First Time Looking - Tampa - St. Pete Area

[DesTheRed]

Good day all,

First post and I can say I have been reading quite a bit on here for some time now. Some interesting discussion and for sure very valuable information. Thanks to you all for that. I guess some say on other forums, read more, post less.

Will keep it short, I am heading to Orlando (Davenport) soon for some well earned vacation, we have a place over there. I have just taken up sailing and I would like to have a look at some boats in the Tampa / St Petersburg area. Would anyone care to point me in the right direction to some reputable dealers over there where I could spend some quality time looking at some boats please?

For sure East coast is also a possibility, I guess, Ft Lauderdale etc but a little too far away for this trip. Coming up from Miami would be better for that one.

I will be with my wife and for sure it will be to twist her arm a little .

Any ideas would be most welcome, thanks.

Regards,
Des

[SV Bacchus]

Hello Des and welcome to CF!

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by DesTheRed

I will be with my wife and for sure it will be to twist her arm a little .

Any ideas would be most welcome, thanks.

Regards,
Des

The wife and I have looked at several nice yachts here:

Florida's Premier Live Aboard Marina with Boat Slip Rentals

It is just south of Tampa off US 41. Lots of Island Packets to look at. Only bummer is you can only look at one pier of For Sale boats without knocking on the brokers door. He/She can open the other piers. However, I have found them to be helpful and non-pushy.

The arm twist is the nice restaurant/bar at the end of the main pier!

Good luck and enjoy!

[DesTheRed]

Many thanks Bacchus,

Much appreciated.

[pesarsten]

Welcome to CF

I live in the Tampa / st pete area and I am hard pressed to suggest any dealers that have sailboats to look at like a car dealer has cars. There are several used boat brokerage firms that have boats for sale that you could look at but I would suggest deciding on what you are looking for, then seeing some for sale.

As a side note, the st pete area has a number of manufactures that may permit a tour or visit here is a link, Morgan/Catalina might be a good stop. Boat Manufacturers - Pinellas Life
Enjoy the trip, Davenport is about an hour out of st pete without traffic that can be beastly at commuter hours.
Paul

[MikePz]

Massey Yachts sales at Salt Creek Marina in St Pete have a lot of sailboats, also check out Whitaker Yacht Sales they have a good selection too!

[DesTheRed]

Thanks Pesarsten,

Does it not work like a car showroom then, I had envisioned walking around looking at several yachts to get a good feeling of the build quality, space available etc.

I know the I4 very well, I will also be going to RJS both weekends for my sins - Go Bucs!

[DesTheRed]

Excellent MikePz,

Thanks for the information, great place to start.

[Scaramanga F25]

I have been very well served by Tom D'amato at Ross Yacht Sales over
a period of 30 years. Both in purchasing 10 years ago and selling 30 years ago.

Still at it!.

Andre.

[Scout 30]

You can usually look at several boat at the St Pete Municipal Marina although I forget who the broker is there. Personally I would search Yachtworld & find some specific boats that you're really interested in in the Tampa Bay area & go to each one.

[bru1791]

Contact Jeff and Jean Grossman at Massey Yachts. They ply the entire region and work with any budget. Very good people that care. Good luck!

[BobLoucks]

Hello,
My friend had a nice fully loaded Niagara 35 for sale in Palmetto
Here is the YW link 1979 Hinterhoeller Niagara classic Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
I have sailed on this vessel from the Great Lakes to Tampa Bay as well as to/from the Dry Tortugas, it is a fine sturdy Yacht.
Good Luck

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by SV Bacchus

The wife and I have looked at several nice yachts here:

Florida's Premier Live Aboard Marina with Boat Slip Rentals

It is just south of Tampa off US 41. Lots of Island Packets to look at. Only bummer is you can only look at one pier of For Sale boats without knocking on the brokers door. He/She can open the other piers. However, I have found them to be helpful and non-pushy.

The arm twist is the nice restaurant/bar at the end of the main pier!

Good luck and enjoy!

Looks like the ideal arm twister.

[gregcrowner]

My liveaboard dockmate at the St Pete Marina is a broker of sailboats here,
call Nancy 713-859-4978
Tell her Capt. Greg sent you.

[tikirawker]

The boat show is at the Fair Grounds this weekend. They might not have a lot of sailboats on site but I bet you could meet a fistful of brokers in one stop.