My, my what heresay and old wives tales will do to make people miss one of the most interesting places on the Gulf side of
Florida, maybe all the cruising grounds. Let me start by saying I have had a
boat in Tarpon Springs for the last 15 years. I am the Harbor Host for AGLCA in Tarpon Springs and welcome members, or ANY boaters, wanting to visit a "little bit of
Greece in the USA".... NO passport required! I also go when I want, where I want with a 53' MY with a 5' draft. Yes, I'm careful, just as everybody should be on this coast, because it is more shallow but if you stay in the marked channel you should have no problem. If you look on Active Cpt'n and locate Turtle Cove Marina, I can tell you that a month ago there were about 10 large sailboats docked there and currently there is one with a 5.5' draft thats been there for 2 months. At the City Docks there's a 42'
Hunter now! Yes, they normally move on high tide but without problems. BTW, Cat space at TS is never a problem if I know you're coming. I recently accommodated several 36'-44' quite easily. Another fact about TS is it's a soft bottom (another way to clean muscles off if you're cheap)! You can have excellent fresh
fish at Rusty Bellies (they have their own fleet) and
family Greek restaurants are the way to go as opposed to larger tourist ones on the sponge docks. No doubt you can ride the smelly old Trolly and yes the City Docks are not pretty but there are 8 other marina's around and I know them to be quite adequate. If you need
service there are several good yards for
repairs and many boat owners from the Tampa/Clearwater area bring their boats here for
service because of the reasonable rates. Commercial shrimp fleet boats come here for regular service and they have more than a 5' draft. Last holiday season 8-10 people left their boats here for a month and traveled home for
Christmas. There are new dog parks 1/2 mile away if you have
pets and a 38 mile bicycle path all the way to St Pete Beach at the lower end of the peninsula. If anyone would like more specific information, you can always (24/7) call me at 727-593-7623. I live on my boat at Tarpon Landings Marina. I handle questions weekly from AGLCA members and will be glad to help any mariners. I begin my own LOOP in March '17, so I'll be out for awhile but my
phone is always on. Hope to see you soon!