Open boat cruising in Florida

[grayland]

Hello All-

My wife and I sail a Drascombe Longboat Cruiser- A 21' center board Gunter-rigged yawl with a small cuddy cabin. The boat displaces ~1000 lbs, but is basically a large open boat. It draws 1 foot with the board up, and 4.5 ft with the board all the way down (although it can be sailed with the board part way down- about 2.5 ft draft) and can be beached. We sail on Lake George and Lake Champlain. It is relatively easy to trailer and launch.

We're planning on spending a mini-sabbatical next Jan-April in Florida, and were wondering what areas to consider for day sailing and boat-camping in protected and coastal waters ? Ideally, we'd rent a house as a base, and keep the boat in a nearby marina (space permitting) for quick day sails, and trailer to other locations for more extended adventures. A less urban area would be preferable. We're wondering what regions to consider ? Preliminary research suggests that the west coast is preferable for this type of sailing, and our search on this forum has been very helpful. However we could use some additional info oriented more for this type of small boat "gunkholing."

We'll be taking a scouting trip down this march for a week, renting a car and exploring. But its a big state, so any suggestions as to even where to start would be much appreciated !

Many thanks
Barry

 

[Bill1565]

There is a pretty active small boat group here on the west coast. Call WM in Punta Gorda 941-637-0019 ask for Steve (the manager). He can put you onto the group. Also some of the local small boat guys are active on a forum called "Trailer Sailor"

 

[grayland]

Thanks Bill ! I'll definitely contact them.
Barry

 

[Sumner]

I don't know if you saw it or not, but we are also interested in the west coast and post a similar question (almost) on the "Destinations Forum". Here are 2 links to the questions we asked and got good replies to that have helped us a lot.

http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=115249

and

http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=115618

also some good stuff here on a different forum....

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f71/10-000-islands-and-bugs-36223.html

Good luck and have fun,

Sum and Ruth

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

 

[Rick Webb]

Search for "BEER Cruise" and for "G.R.I.T.S."

The timing has never worked out for me to go with them though I have made all the stops they make at different times.

http://bellsouthpwp2.net/b/s/bs_allen/

 

[CalebD]

You should check out 'Pine Island Center, FL' on google maps. I recall a marina of sorts at St. James City on the south end and you could rent a shanty and presumably a mooring for you boat.
This is an island that tourism has not ruined yet and stands in contrast to the 2 more famous outer islands: Sanibel & Captiva. It is still pretty rustic probably in part because it is mostly surrounded by mangroves with few sandy beaches. Sanibel is worth a visit to check out the shell strewn beaches on the Gulf and the park/preserve that takes up about half of the island (Darling Preserve).
In the winter the manatee are known to go up the river that runs by Fort Meyers when the Gulf waters get cold enough. This river turns into a canal that runs to Lake Okechobee and eventually all the way to the east coast.
Parts of Fort Meyers Beach were attractive where there were fewer high rises. If you want to avoid high rise condos then stay away from Naples and Marco Island.
There must be several other places of interest for you between the Ft. Meyers area and Tampa.
Have fun on your scouting trip.

 

[Paddywaggin]

Check out http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss . There are a lot of great places you can look at, just google some of these; Cedar Key, Anclote Key, Caladesi Island, Cayo Costa State Park, 10,000 Islands and Everglades City.

 

[grayland]

Thanks !

Dear Bill, Sumner, Rick, Caleb, and Paddywagon-

Thank you all for taking the time to write. The links and suggestions have been really helpful in getting us oriented, and providing a place to start. We are clearly faced with an embarrassment of riches !
I'll look forward to meeting some of you on the water.

Barry

 

[Hawk4661]

I too want to thank you guys for once again sharing your ideas/ web sites for "trailer sailing". I hope to meet many of you soon. I want to explore more of "fl beautiful west coast".