Ed Robinson's Blog, page 14
June 10, 2014
Woman Jailed For Living Off The Grid
A local issue has been brought to my attention by a fellow liveaboard boater. It bothers me so much that I not only want to bring it to your attention, but I am urging you to take action to help an “Off-Gridder”.
It started back in February. Here’s an early news report from NBC-2.com
Cape woman living “off the grid” challenged by city
CAPE CORAL, FL -
A Cape Coral woman refuses to use city power and water. But now, she has a month to “plug in” or face the consequences.
We met with the woman in a legal battle with the city to protect her way of life.
It’s a lifestyle some can only afford to dream of living.
“If I could figure out how to do it, I would probably do it too,” said Cape Coral resident Slyvia Lavandier.
Robin Speronis figured out how to do it more than a year and a half ago.
“I’m choosing to live without being dependent on the system,” said Speronis.
Speronis is living “off the grid” as she describes it.
“I never have to worry about that bill coming in,” said Speronis.
No city power or water running through her house walls. Instead, she uses solar panels and treated rain water for survival.
It’s a way of life that’s she says is being challenged by city code enforcement.
“When this was brought to my attention I felt like I had to act. I felt like Cape Coral was intruding in the woman’s lifestyle,” said Todd Allen, Speronis’ Attorney.
Allen took Speronis’ case on for free.
On Thursday during a special hearing, the two sides met to discuss the legality of her living arrangements.
There a special magistrate ruled Speronis was not guilty of not having a proper sewer or electrical system; but was guilty of not being hooked up to an approved water supply.
“What happened here is people don’t talk to us or cooperate. We don’t communicate then we are forced to use the legal tools at our disposal,” said Frank Cassidy with Cape Coral Code Compliance.
City code officials say this isn’t a case of singling out an individual, but making sure everyone follows the rules.
“In the whole scheme of things, its no different than the hundreds of cases we deal with all the time,” said Cassidy.
Speronis now has a month to comply — though she has no intention of giving in.
“I don’t have to justify my life. They have to. That’s the way our system of justice works. They have justify it. I don’t,” Speronis said.
Fast forward a few months and it comes to this:
Off the grid woman jailed for animal cruelty
EE COUNTY, FL - UPDATE: Robin Speronis pleaded not guilty to the charge of violating her probation on Tuesday, May 27. She was denied bond, and represented herself in court. A new hearing is scheduled for next month.
A Cape Coral woman known for her off the grid lifestyle was jailed Friday, following her arrest earlier in the week on a charge of animal cruelty.
Robin Speronis has been living without city power and water for more than a year. She owns two pet dogs: a 7-year-old Chihuahua and a 14-year-old Lab, which Lee County Domestic Animal Services investigators seized last month in order to provide medical treatment to them.
Speronis allegedly told investigators the Lab’s worsening skin condition was caused by “elephant skin”, and had been evident for the last nine years. Authorities eventually returned the Chihuahua.
Speronis also allegedly told authorities she believed steroids and antibiotics kill good bacteria.
Investigators say they have been trying to check on the welfare of the dogs since December 2013, but were never allowed access.
During her first appearance Friday in court she was denied bond.
Neighbor Joe Smolik said Speronis “seemed like a nice lady, she seemed like her head was screwed on straight.”
However, authorities say when they asked Speronis to care for the animals, she responded by singing the song “Faith” by George Michael, which is also one of her dog’s names.
Speronis has been arrested before, including once on a felony larceny charge. She was on probation during her latest arrest.
The animal cruelty charge resulted in Speronis violating her probation, and she is being held on the Widman Act.
Some neighbors think Speronis is getting a raw deal.
“I think animal cruelty charges is just another quiver of stuff they want to use against her,” Smolik said.
Meanwhile, Speronis is still in a legal battle with the city of Cape Coral involving her off the grid lifestyle.
She has been racking up fees daily, and city officials say they will have to wait for this latest case to proceed before taking any further action.
I don’t know this woman, or all of the particulars, but as a liveaboard boater I’m deeply concerned about personal freedom. I’m also not connected to the grid when I’m out at anchor. We also collect rainwater on occasion to supplement our fresh water supply. I admire anyone who wishes to be less reliant on the modern way of utilities connection. Many liveaboard boaters utilize solar and wind power to run their systems.
