Any recommendations for the gulf/west coast of Florida??

[morgan342]

Ive never been or even gave the west coast of Florida any thought. Im in miami now and will be cruising around to the other side soon and was wondering what are some good boat friendly spots I can hangout for awhile and get some boat work done?
Biscayne bay is cool with the free dinghy dock,water and pump outs but is really rough and windy, which makes it very hard to get any work done on the boat.
Ive been cruising for awhile and am just looking for a somewhat protected anchorage. I dont do mooring balls or docks, and I only have a 3foot draft so I can get into alot of places. Thanks for the recommendations and advice

[belizesailor]

Great cruising ground. There are a few related threads here already. Give those a search (I would post a link but the mobile app search SUX!)

[a64pilot]

I like Clearwater, but I'm unsure what you mean by getting boat work done?

My understanding is that Venice may not be so cruiser friendly?

[morgan342]

Just basic boat maintenance from painting, building and wood work I side the cabin. There's always something. I do everything myself. Its nice to. Have options on shore to get supplies. Somewhere I can hangout and relax for a bit

[Hard Rock Candy]

I worked on my boat for 6 months, almost in the center of Stuart Florida. There was a large wide spot with a dock and a park there. This was 15 years ago so things may have changed. Mac

[morgan342]

Stuart is east coast off Florida, isnt it?

[wunderluster]

Gulfport Fl would be a good place for you. You can anchor in Boca Ciega bay, there is a dingy dock and a nice small downtown area. Anderson lumber is on 49th street in Gulfport. They have any type of boat wood you may need. There are several marina stores in the area. St. Pete is 15 minutes away by road. There aren't too many anchorages left around but there are a few more isolated anchorages nearby if you get too crowded at Gulfport.

David

[a64pilot]

Right beside the old City Marina in Clearwater there is a little used deep water anchorage, I assume you could do anything you wanted to inside the boat there, light outside work etc. Little anchorage couldn't hold more than four or five boats though, when I was there last Summer there were two that had obviously been there a long time
I didn't know if you needed haul out facilities so you could do a bottom job or something.


How can you attach a Google Earth image?

[morgan342]

Thats sounds nice. Ive been cruising for awhile and im low on funds, tired, and have to catch up on maintenance. I was looking to relax somewhere with a little protection and cruiser friendly. Maybe pick up a job if im feeling ambitious..I dont have a home port or destination. Just endless cruising

[morgan342]

I dont need a haul out or anything like that

[morgan342]

Im not sure about Google earth but I can look it up.

[dochip]

Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach general area have many good anchorages and easy access to supplies.

[Rockyscience]

I like the marina under the bridge to San Carlos Island at Ft.Meyers they have everything you need and many liveaboards around.

[tinkrman69]

I'll second Ft Myers beach and Gulfport. at Ft myers beach there is anchorage to the far end of the mooring field....southeast... and lots of free dinghy dockage. good bus services too. lots of marine supply stores in the area.

if you anchor in Gulfport, don't crowd the pier or shore line out of respect to the land owners. That's what spoils them to us cruisers and then ordinances get made to run us out or charge us ungodly amounts of money. use the pump out at Gulfport marina, it's free along with water and the fuel is reasonably priced. you can also dock your boat at the casino pier at day to load large stuff. Thats also free.

if you give respect you'll receive it. This to the community of cruisers, its a responsibility for all of us.

[morgan342]

I agree with you on respect and being a responsible cruiser. I like to be a little more secluded and tend to anchor as far away from homes and other boats as possible and preffer to paddle in for a workout