Florida Sailing

Happy Holiday's to everyone! I am looking for all those with experience sailing the Florida gulf waters. I am currently researching the possibility of relocating myself and L'Esprit Libre (Cal 40) to the southern Florida coast on the gulf side. I had looked into the area around Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte and Naples. I am looking for any information as to the sailing conditions, marinas, depth of channels, bridge clearance problems and costs of slips in the area. Any information would be nice to know about the gulf side of Florida. Thanks, Patrick L'Esprit Libre 1968 Cal 40 #137

Have you checked out Tampa Bay? My oldest brother moved there. Jerry --- On Sun, 12/23/07, Patrick Fiega <pf… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Patrick Fiega <pf… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Florida Sailing To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, December 23, 2007, 1:35 PM Happy Holiday's to everyone! I am looking for all those with experience sailing the Florida gulf waters. I am currently researching the possibility of relocating myself and L'Esprit Libre (Cal 40) to the southern Florida coast on the gulf side. I had looked into the area around Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte and Naples. I am looking for any information as to the sailing conditions, marinas, depth of channels, bridge clearance problems and costs of slips in the area. Any information would be nice to know about the gulf side of Florida. Thanks, Patrick L'Esprit Libre 1968 Cal 40 #137

I was a power boater when I lived in Miami, but the issues are similar. The southern half of the state is a flat table that only extends several feet above sea level all the way across. That table also extends out to sea, meaning that the waters are VERY shallow out to a good distance off shore. The bottom is mostly coral rock, which means if you so much as touch the bottom you suffer damage. But I miss those azure waters every day! --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "Patrick Fiega" <pfiega@...> wrote: > > Happy Holiday's to everyone! > > I am looking for all those with experience sailing the Florida gulf > waters. I am currently researching the possibility of relocating > myself and L'Esprit Libre (Cal 40) to the southern Florida coast on > the gulf side. I had looked into the area around Fort Meyers, Port > Charlotte and Naples. I am looking for any information as to the > sailing conditions, marinas, depth of channels, bridge clearance > problems and costs of slips in the area. Any information would be > nice to know about the gulf side of Florida. > > Thanks, > > Patrick > L'Esprit Libre > 1968 Cal 40 #137 >

We are having horrible weather here in So. California today, snow, sleet, rain, earthquakes, mudslides, and riots, not to mention high winds and forest and brush fires. But the water off shore is plenty deep for a Cal 40 keel. The only shallow place I know is the lagoon at the end of Cat harbor where I anchor me Cal 24 with its retractable centerboard. Jerry --- On Mon, 12/24/07, Lee Baker <sc… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Lee Baker <sc… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Florida Sailing To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, December 24, 2007, 6:46 AM I was a power boater when I lived in Miami, but the issues are similar. The southern half of the state is a flat table that only extends several feet above sea level all the way across. That table also extends out to sea, meaning that the waters are VERY shallow out to a good distance off shore. The bottom is mostly coral rock, which means if you so much as touch the bottom you suffer damage. But I miss those azure waters every day! --- In Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com , "Patrick Fiega" <pfiega@...> wrote: > > Happy Holiday's to everyone! > > I am looking for all those with experience sailing the Florida gulf > waters. I am currently researching the possibility of relocating > myself and L'Esprit Libre (Cal 40) to the southern Florida coast on > the gulf side. I had looked into the area around Fort Meyers, Port > Charlotte and Naples. I am looking for any information as to the > sailing conditions, marinas, depth of channels, bridge clearance > problems and costs of slips in the area. Any information would be > nice to know about the gulf side of Florida. > > Thanks, > > Patrick > L'Esprit Libre > 1968 Cal 40 #137 >

