Charlotte Harbor Sailing, LLC

Discover the Freedom of Sailing

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

General Sailing Questions

  1. Where is the marina?
  2. What supplies do I need to bring?
  3. Do I need to bring PFD’s (life jackets)?
  4. What if I arrive at the boat and have forgotten something?
  5. Can I take a boat out by myself? Do you have bareboat charters?
  6. Can I bring my dog or cat?
  7. Can I order a gift certificate?
  8. Are there any hotels near the marina?
  9. When do I make a payment?
  10. What form of payment do you accept?
  11. What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
  12. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?
  13. Should I tip the Captain?
  14. Is the boat handicap or wheelchair accessible?
  15. Drug-Free Vessel Policy

Sailing Lessons

  1. How soon can I start my lessons?
  2. Is there sales tax on sailing lessons?
  3. Can I take sailboat lessons if I am under 16 years old?
  4. Can I take a family member or friend along on the lessons?
  5. Can I stay the night on the boat during the sailing course?
  6. Can I add more days to my sailing course?
  7. Can I challenge a course?
  8. What boat will I be taking lessons on?
  9. Can I take lessons on my own boat?
  10. Can I take lessons in the Bahamas or Caribbean?
  11. Do you offer catamaran lessons (ASA114)?
  12. Do you have a discount for veterans?

Sailing Charters with a Captain

  1. Can I schedule a custom charter? I would like it to be longer/shorter, a different time of day, etc.
  2. Where can I sail? I would like to sail to a location not listed on your website.
  3. Is there sales tax on sailing charters?
  4. Can I bring my fishing gear?
  5. Can I bring my scuba diving gear?
  6. Do you provide meals on charters?
  7. Can I take my children on sailing charters?
  8. How many people can I take on a charter?
  9. Which boat will I be on for a sailing charter?

 

Answers

General Sailing Questions

  1. Where is the marina?
Our address is 1800 W. Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. We are moored ½ mile west of Fisherman’s Village, the Catalina is in slip #19. Click here for a map and directions.  
Note: Charlotte Harbor Sailing, LLC is not affiliated with the Isles Yacht Club in any way.

  1. What supplies do I need to bring?
Non-slip, non-marking shoes, camera, sun block, windbreaker/raincoat, a cooler with lunch/snacks & drinks, a good book, any gadgets you just can’t live without.

If you are going out overnight we will email you a complete list of recommendations at the time of booking.

  1. Do I need to bring PFD’s (life jackets)?
There are 6 Adult PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices) on board. If you have children, you will need to bring PFD’s which fit them properly. Note: Per US coastguard regulations, children are required to wear a life jacket at all times.

  1. What if I arrive at the boat and have forgotten something?
There is a convenience store ½ mile away on Marion St, and Publix supermarket is less than 2 miles away on Highway 41.

  1. Can I take a boat out by myself? Do you have Bareboat Charters?
Unfortunately, we no longer have bareboat chartering; all of our sailboats are operated by one of our experienced Sailing Captains. You are welcome to ask the Captain for the helm and do as much or as little of the sailing as you wish.

  1. Can I bring my dog, cat or other pet?
We do not take any animals on the sailboat for several reasons; the decks can be very hot on their feet and they are slippery for paws so it is tough for them to get good footing, we will be busy with the sails and there are no barriers to hold pets on deck. .

  1. Can I order a gift certificate?
Yes, we do have gift certificates. Please contact us and let us know whether you would like one for a charter or lessons, and the name of the recipient. We can either email or mail the Gift Certificate to you.

  1. Are there any hotels near the marina?
– There are rooms in Fisherman’s Village, about 1/4 mile away.
– In downtown Punta Gorda there is a Best Western called PG Waterfront.
– If you would like a bit more luxury; both the Four Points by Sheraton and a Wyvern are in Punta Gorda. .
– There are several other hotels a few miles away in Punta Gorda, and quite a few in Port Charlotte. .

  1. When do I make a payment?
A 25% deposit will be taken when we confirm availability of ship and Captain for the time you requested your charter/lessons. The balance is due before you arrive at the boat.

  1. What form of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Checks and Cash. (Note that if you pay by check it will need time to be deposited and clear the bank, please send your check 30 days prior to sailing.

  1. What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Cancellations: A full refund is given when cancellations are prior to 14 days of the sailing date. If you cancel your trip within 14 days of your sail you will forfeit the deposit only.

Rescheduling: Please contact us prior to 48 hours of the sailing date to reschedule, then there is no penalty.

  1. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?
If your trip gets cancelled or shortened because of weather, you will be able to reschedule or receive an appropriate prorated refund. Weather decisions are made at the boat.

  1. Should I tip the Captain?
Sure! They work hard to make sure you have a safe and fun time out on the water. You are welcome to tip the Captains directly.

  1. Is the boat handicap or wheelchair accessible?
Please keep in mind that this is a sailboat, it is not handicap or wheelchair accessible. You will need to be able to climb steps, be able to step over from the dock to the boat and then step down into the cockpit.

  1. Drug-Free Vessel Policy
All our boats are Drug Free Vessels

Captains and Instructors: All our Captains/Instructors are in accordance with Coast Guard regulations, and they submit to regular random drug testing.

Passengers: No drugs of any kind are allowed on board, and the Captain is required to immediately notify the Coast Guard if drugs or paraphernalia are discovered aboard. Possession of a Medical Marijuana card does not allow its possession or use on board, nor does it mitigate the Captain’s responsibility to alert the Coast Guard.

 

Sailing Lesson Questions

  1. How soon can I start my lessons?
Please contact us at least 10 days before you wish to begin sailing lessons. This gives you time to study before starting the sailing lessons and taking the exam.

