Jay, Armond,

Thanks for your input to our itinerary. I've printed your comments for =
the
navigator/admiral and will be adding some new waypoints to our Maptech
charts. We're hoping that our timing will avoid the crowds.

Thanks again!

Loren

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 10:02:30 -0400, "Armond Perretta"
wrote:

Margaret and Loren Block wrote:

We're chartering an Island Packet 32 from ... Punta Gorda for 2 full =
weeks
and we'd appreciate suggestions for places to see or avoid. We're
interested in great looking anchorages that are away from the =
maddening
crowd ...

Realistically speaking, you can have one, or the other, but not both. =
Don't
despair, however, since there are any number of good spots in and around
(or at least near) Punta Gorda to take up your 2 weeks. In fact, much
longer in my experience.

Two useful guides are the Claiborne Young Guide and the Tom Lenfesty =
guide
(both available from Amazon). Also a bit more rare is "Guide to =
Anchorages
in Southwest Florida." Great photos.

...
... [and] in great restaurants, marinas, or even other commercial =
places
that are extra good and interesting or unusual.

South a bit try Tween Waters. North a bit try Moore's at Longboat Key.
Venice is a good stop with a free tie up just across from the yacht =
club.
Sarasota is kinda just "OK" but there are good eats ashore. Anchor in =
Cayo
Costa, try Cabbage Key, etc., etc. You will run out of time before you =
run
out of fun.

We're just starting to go through "Cruising Guide To Western
Florida" by Young so our itinerary is wide open.

You are on the right track, although I believe it's worth noting that =
Young
never met a marina or commercial facility he didn't like. I guess =
that's
just "cruising guide writer" politics.

Margaret & Loren Block Georgetown, TX
C22 #14903 "Perfect Harmony"