How friendly are the depths of Tampa Bay amd surrounding waters for a Catalina 30 Fin keel that draws 5'3"
Tampa Bay
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Here's a chart
I live in the Tampa Bay area, but I sail along the Gulf coast, so I'm not really familiar with the bay. Here's an online chart of Tampa Bay that may be helpful.
I live in the Tampa Bay area, but I sail along the Gulf coast, so I'm not really familiar with the bay. Here's an online chart of Tampa Bay that may be helpful.
Cactus Jack
How would the 5'3 draft do on your side. My folks lived in Palm Harbor for several years on Swan Ln that side could work also
How would the 5'3 draft do on your side. My folks lived in Palm Harbor for several years on Swan Ln that side could work also
It depends on what you consider friendly.
Tampa Bay has shipping channels servicing cargo and cruise ships. These channels are 50' deep and service a number of deep water ports within the lower Bay. The lower Bay depth ranges from 10-25 feet with some shallows near land with 3-5 feet. The upper bay is shallower and crossed by two briges and causeways. The channels on the upper Bay are 8' deep. Tampa Bay is a true Bay with just one opening to the south which leads to the Gulf of Mexico. The tidal range is not large averaging 1-3 feet with currents of 1 to 1.5 knots. In the winter the tides are lower and when strong northerly blows it may empty the Bay further. There may be 2 or 3 days a year when nobody can get in or out of their marinas. There are a couple of marinas one in St petersburg and the other in Tampa which are accecible at most times. Other marinas on the eastern shore may require you to enter or exit at high tide. There are some popular anchorages like Egmont Key, the Vinoy Basin and Paradise Island that can be accesed at all times. From the Bay you can follow the ICW south to Ft Myers or north to Clearwater or you can easily go out to the Gulf for some offshore sailing. Bay waters are protected with good winds from autum through spring but in the summer months the winds die down. Wave action in the Bay is mostly dictated by boat traffic rather than wind. One good thing is that from most marinas and locations on the Bay you can be out sailing in 5 minutes or less.
Tampa Bay has shipping channels servicing cargo and cruise ships. These channels are 50' deep and service a number of deep water ports within the lower Bay. The lower Bay depth ranges from 10-25 feet with some shallows near land with 3-5 feet. The upper bay is shallower and crossed by two briges and causeways. The channels on the upper Bay are 8' deep. Tampa Bay is a true Bay with just one opening to the south which leads to the Gulf of Mexico. The tidal range is not large averaging 1-3 feet with currents of 1 to 1.5 knots. In the winter the tides are lower and when strong northerly blows it may empty the Bay further. There may be 2 or 3 days a year when nobody can get in or out of their marinas. There are a couple of marinas one in St petersburg and the other in Tampa which are accecible at most times. Other marinas on the eastern shore may require you to enter or exit at high tide. There are some popular anchorages like Egmont Key, the Vinoy Basin and Paradise Island that can be accesed at all times. From the Bay you can follow the ICW south to Ft Myers or north to Clearwater or you can easily go out to the Gulf for some offshore sailing. Bay waters are protected with good winds from autum through spring but in the summer months the winds die down. Wave action in the Bay is mostly dictated by boat traffic rather than wind. One good thing is that from most marinas and locations on the Bay you can be out sailing in 5 minutes or less.
I sail in Tampa Bay
You shouldn't have any trouble. I sail a hunter 23 with a shallow draft and I haven't had any problems. My friends have big boats like yours and they sail with no problem. The first response to your request tells it all. Going into old Tampa Bay the Bridges are low for the bigger boats. You shouldn't have any problem with your boat.
You shouldn't have any trouble. I sail a hunter 23 with a shallow draft and I haven't had any problems. My friends have big boats like yours and they sail with no problem. The first response to your request tells it all. Going into old Tampa Bay the Bridges are low for the bigger boats. You shouldn't have any problem with your boat.
How good are you at following a chart...
Tampa Bay for the most part will accomodate a draft that deep. Be careful of the channels, and most inlets where there is constant shoaling. Do not cut corners on channel markers. I have done that a couple of times, you make it sometimes, sometimes you bump bottom. My boat only draws 3 feet, the keel is 2 1/2, but the rudder is 6" lower than the keel. So you feel the bottom in the tiller before the keel hits. I have the luxury of being able to put my shoulder to her and for the most part muscle her out of shallow water. You might not have that luxury. Just my 2 cents. Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
Tampa Bay for the most part will accomodate a draft that deep. Be careful of the channels, and most inlets where there is constant shoaling. Do not cut corners on channel markers. I have done that a couple of times, you make it sometimes, sometimes you bump bottom. My boat only draws 3 feet, the keel is 2 1/2, but the rudder is 6" lower than the keel. So you feel the bottom in the tiller before the keel hits. I have the luxury of being able to put my shoulder to her and for the most part muscle her out of shallow water. You might not have that luxury. Just my 2 cents. Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
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