Hi Patrick! Beth & I are planning on leaving Marathon, Fl within a month aboard our "new" Cal-40. Most likely heading to Pensacola. We have no experience in these waters so cannot advise you yet, but if we beat you to the water, we'll let you know what we find out. I've been told by reliable sources that the water is shallow and northers suck. I guess we'll find the deep stuff and reef (and avoid freighters, tankers, oil rigs, jet-ski's and monsters of the deep as well). If you beat us to the water, you do the same, OK? --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "Patrick Fiega" <pfiega@...> wrote: > > Happy Holiday's to everyone! > > I am looking for all those with experience sailing the Florida gulf > waters. I am currently researching the possibility of relocating > myself and L'Esprit Libre (Cal 40) to the southern Florida coast on > the gulf side. I had looked into the area around Fort Meyers, Port > Charlotte and Naples. I am looking for any information as to the > sailing conditions, marinas, depth of channels, bridge clearance > problems and costs of slips in the area. Any information would be > nice to know about the gulf side of Florida. > > Thanks, > > Patrick > L'Esprit Libre > 1968 Cal 40 #137 >

A question for the knowledgeable folk here: where's the best location in Florida for day sailing and the occasional coastal cruise? Speaking of the winter months, mostly. I guess I wd have to include the constraint of non-astronomical moorage rates. Thx- Nick

Message didn't go through the first time -- try again! Don Dutton ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Donald Dutton <dn… [at] sbcglobal.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 3:32:05 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Florida sailing (Nick) Don't know about the best, but my all time favorite was The Harborage in St. Petersburg ( http://www.harboragemarina.com/ ) smack dab in the middle of Tampa Bay. Nice day sails to anchorages all around the bay, longer sails to Sarasota Bay, and easy access to the Gulf for longer journeys. You cannot beat the racing at St. Petersburg Yacht Club just a mile to the north. You could also journey quite far up the intracoastal and tie up at restaurants. And you can't beat The Pier in St. Pete. The very large park north of The Pier always had concerts and volleyball games, tennis, parks for kids, etc., etc. You are walking distance from spring training baseball and now have Major League Baseball and NFL Football. Dali museum and Children's Science Museum were also walking distance. While The Harborage does not have maintenance facilities, they are 1/4 mile away to the south with four yards and two or three canvas shops. Prices were very reasonable when I was there. Just looking at their website brings back great memories! We also stayed for 4 years in Panama City which has great day sailing and good anchorages. No where near the city amenities though. I would gladly go back to either and have cruised to Pensacola where amenities and sailing are great, also! Tough choice! Donald Dutton, 1986 Cal 33-2, "Quantum Evolution" "Twenty Years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ........Mark Twain From: Nick Evans <qg… [at] shaw.ca> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 2:14:06 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Florida sailing A question for the knowledgeable folk here: where's the best location in Florida for day sailing and the occasional coastal cruise? Speaking of the winter months, mostly. I guess I wd have to include the constraint of non-astronomical moorage rates. Thx- Nick

Nick, Depends on what you are looking for, and how mich time you have to spend "coastal cruising". . Although the east coast is nice, the west coast - from Naples/Marco Island to north of Tampa is the best in my not so humble opinion. I've lived all over the state, and so I think I know, but others may have a different take, perhaps the keys...not my favorite but it is nice too. If I were to do it and I had a couple of weeks, I'd likely spend my time between Sarasota/Long Boat Key up towards Anclotte Key of Tarpon Springs....lots of great water, lots of places to duck in for toddies, and lots of great beaches..... If you want more detail, contact me offline with your requirements, and I'd be happy to hook you up... My .02... Charles S/V Boomerang! 1980 Cal 39, Mark II St Michaels, MD From: Nick Evans <qg… [at] shaw.ca> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 5:14:06 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Florida sailing A question for the knowledgeable folk here: where's the best location in Florida for day sailing and the occasional coastal cruise? Speaking of the winter months, mostly. I guess I wd have to include the constraint of non-astronomical moorage rates. Thx- Nick

