Wandering SW Florida

Wanderer · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

Section added on Marco and Naples.

If interested...

http://www.2wander.com/2wander/South%20West%20Florida/Cruising%20SW%20Florida.htm

You might be interested in a cruise to the same area we made in our sailboat a few years ago...

http://www.2wander.com/Sailing/SW%20FL%20Coast/Southwest%20Florida.htm

One of our goals for Wanderer was to visit the shallow places we could not reach with Vamoose's deep draft.

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:15 pm Post subject:

George and Penny --

Great pictures -- sure enjoyed cruising along through sw FL with you guys -- Thanks.

ffheap · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:45 pm Post subject:

George and Penny,

Sheila and I just missed you in Naples. We went on a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale and drove across the Tamiami Trail to Naples on Sunday, February 12th, ate Lunch at THE DOCK on the 13th, and went north on the Tamiami Trail on the 14th so as to fly out of Tampa on Wednesday, the 15th.

On the Tamiami Trail, we found the BULLDOG BOATWERKS, a new C-dory dealer. (239-731-8736). The owner is Dave Douglas, a great guy. Sheila and I checked out the 25' C-Dory. She is sold on it.

Travelling Florida in a C-Dory makes much more sense then by car. The traffic is just awful. The trip from Naples to Tampa took us over eight hours.

Naples is our choice place in Florida, but according to AARP MAGAZINE, the realestste market is 84% OVER valued. The beauty of OLD NAPLES is nice. The traffic does not warrant it.

Travelling and living on a boat like a C-Dory could make for a nice warm winter. At this time, it is snowing in Hingham MA.

We (you and I) experienced the only cold weather Florida has had all winter.

Keep cruising. You have got it right.

Fred Heap

ffheap · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject:

OOPS,

Wrong year, wrong boat.

Fred Heap

Wanderer · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject:

El and Bill,

Thanks for the kind words. We're thinking hard about Lake Powell.

Fred,
It would have been nice if we had connected. I'm puzzled about your last message: "Wrong year, wrong boat". Did you mean to post it elsewhere?

ffheap · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:26 pm Post subject:

George and Penny,

I was using the dates on your write up with the sail boat, and realized it after I posted the message.

I still think that Florida on a boat beats Florida in a car. If you keep moving, according to the people I talked with, dockage can be found. At Naples Town Pier, you can live aboard for thirty days, but the regulars can not. Most Marinas can take care of a 22 to 25 foot boat. Plus, we all look good and are good people.

Enjoy. It snowed yesterday in Hingham MA, and the temperture today is 20 degrees, F.
Sheila can not understand how somebody can live aboard like you and El and Bill do. I can. It beats the Cold Weather.

Fred Heap

Wanderer · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:19 am Post subject:

Published new area:

Ft. Myers Beach

http://www.2wander.com/2wander/South%20West%20Florida/Cruising%20SW%20Florida.htm

Wanderer · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

I've added a few thoughts and pictures on Captiva.

http://www.2wander.com/2wander/South%20West%20Florida/Cruising%20SW%20Florida.htm

ffheap · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:22 am Post subject:

Penny and George,

I was telling some people about a couple that are beating the Florida traffic and cruising South West Florida on a 22' C-Dory. The temperature in Hingham MA this morning was 10 degrees F. Even though everybody hates the cold, they could not see how two people could live on a 22' C-Dory. I tried to explain that there are couples living on the boat most of the year. My own wife can not see how you could carry anything, especially on our 22' Angler. My answer, "It sure beats the cold."

I believe you are on to something. The warmth of the Florida sun with great sunsets, exploring new places,meeting new people , etc.

Enjoy. You two just might be the smartest people in America.

With envy,

Fred Heap

Wanderer · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:06 am Post subject:

Fred,

My own neighbors in Annapolis look at our 47 foot sailboat with all the comforts, then they look at our little 22 foot C-Dory, next to it and shake their heads over our choice to often travel in the smaller boat. Penny even asked, when she first saw the CD if I was having it fitted for davits.

We chose the CD for what it could do? We rejected the CD 25 as more than we wanted to tow long distances.

Now we are in shallow, warm and sparkling water. Come April we can be on Lake Powell in 4 or 5 days. After that, in three days we can be off Vancover Island.

Sure, home is more comfortable. Even our RV is more comfortable. Comfort is not the first ingredient in our choices. New experiences, interesting people and new sights rank right up at the top.

We like to be outside. It is hard to beat the Keys and SW Florida for pure comfort in the winter. I don't know why more C-Brats don't give it a try.

Wanderer · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:39 pm Post subject:

New section on

Cayo Costa

http://www.2wander.com/2wander/South%20West%20Florida/Cruising%20SW%20Florida.htm

I will probably put up the last two sections tomorrow.

Rabbits Hutch · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I'm so enchanted with the idea of a Florida cruise. I'm thinking of taking three or four weeks of military leave this October or November and spending it enjoying these Western and Southwestern Florida waters.

Would be pretty interesting and far more enjoyable if it developed into a pod of C-Dorys.

Gary R.

Wanderer · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject:

Gary,

We won't be in Florida next year before Dec. But we hope to go out next year again in Feb or Mar.

Would love to cruise with a group

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject:

George and Penny,

We're thinking about 3-4 weeks in southern FL next Feb/March also. It would be great to put together an extended cruise.

Will you be at the big East Coast Gathering again this year?

Nick
"Valkyrie"

Wanderer · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Nick,

Good to hear from you. Let's talk more about next Feb/March.

We are planning to go to Lake Powell from Marathon. We haven't decided if we will venture further into the NW. If we don't, we'll be at the Chesapeake Gathering.

Keep in touch.

I've published the last three sections of our SW Florida Cruise.

http://www.2wander.com/2wander/South%20West%20Florida/Cruising%20SW%20Florida.htm