Hey all, hope the new year is treating everyone well!
Here's my question:
I just landed a new job that is basically freeing me up to live anywhere I want. I've decided to move back home to Florida, and am looking at either Tampa or Orlando which will put the boat in either the Space Coast area, or the Tampa Bay area. Can anyone recommend one over the other, and possibly suggest some good marinas?
I plan on doing mostly daysailing, but will now have the freedom to do the occasional 2-3 week trip. I prefer an area with plenty to do, and would love a slip within stumbling distance to a dockside bar/restaurant. As always thanks for the help!
Adam
—
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
My personal preference would be the Tampa Bay area. Having lived on both coasts, I like the Gulf side over the Atlantic. I will admit that having quick access to the intercoastal waterway and being able to watch shuttle launches would be nice but for daysailing I like the tranquil Gulf of Mexico off of Clearwater. As for a marina, if I had the opportunity, I would go for Dunedin Marina between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs.
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas
That's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for! Thanks for that. I agree with you about the tranquility of the Gulf Coast. I guess the only thing I will be missing out on is the fact that it would be such a short hop to the Bahamas if I kept it on the Atlantic side, but then again how often would I actually make that trip.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Are you going to sail the boat down to Florida or have it shipped?
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas
I'm going to take a couple weeks and sail it down. Thanks to the new scheduling with this job, I will be off for anywhere from 30-45 days at a time which means I should be able to take my time and make plenty of stops along the way. Any suggestions for places to visit along the East Coast by the way?
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Stuart and Jupiter inlet are the only areas I know well. I should say used to know well. Not sure what the hurricanes have done to them. I used to helm a dive boat out of Stuart. Getting into Jupiter inlet can get harry depending on the flow of the tides.
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas
If you have plenty of time to sort the wheat from the chaff, here is a blog of a friend of mine who has just done the ICW from Canada to FL and back a few times. Mining the blog for the info you want may be tedious, however.
Good luck with your new job and relocation!
[url]http://www.sailblogs.com/member/nelleke/?show=fulltoc[/url]
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Oh Adam, please consider North Carolina. My wife and I made the move from the Midwest to New Bern, NC and have never regretted it one bit. Be sure to check out the Carolinas!
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Can't thank you guys enough, I'm loving the feedback! I will dig into North Carolina. It was definitely on my hit list for this trip.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Adam
If you decide to sail to the West Coast of Florida you have two choices to get there. Either go South around the Keys or cut across the waterway across Lake Okechobe. If you go South you can cut through the Keys at the Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon or a few miles north of the bridge at the Channel Five Bridge or go all the way down to Key West.
If you go across the waterway and across lake "O" you will have to go under a 49 foot railroad bridge a few miles West of IndianTown. This can be done with a standard rig by having your boat healed by a guy who will come out, place several barrels along the gunnels, fill them with water and heal your boat a little over 20 degrees clearing the bridge. I would not attempt this manover with a tall rag C36. By going across Lake "O" you will save about four or five days.
You can reach this guy at 561-262-5200 or by calling the Indian Town Marina. I suggest calling the Army Corps of Engineers if you plan on the crossing to check the dept of Lake "O" because of the drought.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Adam
The boat tipper charged $150 the last time I used him four years ago.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Adam, as you make your way down the East Coast call me here in New Nern, NC and we will help direct you. My number is: 260/705.8261.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Glenn, How far are you from Raleigh/Durham? I will be there Feb 9/10 for a Lenovo event.
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas
[QUOTE=caprice 1050;3895]Adam
If you decide to sail to the West Coast of Florida you have two choices to get there. Either go South around the Keys or cut across the waterway across Lake Okechobe. If you go South you can cut through the Keys at the Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon or a few miles north of the bridge at the Channel Five Bridge or go all the way down to Key West.
If you go across the waterway and across lake "O" you will have to go under a 49 foot railroad bridge a few miles West of IndianTown. This can be done with a standard rig by having your boat healed by a guy who will come out, place several barrels along the gunnels, fill them with water and heal your boat a little over 20 degrees clearing the bridge. I would not attempt this manover with a tall rag C36. By going across Lake "O" you will save about four or five days.
You can reach this guy at 561-262-5200 or by calling the Indian Town Marina. I suggest calling the Army Corps of Engineers if you plan on the crossing to check the dept of Lake "O" because of the drought.[/QUOTE]
I read an article about a family that cut across like that in CW or one of those magainzes. Entertaining to say the least!. Since time isn't working against me I was thinking about going the long way 'round and making a stop in or around Islamarada then back up the West Coast.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
[QUOTE=ProfDruhot;3897]Adam, as you make your way down the East Coast call me here in New Nern, NC and we will help direct you. My number is: 260/705.8261.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Glenn!
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL