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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Marina advice for Tampa/St. Pete?

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/23/2010 : 06:23:36

Anyone with local knowledge of good marinas with some ammenities and decent rates for cruisers? Preferably with a good breakwater, floating docks, and deep enough to accomodate our 6'6" draft. Oh yeah, and not behind some tiny bridge - our air draft is 58'.

sten

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Don B
Captain

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317 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2010 : 17:44:13

Hi Sten,

I'm over here in Bradenton and can provide some information about this beautiful area. Please remember that your draft may or may not be an issue with some of these areas. Most marinas I mention have very large cruising sailboats in their slips.

I keep my boat at Regatta Pointe Marina which is located on the north side of the Manatee River in Palmetto. It's a beautiful location, well protected, and a well maintained marina. The restaurant/club house recently went through a 2 year renovation. Great happy hour price on drinks/appetizers, and probably the best sunset around. Very helpful/nice marina personnel. Probably a 40 minute drive to Tampa International Airport (TPA).

http://www.regattapointemarina.com/
http://www.riverhousereef.com/
http://www.woodysriverroo.com/
http://www.nps.gov/deso/index.htm

To the south side of the river you have Twin Dolphin Marina. Another very nice marina, well maintained, well protected and a great restaurant. Probably a little more expensive than Regatta Pointe. But, you are also conveniently located, within a few steps, of downtown Bradenton. The library, antique stores, bars and the Bishop Planetarium make great destinations.

http://twindolphinmarina.com/TDM/
http://www.mattisons.com/riverside.cfm
http://www.lostkangaroo.com/

Located on the Manatee River...if you need a haul out...you will find the Snead Island Boatworks and the Rivertown Boatworks. Just Google and you will bring up their contact information. If things haven't changed, Snead Island has a few weeks waiting time to be hauled and usually, Rivertown can haul within a very short time frame. I have to mention, you might consider visiting Rivertown even if you aren't having work done on your boat. The place has quite a history and you will understand once you stop by...

A short trip to the north of us you will find the St. Pete Municipal Marina. Very cool place with a lot going on...and a short trip to the Tampa International Airport. The Tampa Bay Rays play right down the street.

http://www.stpete.org/marina/
http://fergssportsbar.com/

Now, with regards to your trip up the coast toward Tampa Bay, a few, must see places...

Charlotte Harbor is a great place to explore. Make sure you visit Cabbage Key...only accessible by boat..and where Jimmy Buffet wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise...you will understand. Again, a disclaimer about the skinny water....

http://www.cabbagekey.com/home/

From there, on the outside, the sea breeze will take up to the Venice Inlet..just a few minutes from the Gulf to the intercoastal..to the Crow's Nest Marina. Very neat area to explore.

http://www.crowsnest-venice.com/marina/index.cfm

And just a short trip north to Sarasota, you will find Marina Jacks. Great marina, downtown Sarasota and close to everything.

http://www.marinajacks.com/

If you haven't already, check out...

http://cruisersnet.net/category/west-fl-western-florida/

Great information from everyone that's actually doing it.

I'm sure I left out something but I hope this helps.

Do not hesitate contacting me at dbeek at verizon dot net with your sitrep. Any and all help will be provided. I will also give my phone number through that email.

Don "They call me Frommer" Beeker

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 05:58:24

WOW! Thanks so much! I will be in touch! Love this place!

sten

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 14:03:06

We sailed our LaserII in the manettee river a few years back (ok, pre 2005). We kept the boat at a marina on the north side of the river, Riverside, really nice people ran the marina back then.

We drove over the bridge to the south side of the river, Mattisons, and that is really nice too.
Mattisons is the better location if you want to go stroll around, it's right in the midst of things.

We did wonder if the 2005 season damaged Riverside, we stayed at a B&B that is in walking distance of Riverside, and faces the waterfront just west of the marina. (Palmetto Riverside B&B)

We have thought of taking JD over there sometime, glad to hear there are other Catalina 25'ters over there.

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 03/24/2010 14:04:37

Don B
Captain

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317 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2010 : 18:24:44

Hi Paul, the B&B you mention may be this place...

http://www.palmettoriverside.com/

Beautiful place! Very friendly owners. During the last boat parade, no parking within miles and they allowed some friends to park in their drive way...

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 06:05:44

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Hi Paul, the B&B you mention may be this place...

http://www.palmettoriverside.com/ <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I had to hang at the site a little while just to listen to the music

!!!

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Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 07:47:34

Great catch Dave! I had the sound turned off earlier but now the whole office is enjoying a moment of solitude

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2010 : 12:03:59

Yep, that's the place! The description on the site relates to the experience closely.

and, yes, the music is very kind to one's ear.

Paul

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.