St Petersberg .. Pass a Grill channel

[Gboy]

Any local knowledge on this channel.

Bringing my 47 foot Cat in there next week. Large enough but only have 2 x 29 hp Volvos..

Thanks


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[Davy J]

The shoals extend out a good distance on the north side. But overall the channel is wide.

We call the area just inside the pass "the washing machine". Due to the fact that, on the weekends, the number of boats transiting and the resulting wakes are horrendous.........

[velerocliff]

Suggest you check the height of your mast against the bridge if you are planning to go up the inter coastal.

[four winds]

The Pinellas Bayway Bridge is 65 feet.

The shoaling mentioned does extend into the channel on the green side. This is near the last two markers near to shore and easily seen with the sun high. The channel is wide here as well. So common approach until near shore and favor the red near the last markers. The bottom drops off quickly from the land to starboard so some of the greens here have no matching pairs of reds. Plenty of room on the red.

Been in and out here many times and never trouble with the current. 30 hp Yanmar in a 7 ton mono.

[Gboy]

Thanks all for comments and info.

Been a struggle to find a place for my CAT with 24 width...naturally enough.
Maximo has a nice slip for me but....

My mast with instruments is right at 65 ft... DOT drawings show a 66.3 ft center at 1.3 ft tides.
So I will go at minus tide numbers, but means I'll be low tide for any hazard below...

Or I take the cautious way and keep searching, but the maniciple wants to get me off the transient dock.
Tried every other marina.

Could also go via the intercostal but that means another bridge , also at 65 mhw..Which seems to be 1.3 asl




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[velerocliff]

Could use John's Pass but there are several draw bridges to get back to Pass a Grille.
Try Marjorie Park on Davis Island in Tampa - no bridges. Or Apollo Beach Or Ruskin. Or Bradenton. No bridges to any. Lots of private docks to rent around Johns Pass but you need to dig to find them.
Sorry, I left 2 years ago so have limited local knowledge left but if you come to the west coast of Mexico...

[1mardiv]

Stay to the south side when nearing Green 7 and 7A. The shoal does extend quite far into the channel. You can actually see the waves breaking inside the channel with any waves over 1'. The bridge is the Byway Bridge and usually it shows right at 65 feet. Been under it many times. Go slow, very slow when approaching and hope your antenna doesn't hit or worse. I know some tall sailboats come through there including some big cats. Good luck.

[Greene]

We passed through October, 2015 and hailed Pass-A-Grille marina for local knowledge. The young man said to hug the Green side and all would be good. Drawing only four feet we hit bottom near "7". Went back to mid-channel and found good depths. So much for getting local knowledge.

Mike and Brenda


Wrinklesinoursails.blogspot.com

[Gboy]

Yes the bayway bridge, is advertised at 65, like many. DOT says its 66.3 ft at center at 1.3 ft asl...

Anyone know someone going under with a 65 ft rig at MLW ???

Maybe crazy to try...?




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[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Gboy

Yes the bayway bridge, is advertised at 65, like many. DOT says its 66.3 ft at center at 1.3 ft asl...

Anyone know someone going under with a 65 ft rig at MLW ???

Maybe crazy to try...?




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The antenna on our mast is a few inches taller than 65' off the water. On the two occasions we have passed under that bridge (at lower low water), we could hear the antenna dinging off the underside of the bridge. Fortunately, it sprang back upright, undamaged, once we emerged. Unless there was very good reason, I wouldn't push it for saving a few miles over using the northwest channel, passing under the Skyway Bridge, and coming up to Maximo on the inside. IF you choose to do so, remember that the lights hang down, below the underside of the bridge, and steer accordingly.

FWIW...

[Gboy]

Hi .. Do you mean there is a way into Maximo with no fixed bridge ?

Which inlet and is it navigate able for me....
I see one north, then through blind pass .. Is that it ?


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[Gboy]

I was. Planning the Northwest channel, but still have do the Pinellas BayWay bridge to enter the basin Maximo is in..

Thanks



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[four winds]

Blind Pass is not an option. A low bridge there.

However, further north coming in at John's Pass and then back south on the ICQ to Boca Ciega bay can work, I think. There is a bascule bridge at the pass, and two others (Treasure Island and Corey Causway) on the route back to Boca.

Been anchored here in the bay for some time now. And several large cats and other tall masts have anchored here on transit.

Double check my suggestion. I haven't been through John's Pass.

[four winds]

I notice post #6 from velerocliff mentions John's Pass and the bascule bridges coming back south.

Been looking at the charts and it seems this is an option.

The bridges open on the hour and 20 and 40 after with a call on ch.9. Have always found the tenders prompt and professional in my passing.

[pesarsten]

Be very aware of the tides when transiting Johns pass, currents rip thru there during flood and ebb.
Say hello to the folks on Sailfish dock at Maximo when you get there, a great group.

Paul