Sailing around clearwater. Fla.?

[biorapper]

I did an archive search and found very little information. Planning a trip in early April, I think, to this area. Know about the slips at caladesi island...and honey moon island and anclote key seem like good places to sail to.

Was wondering about any good anchorages and about the sailing. Need to look at a bettr chart...but it seems to me like there is not much good sailing in st. josephs sound, kinda shallow and "landy"...., and most sailing would be outside of the barrier islands?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

 

[sailormanbigd]

Clearwater

hi, alot would depend on the draft of your vessel. I sail in the northern waters mostly north of Anclote key. With a draft of 2 feet i usually don't have a problem almost anywhere i go. You can usually anchor in the lee of most islands, ie three rooker bar, South end of Anclote, or the sandbar north of Anclote key ( very crowded on nice weekends). If you are looking for marinas with ameneties i can't help you much-don't use them. If you stay near the channel in the intracoastal you will be fine with deeper draft. The Anclote river is a nice cruise but you would want to check ahead to find a place to tie up near the Tarpon Springs sponge docks-very limited public docking. You might check with Cap'n Jacks bar and grill. They have some transient slips that i have used to get a few cold ones and some fair eats and on the weekends they usually have music. It is alittle tight getting in there depending on the size of the vessel but good depth. Good luck and as you know Clearwater area is a boaters paradise, crystal clear water-usually, dolphins, boats and more boats, etc, etc. Patrick

 

[biorapper]

Sounds good Patrick. Found some more info. Looks like south to egmont could be a good trip too. Also read something about compass island in the sound. I'm for sure checking out Caladesi island and anclote key and sandbar. I usually try to find "anchorages" that I can sail the bow of boat onto, or very near, the beach and just hop off. I have a draft of 6', but can pull up centerboard. to a draft of 3'. A 2' draft! Is that a winged keel or something?

I'm a little worried about shoaling as it looks like there is lots of possibilities for that to happen w/ no local knowledge...

 

[sailormanbigd]

Clearwater

I have had two boats with swing keel/dagger boards. They were both aound 2 feet draft, an old southcoast 22, and a mcgreggor 26 with water balast. Shoals are definetly out there. The charts are pretty good and if you use the channel markers you will be fine.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Over on "Ladylove is home??" are some comments about water depth. We are now in Port Richey and are actually alarmed by the lack of water around here. We will only be able to sail during high tide and my H37C is shoal draft, a little over 4'. If we want to stay out we will have to anchor or tie up somewhere and come back in the next day.

I think overnights in the Anclote will be OK. We did a night at the municipal marina which is only .99 a foot plus elec. It is on the sponge dock side with all the activities right at your bow. I did sail from Clearwater once and remember that it was a shorter run to open water than most places north of the ICW. I also have sailed from "Marker 1" marina in Dunedin and that is a long, long, slog to get out of the channel.

We are new here so time will tell. But right now it seems that sailing will be much curtailed compared to the fifteen minutes into deep water on Lake Erie. ):

 

[Paul F]

Clearwater, Caladesi, St. Joesph Sound

You are taking about a lot of water from Tarpon Springs to Egmont Key. Attached are three charts of the Clearwater area. In partial answer to you anchorage question two good anghorages are shown. First off of the Clearwater Marina there is good anchorage to the East along the causeway. It is a good place to reprovision if you need food and drink also lots of resturants. The next is across from Dunedin on the intercoastal. But the best place by far is Caladesi Island a State Park Marina. I was there last weekend. Only $20 a night with electricty included. As far as Sailing inside when the Gulf is too much. A good area is St. Joesph Sound off of Honeymoon Island. If you can sail with the centerboard at 4 feet there is plenty of protected water to sail in. If you go to Egmont Key I would recommend you anchor overnight in Boca Ciega Bay or in the Manatee River. Normally this time of year the Gulf is fairly flat and great sailing.

 

[Ross in Tampa]

Let me know specifically what you know, I would be happy to help you out. The above posted charts should be of some assistance.

 

[Ed Schenck]

So Paul, are you still on that dock just through the entrance to the Clearwater marina? Did you remember that I sailed with you, probably five or six years now? I think I have pictures from that day saved away somewhere.

 

[Paul F]

Clearwater

Hi Ed, Followed your trip down from N.C. Welcome to your new winter home. Last year I moved the boat to the Clearwater Yacht Club. It is a bit closer to the pass. Say, if you or any other Tampa Bay sailor would like to join a very good sailing group the SSCA. Their monthly breakfast is this Saturday. All sailors and boaters are invited. There is no pressure to join, just a lot of sailors with common interests. Attached is Jeff’s letter about the breakfast. I also have started a Wednesday sailing group. We sail on each other’s boats every week. It might be a bit far to travel but you are welcome to join our group. SSCA link http://ssca.org

 

[Sailm8]

Just a note about Caladesi. The route to the park from the sign is a straight shot from the marker. The compass bearing is on the sign, follow it carefully. When we got in the park the ranger told us to just pull into any empty slip we wanted. the one we chose was close to the ramp and got really shallow during low tide(less that 5 feet). We draw 4 feet. I would make sure that next time I got a deeper slip. Great place and during the week after the last ferry leaves you might have the place to yourself.

Also some charts do not show that Hurricane pass has been dredged and marked so access from outside is possible.

 

[biorapper]

I was thinking of anchoring, if I make it to egmont key, in the t. petersburg downtown anchorage. Went there from tampa bay for new years fireworks one year...freaking awesome! That is alot of water to egmont from clearwater though, be one very good, long days sail me thinks. Thanks for all the advice!