  1. Is there sales tax on lessons?
There is no sales tax on sailing lessons. (Sailing Lessons are exempt, but there is 7% sales tax on charters.) .

  1. Can I take sailboat lessons if I am under 16 years old?
Certified ASA Sailing Lessons: The minimum age is 16 years for an ASA certification.

Informal Sailing Lessons: Private, informal lessons are available for ages 12 and up.

Note: Minors will also need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the lessons. If a parent or legal guardian simply wants to ride along without taking lessons, it is $175 per day per person.

  1. Can I take a family member or friend along on the lessons?
Regular Lessons: Because lessons are for students who are learning and testing their sailing skills it is not an option to bring an extra person.

Private Lessons: If you would like to add an extra person to your private lessons, it is $175.00 per day/per person.

A great alternative is to schedule a charter with a Captain, and do as much or little of the sailing as you wish.

  1. Can I stay the night on the boat during the sailing course?
During most classes, (ASA101, ASA103, ASA105, ASA107, ASA117), the boat is not available at night, so you will need to have a hotel room.

ASA104 and ASA106: For these two classes you will sleep on the boat as part of the course.

Private Classes: If you would like, you can add on to your private class and stay out on the water. To stay overnight at anchor during your lessons instead of coming in for the evening is $175 per person, per night. If you would like to stay at a marina, pricing depends on the dockage fees.

  1. Can I add more days to my sailing course?
Yes, adding extra days/nights is the same cost as our regular charters. Please let us know when booking the sailing course, so we can check availability of the boat and Captain. (If you would like to stay at a marina, dockage fees will apply.)

Regular Sailing Classes: Because other people will be in your class you will complete your course first, then add on the additional days.

Private Sailing Classes: You may add extra days onto any portion of your private class.

  1. Can I challenge a course?
You may challenge ASA101 if you already have sailing experience, and are taking the ASA103 sailing course with us.

You may challenge ASA101 and ASA103 if you are an experienced sailor, and are taking the ASA104 with us.

We will send you the books to study, and you can call us to schedule a time with one of our Captains to take the test. Take the written test any time before the sailing class begins, and your skills will be tested during the sailing class. The cost is $175.00 per course.

  1. What boat will I be taking Sailing Lessons on?
Sailing lessons are taught aboard our Catalina 310. For more information, photos and videos, click here: Catalina 310.

  1. Can I take lessons on my own boat?
Yes, we offer private lessons on your boat. For more information click here: ASA Certified Private Lessons on Your Boat.

  1. Can I take lessons in the Bahamas or Caribbean?
If you would like to rent a boat in the Bahamas or Caribbean to take lessons we do have Captains available to fly down, you will need to arrange and pay for the boat rental. Keep in mind that in addition to the private lessons cost, you will pay for the boat rental, the Instructor/Captain’s plane ticket from Ft Lauderdale, transportation to and from the boat, meals and any hotel nights. For more information click here: ASA Certified Private Lessons on Your Boat.

  1. Do you offer Catamaran Lessons (ASA114)?
We do not have a Catamaran available for lessons; however, we do offer private Catamaran lessons on your boat. For more information click here: ASA Certified Private Lessons on Your Boat.

  1. Do you have a discount for veterans?
Yes we do. We recognize the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served or are serving in our country’s armed forces. We offer 10% off on all ASA101 sailing lessons for veterans and active military personnel. Please keep in mind that this is a sailboat so it is not handicap or wheelchair accessible.

 

Charter FAQs

  1. Can I customize a charter? I would like it to be longer/shorter, etc.
Please contact us for custom packages. We will be happy to work around your schedule, and make a charter longer or shorter to fit your needs.

  1. Where can I sail? I would like to sail to a location not listed on your website.
You can sail among all the islands as far north as Tampa, and all the way down to Naples, or even over to Dry Tortugas. Contact us to discuss the itinerary and number of days needed to sail to your destination.

  1. Is there sales tax on sailing charters?
Yes, sales tax is required for sailing charters in Florida – there is 7% sales tax added onto all charters. . .

  1. Can I bring my fishing gear?
Our boats are not outfitted for fishing, but you are welcome to bring your gear along on a charter. Fishermen will need to abide by all Florida Fish and Wildlife rules; make sure you know the fishing seasons, have fish identification literature and have your Florida Fishing License with you.

  1. Can I bring my scuba diving gear?
Scuba gear is not allowed as the tanks are hard on boat surfaces, and the boats are not equipped with emergency gear or oxygen.

  1. Do you provide meals on charters?
There is a small kitchen aboard and you are welcome to bring a picnic to keep on ice, and/or non-perishable food. For longer charters plan to stop in a marina each night to eat at one of the restaurants.

  1. Can I take my children on sailing charters?
Due to safety concerns, preschoolers are not allowed on sailboat cruises.

Also, there are 6 Adult PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices) on board. If you have children, you will need to bring PFD’s which fit them properly. Note: Per US coastguard regulations, children are required to wear a life jacket at all times.

  1. How many people can I take on a charter?
Day charters: Up to 6 passengers may be on the sailing cruise, this includes charters from 2 hours to 10 hours in length.

Overnight Charters: Up to 4 passengers are able to sleep comfortably aboard the Catalina 310.

  1. Which boat will I be on for a sailing charter?
Sailing Cruises and Charters are aboard our gorgeous 31’ Catalina ‘Eliora’.

For more photos and information about the boat, along with videos showing her under sail, click here: Catalina 310.

For more information on charters click here: Sailing Charters on the Catalina 310.