Marina suggestions in Cape Coral and Tarpon Springs

[Star0210]

So we are planning the trip to bring the new boat home (assuming everything goes well with surveys and sea trial on Friday).
We are hoping to be able to close sometime before 3/7 as we have some time availability then to make the trip.

Our plan is to fly in early on 3/7. We can’t stay overnight on the boat where it is so we will need to move it to a marina so we can stay on the boat. We will spend that day and night getting everything ready for the trip home...mainly a lot of shopping and just getting familiar with the boat. That will be the first time I actually set my own two eyes on her!!

Plan is to make the trip to Tarpon Springs the next day and then hopefully have a good weather window sometime in those next few days to cross the gulf. If there is no good weather window, we’ll have to leave the boat there somewhere and come back a few weeks later to try again.

Anyhow, we’ve looked at active captain and read reviews but I figured you guys would have the most up to date info and knowledge. Don’t know if those areas are dealing with any hurricane damage still.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Capecodder]

No major marina hurricane damage that I know of around Cape Coral... peak season availability could be more of a challenge.

 

[Star0210]

No major marina hurricane damage that I know of around Cape Coral... peak season availability could be more of a challenge.

Thank you.

 

[THarpsCommodore]

My husband and I have made that crossing a few times. We anchor off Anclote Key And take the dinghy into Tarpon springs. Definitely wait for a good weather window, the gulf is no joke! Where are you headed?

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Trawler Forum mobile app

 

[Star0210]

My husband and I have made that crossing a few times. We anchor off Anclote Key And take the dinghy into Tarpon springs. Definitely wait for a good weather window, the gulf is no joke! Where are you headed?

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Trawler Forum mobile app

Home is Madisonville, LA.

We don’t have a dinghy so we’d prefer to dock at a marina there just in case we realize there are things we forgot to get.

Yeah, we are praying there will be good weather...it will be disappointing if we have to leave the boat and come back later.

 

[BandB]

We've been lucky as we found a 1-2' window going the way you're headed and right now are crossing back in 2-3'. Looks very nice for the next 10 days, hope it stays for you.

 

[Star0210]

We've been lucky as we found a 1-2' window going the way you're headed and right now are crossing back in 2-3'. Looks very nice for the next 10 days, hope it stays for you.

Thank you...that would be very nice! Where did you go in at? I think if we were to have really good weather we might keep going. Our new boat will cruise somewhere around 22-24knts. David will absolutely not drive anywhere at night. He has scars from an old surgery that makes him see starbursts at night.

 

[BandB]

Thank you...that would be very nice! Where did you go in at? I think if we were to have really good weather we might keep going. Our new boat will cruise somewhere around 22-24knts. David will absolutely not drive anywhere at night. He has scars from an old surgery that makes him see starbursts at night.

We crossed over from Sarasota to Mobile so obviously did run at night as that was a 380 nm run. We didn't run the direct route as things were very calm until you got further from shore, so we ran a bit of a curve. Plus we slowed waiting for sunrise to approach Mobile. Returning, we're crossing from Panama City to Clearwater, about 250 nm plus we lose an hour so we got a very early start this morning.

However, for you, Tarpon Springs to Carabelle is a favorite route of many and only about 170 nm so to make it in 11 hours you only need to average 16 knots, an easy day trip for you.

Now, we have run from Clearwater to Apalachicola many times and it's only 170 nm. Clearwater to Carabelle about 10 nm more.

If you're going to cross rather than take a rim route, then I see no advantage in going to Tarpon Springs.

I would just really check the boat out before making the trip and have my tow membership in effect.

 

[Star0210]

BandB, are you staying at a marina in Clearwater? If so, which one?
What’s your cruising speed on the boat you’re currently on?

 

[BandB]

BandB, are you staying at a marina in Clearwater? If so, which one?
What’s your cruising speed on the boat you’re currently on?

20-22 knots and right now at Busch Gardens. Taking a little break for ice cream. Sometimes forget there are so many different aspects of Busch. While some of our group was on rides, others of us were soooooooooooooo enjoying the animals. Had lunch while listening to Rock a Doo Wop.

 

[Star0210]

Sounds like a nice day.
David flies to FL tomorrow for surveys and sea trials Friday morning.
Keeping my fingers crossed!!

 

[O C Diver]

If you get a North wind window, the run from Tarpon Springs to Panama city is around 200 miles. To a point, the further up in the NE corner of the gulf you go, the better the ride after N or NE winds (quicker falling seas). Tarpon Springs is a nice place to start from, but be careful of shallow water marinas. There were a couple that my 4.5' draft would have required high tide to negotiate.

Ted

 

[jleonard]

Friends of ours recently spent a couple of nights at Turtle Cove in Tarpon Springs and liked it. It is right next to the Greek Village (tourist trap but great food).
If you stay in Tarpon Springs and need support/ride to get supplies, etc. I am about 10 minutes away.
Hope the trip goes well!