There has been a lot of local controversy concerning the anchorage in front of City Park. The free anchorage there has just been approved to be converted into a paid mooring field by a private company. We wanted to stop in for a look at the area ourselves. Hit the link for a Sarasota bloggers viewpoint.

http://saveoursarasota.blogspot.com/2008/01/sarasota-bayfront.html

Parking at the Tiki Bar

We enjoyed a couple of drinks and some extra large shrimp. It was really delicious. The only gripe was the constant westerly winds blowing at a steady 18 mph.

Time at the tiki bar

We checked the Gulf conditions before departing and decided to stay in the Intercoastal waterway (ICW) on our trek north.

We were faced with crossing Tampa Bay during some really crappy weather, but nothing I’ve not sailed in before. There was a line of thunderstorms developing and moving in. All part of the ‘no rain for two weeks’ forecast. I finally gave up listening to the weather guessers concerning the minimal wave conditions in the Gulf. I knew what they were reporting was not what was actually happening.

Anchored in Sarasota

While we motored north in the ICW we made it to Bradenton Beach where there was another drawbridge. Just north of that was the Anna Maria drawbridge which led directly into Tampa Bay. There was a southbound sailboat crossing under that bridge and was reporting that the bay had 35 knot gusts, waves 6 feet or more, and it was getting worse. He was running south seeking shelter at the location I was leaving.

About that time the Coast Guard radioed all vessels with a special marine advisory warning of waterspouts in the line of bad weather I could see developing across my bow. During the broadcast they advised that all personnel should seek shelter below decks… That left me wondering- who was supposed to be driving the boat?

Anyhow, it was time for a decision… go north into the tempest… or pull into Bradenton Beach Marina, tie to a dock, plug in the shore power cord, turn on the A/C, and take a nap while the Admiral catches dinner… That really did not require much of a decision making process.

Baby grouper

Once the tempest blew past we walked the two blocks to the beach and enjoyed the quaint little beachside community with a couple of adult libations.

All in all, we had a wonderful 10 day adventure on the boat. We are back at the home marina now, just a few small repairs and fix-its before we strike out again for more adventure.

From the decks of the s/v AbbyGale