Florida Sailors

Hi All,

Thanks for the feed back, and insrance is again procured via Boat US. I don't kow if the rate is the best, but I am avoiding (Bella) USAA fo the next several months until I can gets access to my so called "subscriber savings accound" funds. After 40 years as a member the funds are meaningful, and like many I can use them. Unfortunately, you have to wait 6 months after ending your insurance. USAA does have my boat loan, however. Wish me luck.

As for boat shows I will be at ST. Pete, but doubt I doubt I will go to Miami again in the near future as I can't afford any new equipment anyway. I will be heading to the West Coast Gam the middle of this month to see if I can make more cruising connections. Now the CayoMio is now seaworthy again I am looking forward to the coming months.

Fair winds....
Capt Tom

I know USAA will not insure over a certain size nor over a certain age. Though I have had USAA auto insurance for 35 years they will not touch my boat. 50k, 1973, 45'

Contact Al Golden, International Marine Insurance....
Joel

is there anyone here in regatta point marina?? is in manatee river in tampa bay... we will be in there tomorrow----candida is the sloop's name---come see us.....

I am in Pasadena marina which is across Tampa Bay from Regatta point... abt 35 minutes away. What slip are you in?
Joel

I am near the North end of the Skyway. How long are you going to be there?

i will know slip number when we get in tomorrow--right now we are in manatee river, anchored---we will be in slip one night---will advise tomorrow when we get into slip the number.....we are medium blue hull 37 foot sloop.....

You're correct Bella, one is a river, one is a bay, but seeing as how she had to transit the mouth of Tampa Bay to get to the Manatee I figured she knew where Tampa Bay is and could thus decipher what "across Tampa Bay" meant. Regatta Point is a nice marina by the way. No holy rollers there now. Their pool/hot tub makes a great stop after day on the water. Wx being what it is, I'd suggest the hot tub today. The restaurant at head of pier has a nice enough selection, especially breakfast.

we are in slip 42 here in regatta point. is a cute marina and the folks are very nice.
will have conch fritters in the restaurant on the dock at 1800---looking forward to that !!!!! we stay here until tomorrow morning then go to anchor in mouth of the manatee river again----hang there until friday when we leave for port st joe---another cute place we love to visit...finish our reprovisioning there then go to pensacola and onward......wolf bay vs ingrams bayou----like wolf bay better---has a hook in it and inside is coool....and roomier than ingrams bayou--then past lulus to the missippi sound and onward...

... have to enter tampa bay to get here....might as well call it what it is--in tampa bay for all intents and purposes...LOL

there is a punta there and a nice anchorage--a park on the punta......donot know the name of the park....many folks fish there

the sunset tonite over the manatee river was delightful but i couldnt get pix of it----didnt has my camera with me
waaaah.......

i started to sort my 3000+ pix of these trips----wow--might b e abit longer before i can get them posted--i need a lot of electricity for this--port st joe next stop--we leave in just a few for that port--is such a gorgeous little place----200 miles from here, to the north....

Should be a great sail.....north to east at 15
Give us a wave as you pass by Hudson !!

lol i was tooo busy to wave lol-----was long long 36 hours -- we got slammed by the incoming cold front----first daylight hours out were awesome--seas 1-3 ft and decent wind----night time turned everything upside down and inside out---we broke everything we could break and still sail and motor----main sheet traveller,fouled the spoinnaker halyard into the furling drum--LOL--that was fun--could no treduce sail more than to 100 percent--LOL--got pooped over th estbd quarter LOL--that was speshully fun!!!! water more than 2 ft taller than freeboard!!! we are still pumping it out!!! decided to go to appalachacola instead of port st oe first as is closer by 30 or so miles----now we are sleeping!!!!!
rule number one we broke was--donot go out just before a front passes theru....rule number two--donot nder any circumstances go out on a passage of 2 days duration without getting a full nite sleep before ----LOL----- so we are here and sleeping.......LOL--and couldnt wave to anyone--oh yes---auto didnt work in the6-10 ft seas we had from all directions during this fun time passage ---was a gas--------

duh, belch -- roflmfao---is not my boat --is not my decision!!!!
the sailing was awesome--boat response was goood.....this has been a great shakedown cruise so far----as we ready the boat for further travels--donot worry, belch--i donot call coastguard when something goes not to my wishes, as does your friend!!!!! uscg rescues are same as life raft use---only when you have to step UP to the raft .... LOL.......i consider all experiences as mid terms in the sailing exams with the sea gods LOL......when you taking out your boat????

