Burnt Store Marina?

What’s the general consensus about this marina?

Our boat is currently on Longboat Key at a cool little marina behind some condos. It’s a really pretty spot— quiet, lush natural landscaping, pretty pool and hot tub area, and just steps across the road to an awesome beach, and close to Larry when I need help working on stuff (always). Took the wife there for the first time last week for three nights, and while she likes the setting and loved the easy beach access, she HATES the shower and bathrooms. And I have to admit, they are pretty gross. It’s ok for a guy, but that’s about it. There is no pump out there (other than possibly getting a pump out boat to come?) so we don’t use the bathroom on the boat. This is not a sustainable situation.

What I like about the Burnt Store location is the easy access to great cruising areas (Caya Costaand easy access to the Gulf through the Boca Inlet for when I want to raise the sails and go somewhere. I’m wondering if there is fairly quick access to a beach however— I’m thinking if we could hop in the dinghy and hit a beach just outside the harbor entrance? Looks like some beachy areas right outside the entrance on google maps but can’t tell for sure.

Looks like Burnt Store is kind of out in the middle of nowhere so if I need to run to the hardware store/grocery it’s a 15min car ride, but that doesn’t really bother me since I will always have a rental car or my own car.

What else should I consider?

Long way to the gulf from there. as you say middle of nowhere. Look at marina jack in Sarasota and walk to everything, easy bus to the beach and St. Armands. Wife will love walking to whole foods.
Further north St. Pete muni is the best located marina for liveaboards.

Burnt Store does not have a lot of water and when we get north winds sustained the water gets even shallower. It is a way's to get anywhere but with your car nearby it's not that big of a deal. Pine Island is a quaint place to go out for dinner as well. Sarasota is beautiful and classy but really busy.

True, it’s about an hour cruise on a narrow stretch of ICW to Longboat Pass Inlet from where I am now, and a bridge to wait on. While it’s a little farther to the Gulf from Burnt Store it’s an open sail across a bay which I like a lot better.

We are not liveaboards.

I like Sarasota/Marina Jack and the ability to walk to places is ideal, but would have to drive to a beach wouldn’t I?

cardude01 said:

What’s the general consensus about this marina?

Our boat is currently on Longboat Key at a cool little marina behind some condos. It’s a really pretty spot— quiet, lush natural landscaping, pretty pool and hot tub area, and just steps across the road to an awesome beach, and close to Larry when I need help working on stuff (always). Took the wife there for the first time last week for three nights, and while she likes the setting and loved the easy beach access, she HATES the shower and bathrooms. And I have to admit, they are pretty gross. It’s ok for a guy, but that’s about it. There is no pump out there (other than possibly getting a pump out boat to come?) so we don’t use the bathroom on the boat. This is not a sustainable situation.

What I like about the Burnt Store location is the easy access to great cruising areas (Caya Costaand easy access to the Gulf through the Boca Inlet for when I want to raise the sails and go somewhere. I’m wondering if there is fairly quick access to a beach however— I’m thinking if we could hop in the dinghy and hit a beach just outside the harbor entrance? Looks like some beachy areas right outside the entrance on google maps but can’t tell for sure.

Looks like Burnt Store is kind of out in the middle of nowhere so if I need to run to the hardware store/grocery it’s a 15min car ride, but that doesn’t really bother me since I will always have a rental car or my own car.

What else should I consider?

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ITS Very High Priced for the sticks

The bus transfer point is right at marina jack

.https://www.scgov.net/Home/ShowDocument?id=9231

bayview said:

The bus transfer point is right at marina jack

.https://www.scgov.net/Home/ShowDocument?id=9231

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It doesn't get any easier!

We like Burnt Store.

https://youtu.be/_J5C1-QGRTU

Great video! Thanks.

From your video, there doesn’t seem to be any “beach” one could dinghy out to from the marina if I’m looking at it correctly. I thought maybe those little islands out there had a better beach around them.

No beach that I know of. Pelican Bay is the nearest really nice beach area.

There are sand bars around the north end of Pine Island, at lower tides I have seen boats pull up and unload chairs and coolers. Not Sanabel but it is sand.

cardude01 said:

she HATES the shower and bathrooms.

What else should I consider?

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Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.

Let me remind you of a quote that has served me well over the years.....

"If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

Nuff said, now go find another marina.

My friend has a boat at Burnt Store marina. I was under the impression that pump out is at the fuel or boatel lift dock. Have some other live aboard friends who were planning on basing out of there. I guess the real question comes down to how much time you plan to stay on the boat at the dock. If you're going to have a floating condo with occasional outings, I would be more interested in places with better options for restaurants and grocery stores within walking / bicycling distance.

Ted

Burnt Store is truly in the middle of nowhere, but nice. 10 miles in any direction for groceries. No beach. One restaurant on property...maybe two if you count the golf course diner.

If I wanted a nice marina and a nice beach and an nice dining and shopping area all close by, I would go to Snook Bight on Ft. Myers Beach.

Plus, excellent bathrooms.

Have you considered Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda? That’s where we had lunch with Larry and my buddy Darrell.

Punta Gorda is a great little town with some very good restaurants.

