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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/21/2004 : 19:22:58

Just got back from a fun week cruise down to Captiva Island. If you look real close you'll see Tropical Sleigh on the center dock surrounded by giants!

This is the South Seas Plantation Resort on Captiva. It is a pretty exclusive resort, and boaters are entitled to all the resort ammenities!

I can say I wasn't the smallest, (a couple of others) but BIG yachts are the norm here.
Aside from rain, the trip was great. I did experience a brief period (first time ever

!) of feeling green on 5 plus feet seas out on the Gulf as we sailed along the coast south for 3 1/2 hours. Besides breaking the top sail slug, some rain (no surprise during summer in FL) and wishing for more head room inside the cabin the trip was a blast!
The carry on AC and extended v-berth bed were both worth the effort. Thinking a tiller autopilot may be the next upgrade.
Can't wait till next trip!

Suzie, Tropical Sleigh

WB #619 Sarasota FL.

Edited by - on

Docsparker
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 21:10:00

Suzie,
Glad to hear that you had such a great time. My family and I stayed there at South Seas Plantation (on land) a few months ago- indeed a beautiful resort.
Did you live on Tropical Sleigh for your stay or were you required to rent a room? I would like to make the same trip as you did someday. Are the slips expensive? If you are charged by the length of your watercraft, you saved alot over the "giants" beside you

30 Amp service? Thanks for the info--
John Parker
Sea Section #0786

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 01:24:31

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Inquisitive minds have to know...did you sail through Redfish Pass?

Steve

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 10:16:02

Suzie, South Seas is a great place, we usually rent out of Burnt Store and stay there a least two days of our trip. Did you visit any other spots on the ICW, i.e Pelican Bay, Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, and Cabbage Key for a big burger?
Glad you had a safe trip out in the Gulf. You must like to live dangerously, out in the Gulf this time of the year. We did also, but in a 32 foot Island Packet and only in the AM. Afternoon thunder bumbers are wild this time of the year and appear out of nowhere.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 11:59:28

Hey John, We stayed on the boat. The marina has laundry room as well as boater bathrooms with showers. Towels are free to use as you please, found at the pools. As a marina guest, you are entitled to use all resort facilities/trolleys et. We hooked up to 30 amp (they also had 50 amp if you need it) and cable tv. The rates are a bit confusing. They have 25 foot and under slips (back in or pull in...real tight!) for a flat fee of $40. a night, but if the dock master thinks you might stick out (pulpit and such) they'll put you on the larger docks tied along side, where we are shown in photo, and it is a 30 foot minumum. The rate is $1.80 a foot (May 1 -Nov 26 and 2.50 a foot Nov 26 - April 30th) so it was 54.00 a night. Not bad for the location and amenities!
Steve, we passed on Redfish Pass because of the rough water this week. The surf was wild and after going into Stump Pass on Sat. afternoon (almost sideways at one point, with the push pull of currrents)we decided that was enough adventure!

You could surf the large breaking waves in that inlet, and not being familiar with Redfish pass was too much of a risk. The calm of the ICW was calling

.
Jerry, we also stayed in a marina along the ICW up in Cape Haze called Palm Island Marina. Really nice place, very clean, with pool and hot tub, gas BBQs and Leverocks restaurant, right there next to docks. (bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen!)Rates with hook ups (30/50amp and cable/phone) $1.55 foot. Well worth it. We had planned to stop at Cabbage key, but it started to storm so we had to take a "rain check"

for the next trip.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 17:59:14

Suzie, where did you come through into the ICW? I usually come in or out at Boca Grande. The only problem there is the first two weeks in June when the Tarpon fishing tournaments are in full swing. There seems to be a boat occupying every inch of space in the pass.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 23:33:30

Jerry, we came in Stump Pass to stay at Palm Island. We went out through the Venice Jetty. You avoid 5 bridges on the ICW along that span!

We ended up staying in the ICW south to Captiva (had enough of the rough seas and threat of thunderstorms out in the Gulf. The ICW is fine on this leg, only one bridge, and wide open for sailing Charlotte Harbor or Pine Island Sound. Ha, Boca Grande Pass is also known for VERY LARGE Sharks. (They love Tarpon!)

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 01:50:51

Hi Suzie,

Sound like you had a great trip!

Do you moor Tropical Sleigh in Sarasota or do you keep her on the hard? We are looking to relocate to the Tampa Bay area (actually somewhere between Clearwater and Venice) and are trying to get a feel for moorage charges etc.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 07:50:04

Wasn't going to mention the sharks, they tend to frighten people. Never plan on swimming through the pass and stayed away from the fisherman chuming the water for Tarpon. Never saw a shark, but did see loads of dolphin.
We never went north of Charlotte Harbor so don't know a lot about that area. We hope some day to take a month and sail PennyII (as much as possible) to the west coast spend a couple weeks and then sail home or buy a trailer and head out and see what we can find. Don't know which yet, but will enjoy either.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 08:22:42

For those passing through Venice, there used to be a nice little free municipal dock with restrooms about a mile south of the Venice inlet, in a wide spot of the ICW, on the west side. There's only space for 3-4 boats.

