Anna Maria Island

After months in the same dirty bay I finally sailed south, I had a great time in Gulfport but was afraid of getting too comfortable, when I walked the dog too many people stopped me to say hello so my and my friend from Panama City sailed south. I met Sailor John a few months ago and he met up with me again in Gulfport, he sailed the 30' Morgan named "Grounds For Divorce”, he has been a transient sailor for 9 years and knows these waters well.

Yesterday was the best sailing I have had in a long time, the wind was from the East for the last few days and the Gulf of Mexico was as smooth as it can get, a nice 15kt wind and full sails we made great time, John made better time, I had my new anchor fall off the bow and dragged it through most of Tampa Bay, I didn't notice until I hit shallower water, then I noticed in a hurry. The entrance to this channel was narrow and hard to spot, once inside the channel it snaked about with 1' depths on either side, the statement “stay in the channel” was well heeded.

We arrived in near Cortez on Anna Maria Island just after dark, John had motor trouble at the last bascule bride and had to clear the bridge under sail, very impressive due to the fact that the bridges take away all wind. Once through the bridge he headed towards my vessel and promptly ran aground. If you decide to come to the this anchorage via the ICWW here is some local knowledge to assist, heading south pass under the Bradenton Causeway and take the channel that runs parallel to the bridge that is just on the south side of it, follow that channel to green marker #3 and turn south, stick close to the fishing pier and the anchorage is easy to wander into, otherwise you will run aground. I didn't know this but Waltzing Matilda rarely runs aground, it pays to have a shallow keel boat.

The anchorage here is grand, clear water, nice little town, free showers, water on the floating dock, poached wifi, and an awesome pier, almost like a marina, sans fees. There are the usual anchor rats but they seem friendly enough, every free anchorage has “live aboards” that are not the most upstanding citizens. Many derelict boats here, but a very laid back atmosphere on the shore, a really nice island and (dare I say it) great surfing. I need to find a surf board! Not a $300 used one from a shop, more like a $25 yard sale score, I am going to beat up the board and it will be my first one, so spending a bunch of money does not sound like a good idea, but I need a surf board.

Tomorrow, clean the hull, replace the prop shaft zinc and catch some fish, the fishing here is dandy, too bad I am a lousy fisherman.

lots of new photos