2014 Florida Get Together

[slipaway]

Ill be Sailing up from Bradenton Fl. West Coast (Slipaway ) Has  Been they before

[crazycarl]

wow!

this is getting close and there is so much to do on the boat.  

i hope the weather breaks soon so i can get working on our 19!


for those who are planning to attend, here is where i plan to launch from.

http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=674

they allow overnight parking up to 10 days and it looks like they charge $2 a day and $5 to launch.
(if some one who knows this area and has a better launch site, please let us know)

the idea is to meet at caledesi key's marina on monday and then sail to anclote key or ? to set up base camp.

[crazycarl]

this is for anclote key...

Admission Fee:

No entrance fee is required to enter this park.

Primitive Camping Fee:

Primitive camping is free but you must call 727-638-4447 to check in. Please have your boat registration number, number of campers, arrival and departure dates and a contact phone number in case of emergency.

would it be better to meet at anclote key so as to ensure we get a good spot for a base camp?

just thinking...cc

[capt_nemo]

Repeating what I said before, which I thought was generally agreed to by several others.

Meeting at Caledesi State Park Marina on Monday, May 5th the first day, would provide a specific destination for those attending from both NEAR and FAR. It is an IDEAL PLACE to meet and greet, conveniently observe and talk about our boats (at dockside), get together for a social evening, and discuss/determine the schedule for the rest of the week with the advantage of Local Knowledge present (those from NEAR) and the short range weather forecast.

This certainly keeps it CLEAR and SIMPLE for attendees, and especially those who are not familiar with the area.

The need for and specific location of a "Base Camp" area for the week is to be determined.

capt_nemo
Sun Cat "Frisky"

[crazycarl]

If you're planning on attending please pm me your cell #, and I'll do the same.  Ideally we will all meet at Caledesi marina, however some may run late due to schedules or vehicle break downs.  Others may be planning on arriving mid-week. I'll be monitoring channel 69 on the VHF for those so equipt, and for those without that are running, late please call my cell.  Since the idea is to us all leave from the marina for the base camp at the same time, and we may not have a base picked until that afternoon, i wouldn't want anyone left behind.

We are planning arriving very early Monday, sailing to Caledesi marina and greating everyone as they arrive.

CC

[Billy]

I am not sure I will be able to go on Monday. I teach Monday evening. But I could go out Sunday and then come back out on Tuesday. And on-off during the week.

I think it is good that we have an established channel to monitor so that way we can all contact each other whether arriving early or late. So 69 is the official Florida Get Together channel.

I also think that Caladesi should be the "base camp" as that is the only guaranteed protected area. There are some good places here and there but they al depend on the weather.

As for Anclote Park boat ramp.......
I think it is an excellent deep water ramp and I launch from there most of the time. However, there are a few things to be aware of.

1. The current. When the tide is coming in there is a VERY strong current that runs S. to N. Be aware of this. I like to launch on the down stream side of a figer dock (the dock is to the Starboard side of the boat). This pushes the boat off the dock as opposed to on to it. Just make sure you have good strong dock lines.

2. There is a long channel out to deep water. At least a mile and a half before you can get out of the channel. This channel can have lots of big boat traffic that rocks our little Com-Pacs. Another reason I like to dock down steam of the docks at the ramp. The current pushes you away from the docks while the big boat wakes can crash your boat into the dock.

3. You can sail out of the channel if the wind is out of the North, East, or South. Not the West. But again, watch out for the high speed powerboat traffic.

4. With Favorable winds (nothing out of the South ) it will take you a MINIMUM of 3 hours maybe even 5 to get to Caladesi. And you will also have to either go under the Honeymoon Island Drawbridge or go around the outside in the Gulf (add another 2 hours).

5. Park you trailer off to the side and walk down to the ramps (there are about 6 of them) and just observe. You will be entertained and informed.

I would suggest either using the Sutherland Bayou boat ramp(shallower ramp and long channel but almost no traffic and much closer to Caladesi. Still need to go under the draw bridge though. OR the Seminole Boat ramp to the south in Clearwater. This is a good ramp too, no channel, you can just about sail right off the dock. And closer to Caladesi.

