With a strong cold front approaching, we pulled the boat out at Astor, Fl and trailered against the 25knt SW headwind to our next location. The next stop was 200mi away and still 50mi south of Sarasota at Placida Fl near Boca Grande. Launching at the very nice Placida Ramp on the mainland side of the Boca Grande Causeway, we found we had just marginal depth (24”) at low tide. The fee was $12 for 24hr or, as I later learned from a local, just $36 for an annual pass at the parks dept. next to the Library in Englewood. Overnight parking is fine and fairly secure.

A good ramp near Boca Grande Fl

It was a snug fit through the ramp access cut at low tide where you could just about jump across it. Well…… almost.

Thats a skinny cut. Swing that keel up please.

Due to a building 20-25kt NW wind behind the front, we chose to stay at the very nice Palm Island Marina ($40 nightly), about 4mi N on the ICW. Temps dropped to a record 50degrees for a couple evenings. We basked in their hot tub, swam in the pool and had dinner at Leverock’s Restaurant right at the marina. Meanwhile, mega yachts and cruisers filled the upscale, clean and very active marina.

Gettin spoiled

After two nights at what we considered to be almost too luxurious (we were getting very spoiled) the winds decreased to 15 kts from the N. We made a southbound dash off the wind, down the ICW and out across Charlotte Harbor under a reefed main and shortened jib heading for Pelican Cove on Cayo Costa Island.

A great mid October day in Boca Grande!!

The coves’ great anchorage and interesting beaches found us soaking in the rays, sailing, fishing and being totally lazy for a couple days. It was almost time to move again as the weather seemed to be heading toward an ideal SE direction for the 25mi long coastal run back N to Venice or even all the way to Sarasota, 45+miles away.

I love collecting stuff washed up on the beach

The evening brought increasing ESE winds requiring a 2 A.M. anchor change which was more work through foggy eyes than I had done in days. I still have the imprint of an invisible side stay on my forehead, ouch. The move to a windward shore proved peaceful as we swung under the starry sky watching the abundant early morning shooting stars streak through the night sky. The next morning was perfect and out across Boca Grande Pass we went. One of the deepest passes around at nearly 60’; it flushes an enormous bay. This pass can be very hazardous, so choose your crossing carefully. Ours was ideal on the tail end of a strong outgoing tide with a 12kt SE breeze adding to our retreat. Our boats’ GPS calculated our speed across the ground to be near 10kts with the current pushing us past the old Boca light house.

Its there because it can get nasty in paradise

Up the coast to Venice was the plan but, we were making 5-6kts on a side/off shore breeze. Sailing right along the beach’s turquoise waters and under cool blue skies, it was truly another “10” on the sailing scale, so we just sailed all the way to Sarasota.

What were you doing on a Thursday morning? Life is short – sail the boat!

More beach trophies

Arriving early in the afternoon we stopped to snorkel at Point of Rocks, a great spot near Siesta Beach and took a shower….(gratuitous shower scene follows as per Brian and Steph’s example:)

Hey kell you missed a spot

The sights of Sarasota bay and its world famous white sand beaches are certainly beautiful and inviting. While we’ve traveled many, many miles on this excursion we are still lucky to call this our home port. The wonderful former owners of our Hunter 260 have graciously allowed us to use their dock (thanks so much to Tim and Sue). We are in the transition period back to reality before we once again get serious about work and pack the boat back on its trailer to nestle it into our shop at home. Our only escape will then be another sailing documentary by a sailor like you who takes a few shots and writes a brief tale. Brian and Steph motivated this modest excursion. Surely someone else has it in them too.

A surreal anchorage at Tim and Sues dock

October can be a great time to sail in Florida. Overall it was a wonderful trip where we utilized a flexible schedule to work around the changing wind conditions to create an awesome Fl trailer boat cruising adventure to fit us. We always meet the nicest people on these trips and have experienced Fl in a unique way that many never will. There are a few more details that I’ve left out, but if your curiosity arises I’ll happily share any knowledge that I’ve gleaned to make your trip through Florida’s finest hidden and uncrowded sailing spots more fun.

Aloha to all.~~~_/)~~~
Michael and Kelli
2004 H260
s/v Plan B

Thats it for now. Therell be others Im sure.