About a half mile north of Boca Grand Pass (on the east side of the island) is an inlet to a small marina. From there, you can either rent a bike or walk into the quaint town of Boca Grand.

After you dock at South Seas Plantation, it's interesting to dinghy across Redfish Pass to North Captiva Island. It can only be reached by boat, and only has a half dozen homes on the northeast end. The west side of the island is unspoiled, natural beach, the way it has been forever.

When my son was young, he and I enjoyed snorkelling along the seawall that lines the entrance to the marina, along the east side of Captiva Island. There are lots of little fish and critters to inspect.

There used to be an outdoor hot tub near the swimming pools. Sipping an ameretto in the hot tub, under the stars, was a nice way to relax in the evening.

Small boaters shouldn't be the least bit shy about staying at South Seas Plantation. They welcome all boaters, big and small.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 10:43:44

Just stay away from the ponds out there. A lady lost her arm this week and is in critical condition after a 12 foot, 400+ pound alligator attacked her in a yard on Sanibel Island, next to Captiva Island/South Seas Resort. 4 men played tug-of-war (with her as the rope) to keep the gator from dragging her under and at one point she begged them to cut off her arm so she could get out of its grasp.

Law enforcement shot it, he let go of her and came at them. It's now gator meat.

Steve

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 11:56:18

Tony, I keep my boat in a wet slip year round. I live in a Bayside condo complex with a private "Yacht Harbor". If you are ever in the area, be happy to show ya the compex, and as an owner, the slip is "cheap".
Steve is correct about not being shy about small boats

As for me, I'm use to it

Edited by - sailgal on 07/23/2004 11:57:40

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 12:28:24

Hi Suzie,

Hmmmm ... that boat to starboard of you ... did "Tropical Sleigh" get it pregnant?

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 15:27:16

Just heard on the news that the Sanibel lady attacked by the gator on Wednesday died today during surgery. How sad.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 18:27:36

Tropical Sleigh doesn't play with Hunters, that one in particular

She isn't a friendly boat to be slipped next to. Every time they go out or come in I hold my breath and extend a large hand to help. The boat just spins all around out of control. Think our 250 have high freeboard?! YIKES

Yeah just heard about the poor woman who passed today. Another reason not to feed gators (and folks do!) They may be cute when they're babies but watch out! Here is one swimming in my marina channel....salt water!! At least he's not creating a wake

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2004 : 21:30:37

Suzie, cruising the 250...did we inspire you? Looks like your having fun. BTW, at Longboat Key Moorings we were the smallest boat, in fact there were dinghies two stories up on back decks that looked bigger than we were.

Tony, if you're going to dry sail, check out Cut's Edge Marina in Palmetto.....(I think that's what is was called) It's secure, nice ramp, fresh waterhose and, very reasonable ($75.00 a month if I recall) You could leave your mast up.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay"
C250 # 618 Currently FOR SALE
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

Edited by - Oscar on 07/25/2004 21:35:13

sailgal
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2004 : 22:40:38

Oscar, We had a blast. How you did it with four is beyond my realm of comprehension!

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2004 : 17:56:04

Very cool trip sailgal!

I sure wish I could just take a year off and cruise Florida.

We have a gator that hangs around our back yard creek. The Admiral freaks out about it. Haven't been able to get close enough for a photo op. His eyes are about six inches (apart).

I'm off to check the online charts on your part of the world for some vicarious cruising.

Edited by - on

sailorman
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2004 : 23:05:30

I am planning a trip to Key West in either late fall or early spring (depending on work). I am planning to haul "On Eagle's Wing" from Atlanta with a stop overnight in Tampa. I have done a lot of searching on the web for a place to splash the boat and keep it for a week. There are four of us, overnighting will be limited. Any suggestions of something in the Lower Keys, say about ten miles or less to Key West? I have looked at Key West itself-- MAJOR DOLLARS!! Since you are in the Fla area, I thought you might know something. Your recent cruise looked great. I would like to do similar around Key West, have visited there many times but never had a chance to sail there. Any info you can share?

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2004 : 15:01:38

Hi Ed, I never sailed the Keys, but have heard it is wonderful!
Here is a link to a sailing group called the Conch Cruisers who sail the Keys every July.

http://www.conchcruisers.net/

I emailed a chap from their group in the past, and they generally have anywhere from a 15-plus boat group in boats 22 feet to 26ish (reading the 2004 post looks like only Macgregors did the trip this year). Anyway besides it looking like a fun trip with experienced "Key West" sailing vets who have past experience from previous trips, you may be able to pull out some valuable info from their site or related links. I know they all trailer down from all over the US, so they would know the best/fairest priced ramps with storage.

Good luck and watch out in you go in the fall....HURRICANE SEASON!!

Edited by - on

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