Here's how far I got.
Called Gator Creek marina in Punta Gorda and found that storage there
is $9.00 a foot per month, too high for 10 months a year, but they are
a full service marina and that includes daily in and out of water.
Storage is outside since Charley tore them down, but they'll have a
3-sided barn completed soon.
Might be useful if I ever have to rent a home/condo with no dock and
just keep the boat there while I'm in Florida.
The Gator Creek fellow mentioned All American storage in Port
Charlotte so I called there and found there rates are $2.00 a foot
outside, $4.00 a foot inside. Not bad at all. The lady there said
they're at the north end of the harbor and about a 30-45 minute run to
Punta Gorda.
So the storage part of my plan is do-able. I'll have to look at the
facilities and keep location in mind with regard to hurricanes and
insurance. I'll try to check out some inland locations and see if
it's better to go that way considering costs and getting the boat
trailered to water.
The Gator Creek fellow, who was real helpful, asked if I would have a
lift, and mentioned the boat would get fouled after sitting in the
water for 3 days.
I didn't want to waste his time, so I didn't ask him a million
questions while he was on the clock.
I'll ask here.
Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?
My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida. I have a home and 4
cars insured with them in Illinois, but that might not matter.
One thing I've noticed when looking at boats on the web is that
I keep wanting a bigger boat. I started thinking a 16' Carolina Skiff
would do, but I'm up to a 19' DLX in just one day.
What's that all about?
Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

--Vic

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...

I didn't want to waste his time, so I didn't ask him a million
questions while he was on the clock.
I'll ask here.
Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?
My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida. I have a home and 4
cars insured with them in Illinois, but that might not matter.
One thing I've noticed when looking at boats on the web is that
I keep wanting a bigger boat. I started thinking a 16' Carolina Skiff
would do, but I'm up to a 19' DLX in just one day.
What's that all about?
Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

--Vic

Fouling occurs much faster in Florida than up north. I am not familiar with
the area you are in, but on the ICW, boats quickly acquire the famous
"moustache". When I had my boat down there (a 52 footer) I had the hull
cleaned by a diver once a month.

Insurance is funny in Florida. They have laws that prevent out of state
underwriters to issue policies for property or cars registered in Florida.
You might have to use a local insurance company.

Eisboch

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:32:55 -0500, wrote:

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:49:33 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?
Yes but not as much as when it sits. You can get barnicles starting in
a few days of sitting. Other fouling and corrosion is an ongoing
process.

Can an anti-fouling coat be applied to a fiberglass boat like a CS,
and is it worth the cost? How is such a hull normally kept well
maintained in Florida?
On a similar note, assuming the security is equal, is it worth paying
twice the storage cost to keep a boat inside, or will a good quality
cover protect it well enough from wind/rain/sun?

My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida. I have a home and 4
cars insured with them in Illinois, but that might not matter.
Find out if they cover windstorm and flooding. That will be the thing
they want to avoid.

Will do.


If you really plan on getting out in the Gulf bigger is better. If you
are poking around in the back bays the 16 will be fine. Skiffs are not
really that good in rough water. In a nasty blow, that can come up
very fast, they can get pretty squirrely. I know some guys who flipped
a 23' Carolina Skiff.

I plan on back bay and Charlotte harbor fishing. I don't see getting
out in the Gulf, though depending on the boat I end up with a perfect
day might draw me out there a bit.
I'm wanting a bigger boat for comfort and fishing flexibility more
than anything else. There will be occasions when I'll fish with 3
others.

Boaters here in paradise have to be a weatherman among other skills.
If you stayed home every day the TV said there was going to be a
thunderstorm you won't get out much. The trick is seeing WHO is
getting the storm and knowing if you can avoid it. If you are going
very far from the dock, plan on a few places in different directions
where you can go wait it out. Sometime all you have to do is sit down
in a dockside resturant, have a burger and the storm will be gone.
That is a lot better than a knuckle biting ride, with 50' visibility
with lightning popping all around you

Good advice. I'm a safety freak, and will be asking for advice on
that score when/if I get to that point.
Still remember the time I helped a workmate sail his 34' sloop from
Michigan to Chicago. It was Memorial day weekend and the wind
was dead against us and strong the entire trip. Cold as hell and
the chop was so bad you couldn't sleep in the berths without tying
yourself down. I had traveled the same waters many times in tankers
during a merchant marine stint, but always in comfort.
So I go up to take the helm at midnight and see no running lights. I
asked Stu "Why no lights?" and he says,
"Saving the battery." I says "You won't need a battery for the ship
to shore if we get run down by a tanker or ore boat."
He says "I don't have a ship to shore." Typical Scotsman.
Sort of spoiled the rest of the trip for me.

--Vic

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:49:33 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?

Without anti fouling paint? Absolutely.

My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida.

Frankly you would be better off with a marine policy from someone like
Boat US.