i havent found any weather in the gulf--including active electrical storms with 60 kts winds, or the weather of an approaching front that would be a problem for a decent cruising boat----is a change from the 30kt winds and 30 ft seas of the pacific----and a rather enjoyable goood time...candida handled the seas well and we enjoyed every aspect of our adventure.........

thought you guys would like some moon-----over tortugas---is awesome--but much better in person!!!

one would think florida would be warmer than it is this nice frigid el nino year---bu ti gues i shoulda brought some warmies lol.......is a cold one LOL....even though oit is farther south than is san diego LOL/........

we said good bye to florida today--with fair winds and following seas and full moon and stars to guide us---seas were awesome---1-5 ft throughout the night---morning dawned beautifully and the fish that got away bent my heavy duty deep sea pole in half an dbroke my steel leader---was 45 pound leader---lol-----woulda been a great dinner LOL----in jan he is MINE--i will appear from no where with a stronger leader and catch his self!!!! we are bypassing pensacola after watching the blue anghels practice--havent seen them since they were based out of mitchell field, LI loooong time ago---we lived in garden city and they shook the ground and rattled our windows then LOL....cooool---they still rock......we go to alabammy to ingrams bayou for the windy nite anchoring........back in florida in january on our way to the virgins..LOL

we had a feeling we should go --thur morning---we made the scalded dog run from ingrams bayou to slidell in 2 days with anchoring at petit bois island overnite....rather than do the rigolets in evening and under bridge at nite--we opted to go through rigolets then under bridge at night....we opted to anchor at the mansion at the entrance to rigolets marina .....our friend works there..LOL --in rigolets marina ....in morning we went to where the boat will and does sit for nov and dec......in slidell......lol.....was a gas--we got 3500 miles under keel now---so does bubba daboatkat LOL...well sailed kat and us.....we got back just half day or so before ida decided to go just east of us....gooood place and timing...

oh--btw--we are done for this year..unless we go out in december--but i feel jan is the departure date this time lol.......see ye then!!!!!! LOL

Was up in Hurricane Hole with Blue Highway. We were there with the CMCS and had an AWESOME Turkey Day dinner!!!! Join us any time.

Thanks for trying to help with me with my outboard!!!

Capt Tom & Queen Olivia

Who is all going to the Miami Boat Show? I am.

Mi boat is in the area, so if anyone coming give me a call

Hi all. New to this group and look forward to chatting about Florida cruising grounds. Will be bringing the boat down to Jacksonville from North Carolina as soon as the weather warms up just a tad...hopfully late March. See you out there.
Jim

Hello to all!

I just joined and thought I'd introduce myself and my vessel. I sail out of Green Cove Springs, Fl. and I use the Lower St. Johns river and near coastal waters in my 1978 Watkins 23XL which I'm also restoring. LIFE IS GOOD!

Also......

Buffett is playing in Ft. Lauderdale on 27FEB10, anybody else going?

Hi all. I am currently in Ky sailing on Ky lake, but am working on a move to Fl. I will be keeping my boat in Pensacola. So I wanted to get hooked up with this group to slowly glean information over the next year. I am looking forward to getting my boat out the lake and onto some water where I can do some real cruising. I have one question to start with. Roughly speaking with good weather about how long would it take to sail from Mobile Al to Pensacola? Thanks

It's about 80 sea miles so I should think 16-18 hours depending on the speed of your vessel etc. When you get to Pensacola, a MUCH better option for gunkholing or overnight trips is to go East to Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Navarre, Panama City, and Port St. Joe.

Anyway, WELCOME TO FLORIDA! Have lots of fun and look out for the hurricanes up in the panhandle!