I’m all about being self-sufficient and this woman is simply being harrassed to a horrible degree for being different.
What can you do? You can send an email to the mayor and council. I’ll supply you with their email addresses below. Here’s what my friend sent. It’s a bit long but very well written. I can attest to her sincerity. Please take a few minutes and let the leaders of Cape Coral know your thoughts on this.
Dear Honorable Cape Coral leaders:
It is time to release Ms. Robin Speronis from jail. Your city is making a laughing stock of itself by bullying and jailing a woman based on alleged animal cruelty charges simply because the city feels impotent and threatened by a single woman trying to live off the grid. We have compiled a list of organizations who we have already contacted with details of this story (please see list below).
Please take a step back and look closely at what your city is doing to this woman and act responsibly in releasing her from jail. Ms. Speronis is not a criminal for wanting to test life by living off the grid. If indeed she needs help with animal care, then find resources to help her to care better for her dog. You know that jail-time is not the answer in this situation, yet you all are willing to let this woman languish in a jail cell while you comfortably relax at home.
We hope that national exposure to this story will motivate you to act more humanely toward Ms. Speronis. The name and reputation of your city is at stake. National recognition of the absolute absurdity and unfairness of the imprisonment of Ms. Speronis will reflect very badly on your city. Is this how you wish to be known around the world?
Think carefully about how you want Cape Coral to be recognized for years to come, because right now your city is rapidly becoming the place that jailed a woman for wanting to live a unique and environmentally friendly life-style. That will be the legacy of Cape Coral if you choose to allow this situation to continue as it is. There needs to be a better solution; so please put your heads together and use more imagination in resolving this unique situation – jail is not the answer.
The following entities have been contacted with details of this situation. This partial list will grow until Ms. Speronis is released from this abusive imprisonment.
MSNBC News
New York Times
Christian Science Monitor
TODAY Show
NBC News
Amnesty International USA
ACLU
Please take action to release Ms. Speronis immediately. It is the right thing to do, as your conscience will tell you.
Most Sincerely,
Send your emails to the following addresses:
You also may wish to include Fox4News reporter named Liza Fernandez who is very interested in doing the right thing for Ms. Speronis. lfernandez@jrn.com
Many of you are pursuing your own off-grid lifestyles or have plans to do so in the future, whether it be in a cabin in the woods or aboard your cruising boat. These types of infringements on personal freedom can have an impact on your future. Please consider spending a few minutes speaking your mind to the mayor and council of Cape Coral Florida.
Thanks,
Ed Robinson
What’s So Great About Pelican Bay?
As some of you may know, we spend a lot of time in a place called Pelican Bay.It’s an Eden-like harbor that lies between the islands of Cayo Costa and Punta Blanca on Florida’s southwest coast. It’s just south of the Boca Grande Pass, at the convergence of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound.
Anchor holding is excellent in a sand/mud mixed bottom. Protection from east and west winds is excellent. Sometimes north or south winds can sneak into the narrow entrances and cause a bit of a roll, but you can move about in the anchorage to escape a blow from any direction. In a worst case scenario, the far south end of Punta Blanca has a nifty hurricane hole that will shield your vessel from winds in any direction. It’s a bit tricky getting in with a deep draft vessel, and is pretty much a one-boat anchorage, but it’s very safe in a storm.
What else makes it special? The island of Cayo Costa is a tropical paradise. The only full-time inhabitants are the park rangers. They man a small store with a few essentials, including ice for $4 per bag. They rent kayaks and bikes for exploring the island. They also run a tram to and from the Gulf side beach. It will carry you and your beach stuff across the island at two hour intervals. Last train back to the docks is at 4 p.m.
Cayo Costa sports a seven-mile stretch of white sand along the sparkling sapphire waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We prefer to skip the park ranger ride and resulting tourists who’ve come by ferry and dinghy to our own private beach.
There are rarely other humans on this stretch. It’s so awesome to hang out together, just the two of us, and gaze upon the Gulf.
It’s also a great area to explore via dinghy or kayak. Lots of wildlife including every aquatic bird known to the south, manatees, dolphins, dozens of fish species, and even wild pigs.
