West Coast of Florida

[jwieneck]

Well the snow and cold here in Chicago over the holidays has revived the admirals thinking about taking the boat to the west coast of Florida again. This time she seems more serious about it so I am looking for some suggestion on marinas in the Tampa or preferred just North of Tampa area. My wife has a town in mind I think it is called Dunedin, Fl. I have looked at the web and Marina.com but was hopping that some of you Florida West Coaster could give me some information. We would be looking for a year round marina that is safe and has reasonable rates. The boat would be our escape in winter and my wife would come down some on her own to just get warm. In about 5 years we would more than likely more down to the boat and I hope start traveling some like to the Keys etc.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Joe
can't help you but you can clarify something for me - what is a Hunter 367?
Thought it was a typo at first but saw the same designation in your profile.

 

[Paul F]

Many Marinas

You will find many marinas down here in the Tampa Bay area. Dunedin is a very good one. There may be a waiting list for it. And it is a city marina so Dunedin residents have first choice. But, not to worry, as there are many others to choose from. If you have never been here I would suggest that you plan a vacation this winter and enjoy some good weather while you look around. I would be happy to show you the ones available in Pinellas County. Availability of slips is better with the recession.

 

[Paul356]

I spent 24 hrs in Dunedin and really liked it. Good place for what you have in mind. The marina was very full, tho.

 

[jwieneck]

Sorry I should be saying 376 I must have made this mistake many times thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I also spent time looking and really like Dunedin. I have also chartered out of there. There are issues like: a long motor to open water including waiting for a bridge, the city marina was full last year with a waiting list and residents get first dibs(maybe only dibs), the marinas in that area are generally full and expensive. Good thing, it is where my favorite restaurant is located, Bon Appetit.

I have also checked in Tarpon Springs, some space available at a small yacht club. Found more affordable slips closer to where we are(New Port Richey) in Port Richey. With all that said I still want to be in Tampa Bay and will do the forty-five minute drive if I can find a slip, probably in St. Petersburg. The problem with Dunedin and north are the long motors to open water and no bays or other protected sailing areas when the wind pipes up.

Just a Lake Erie sailor's opinion after a few charters in the area. I would love to be wrong and have the boat closer to the condo. I'll be there with my boat before March(I hope) so need to find a spot.

 

[jwieneck]

Ed are you taking your boat down the rivers or shipping it?

 

[Alan]

I've been doing ...

..the same thing but a little further south in the Charlotte Harbor area. Have been looking in Burnt Store, Pine Island, and Punta Gorda. Anyone with any recommendations?? I am also looking for local yacht club racing.

 

[seadaddler]

Charlotte Harbor

Burnt Store has plenty of open slip when I asked a month a go and so does Fisherman's Wharf in Punta Gorda.
Plenty of good sailing in Charlotte Harbor and easy out to gulf and down towards Ft Myers.
I also see plenty racing in Harbor with the Punta Gorda sailing club.
My boat is still over on the east coast but will be sailing over to Burnt Store
some time in Jan.
Nick

 

[Sailm8]

Try here http://www.pgscweb.com/

We have a vert active club