"*JimH*" wrote in message
...
We are considering renting a 41 foot twin diesel houseboat in the
Captiva/Sanibel/Cape Coral area for a spring vacation. Not a bad
deal.....around $2,300 for a full week, 41 foot (14 foot beam) with twin
diesels, 2 staterooms, 2 full baths, genny, AC, full kitchen, gas grill,
dual helms, linens.....etc.. Some rental places even throw in a full tank
of diesel. We figure we can pull an inflatable.

We vacationed in Sanibel several years back and love the area.

Has anyone done this before? If so, what advice can you offer?

What sort of protected transient dockage does the area offer in the event
of bad weather?




Thanks to all for the advice so far. ;-)

I live in Cape Coral in the winter time and do quite a lot of boating
when we are there. South West Florida is a wonderful cruising area for
houseboats since there is protected water both behind the islands in
the intercoastal waterway/Pine Island sound area, and also in the
Caloosahatchie River. Virtually all of the marinas on the river offer
protection from rough weather and there are numerous anchorages
available as well.

Some of or favorites are Tween Waters Inn and Marina on the bay side of
Captiva, the anchorage at Useppa Island across from Cabbage Key, and
Pelican Bay at the north end of Cayo Costa.

You need to get some of the better SWFL cuising guides such as
Clairborne Young's and do some studying since the possibilities are too
vast to cover in a quick note here.

Towing a dinghy should not be a problem. Best weather is usually
March, April and early May.

Do not know about Florida HB's, but the diesel sounds really good, when the
mileage is about 1 mile per gallon or less, with a gas boat. The Lake
Shasta HB's tow 2-3 ski boats. And some times another side tied.

" wrote in
message oups.com...
I live in Cape Coral in the winter time and do quite a lot of boating
when we are there. South West Florida is a wonderful cruising area for
houseboats since there is protected water both behind the islands in
the intercoastal waterway/Pine Island sound area, and also in the
Caloosahatchie River. Virtually all of the marinas on the river offer
protection from rough weather and there are numerous anchorages
available as well.

Some of or favorites are Tween Waters Inn and Marina on the bay side of
Captiva, the anchorage at Useppa Island across from Cabbage Key, and
Pelican Bay at the north end of Cayo Costa.

You need to get some of the better SWFL cuising guides such as
Clairborne Young's and do some studying since the possibilities are too
vast to cover in a quick note here.

Towing a dinghy should not be a problem. Best weather is usually
March, April and early May.

" wrote in
message oups.com...
I live in Cape Coral in the winter time and do quite a lot of boating
when we are there. South West Florida is a wonderful cruising area for
houseboats since there is protected water both behind the islands in
the intercoastal waterway/Pine Island sound area, and also in the
Caloosahatchie River. Virtually all of the marinas on the river offer
protection from rough weather and there are numerous anchorages
available as well.

Some of or favorites are Tween Waters Inn and Marina on the bay side of
Captiva, the anchorage at Useppa Island across from Cabbage Key, and
Pelican Bay at the north end of Cayo Costa.

You need to get some of the better SWFL cuising guides such as
Clairborne Young's and do some studying since the possibilities are too
vast to cover in a quick note here.

Towing a dinghy should not be a problem. Best weather is usually
March, April and early May.


See, Jim! I told you Wayne B. would be the guy to ask.

"NOYB" wrote in message
...

" wrote in
message oups.com...
I live in Cape Coral in the winter time and do quite a lot of boating
when we are there. South West Florida is a wonderful cruising area for
houseboats since there is protected water both behind the islands in
the intercoastal waterway/Pine Island sound area, and also in the
Caloosahatchie River. Virtually all of the marinas on the river offer
protection from rough weather and there are numerous anchorages
available as well.

Some of or favorites are Tween Waters Inn and Marina on the bay side of
Captiva, the anchorage at Useppa Island across from Cabbage Key, and
Pelican Bay at the north end of Cayo Costa.

You need to get some of the better SWFL cuising guides such as
Clairborne Young's and do some studying since the possibilities are too
vast to cover in a quick note here.

Towing a dinghy should not be a problem. Best weather is usually
March, April and early May.


See, Jim! I told you Wayne B. would be the guy to ask.




Indeed.

And thank you for the information Wayne. ;-)