Next week I will be talking about dry storage facilities for boats. Should be fun and informative.
If you are more interested in areas north of the John Ringling Bridge, look no further. As you move north past the John Ringling Bridge, many spots are available. Most of the good water and docks are located along Longboat Key. On the east side, the closest place to town to store a larger boat are the docks provided by Condo on the Bay. There are several townhouses that have their own docks. You are right downtown and access is very good. From there, you are only 10 minutes to the Gulf. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.339654,-82.549521&spn=0.001892,0.005665&t=h&z=18
As you move north in the ICW, along the eastern shore, there are a few spots available, but once you pass Whitaker Bayou, it become more challenging. There are many docks, but the water is not as deep as there are sea grass beds along the shore and the water tends to be very shallow.
The better spots for large boat moorings can be found from New Pass to the north. In Lido Shores, along Westway Drive, the water is very deep and you are only minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. The only downside is that you are also vulnerable to storms and wave surge as there is not much protection as you are basically on the open water. Directly north there is a small enclave of houses in the Longboat Key Club where some of the houses are more protected. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.330581,-82.583016&spn=0.003784,0.01133&t=h&z=17
Moving north along the eastern shoreline of Longboat Key, a boat lover has a myriad of options to choose from when considering mooring spots for their larger boat. Country Club Shores offers 18 canals that provide plenty of space for larger boats. Longboat Key Club also offers great water and lots of bayous and harbours to store a large boat. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.344172,-82.596588&spn=0.015134,0.045319&t=h&z=15
One hidden gem, Emerald Harbour, is located at the north end of LBK. One of the nice features is that you are only 15 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. The canals are very wide and protected. It is also one of the few places where you live in a nice neighborhood and you have a deeded beach access. The walk is only a few minutes from any of the homes. Pricing is also a factor. This morning, I was able to pull up 3 nice homes priced under $800,000. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.420729,-82.663021&spn=0.007562,0.022659&t=h&z=16
Well, that about covers all the areas you can store large boats from the north end of Longboat Key all the way south to Casy Key.
Next week I will be talking about dry storage facilities for boats. Should be fun and informative.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
More on 40 Foot Moorings!!!
This is the second part in a 3 part series on places where people can keep 40 foot boats or larger. In this article, I will be working my way south of the Stickney Point Bridge (southern bridge on Siesta Key) all the way down to Blackburn Point Bridge (Casey Key).
As you head south from the Stickney Point bridge, the western shore is littered with ideal spots for mooring a large boat. Peacock Road has many estate-like sized properties, most of them nearly an acre in size. With these large lots, plenty of space is available for large boats. Most properties have nice docks in place. Some properties even come with there own boat basins. They offer great protection from storms and wakes. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.251835,-82.527323&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17
As you continue down the west side of the ICW, many great places are commonplace. Large boats can be kept all the way down the east side of the Key. It you want something nice, and unique, there are several parcels on the south end of Siesta Key where you can be on the beach and store a boat without having to go to Casey Key. The trip to the open water is longer, but you can't touch the price of the land.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.214149,-82.514362&spn=0.000947,0.002832&t=h&z=19
There are lots of super locations for large boats on the East side of Casey Key all the way down to the Blackburn Point Bridge. Again, the trips to the open water are longer. If Midnight Pass were ever to open, that trip goes from 30-40 minutes down to about 10-15 minutes, but that is a long shot. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.19485,-82.50299&spn=0.007577,0.022659&t=h&z=16
Heading down the ICW from the Stickney Point Bridge, there are lots of spots for mooring large boats on the mainland side. Thanks to recent dredging efforts, areas that were once off-limits to large boats are now accessible. There are still some difficult spots to navigate and one would be wise to stay away from them. One problem area is the basin that services the houses on Roland Street and Captain Kidd. Small boats can get in and out, but that is about it. There are also some shallow areas just to the south of that as well. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.24863,-82.516594&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17
Upper Cove Creek was just dredged in the past year. For a boat lover who does not want to spend a great deal on a house, this is a good spot to look. Coral Cove is also home to great water and even better boat storage for the discerning owner. What I like is the fact that the cove is very wide and getting a boat in and out of that area is very easy. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.242955,-82.509792&spn=0.007574,0.022659&t=h&z=16
As you move farther south, there are only a few areas left where a large boat can be moored. One of those spots is in The Oaks. The homes are expensive, but the water is deep and accessible.
That takes you down to the bridge. Next week I will explore the canals and waterways heading north out of Sarasota to the end of Longboat Key.
As you head south from the Stickney Point bridge, the western shore is littered with ideal spots for mooring a large boat. Peacock Road has many estate-like sized properties, most of them nearly an acre in size. With these large lots, plenty of space is available for large boats. Most properties have nice docks in place. Some properties even come with there own boat basins. They offer great protection from storms and wakes. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.251835,-82.527323&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17
As you continue down the west side of the ICW, many great places are commonplace. Large boats can be kept all the way down the east side of the Key. It you want something nice, and unique, there are several parcels on the south end of Siesta Key where you can be on the beach and store a boat without having to go to Casey Key. The trip to the open water is longer, but you can't touch the price of the land.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.214149,-82.514362&spn=0.000947,0.002832&t=h&z=19
There are lots of super locations for large boats on the East side of Casey Key all the way down to the Blackburn Point Bridge. Again, the trips to the open water are longer. If Midnight Pass were ever to open, that trip goes from 30-40 minutes down to about 10-15 minutes, but that is a long shot. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.19485,-82.50299&spn=0.007577,0.022659&t=h&z=16
Heading down the ICW from the Stickney Point Bridge, there are lots of spots for mooring large boats on the mainland side. Thanks to recent dredging efforts, areas that were once off-limits to large boats are now accessible. There are still some difficult spots to navigate and one would be wise to stay away from them. One problem area is the basin that services the houses on Roland Street and Captain Kidd. Small boats can get in and out, but that is about it. There are also some shallow areas just to the south of that as well. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.24863,-82.516594&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17
Upper Cove Creek was just dredged in the past year. For a boat lover who does not want to spend a great deal on a house, this is a good spot to look. Coral Cove is also home to great water and even better boat storage for the discerning owner. What I like is the fact that the cove is very wide and getting a boat in and out of that area is very easy. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.242955,-82.509792&spn=0.007574,0.022659&t=h&z=16
As you move farther south, there are only a few areas left where a large boat can be moored. One of those spots is in The Oaks. The homes are expensive, but the water is deep and accessible.
That takes you down to the bridge. Next week I will explore the canals and waterways heading north out of Sarasota to the end of Longboat Key.
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