The best part about it is the peace. It’s so quiet here. There are no cars or trucks, no lawnmowers, no sirens. There is the breath of dolphins, the call of the osprey, and the sound of water lapping gently on the hull of the boat. It’s rarely crowded, except on holiday weekends in season. We have several times enjoyed being the only boat in the anchorage. On the other end of the spectrum, New Years Eve hosted 70 plus boats.
For provisioning, one can either cruise up Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda, about 20 miles, or head south down the intercoastal to Fort Myers Beach, about 26 miles. If you choose to go south via the Gulf route, it adds considerable mileage to the trip, but you can avoid the sometimes busy ICW with the constant boat wakes.
We can stay for a month easily and sometimes dread returning to civilization to re-provision. We’d much rather stay at anchor and enjoy beautiful sunsets.
What do we do with all the free time? We relax. We walk on the beach and pick up sand dollars. We read. We have an adult beverage or three and enjoy the serenity. We explore the nearby islands. We meet up with other boaters on a sandbar for happy hour. We do whatever we feel like doing. It’s called Freedom.
We have explored Florida’s west coast from Tampa Bay to The Keys. We have found no other anchorage as nice and peaceful and safe as Pelican Bay. Most Keys anchorages offer poor holding and little wind protection. A few municipalities have decent mooring fields, but then you are surrounded by all the trappings of modern society. We’d rather be at one with nature. No better place to do it then in Pelican Bay.
June 2, 2014
The Countdown To Departure Has Begun
Kim and I found ourselves at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida, way back in late August of last year. I had finished the manuscript for Leap of Faith and needed good internet and cell phone connections to get it published. We each took part-time jobs to raise a little cash. Reentering the civilized world was a culture shock for us. Work? I hadn’t worked in over three years. Kim hadn’t been employed for five years.
Noise? Oh my god you don’t realize the constant noise pollution all around you, every minute of every day. Out on the west coast of Florida we hear the breath of dolphins. The osprey chirp from Cayo Costa Island. Water laps at the hull of our boat. In the marina we hear garbage trucks at five a.m. BEEP BEEP BEEP! We hear lawn mowers and blowers. We hear the traffic on the route 41 bridges.
For the past several weeks there has been a chain saw artist carving a wooden dolphin in the courtyard. There is no more annoying sound than a chainsaw. The other night I was awakened to the sound of a chainsaw at 4 a.m. I thought that the chainsaw guy must be drunk or something. I walked up the docks with murder on my mind, but it wasn’t him. It seems a drunk driver had taken out a palm tree at the entrance to the marina. A city worker was out there sawing away at it like it was 3 o’clock on a Thursday afternoon. That was the last straw!
We have been planning and discussing our departure from the marina for a month or so. We were thinking the end of this summer. Now we want to leave today. As I type there is a worker pressure washing the marina building. It’s a gas powered pressure washer. It’s very noisy. I’m about to go out of my mind with the noise.
There are other reasons we’ve grown tired of the marina life, but mostly we long for the solitude of living on the hook. Just Kim and I and the dolphins, is what we miss. So we’ve upped our timeline and now plan to toss off the lines in mid-July. That’s right. Six weeks and we’re outta here. We’ll ride out the summer, and hurricane season in Pelican Bay. Hopefully we leave for the Bahamas in the late Fall early Winter. If things go well for us, we’d like to continue south to the Turks and Caicos and eventually to the Dominican Republic. We’ve had several friends tell us how wonderful (and cheap) it is in Luperon, DR.
On the way we want to explore the Exumas and the out islands south of Georgetown. Who knows? It depends on several factors. On is weather and our comfort with navigating foreign waters. The other is money. During our first Leap of Faith we lived off savings. This time we have much less, but we do have income from our books. I plan to continue writing and publishing to further supplement the cruising kitty. (Buy my books! Keep a cruiser afloat.) We will go as far as we feel safe, ever cautious.
Let the six-week countdown begin. Cayo Costa here we come. In the meantime we have lots to do. I just ordered an autopilot to assist us on longer and overnight passages. We really need that to make our trip work. I’ve been replacing bilge pumps and performing maintenance to prepare the boat for time away from land. We need mucho provisions. We need new water jugs and fuel jugs. We probably should replace our battery bank before leaving the States. Kim needs a new passport. It’s a long list. Our timeline is ambitious. Oh and one more thing. We will need new bottom paint before trying to cross to the Bahamas. This is a major undertaking for liveaboards. Your whole life is upended because your house is sitting on jackstands on land. Not looking forward to it, and we think we might do the work ourselves to save money.
