St. Pete the week before X-Mas

[Dell Anne]

I am considering floating the boat in the bay the week before Christmas, Sailing a few day and mountain biking a few days at Alafia and Santos trails. Any suggestions on a ramp, parking and marina. I thought of dumping in at the at St. Petersburg Municipal Marina and doing day trips from there.
Thanks, Ron

[trapeze]

For ramps, I like Fort DeSoto. Great sailing aera, 11 really nice very wide ramps. Safe spot, $5.00 a day parking. Maybe too far from where you want to be though.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

[Dell Anne]

Trapeze,

Thanks for the response. Ft. Desoto is actually the first place I looked. I read so many nice reviews on this location. I could not determine what options I had for overnighting on the boat. I did not see any marina information. Where does a person leave the boat when staying at Ft. Desoto?h

Thanks, Ron

[Snow Goose]

Try Gulfport Municipal Marina. Good ramp and decent place to live aboard.

[Aeolus]

Ron,

So Sorry that I missed this and didn't note your "post" sooner. Hillsboro County maintains a boat ramp on the Alifia River at Williams Park. Directions: N/S I-75 take Gibsonton Rd. exit, go West on Gibsonton Rd (2.5 mi) until meet Route 41, take right on Route 41 (1.5 mi) cross Alifia River Bridge, Left at light for entrance to Williams Park which is shared with Mosiac Chemical Plant. There are four ramps to launch and pleanty of space to leave trailer. At the mouth of the Alifia go North into Upper Hillsboro Bay and Tampa waterfront. Go South toward Apollo Beach and Ruskin (ICW). An alternative to this launch point is the Gandy Bridge Boat Ramps on the East side of Tampa Bay. There are six protected launch ramps at the Gandy. Hope this was of some help.

Aeolus