Marathon Florida. 275/month for a mooring ball, and they dont take reservations. There is enough room in the bay that you can drop an anchor and wait till one frees up. Heard nothing but good stories about the place. Other may know of places closer http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/index.aspx?NID=42 -- /ch

We live in Islamorada, between Key Largo and Marathon. We were having a problem with the FWC in Marathon for a while, but I haven't heard any negative comments for quite a while. When we get to go out and play we bounce from here to the Dry Tortugas. Our boat has a 7' draft so our anchorages are very limited. The Marqueses, Boca Grand and many of the barrier islands are a blast. We spent 4 days off of Moony Key (last island of the marqueses). We were the only ones there. I grew up in St. pete, but the keys has the best places to get away from it all. If you want the party life you can have it with Key West. Dockage is expensive, but doing the Duval Crawl is a must thing to do at least once. I hope this helps, Rich & Carol From: chris123 <ch… [at] gmail.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 9:27:26 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Florida sailing Marathon Florida. 275/month for a mooring ball, and they dont take reservations. There is enough room in the bay that you can drop an anchor and wait till one frees up. Heard nothing but good stories about the place. Other may know of places closer http://www.ci. marathon. fl.us/index. aspx?NID= 42 -- /ch

Hello Richard & Carol, Will you be doing the Miami to Key Largo race? We are... April, 17th. More info here. Michael & Brenda s/v Magic Cal 2-27

Nick, I vote for Biscayne Bay, Miami. Great sailing, good wind, flat & clear water, with lots of places to anchor. Michael

I sailed from Key Largo to Key West over the holidays this last year. My votes would be Marathon (I really want to spend more time there)and Key West (hanging out at the city docks was so much fun!) --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, richard beliveau <richbel@...> wrote: > > We live in Islamorada, between Key Largo and Marathon. We were having a problem with the FWC in Marathon for a while, but I haven't heard any negative comments for quite a while. > > When we get to go out and play we bounce from here to the Dry Tortugas. Our boat has a 7' draft so our anchorages are very limited. The Marqueses, Boca Grand and many of the barrier islands are a blast. We spent 4 days off of Moony Key (last island of the marqueses). We were the only ones there. > > I grew up in St. pete, but the keys has the best places to get away from it all. If you want the party life you can have it with Key West. Dockage is expensive, but doing the Duval Crawl is a must thing to do at least once. > > I hope this helps, > > Rich & Carol > > > > > ________________________________ > From: chris123 <chris.herrnberger@...> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 9:27:26 PM > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Florida sailing > >  > Marathon Florida. 275/month for a mooring ball, and they dont take reservations. There is enough room in the bay that you can drop an anchor and wait till one frees up. Heard nothing but good stories about the place. Other may know of places closer > > http://www.ci. marathon. fl.us/index. aspx?NID= 42 > > > -- > /ch >

Thanks to the folks for the good advice on Florida sailing; I hope to prove you all right in the near future! Cheers - Nick

Hey Nick, depending on the amount of time you have, might I suggest that you take advantage of ALL the good follows ups you got, and do the whole trip, from the Keys to Anclotte.....that would be awesome....and it is...having done it more than a few times... Charles S/V Boomerang! 1980 Cal 39, Mark II St Michaels, MD From: Nick Evans <qg… [at] shaw.ca> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 2:20:22 PM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Re: Florida sailing Thanks to the folks for the good advice on Florida sailing; I hope to prove you all right in the near future! Cheers - Nick

Please let us know about your experiences. While I enjoyed my stays in Florida waters, several of the other recommendations were quite enticing and sounded very good. Maybe someday.... I am really glad you asked the question as the responses were quite good. Donald Dutton, 1986 Cal 33-2, "Quantum Evolution" "Twenty Years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ........Mark Twain From: Nick Evans <qg… [at] shaw.ca> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 11:20:22 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Re: Florida sailing Thanks to the folks for the good advice on Florida sailing; I hope to prove you all right in the near future! Cheers - Nick