Big Sarasota Pass

[Benny]

Could any sailor provide the current conditions for the entry through the Big Sarasota Pass. I'm looking to go t Sarasota in December and would like to know if it is possible to go in from the Gulf or should I enter the Intra-coastal prior. Our H-27 draws 4'3". Our charts may be a little outdated and I know they move the outside marker quite frequently. Any information will be appreciated.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Don't do it

The local fishing boats use it as well as really shoal cats but I wouldn't recommend dragging a keel through there. It's got shoals all over the place, it's a twisty entrance and the recent storms may have made the channel less reliable on charts than it already was.We went through last about 4 years ago with a police boat escort in a big regatta and it was skinny then (we draw 5') and people were going aground. Oh yeah, did I mention the big swells, ocassionally breaking, that sweep the channel? I was plenty puckered up.From the south, come in the Venice Inlet.From the north, come in Longboat Pass.