Sailing in Sarasota

[Kermit]

My First Mate and I will arrive in Sarasota this Friday afternoon with our AquaCat 12.5. Will sail it from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. They're having what appears to be a pretty large regatta this weekend, so we won't actually sail until Labor Day. We will be in Sarasota until Sunday the 11th but probably will take our last sail on Saturday the 10th.

If y'all see a very small catamaran with a middle-aged couple, sail by and give us a shout-out. (Actually, my First Mate looks pretty dang good. I look pretty dang middle-aged.) The sail is multi-colored and we'll have on blue and yellow life vests. The picture attached came from the American Sail website, but it looks just like ours.

Kermit

 

[soling42]

SSS is having a huge regatta for labor day weekend but it'll quiet down after Monday. Although our boat is in the shop we're out that way for the whole circus so maybe we'll cross paths. Have a great stay and be safe.
Mike and Kelli

 

[Kermit]

Mike, I think you're the one who told me about SSS awhile back. Thanks for the heads up about them. At first they didn't think they would have room for our boat over the weekend but then said they'd find room for us.

We're pretty dang excited about our trip!

 

[31seahorse]

While you are in Sarasota........(between sailing and waving at the locals)......be sure to visit the Ringling Mansion and museum, Marina Jacks, and the botanical gardens that are within walking distance of the marina and municipal park. (I can't think of the name of the gardens just now.) Walking in the city a few blocks back from the marina was fun for us too. We were there on a boat and looked for things to do while we waited out some high winds and cool weather.
Enjoy your stay!

 

[Kermit]

Just checked out marinajacks.com. Looks like a great place to go. Thanks for the other suggestions, too!

 

[gpdno]

We're going to be at Marina Jack's Saturday evening and Sunday morning. If I see your colorful sail I'll wander over and say hi.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Sarastoa memories

Please forgive my reminiscing but your title and discussion of Marina Jack's brings back great memories. My youngest daughter used to live there so I have sailed from SSS. But one of my first dates with my wife(blue windbreaker) and her first cruise was on an H460 out of St. Pete. The other two couples are racing friends from our Ohio club. Our next to last day and last evening was to come in off the Gulf, scrape under the high bridge, and anchor off Marina Jack's just as a storm hit us. Then dinghy over to the point for drinks. We had a free night at the Sarasota Yacht Club thanks to reciprocity. Wish I had a picture of their dinner buffet, six stations each manned by a specialty chef! That was February, 2007.

 

[soling42]

Drinks at Olearys at the park adjacent to Marina Jacks....a favorite watering hole for thirsty sailors and snowbirds alike Our modest ride docks there often(pic below). It's a quick walk uptown to many other lunch/dinner spots.

Here's a few more local guy tips.

The equally casual Salty dog just up the street from the SSS on City Island which is about 2mi from St Armands Circle. Upscale window shopping at St Armands circle and great Black beans and rice with cuban bread at the famous Columbia Restaurant among a dozen other lunch/dinner stops.

Very near the SSS is the Chart House which has a fabulous view of N side of New pass and a good early bird menu. Go early and get a window seat. At the S end of the New Pass bridge is a bait shop that has a great burger and cold beer for a carry out dinner at the dockside.

If you have a car and want to explore a little, go down to Venice pier about 20mi S and eat at Sharkys. Nice casual spot on the Gulf, good food and usually live music outdoors. Fish off the free pier or just walk the famous shark tooth beach at sunset.

Don't miss a stop in Siesta Village in sarasota for island style casual shops and outdoors dinner drinks along with the #1 rated beach in the world(no kidding). Quartz sand has been voted the whitest anywhere. Catch a sunset and watch for the green flash.

Been here all my life and as you'd guess, I'm pretty well traveled at all of our watering holes. Have fun and drop us a line if you'd like to grab a drink or have dinner. Whatever you do don't tell anybody else about how great it is down here.

Mike

 

[Kermit]

Have fun and drop us a line if you'd like to grab a drink or have dinner.
Mike

Thanks for the information and invite. We'll PM you about dinner or drinks (or both).
Kermit