Finding a good, mobile marine mechanic anywhere is like discovering gold, or even diamonds. If you need any sort of mechanical work while cruising in our near Tarpon Springs, give the Kismet crew’s words below your most serious attention!

Hi from Kismet:
For those traveling to Tarpon Springs, Florida and in need of a mobile marine mechanic, I wanted to pass along the name of Frank Dudley – 727-741-0775. We had Frank to our boat to service our dinghy’s outboard, that had stopped running.
Frank arrived when scheduled, made the repair and came in under estimate and has been in Tarpon Springs doing marine repairs for over 20 years. We have no affiliation with Frank other than we’re a satisfied customer.
Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet
Fathom 40 Fast Trawler

The question and answer sequence below is taken from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (http://cruisersnet.net/category/ask-your-neighbor/). I thought this good advice would be of even more value here on the Net’s “Western Florida” Cruising News Section.
I join with Captain Kendrick in recommending a cruise up Anclote River to Tarpon Springs. This is a delightful port of call, with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to good places to dine ashore.

Subject: Tarpon Springs and environs
Cruising News: We’re planning a cruise north from Punta Gorda as far as Tarpon Springs, if it’s worth the extra miles from Clearwater. Can anyone shed light on TS as a destination? We’re a 38′ Carver drawing 3.5′. Thanks for any input!
Eric Norlin

A visit to Tarpon Springs is definitely recommended. We recently cruised from Cape Coral to Tarpon Springs in a 41 foot express cruiser with a draft similar to yours. Tarpon Springs is less than 20 nautical miles from Clearwater Beach with no navigational challenges along the way. We stayed at the Tarpon Springs City Marina for two nights. The marina is located on Dodecanese Boulevard near the US 19A Bridge over the Anclote River. This is the Sponge Dock area lined with shops, restaurants, bakeries, tours, etc. We ate at Rusty Bellies and were very satisfied. A two day visit was about right for us. More information about Tarpon Springs City Marina is available in the Cruiser’s Net Marinas section.
Doug Kendrick

We have stopped in Tarpon Springs when we were in the area in 2007 and again in 2009 both times we stayed at the city marina which is not a fancy place but right on the main drag so close to many shops and restaurants the folks at the marina and in town are very nice. We both love Greek food so that is a big draw for us.
We will be stopping there again on our cruise south in the spring of 2010. There is nice scenery along the river on the way in.
Steve Willett

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Tarpon Springs City Marina

According to my own observations, Captian Kendrick’s report below concerning Tarpon Springs City Marina is spot on.

We stayed at Tarpon Springs City Marina the nights of 21 and 22 November 2009.
There are only four transient slips available so call ahead for availability. We were disappointed with the narrow, unsteady finger piers. We felt uncomfortable when using them. In addition, the finger piers are relatively short and could pose a problem for a boat with a side entrance.
The rest rooms are open to the public during the day. A $5 deposit will get a key to enter after hours. If there are showers there, we failed to find them. The location is great for shopping, eating, and sightseeing but noisy as it is very near the Route 19A bridge over the river.
However, the noise drops after dark as traffic lessens. A Winn Dixie Supermarket is a pleasant, but long, walk. Walk South on [Highway] 19A to East Athens street, go left to Safford Avenue, then right on Safford. Return to 19A by turning right onto West Morgan Street. Winn Dixie is on the East side of 19A to the left. Safford has a pedestrian/bicycle walk in the median with benches placed here and there.
Doug Kendrick

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Tarpon Springs City Marina

As I recall, the entrance channel leading to Caladesi Island State Park Marina (from Hurricane Pass) can be a bit of a challenge for first timers, but otherwise, this is a pretty good facility for those who just want to get away from the maddening crowd.

Subject: Caladisi Island State Park Marina
Cruising News: We visited Caladisi Island State Park\’s marina for three days beginning 18 November 2009. The marina is modern with new floating piers, water and 30 ampere electricity at almost all slips.
Most of the slips are for 12 foot beam, but there are eight for various beams up to 17 feet. The wider beam slips can not be reserved but the T heads can be used for wider/longer vessels, however one must pay for two slips on the T. Prices are $1.00 per foot (plus 12 percent tax) with a 50 percent discount for Florida residents over 65. There is a snack bar (hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.) and individual rest rooms, but no fuel, pump-out, or services. The beach has been rated America\’s Best Beach two years in a row. There is a really nice nature path and picnic shelters. This is a great, inexpensive place to relax if your boat can stand the relatively shallow approach channel. We left at low tide and had enough water for our 3 foot 6 inch inch draft.
Doug Kendrick

We must have been following in Capt. Kendricks footsteps, we were at both Caladesi and Tarpon Springs City Marina this last week. I’d second everything he says. Cladesi Island is a fabulous unspoiled beach and park with a very well protected clean and well maintained marina. Following the reccomended course line from marker #14 of the Hurricane Pass channel straight across to the Caldesi channel marker #1 we never had less than 5 feet at mid-tide. There were a couple of 50 foot power boats and some 35 foot sailboats there when we were there. 30 amp electric is reliable and included in the slip price. The only disapointment for us was no showers. There are shore heads and changing rooms, but the only showers are open-air, cold water showers on the beach crossovers. The sunsets and the shelling on the beach are world-class.
Jonathan Gorham

Tarpon Springs City Marina is found a good distance upstream on the Anclote River, in the heart of downtown Tarpon Springs. It is a small, but friendly facility, and is only one of two that provide any sort of transient dockage within walking distance of the town’s business district.

We were in Tarpon Springs in May and stayed at the municiple marina. We draft 5′8″ and had no problems navigating up stream or down. We arrived early evening on the 15th and left the marina the afternoon of the 21st to anchor near the park at the river entrance. We spent two nights there on the hook before heading to Apalachicola.
Reggie Good

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Tarpon Springs City Marina

It’s always a very good thing to discover a quality boat repair yard. After reading Capt. Tom’s message below, looks like Tarpon Springs (found upsream on Anclote River, north of Clearwater) has one of the best!

To All
Just got the boat back after 4 months in the yard [Neptune Marine]. We had the hull painted with Awlgrip 2000, bottom job, boot stripe, and all hardware above the waterline changed out. These folks did a great job. Price was reasonable. They were meticulous about the details. Boat was ship shape and clean when finished (First mate was flabberghasted – They even dusted). If you need work done anywhere around Tarpon Springs Florida, I give the yard two thumbs up!
Unfortunately, there are no yards in Clearwater anymore (nor any movie theaters, but that’s another matter).
Capt Tom
Carina

Dunedin Municipal Marina is a smaller, city owned operation, but the harbor is well sheltered, and there is wondeful dining nearby. If you berth here, don’t dare miss dinner at nearby Kelly’s!

Subject: Dunedin Municipal Marina
Cruising News: We were able to get a transient slip at this marina for the December 6 boat parade.  Only needed a couple of days advance notice.  The harbor master was extremely friendly and helpful.
Manuel Farinas

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Dunedin Municipal Marina