MIke

Thanks for the info, Thats what I was guessing was a long day, but I like your idea better gunkholing my way over. I love to sail and have been wanting to my boat out on some big water for a while, she is a lot of fun for the Ky Lake but needs more room, or I need more room lol. I think I can maintain a good 7 knts, maybe 7.5 depending on wind. Looking forward to the trip.
Thanks Mike,

Barry

Hi all. Was curious if anyone was in or familiar with Flemming Island Marina in Jacksonville. As of now, it looks like that's where I will be headed when I bring the boat down next month. Any info would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jim

I live close to Fleming Island and I'll come off duty on 24FEB10, I'll check it out if you can wait that long. Just let me know what information you need specifically and I'll do the leg work for you.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the response. I have family in the area and have been by a few times to check it out. They have everything I need in the way of amenities, but I have never see another person there other than employees. Ever. I was hoping for a more active "marina crowd" as the folks at my current place have become good friends. I get the feeling FI marina is more like a parking garage for boats. Was hoping maybe someone in this group would know the score. Thanks again. Jim

Got my boat out of the water Having the bottom done its been four yours so it needs it Hope to have it back in by friday but its cool and has rained some as well so it may take some more time than that I have a few pic i'll post of the boat out i

Jim:

There is a marina just across the St. Johns in Old Bull Bay (the name escapes me at present) which has a number of live aboards there and is a pretty sociable place. There is a restaurant/bar attached which has live bands, good food, cold beer, and plenty of sailboat drivers. Nice people too!

Hello Michael...

I have a friend Steve, who has his Gulfstar 39 at Green Cove Springs. I believe he intends to launch, S/V Gueneka, as soon as he finishes painting the bottom (slowed by the adverse weather). I just thought I check in with you to see if you knew him... We are readying our boat in Palm Coast to travel south during the month of March. We will likely catch up with Steve somewhere along the way (if he doesn't travel too fast).

I have a friend Randy, Morgan 40y something at Green Cove Springs too. I used to be at Ortega River till they remodeled it. too pricey now, but great location.

Cruising out to the Tortugas around the 25 . Leaving Newfound Harbor by Big Pine Key . Expect to stay at Boca Grande for a day or so . Anyone else free would be fun to doit with a group . Currently there are 2 boats going .

Man, That sounds real inviting. I just got my head sail back with a new UV cover and am lookin to give her a fly. Stop in KW harbor around Fleming Key and drop me a line. s/v Know Patience

Sounds like a plan Mike I'll look you up s/v Harmony

Hi All, New to this group. Also new to FL. Boat still in Brunswick GA till weather gets warmer.

Brunswick is a lovely town and BLM is a great Marina to deal with.

Joe

hurry--mebbe ye can meet up with us in port st joe .....is gorgeous there ..port st joe marina is a goood place and the winter rates are excellent--friendly place with easy access to provisioning....very helpful folks

This is a pretty quiet group, last activity in March?! So now that I am down in Jacksonville, can anyone give me some interesting places to check out on the river? What are you all doing this summer?

New to the site. Looking forward to meeting sailors in the area who might want to group sail. I have no plans or special locations in mind. I am getting anxious for a good cruise.

Capt. John
I have my boat in melbourne but still fixing her up but me and my sailing buddy would like to do some group sailing.

Our first cruise to Bahamas.Son is hm from Iraq/ want him to experience their life style.Time limit.Request suggestions/info for port entry.

John,
Your port of Entry all depends on where your are departing from, ie - West Palm, Lauderdale, Miami, etc. And if you are looking a going to the Abaco's or maybe Nassau, or the Exuma's or further. Some of the Ports of Entry will require you to get dockage while you clear in, while others will allow you to anchor out.
Hope this helps
Cameron

If you are near St Pete around the 12th of September sign up for a Windrider Demo ride at Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway. The Windrider Company wants people to sign up at www.windrider.com/demofl I am not affiliated in any way with the company, I just like the boats and they just bought the inactive WR company and want to get it going. 15+kts of speed for under $10K brand new can't be beat!
Ed

Always looking for peeps to raft up or sail with... Sailing out of Coconut Grove.