Hudson Florida to Sarasota

[RECESS]

I am moving my boat this Saturday from Hudson Florida to Sarasota. Weather permitting, I am looking to sail outside from Hudson to Clearwater and anchoring off the ICW overnight. Thoughts on good anchoring when coming through the pass? The next day We will sail from Clearwater to Sarasota and get a mooring ball.

If weather forces me to use the ICW from Tarpon to Sarasota, what advice do you have about that stretch?

 

[RECESS]

I am seeing on Active Captain that the inlet by Clearwater Yacht Club is the best anchoring area near Sand Key Bridge? Anyone with experience anchoring here?

 

[inarathree]

I would use the Clearwater Harbor Marina or Clearwater Beach Marina

http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/marine_aviation/ma_facilities/boatslips/index.asp

Or if you want to be on the hook, I have also spent the night here.

 

[HernandoBeacher]

Depending on wind, we have dropped the hook along the Dunedin City Marina channel a few times in over 5 feet depths.

 

[RECESS]

I really like the Dunedin City Marina, both facilities and staff. We launched our Catalina 22 from there and the harbor master found a place we could leave our trailer and truck while we were at Caladesi island for four days.

 

[sailormanbigd]

I would stay put

Call me krazy but there is a front scheduled to push thru on sat with rain and possibly some heavy weather? Then the overnight temp is supposed to go down in the 50's. Wouldn't be my favorite Florida sailing weather!

 

[RECESS]

NOAA marine forecast updated last night. Not pretty for Saturday.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Sailflow is predicting very high winds in your area for Saturday, gphich means some large waves.

I stayed at Clearwater Marina while in Clearwater. Must take a left after the bridge and follow the buoys. Good place to stay and restaurants at the marina and nearby.

If you take the Intercoastal south of Clearwater you just have to deal with the bridges. It didn't delay me much. Watch for big ships moving fast in the ship channel in Tampa Bay. I had one going 15 knots that will overtake you quicker than you think if you only have visual cues to avoid it. I had radar and AIS and was glad I did.

It is a pleasant trip down the Intercoastal and a good days trip from Clearwater Pass area to Sarasota.

 

[RECESS]

I think Saturday has been cancelled. Hoping for Sunday. I just have 16 nautical miles of open water before I am in the ICW.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Looks like pretty fair conditions this morning if you limit your ocean to 16 NM and go in at Anclote. Gets better during the day, but the direction of the winds looks pretty good for you. Have a nice trip!

 

[RECESS]

We sailed from Hudson to Clearwater yesterday..... Motorsailing that is. And we are going past Egmont key right now on our way to Sarasota. Hoping to be on a mooring ball before sunset.