So we are going to be busy over the next six weeks. The downtime we’ll get once we depart will be well deserved and much appreciated. Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh, just Kim and me and Leap of Faith. I can’t wait.
Luperon Bay
Think we can find a spot to anchor?
If you like to contribute to the starving cruiser couple fund, you can do so by purchasing a book or two here:
http://www.amazon.com/Ed-Robinson/e/B00F42LGJ8
If you have already read one or more of my books, thanks so much. Kim and I sincerely appreciate the support we have received fro all of you.
May 28, 2014
Best Seller in Pain Management / Best Seller in Physical Impairments
The Untold Story of Kim has gotten great reviews. This powerful true story of one woman’s triumph over pain will lead you to hate doctors, lawyers, and insurance companies. By the time you finish, you’ll have fallen in love with Kim.
This deeply inspiring tale is destined to become the most important book ever written about chronic pain and pain management in today’s healthcare environment.
Here’s what the readers are saying:
This is a heart-wrenching story that never abandons hope. Kim is hurt in a job-related accident, and instead of healing, she is left with chronic suffering. Ed tries everything imaginable to help her conquer the pain. When things seem as if they can’t get any worse, more misery piles on. The author lays bare his fear and anxiety concerning the bleakness of the SYSTEM, but his compass points to a solution, if he can just zero in on the coordinates. Author Robinson’s narrative is fascinating, and Kim’s fight is determined, sending a message of hope to many who suffer from a chronic illness. I loved the book.
We never get to see behind what’s going on with chronic pain. The dependency doctors have on hard core drugs is appalling.
This is an awesome book that encourages the reader to become a survivor.
I had a hard time putting this book down. Very inspiring for those who suffer from chronic pain no matter the cause and those who will do whatever to help. No one ever knows what that person is going through or feeling at that time unless it is yourself or caregiver. I am one of those and it is hard since the pain can not be seen.
My best friend recommended this book to me, we both have a chronic illness that causes a lot of pain every day. I found myself in tears, and laughed a little too, but what amazes me the most is just what you were willing to do for your wife, and just how strong she is as a woman that was suffering. Thank you so much for sharing Kim’s story, and yours! It has opened my eyes a little more and has given me hope that someday things will get better. I know my husband would move mountains for me, so I can appreciate just how truly special your relationship is. :)
I absolutely loved this book! Kim’s story touched me and made me open my eyes to the stress in my life and the effects it has on the chronic illness I have.
The writers,compassion for his wife brought me to tears. He moved mountains to help her become well again.
Your story is an inspiration. I will be having my husband and best friend read this.
Near the end of the book I wrote this: Kim is a survivor of the highest degree. She took what threatened to destroy her and came out thriving.
Now she hopes that the questions her case asks can someday be answered. She wants to highlight the deficiencies in our treatment of chronic pain. She wants to propose that there is another way. She wishes to raise awareness of all these topics. Most of all she hopes that someone out there will be inspired to carry on. If her story can give hope to someone who is about to give up, it will all be worthwhile. If someone can’t stand the pain any longer, but understands that Kim made it out, this book will be a success.
If only a handful of people read it, but those that do are able to continue their fight, then every word will be worth it. Chronic pain doesn’t have to be forever. It’s real and it’s painful and it’s debilitating, but it can be defeated.
Let Kim be your guiding light.
The Kindle Version is available for just 2.99
Paperbacks are on sale for just 8.99
Click the link to get your copy today
http://www.amazon.com/The-Untold-Story-Kim-Robinson-ebook/dp/B00J44GFKM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
an
May 26, 2014
14 Weeks as Amazon’s #1 Bestseller in Boating
Poop, Booze, and Bikinis has really surprised me with it’s staying power and appeal. Boaters of all types have kept it at the top of the charts for over 3 months now. Here’s what a few Amazon reviewers had to say:
Absolutely hilarious, inspiring, and fun!
Cindy says, “Every boater can relate, and how appropriate that Poop is the first chapter. I was so amused by it that I began reading excerpts to our dockmates-we roared, we have a saying around here that eventually every conversation turns to crap. I find my fiancé quoting the book to our landlubber friends so that they can better understand our lifestyle, insisting that every person we know read it. Whether you’re a boater or not, the book will make you laugh out loud. Absolutely delightful!”
