Jack & Kerrie Cervenka are the new owners of All American Covered Boat Storage.  Avid boaters and customer's of All American for many years they decided to purchase the business and Safe Cove, Inc. dba All American Covered Boat Storage began operation on November 16, 2012.  Jack & Kerrie have already made many improvements with more to come.  The same friendly and knowledgable staff are still here.  Stop in and meet two new members of our team:  Angie at the desk and Colby in the yard.

We are located in Port Charlotte just outside of Placida and Boca Grande on the Southwest coast of Florida between Sarasota to the north and Fort Myers to the south. Vessels enter thru a large lock system into a fresh water waterway system located off Charlotte Harbor. With no bridges or wires en route and while purging your engines of salt along the way, you arrive at our facility ready to haul.  The facility is eight miles from the south Gulf Cove lock.  There are hurricane anchors through out the yard for added hurricane protection and peace of mind. The facility is situated on 16 acres designed for “Do-it-Yourself” projects and safe economical storage. 

We haul and store vessels up to 55 ft., LOA and up to 16'4" beam. We can accommodate yachts up to19'4" beam along our lay-along dock.  Our “Do-it-Yourself” yard is conveniently located near shopping and restaurants within a short driving distance. A ship's store is available with convenience items.  Paint, parts and supplies can be ordered and shipped same or next day delivery at discounted prices.

Don’t feel like doing it yourself?  Our services include bottom painting and pressure washing at reasonable rates. Outside licensed and insured contractors are welcome and referrals are available thru our friendly and knowledgeable staff with no yard service charges added to outside contractor invoices.

We are boaters serving boaters and understand our customer’s needs. 

COMING FROM SOUTH ON I-75: 
1. TAKE EXIT 170 (KING’S HIGHWAY EXIT).  EXIT LEFT OFF RAMP.
2. TURN RIGHT (WEST) AT THE LIGHT AT VETERAN’S BLVD. – APPROX. 3/4 MILE
3. CROSS OVER US-41 AND CONTINUE WEST ON EL JOBEAN RD/SR-776 W.) – APPROX. 8 MILES
4. TURN LEFT AT CR-771/GASPARILLA ROAD.  -- APPROX. 4 MILES
5. TURN LEFT AT APPLETON BLVD. – APPROX. 20 FEET
6. IMMEDIATELY TURN RIGHT ONTO WINBOROUGH DR. – APPROX. ½ MILE
7. GO ONE BLOCK AND TURN LEFT AT SIGN “BOAT STORAGE OFFICE”
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP FROM EXIT 170

COMING FROM NORTH ON 1-75: 
1. TAKE EXIT 191.  HEAD SOUTH ON N. RIVER RD. – APPROX. 10 MILES
2. TURN LEFT AT WINCHESTER BLVD. – APPROX. 5 MILES
3. STAY LEFT AT S. MCCALL RD/SR-776E – APROX. 6 MILES
4. TURN RIGHT AT CR-771/GASPARILLA RD. – APPROX. 4 MILES
5. TURN LEFT AT APPLETON BLVD. – APPROX. 20 FEET
6. IMMEDIATELY TURN RIGHT ONTO WINBOROUGH DR. – APPROX. ½ MILE
7. GO ONE BLOCK AND TURN LEFT AT SIGN “BOAT STORAGE OFFICE”
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP FROM EXIT 191
 

Ø Plan your trip to All American Covered Boat Storage to arrive at the South Gulf Cove Locks as close to high tide as possible. (5 feet at low water)

Ø Go to Green Marker #9 (GPS: 2656.14 \ 8211.26) just south of the Myakka River Bridge. 
You will see channel markers to South Gulf Cove ahead and to Port.  Favor green markers.

ENTERING LOCK FROM CANAL OR BAY SIDE

1. Pull up to end of dock and do one of the following:

Pull chain and hold until gate is fully open OR press and hold GREEN BUTTON until gate is fully open. DURING THE OPENING CYCLE THE BAY AND CANAL GATES WILL STOP DURING THE “CRACK” PERIOD FOR 20 SECONDS

Gate is fully open when you hear this recorded message: “PLEASE ENTER LOCK, TIE BOAT TO THE SIDE” … do not use pull chain to hold boat in place.
NOTE: It is imperative that the gate be opened or closed all the way before attempting the next cycle.

2. Enter lock and secure your boat to the side at the location of the pull chain … do not use pull chain to hold boat in place.)  Pull and hold chain until you hear the following recorded message: “PLEASE EXIT LOCK, CLOSE GATE BEFORE YOU LEAVE” – go to the end of the dock and pull the chain OR press the GREEN BUTTON until the gate is fully closed.  DURING THE OPENING  CYCLE THE BAY AND CANAL GATES WILL STOP DURING THE “CRACK” PERIOD FOR 20 SECONDS

Follow these simple instructions and you will successfully navigate the lock without leaving your boat.

Helpful Information

A. When the chain or button is released the gate will stop moving.  To start the gate moving again simply pull and hold the chain or press and hold the GREEN BUTTON
B. When the canal or bay cycle is initiated you will hear the following message – “CANAL (BAY) SEQUENCE ACTIVATED, PLEASE STAND CLEAR”
C. DURING THE OPENING CYCLE THE BAY AND CANAL GATES WILL STOP DURING THE “CRACK” PERIOD FOR 20 SECONDS
D. When the canal or bay gates are being closed you will hear the following message: “CLOSING CANAL (BAY) GATE—PLEASE STAND CLEAR”
E. The time it takes for a gate to fully open is 60 seconds
F. The time it takes for a gate to fully close is 42 seconds
G. Total time it takes for all three sequences is 3 minutes and 30 seconds
H. When gate is fully open the traffic light will turn GREEN
I. When gate is fully closed the traffic light will turn RED
J. Avoid using chain to hold boat in place
K. Be courteous to fellow boaters by closing gate after exiting lock
L. The RED (STOP) BUTTON is only used to reset the system
M. When the RED (STOP) BUTTON is pressed you will hear the following message: “STOP HAS BEEN PRESSED – OPERATION HAS BEEN HALTED – PRESS BAY OR CANAL TO OPEN GATES”
N. When attempting to initiate gate opening and there is no response or message, press the RED (STOP) BUTTON and follow the above instructions
O. When observing someone using the center control panel, wait 60 seconds after they leave the panel before beginning gate-opening sequence
P. If automatic mode is attempted while the system is in manual mode the following recorded message will be heard “Manual mode has been selected.  System is in manual mode.  To operate lock use central control panel”

Ø After proceeding through the Lock, you are now in fresh water, go approximately 1.5 miles, turn at the First Left.

Ø Follow your nose, bearing left – there will be some twists and turns; apparent dead ends will open up.

Ø At the very large island ahead (looks like just a narrow opening), keep the island to starboard but stay to outside of middle in the curve to avoid shoal.

Ø Continue through the lake to the Tower, approximately 2 miles, and turn right – keeping red marker to Starboard.

Ø Call our office @941-697-9900 to inform us that you are at the tower.

Ø Go approximately 4 miles to the end of the canal (this leg is NO WAKE ZONE) favor left of middle of the canal and you will see our 50 foot well ahead of you.  Proceed to tie up to the dock prior to hauling unless directed into the hauling well.