HopCar said:

Have you considered Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda? That’s where we had lunch with Larry and my buddy Darrell.

Punta Gorda is a great little town with some very good restaurants.

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That’s where we met for the anchor swap?

I will check it out. I don’t really remember where we were. [emoji23]

HopCar said:

Have you considered Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda? That’s where we had lunch with Larry and my buddy Darrell.

Punta Gorda is a great little town with some very good restaurants.

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And there is a beach at Ponce Park Near Fishermans Village

cardude01 said:

That’s where we met for the anchor swap?

I will check it out. I don’t really remember where we were. [emoji23]

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Yes, that’s the place.

Pgitug mentioned Ponce Park Beach. I had forgotten about that. That gives you the Beach you wanted. It isn’t a big Beach but it is a Beach.

I don’t know what the showers are like, but the marina seems well maintained.

OK, thanks Parks and Pgitug. I will check it out next time we go to the boat— we will drive the rental car to Punta Gorda one day and look around. PG might be a good combination of close to things to do, a beach, hopefully good showers and bathrooms, and good access to more interesting cruising areas.

It might seem crazy to have to select a marina based on good showers, but like GFC said if momma isn’t happy...

We are heading down to PG next week to look at a snow bird condos for us. I know that area pretty well and have stayed at the Fishermen's Village Marina as a transient.

The marina is very nice with a good swimming pool right there and the adjacent pier has 4-5 restaurants. There is a good liveaboard community who hangs out for happy hour on the pier some nights. Active Captain shows the month to month price at $14.50 per foot, annual at $13.00, so kind of pricey.

The piers are fixed and it is subject to north and east winds. I would not want to leave my boat there in any significant storm much less a hurricane, so consider that carefully as you don't live in the area.

But it does have good access to some great anchorages: Boca Grande where you drop your hook and back up to tie to the mangroves, Cayo Costa Park where you can walk across to the Gulf beach from the park's dinghy dock, Useppa Island with the cheeseburger in paradise joint a short dinghy ride away, Sanibel Island, Ft Myers Beach, the list goes on.

But also consider Gasparilla Marina in Placida. AC shows that they have both floating and fixed docks and it is quite protected. Has a nice restaurant on site but no where near the variety of PG. Other services should be fairly close by as it is a fairly populated area. It also has a boatyard with Travellift.

And it is quite a little closer to Boca Grande Pass, albeit mostly in a narrow channel rather than the open water of Charlotte Harbor.

David

We've stayed at the Longboat Key Resort/Marina. First class in every respect. Shuttles will take you anywhere....beach, shopping, eats.

Fisherman's Village is on the verge of starting a major renovation including tearing the old building that houses the bathrooms, harbor masters office, laundry and boater's lounge. It would probably be prudent to ask about the timing before you commit.

The City Marina at Laishley Park is a good alternative, Right downtown. It usually cheaper than Fisherman's Village and has floating and fixed docks.

Gasparilla is a fine marina but it too is in the middle of nowhere. The Waterside Grill is a great little restaurant. It has a huge dry storage building that must be gone around when you leave the main part of the marina to get to the restaurant or the highway. Transients are usually issued a golf cart if available. Long term folks would of course have their car. A brisk 5 minute walk otherwise. The extremely clean bathrooms and showers are convenient to the slips without the walk. Staff will bend over backward to keep you happy

HopCar said:

Have you considered Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda? That’s where we had lunch with Larry and my buddy Darrell.

Punta Gorda is a great little town with some very good restaurants.

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I agree that is a great place. Never kept a boat there but have visited several times.

Fisherman's Village

I keep my Selena there. Getting in and out during the winter is extremely difficult with the north winds pushing water out of the area. The docks are fixed but do-able if your agile. The restrooms are clean but old andfor the 1st time I have heard try are being replaced. This is my home base since we lost the seawall behind my house. As soon as my dock is replaced we will be moving. With all that said, "this is a very good location if you want less busy".

jsbraga said:

I keep my Selena there. Getting in and out during the winter is extremely difficult with the north winds pushing water out of the area. The docks are fixed but do-able if your agile. The restrooms are clean but old andfor the 1st time I have heard try are being replaced. This is my home base since we lost the seawall behind my house. As soon as my dock is replaced we will be moving. With all that said, "this is a very good location if you want less busy".

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What does your boat draw? I’m about 4’. Is it only difficult/shallow right after a cold front with strong north winds?

Selena Draft

We draw 5'7". Yes, it's only an issue with north winds or as in the case with Irma. I believe at 4' the problem will not adversely affect you enough to worry about it. It is a great location.

seasalt007 said:

The City Marina at Laishley Park is a good alternative, Right downtown. It usually cheaper than Fisherman's Village and has floating and fixed docks.

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Definitely worth a look.

Will look at the City Marina also. Thanks!

CHADWICK COVE - Home - Englewood, FL

Not going to get closer to a beach than this place. Very close to restaurants and Circle K for quick things. Probably 2 miles to Publix/Wal-Mart.

Sidney

Hey what about Boca Grande Marina? Walkable to the gulf beach website says. Super close to all the good cruising areas. Anyone stayed there before? Seems like a small marina.