Ryan says, “You absolutely have to read this book! I am not a big reader, but I aspire to live in paradise and have the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Ed Robinson is a funny and inspiring person that shares true stories that happen while living aboard a boat. I read his first book, Leap of Faith, Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat. I read that cover to cover, just like this one! If you love the sun and sand, cold cocktails and beer, or long to chase your dream in paradise whether on a boat or not….buy this book now! Read it and tell everyone so we can meet on a beach and share a cold one!”
Graham says, “Ed is a gifted writer and has nailed the cruising life down perfectly. Every boater has either experienced every situation he describes, or will sometime in the future. I read this on my kindle, then purchased two copies as gifts. Love it Love it Love it”
Poop, Booze, and Bikinis is available for your Kindle for only 2.99.
The paperback version is on sale for only 8.99.
Get your copy today by clicking this link:
May 23, 2014
Leap of Faith / Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat
It’s been eight months since my first book was published. Leap of Faith has been kind to me, or should I say readers have been kind.
It has 148 Five Star reviews (227 total reviews). It’s been called “Inspiring,” “A Must Read,” and “Brilliant Advice.” This book shows you how to find genuine happiness, even if you don’t want to live on a boat.
Actual quotes from reviewers at Amazon:
Great read for the dreamer in all of us
Worth reading if you have a dream of freedom
A must read for us wanna be liveaboards!
It kept me smiling from start to finish!
Like a conversation with a friend
Thought provoking
Be careful! This just might change your life!
Great book, hard to put down
Absolutely Brilliant
Great book and Wonderful Perspectives
I’ve had so many people contact me via Facebook to thank me and say how the book has inspired them. It’s really gratifying for me to see it reach so many readers. Thanks to everyone who purchased and read Leap of Faith, but especially to those that reached out to me as a result. My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/quityourjoba...
If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Leap yet, get it at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Quit-Your-Live/dp/1478720921/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Both paperback and Kindle versions are available.
May 20, 2014
Trawler Project / Galley Upgrade
Our old marine propane range is 34 years old. It’s been on it’s last legs for years. It’s gotten more and more difficult to light and keep lit over time. I got tired of fixing it everytime Kim wanted to use the oven, which was tiny. Here is a “before” photo:
A new marine replacement would cost between 1200 and 1300 dollars. I was limited in choice because it would need to be the exact same dimensions to fit into the cabinetry. I did some research, and found a 20 inch residential range that would fit if I removed the cabinet below the old range. It’s electronic ignition is battery powered, so no need for electricity. Price tag 450 bucks.
First I removed the old range:
Here’s where I ran into the first snag:
The galley sink drain hose ran into the space where the new range needed to be. It typical nautical fashion, one job turns into two, or three. I had to reroute the drain hose before I could install the new range. There was also a 110 electric socket in the lower cabinet. Why, I don’t know. I had to reroute the wires that support other galley sockets after removing the one inside the lower cabinet area.
Finally, the space was all cleaned up. After three trips to Ace Hardware for additional tubing and assorted supplies. It took two hours to carefully remove the teak cabinet without marring the wood around it. This old boat was put together to last a long time.
New sink drain hose:
And finally the finished product. I still need to make it seaworthy though, and trim it out. Saving that for another day.
Oh, and I only bled a little:
The important thing is that Miss Kim is happy, therefore I am too.
May 15, 2014
Working On My Next Book
This is a work of fiction. Real people and actual places are used fictitiously. Although some of the events described are loosely based on my true life experience, they are mostly products of my imagination.
I leave it to the reader to sort out truth from fiction.
Here is the working synopsis:
Be introduced to a new anti-hero. Meade Breeze lives on the far outskirts of society with no visible means of support. He survives on his wits and a meager income derived from selling home-grown dope to suburban housewives and home-brewed rum to bums in the park.
He’s also on the run from his past misdeeds. He fears it will all catch up with him someday, so he stays on the move aboard his classic trawler. Explore the Gulf Coast Islands and the Florida Keys with Breeze, but keep one eye over your shoulder.
The plot is outlined and the story is mostly finished in my head. I’ve completed several chapters and I like where it’s going.
Feels good to sit down and write. Look for the finished product in a few months. Look out Randy Wayne White.
