2014 Florida Get Together

[crazycarl]

Above are the top 3 picks for the 1st annual Florida Get Together.

Complete your research and carefully choose where you'd like this inaugural event take place.

PLEASE, only vote if you believe you will be able to attend the event!




This poll will close in 15 days.

[HideAway]

I just completed and posted a video of our visit to Caladesi Island in late April this year.   It will give you a good idea on the park.   I'm working on a video of Anclote Key but it won't be ready for awhile.

My comments on the no-see-ums are not an over-stated - but the little buggers are everywhere in the state - might want to have the park be a day trip. 

http://youtu.be/sgpYBnDH0mY

[Vipersdad]

On the video, where did you launch?  Long-term parking at the ramp?

Thanks,

V.

[HideAway]

We keep our boat in Gulfport on the southern tip of the county - its hard days sail to reach Dunedin. 

Here's a couple of  ramp possibilities

Seminole Boat Ramp operated by the city of Clearwater.  It has a large parking area and they are open 24/7.  Its main draw back is it is open to the ICW.  When large power boats go by it can get very rough.  It is well located though - just blocks south of Dunedin an easy motor to Caladesi Island & three rooker.

http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/marine_aviation/ma_facilities/Boat.asp

Anclote Park - on the border of Pinellas and Pasco counties - its run by Pasco county.  On the Anclote River by the power plant it is the closest ramp to Anclote Key, three rooker and not far from Caladesi.   A nice trip is to go up river to Tarpon Springs.  The tide runs strong and fights with the river and you will find large power boats in abundance because this is the only and best way to get to Anclote Key from Tarpon Springs.

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


The other ramps - like Fred Howard park may be too shallow

I don't know what the event plans are but I would do my traveling to Florida on the weekend and put in on Monday and pull out Friday to avoid most of the boat traffic.

Be sure to study your chart - there are is a lot of shallow water to be found.    The best sailing is on the north side of the Dunedin Causeway all the way to Anclote Key-  My videos A Screaming Reach and Running Easy were filmed there.  Matt

[Billy]

Anclote Park and Seminole are the best. Both Safe with long term parking.
There is one other, Southerland Bayou, that is right in between those too. Just North of the causeway. The ramp is not as nice (single lane and small dock) and it is a bit tricky getting out at low tide but location wise it is great! 5 minutes from my house. I have taken my 19 out of all three of these places many times with no problems. And I have overnighted at Caladesi, 3 Rooker, and Anclote quite often while leaving my truck and trailer overnight (sometimes two nights) and returned to see them just as I have left them.

Southerland Bayou is probably the closest to all the Islands. But kinda in a residential area.
Anclote and Seminole arein busier areas with Restaurants that can be reached by boat.

[capt_nemo]

Noticed the majority, so far, favor the Anclote/Caladesi area over Cayo Costa and Charlotte Harbor, which is my sailing area.

Although I can begin to understand why, I'm concerned about two (2) factors regarding the Anclote/Caledesi area.

First, the proximity of the nearby HUGE URBAN AREA and the amount of potential boat traffic (Powerboats) we are likely to encounter. (Even on weekdays!)

Second, glancing at the charts, the apparent lack of QUICK and EASY access to large open water areas (protected or otherwise) with ADEQUATE DEPTH for relaxed sailing, especially around Caladesi.

Comments welcomed to allay my concerns.

capt_nemo

[Billy]

Noticed the majority, so far, favor the Anclote/Caladesi area over Cayo Costa and Charlotte Harbor, which is my sailing area.

Although I can begin to understand why, I'm concerned about two (2) factors regarding the Anclote/Caledesi area.

First, the proximity of the nearby HUGE URBAN AREA and the amount of potential boat traffic (Powerboats) we are likely to encounter. (Even on weekdays!)

Second, glancing at the charts, the apparent lack of QUICK and EASY access to large open water areas (protected or otherwise) with ADEQUATE DEPTH for relaxed sailing, especially around Caladesi.

Comments welcomed to allay my concerns.

capt_nemo

1. You are right to be concerned about the boat traffic. But only on the weekends. I can assure you, during the week the Islands are empty!
Anclote on a Thurs-Sat camping trip last May.






Caladesi


2. I have been to both St. Joesph Sound (Anclote - Honeymoon Island) and Charlot Harbor (SP?) and the only two public boat ramps (that I am aware of) Bokeelia & Placida are further from the gulf that the ones Matt & I mentioned above.

I sail my boat in these waters often and yes I do kiss the bottom often.....but never anything a little weight shifting and reverse can't fix. After all these boats were made for this area! In fact, if you go to the Com-Pac website, the photos of the launching of the Horizon Cat & the new Pilot House are from the Seminole Boat ramp....True Story!

[HideAway]

As to the availability to sail to the gulf - those photos tell the tale.  You can easily reach the gulf on the northern end of Three Rooker  or out Hurricane Pass on the southern tip of Honeymoon Island/Dunedin Causeway.   I'm not sure why you would want to - St Joseph Sound from the Anclote River all the way to the Dunedin Causeway is some of the best sailing anywhere -- It is deep enough for Com-Pacs, the deeper draft power boats stay in the channel, and protected the west & east so you have small waves and great wind between the sea breeze and land breeze -- the only issue is power boaters on the weekend.  frankly they were not as big a deal sailing as they were hogging the beaches. 

Even though this is a major, and I mean major metropolitan area the islands are remote.  If you need groceries or gas you will use most of the day getting them.   Boats attending the event must be fully stocked  and completely self contained. Nothing can be dumped over board and nothing left ashore.  We found this to be true when we sailed to Cayo Costa from Gulfport as well. 

I was surprised to see Ft Desoto at the mouth of Tampa Bay lost out.  It has a perfect protected area to raft up a short row from the campground and a short drive to Terre Verde for supplies as well as a large boat ramp.   North beach is a Dr Leatherman winner.   Did I mention flushers? 

They are all good choices- nobody will be disappointed with any of them- Matt

[reedtg3]

Nice job, crazycarl.  Now let's pick a date.
Cattail, CP 17 Sc 377     

[Billy]

I suggest the weekend of May the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th.
Not too hot. Not too cold......Warm enough to swim, and Bugs not too bad.

Plus my birthday is May 1st! 

[reedtg3]

The first week-end in May works for me.
Cattail, CP 17 Sc 377

[crazycarl]

I'm good with the 1st week in May.

I'll post another poll, but it won't last long so we have a chance to schedule.

Also, the plan is to run this Monday thru Friday so we have the weekend for travel.

I can't justify driving 1500 miles for a 3 day event.

It should be less crowded during the week and participants can arrive a will.


Carl

[Ted]

First week in May is good for me.

[Bob23]

Aww...you guys are making this sound sooooo good. And I wouldn't need to drive 1500 miles...only about 1200! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.
Bob23

[capt_nemo]

Focus on first week in May sounds good.

Need to develop a definitive  schedule (dates & specific locations) of where the group will be so that folks arriving (whenever) will know where to rendezvous.

Also, consider establishing a "Main Event" period of several days (a few weekdays plus weekend before or after) to accommodate working folks or those with limited time available. Then folks can focus on at least joining the group for that period of time or a portion of it. It is highly unlikely that all potential participants' needs can be met, but we could at least give it some thought.

Whenever the "Main Event" is scheduled, recommend that it begin at Caladesi Island State Park Marina. This will permit relaxed and convenient socializing, sharing of "local knowledge" and inspection of other boats. Never been there before but perhaps we can arrange a group cook out or pot luck before beginning (or continuing) life "on the hook" for the rest of the get together.

capt_nemo