I keep wanting a bigger boat. I started thinking a 16' Carolina Skiff
would do, but I'm up to a 19' DLX in just one day.
What's that all about?

After a windy day on Pt Charlotte Harbor you will want a 35'. 16 is
too small unless you stay in the canals.

Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

Get something close to the maximum the boat is rated for. You won't
regret it.

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:23:16 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Can an anti-fouling coat be applied to a fiberglass boat like a CS,
and is it worth the cost? How is such a hull normally kept well
maintained in Florida?

Yes and yes. You *must* have anti fouling paint on any boat that is
left in the water for more than a few days.

On a similar note, assuming the security is equal, is it worth paying
twice the storage cost to keep a boat inside, or will a good quality
cover protect it well enough from wind/rain/sun?

If you are not going to be around to check on it, I'd recommend
inside. Covers leak, tear and get blown off all the time.

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:51:17 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:49:33 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?

Without anti fouling paint? Absolutely.

Is the first coating there on a new boat, or will I have to do it
straight off?
What's a ballpark figure for having it done on a 20-foot CS?
How long does a good coating last?

My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida.

Frankly you would be better off with a marine policy from someone like
Boat US.

I'll call them tomorrow. Thanks.

I keep wanting a bigger boat. I started thinking a 16' Carolina Skiff
would do, but I'm up to a 19' DLX in just one day.
What's that all about?

After a windy day on Pt Charlotte Harbor you will want a 35'. 16 is
too small unless you stay in the canals.

I'll have to live with it or stay home on windy days. My wallet isn't
too fat. 15k complete will be pushing it.

Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

Get something close to the maximum the boat is rated for. You won't
regret it.

I wish I could, but maybe in another life. I'm not interested in
speed, but want the most fuel efficient rig I can get with a modicum
of comfort for 4 fishermen. I don't care if others are passing me on
the way in or out. I haven't even begun looking at and pricing them
yet. I have a lot to learn, but I do know my spending limits.

Thanks,

--Vic

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:56:32 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:23:16 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Can an anti-fouling coat be applied to a fiberglass boat like a CS,
and is it worth the cost? How is such a hull normally kept well
maintained in Florida?

Yes and yes. You *must* have anti fouling paint on any boat that is
left in the water for more than a few days.

On a similar note, assuming the security is equal, is it worth paying
twice the storage cost to keep a boat inside, or will a good quality
cover protect it well enough from wind/rain/sun?

If you are not going to be around to check on it, I'd recommend
inside. Covers leak, tear and get blown off all the time.

Got it. Thanks.

--Vic

One of my neighbors does a lot of "feeshin" in a 14' jon boat, and
always ran a noisy old Chrysler 35 hp. then when it got to be too much
maintenence, he pryed his wallet open and bought a 35 hp. Nissan 4
cycle.

His brother-in-law has about the same boat, with a 35 hp Evinrude
2-cycle. He says they will both run neck and neck , one not out
performing the other. But all of a sudden his brother-in-laws engine
quit. Out of gas (6 gal. tank). So my neighbor checked his fuel at the
same time hardly used 2quarts.


your call



Vic Smith wrote:
Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

I wish I could, but maybe in another life. I'm not interested in
speed, but want the most fuel efficient rig I can get with a modicum
of comfort for 4 fishermen. I don't care if others are passing me on
the way in or out. I haven't even begun looking at and pricing them
yet. I have a lot to learn, but I do know my spending limits.

Thanks,

--Vic

On 31 Oct 2006 18:38:52 -0800, wrote:

One of my neighbors does a lot of "feeshin" in a 14' jon boat, and
always ran a noisy old Chrysler 35 hp. then when it got to be too much
maintenence, he pryed his wallet open and bought a 35 hp. Nissan 4
cycle.

His brother-in-law has about the same boat, with a 35 hp Evinrude
2-cycle. He says they will both run neck and neck , one not out
performing the other. But all of a sudden his brother-in-laws engine
quit. Out of gas (6 gal. tank). So my neighbor checked his fuel at the
same time hardly used 2quarts.


your call

I'm already pretty much set on a 4-stroke. What I said was in answer
to the suggestion I get max rating for the boat. The 19-footer I'm
looking at is rated 90hp. I'm thinking 50hp will cost less, suit my
needs, and use less gas. But I'm not sure about that.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.

I wish I could, but maybe in another life. I'm not interested in
speed, but want the most fuel efficient rig I can get with a modicum
of comfort for 4 fishermen. I don't care if others are passing me on
the way in or out. I haven't even begun looking at and pricing them
yet. I have a lot to learn, but I do know my spending limits.

Thanks,

--Vic

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:23:56 -0500, wrote:

I have been up in
Charlotte harbor/ Boca Grande a lot with my Pine Island buddies and we
are usually in a 23 or 26 foot boat.

I've been up there a few times in my 24 and usually end up turning
around because of the chop.