May 13, 2014
Facebook Resources for Liveaboard Boaters
I live on a boat. I blog about life aboard sometimes. My Facebook page is about living on a boat, but there are some other really great places on Facebook to learn about the lifestyle and gather up all sorts of good information. If you already live aboard, want to live aboard, or simply have that dream; check out the following communities and pages that are all about the lifestyle.
Liveaboard Sailboat
https://www.facebook.com/groups/111039125633053/
This is a community you can join. It’s not all sailors. There are folks with motor vessels as well. It’s very active and chock full of useful information, pictures and stories for liveaboards.
LIVE ABOARD BOATS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272008542958008/
Another fine community for you to join; Welcome aboard, this room is for all that live aboard, or hope to one day. We are here for fun, facts and camaraderie.
Seven Seas Cruising Association
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191122128313/
The Seven Seas Cruising Association is the oldest and largest worldwide organization supporting the liveaboard cruising lifestyle. Founded in 1952 by six liveaboard couples in California and now headquartered in Florida, today’s SSCA remains true to the traditions of its original members: sharing cruising information, fostering camaraderie, and leaving a clean wake.
Active Captain
https://www.facebook.com/groups/activecaptain/
Active Captain is an online nautical resource providing marina, anchorage, hazard, and local knowledge data. The data is integrated into more than 20 navigation products and can be accessed on the ActiveCaptain website. There is no cost for using or contributing to ActiveCaptain.
If you don’t know about Active Captain and their Interactive Guide map, you should…
Wally Moran
Wally runs the popular blog “Live Bloggin the ICW”. Find him on Facebook and have his blog posts delivered to your news feed. All about the ICW and tons of boating news.
The liveaboard community is a great one to belong to. Boaters are nice and quick to make friends. They are also quite willing to share their experience or expertise with fellow boaters. Someone is always there to lend a hand. Join these groups, and follow Wally and you’ll find more info than you can process. Jump right in and ask a question, or several. Discussions are almost always productive and questions get answered for you.
While you’re hunting down these groups, feel free to stop and give a “Like” to Leap of Faith/Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat.
https://www.facebook.com/quityourjobandliveonaboat
Also feel free to share this blog post with your boating friends!
May 5, 2014
Longboat Key, Florida
One of our favorite stops in our travels has been Longboat Key. A nice anchorage, good restaurants a few hundred feet away via dinghy, spectacular beach and a party atmosphere on weekends make this must stop along the Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway. Longboat Pass is a treacherous and dangerous one. Access is best made from the inside.
Heading north approach the bottom of Jewfish Key and turn to port. You can see Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant as soon as you clear Jewfish Key. It looks as if you want to anchor between Jewfish and Longboat, and you can, but the current is wicked strong there. If you instead choose a spot alongside Moores, the current diminishes. During winter this spot can get crowded, but holding was good for us while we were there. Next to Moore’s is the Mar Vista Restaurant. Both offer good Florida fare and are boater friendly.
The water is gorgeous with plenty of dolphin and manatee willing to visit. Weekends get a little busy in this area as it’s a popular place to party. Just inside Longboat Pass is a large sandbar that locals congregate on.
The north end of the island offers a really nice white sand beach. There is no access to this part of the beach for the public, except by boat. It’s a short dinghy ride. You can set up beach camp on the inside and watch the revelers play out on the sandbar, or you can go around to the Gulf side and enjoy the spectacular view.
Across the pass is Anna Maria Island. During our stay we took a dinghy ride across the pass, walked up to the public beach, and caught the free trolley to Publix for some supplies. Pretty good deal for cruisers with no cars. Bradenton Beach anchorage on Anna Maria offers a place to get rid of trash and take on water via jerry jugs. The general atmosphere there is kind of seedy though. Several of the anchored boats are derelict. Some of the resident liveaboards might be derelicts as well. Longboat is much higher end and safer appearing in our opinion.
Longboat Pass and Beer Can Island to the right.
Longboat Key is best visited out of the height of snowbird season. As I mentioned, the anchorage can get crowded during the winter, but if you can find a spot to drop anchor, it’s well worth it. It truly is a beautiful stop along the Intercoastal. Do NOT pass it by if you travel this way.
Sunset from the Beach, Longboat Key, Florida
(By the way, Happy Hour at Moore’s is from 4 to 6 daily
