Cayo Costa inlet area.

[videorov]

Anyone stay in the inlet? I wonder how easy it is to get into it.
Things to look out for.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by videorov

Anyone stay in the inlet? I wonder how easy it is to get into it.
Things to look out for.

Assuming you mean Pelican Bay just east of Cayo Costa, been there several times. It's a nice anchorage but will test your nerves when entering. From ActiveCaptain:

26 41.750N, 082 14.540W. This is near the sign posts as you enter Pelican Bay. Run a course from R74 to this point. It will be just off the sign, then turn south a boat length (100 feet) off the beach and run a course towards the park docks half way down the right shore. 6-7 foot water at low tide

[mcm]

If a NW has been active for a few days do not enter at low tide as the NW blows the water out of Charlotte Harbour and that bay, that entry is even tricky at high tide.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by videorov

Anyone stay in the inlet? I wonder how easy it is to get into it.
Things to look out for.

S'not a tough entry assuming you draw 6 feet or less. Following Hurricane Charlie, the sail fleet at Charlotte Harbor YC did a survey of the entry and harbor and have made up a sketch chart with way points that you can obtain for about $5.00 for the cost of reproduction and mailing. Give them a call and I'm sure they can help you out. Post back if not.

FWIW...

[J Clark H356]

Here is a shot of my sonar I made going into Pelican Bay in February 2014. This was about as shallow as I saw it. Plenty of water for me at 5 foot draft. If I knew how, I would post a video showing coming out of there. Stay about 30 to 40 feet off the beach and parallel with it - on right in the photo.

[sailorchic34]

I found the bottom there once. Yep 30 feet of the beach.
Not 60 feet as some blonde once tried.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by videorov

Anyone stay in the inlet? I wonder how easy it is to get into it.
Things to look out for.

===

Here's a Dropbox link to the route I follow with 5 1/2 feet of draft. Never had a problem. The best water is fairly close to the beach on the way in.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j4ha36g02f...09.32.png?dl=0

[David Hughes]

I go there all the time. The chart in post #6 above is exactly right. It's not difficult, and a soft bottom if you do scrape.

[Capt.Alex]

Took my 5' 9" Draft Hylas in there over Christmas/New Year. No problem with 1/2 tide or better. Enter near the "No Wake" sign, hug the beach close to starboard, once in head for the park docks. Stay clear of the charted shoal to port as you enter. You can then round the shoal and anchor on the east side side of the harbor.