Tampa Area Mooring Fields

[Clipper4730]

Just curious about any good Tampa bay area mooring fields or anchorages. Particularly any info about the one on Davis Island by Peter O'knight airport. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Will

[Waterway Guide]

The anchorage is very crowded with "permanent" boats, and the open area is a cable area. Nice protection if you can find a spot.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Just curious about any good Tampa bay area mooring fields or anchorages. Particularly any info about the one on Davis Island by Peter O'knight airport. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Will

The Seaplane Basin (Latitude: 27°54.604'N Longitude: 082°26.966'W) is filled with upwards of 100 boats in various states of repair. Any heavy southerlies makes the basin pretty rough and one or two derelicts is invariably driven ashore to rot away until the County trash haulers drag the hulks out and cart them away. You can learn more about the basin by contactaing the Harbor Master at the Davis Island Yacht Club which is at the end of the Mole near the entrance on the southwest side of the basin (813-251-1158).

A new mooring field is being laid in the Vinoy Basin, on the north side of "The Pier" in St. Pete (Latitude: 27°46.532'N Longitude: 082°37.742'W). Once done, that will be a pretty good location, and will end the proliferation of derelicts that have periodicly taken over the basin. For more information, contact the St. Pete Municiple Harbor Master (727-893-7329).

There is also a mooring field in Gulfport (Latitude: 27°44.111'N Longitude: 082°42.427'W). Information on that can be obtained from the Gulfport Muni Marina (727-893-1071)

FWIW...

[Seafarer24]

Boca Ciega Bay (Gulfport) has excellent holding (sand), a public dinghy dock, and a nice little waterfront. There is active sailing / racing in the bay (mainly by the Boca Ciega Yacht Club) and the beach by the public docks is popular even though the water is rather dirty.

The Frankenstein ketch "Rainbow Dreamer" is a hodge-podge of parts stolen by its owner. Keep your valuables out of sight and try not to end up downwind of him, as to avoid smelling all the dog poo that he doesn't clean off the boat.

[rognvald]

Clipper, we always anchored in the Manatee River for great 360 degree protection. In a northerly, anchor off Emerson Point Park and in a southerly off the Desoto National monument. Good holding in sand and gravel, few cruising boats and a short hop to Tampa Bay, the Bradenton Marinas or the Intercoastal heading South. Good luck and good sailing, Ron.