I am not sure, but I think that the Dunedin Marina is for locals only. Maybe Bob Lamb or some of the other local yokels can chime in.


And lastly we need to solidify the Factory tour. I know Nemo mentioned the last day (or Friday) but I can't remember. We need to give the Hutchins some notice. I will contact me if you guys can give me a time and a date.

Billy

[crazycarl]

billy,

good heads up on the boat ramp and current.

being a lake sailor, i never have to deal with them, and i'd rather not gain too much experience in a heavy traffic area.

the other ramps sound much more viable, can we leave our vehicles there all week?

it's my understanding that there is no camping at caladesi, that is why i mentioned we meet there and sail to another place for those wishing to sleep ashore.

if the majority is ok with relocating each night, then that's what we can do.

as for the factory tour, i talked to rich a the strictly sail chicago show last february and he said friday afternoon would be good. 

he also mentioned with a smile..."it won't take long, it's a very small factory", and that they are building an eclipse with a diesel in it and he hoped it would still be in the shop when we arrive.

perhaps after the tour, we can all go out for a farewell dinner?

cc

[Billy]

Yes, you can overnight at both Sutherland and Seminole. As with anything boats there is always a compromise. Sutherland is in a better neighborhood for leaving a vehicle overninght than Seminole. But Seminole is a better ramp (6 lanes vs 1) and quicker access to deep sailing water.

Almost every time I have launched from Seminole I have seen a police officer sitting in his patrol car. Not sure how long they stay, but I can say that the area is well patrolled during the day.

And I guess I didn't think that anyone would not be staying on their boats. There are lots of small spoil islands w/ good holding where you can anchor on the lee side all around. And of coarse, my favorites,  3 Rooker and Anclote Key to the North. If the wind is out of the east, anchoring on the west side of Anclote is a must!

[bob lamb]

Spoke to the Duneden Marina harbormaster( Bill) who  said $15 to launch and free parking for a few days for vehicles and trailers. I will be glad to lend any assistance on Monday, but I am busy Tues/Wed. It is about a 20 minute sail to Caladesi depending on tides and draft.       

Sea Ya!

[crazycarl]

i thought someone mentioned here that there was no overnighting at caladesi.

my mistake.  my BIG mistake.

there is NO tent camping.

it would definitely be easier to meet and stay, at least the 1st night, at caladesi state park.

i just checked and slips can be reserved ahead of time, so i went ahead and reserved a slip for monday, may 5th.

we'll be at slip #22

22, 24, and 26 are next to one another.

THERE ARE ONLY 4 OTHER SLIPS AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATIONS, however, there are slips available on a 1st come - 1st serve basis.

here is the info for everyone else...

http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/activities.cfm#10

http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteCalendar.do?page=matrix&calarvdate=04/29/2014&contractCode=FL&parkId=281010

CC

[capt_nemo]

Now that sounds a hell of a lot better!

capt. nemo

[Ted]

I just grabbed slip 24. Sailcare has my sails and they have run into materials ordering delays. I hope they arrive soon!! Gotta get this boat checked out and ready to go.

- Ted

[capt_nemo]

FYI

Talked to the Ranger at Caladesi Is. today.

Although ONLY 6 Boat Slips can be RESERVED there are plenty of others available on a "first come first served" basis.

Today, with more than 100 slips available there were only 3 (that's three) boats there.

Those attending should not worry about RESERVATIONS.


capt. nemo

[crazycarl]

the florida get together is approaching fast and it would be nice to have a count of how many boats are coming.

for all those who are still planning on attending, please post a similar response...


Attendees: Carl and Joan Aubele, aka crazycarl

Home Port: Somonauk, IL

Boat: 1985 Compac 19/II

Boat name: miss adventures  (for hailing purposes, VHF channel 69)

Accommodations:  sleeping aboard

Scheduled arrival: Sunday, May 4th

Planned launch site:  Dunedin Marina

[capt_nemo]

Attendees: Don Nemetz, aka capt. nemo

Home Port: Port Charlotte, FL

Boat: 2010 Sun Cat

Boat name: Frisky

Accommodations:  sleeping aboard

Scheduled arrival: Sunday, May 4th

Planned launch site:  Seminole Ramps