Cruising along the west coast of Florida sure is different than the Gulf coast. There seems to be a whole new bunch of things to be considered. The tides are different, there is more open water, the ICW is sometimes a challenge to follow and there is no barge traffic. The ICW zig-zags through very shallow water and there are more unprotected areas. Then there are the bridges! Most of the bridges we have encountered are holdovers from years ago. All of the new bridges are high spans that do not require opening for boat traffic. The first bridge tender (operator) we encountered told us that she 'thinks' we can make it under but it was up to us - we had the bridge opened to be sure. From then on the bridge tenders were more helpful. The biggest problem we found was the illegible fender boards with the height markings that were obliterated with sea growth. It's nerve wracking to encounter a bridge with a 24' clearance with a boat that is 22 feet tall. It sure looks close.
We left Tarpon Springs yesterday morning along with our Canadian friends. Their boat is not as tall as ours and the bridges weren't a problem for them. We were with them until we turned into the narrow channel for Gulfport, Fl. The Canadians continued in the ICW destined for St Peteresburg. It sure was nice traveling with them, especially for the overnight crossing of the Gulf of Mexico. Gulfport had a very well run municipal marina and we had a very quiet night. We took our time leaving this morning and timed the tides to be at the first two bridges at low tide so that we would have another foot or two for clearance. We cleared the first bridge but had to have the next bridge opened - it was too low. Those bridges were only a mile apart. We also had three open bays to traverse. Boca Ciega Bay, Tampa Bay and Sarasota. Tampa Bay took us about three hours to cross with seas that occasionally ran two to three feet with a quartering wind but the boat took it very well.
We are now anchored off of downtown Sarasota. Sue and I took the dinghy ashore at tied off at a dock in front of O'Leary's Tiki bar. The weather was very pleasant and we took a walk along the waterfront before stopping at O'Leary's to enjoy a steel drum musician, have Pina Coladas and something to eat. It's about time we found some of the Florida weather the Chamber of Commerce advertises. But that is not to last. There is another weather change coming through tonight and the temps are going down again. We expect to stay anchored here tomorrow and spend some time in downtown Sarasota before heading south again. There are three other loop boats also anchored here. One of the boats we saw in Freeport, TX and Tarpon Springs - the crew from New Jersey. Another boat is doing the Great Loop for the second time. That crew is from Missouri.
Hope all is well with y'all. Stay vertical!
Capt'n John and First Mate Sue
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