St Petersburg Fla

reneechris14

I finally got to meet the legend @Handymans342 and his wonderful wife. Meet him at John's Pass at Madeira beach place called The Hut it was really cool place on the boardwalk with a band up in the loft. Then went down the road to Seared 1200 chop house for awesome steaks. I must say it was the best day of my vacation so far. 

randy56

Good time's ! looks like Handy has pushed the bill over your way. LOL He does like to cut up and have some fun. 

zaverin1

Well that explains it all
about handy 

trip_n

wow=@handymans342 looks a lot older than i thought he was.
i really like st pete/clearwater...my wife and i hope to end up in the area.
looks like some folks having a great night

zaverin1

It explains the diesel obsession 

Handymans342

Yes, another great night and meal with another great boating couple and part of the Rinker family. Maybe if Zav and Trip came down they would have a better attitude. RLMAO. We love St Pete Beach. So much to do, so much to eat and many places to party and boat!!. Everytime @Randy56 comes down he is happy as heck but hates to leave. Once again we love to meet anyone from the Forum!!

zaverin1

Do you drink straight diesel

Handymans342

Yep 40 cetane like real men

randy56

Sometimes, Handy comes across a bit harsh, cause he love's sarcasm in the fun way, teasing, and diesels,  once you get to know him, he is really a nice dude. 
South Fl is a awesome place. I do like the gulf side better than the Atlantic side, of Fl.

Handymans342

Thanks Randy I will send you that $20 now lol

randy56

$100, and a cold bud lite, next time I visit. LOL

Willhound

Love that area also. Been going for a week or two every winter for the last 20 years. The Hut is fun, Caddy's on the beach, JD's in Indian Rocks, Mahuffers. Probably not a bar/restaurant in the area we've not been to.
Favourite area though is Pass-a-Grille. The Wharf, Shadrack's bar, sumsets on the upper deck at the Hurricane.
Can't wait until mid February!

rasbury

That is a great area for boating for sure...we went further South of Tampa Bay- Cayo Costa Island/ Upper Captiva islands for vacations....around Boca Grande area. Lots of very remote quiet islands. Cayo Costa is 1/3 state park and the rest is privately owned with maybe 8 houses on it- they run off solar. Like Gilligan's Island- no cars no stores no roads....if you like about a 14 mile beach to yourself, you can't beat it. I don't know if I can get in there with our 270- I have a I/O bow rider we would bump our way in as it was......we also stayed one year up that way around Englewood that was also boat in only but it had power and such but the place was sold and looked elsewhere. Can't beat the west coast of Fl- would like to get up into the panhandle area as well...

reneechris14

Differently staying down this way when I retire in 10 years. 84° here today and 39° In CT. 4 daughter's and grandkids up there for the summer and nice and warm down here for pops in the winter. Question is two houses to boats or boat up their, house down here I'm glad I got ten years to figure it out.

Willhound

Funny you should mention that @reneechris14. We're trying to decide the same, but are thinking 2 boats. One on Georgian Bay in the summer and one in Florida for winter. Need a car anyway, so rather than boat back and forth, just drive to the boat. Only issue is finding a marina there that will let us stay aboard for 6 months. I'm thinking because we'd tour around a bit and only part of the year we might get away with it because I know full time liveaboard marinas are almost non existent now.

MarkB

You can probably see my house from John's Pass! I love that boardwalk.

If you're still there and want a beach day, go to Caddy's on the Beach ... great place.

Want good Italian (authentic), go to Verducci's.

Middle Grounds is also a good steak and seafood place, but Salt Rock at Indian Shores is another great option!

Handymans342

You came down and didnt tell me Mark???

trip_n

our last time @ salt rock wasn't worth the wait.......
try chattaways ....https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjdlMPG9rzXAhWI34MKHScHDQUQFggnMAA&url=http://thechattaway.com/&usg=AOvVaw2v-_ry055bQhVFUdXV_hKJ



and the habana cafe ...https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiQv-3a9bzXAhWU2YMKHWpoA7oQFggmMAA&url=http://www.habanacafe.com/&usg=AOvVaw2_lq0uMlgjETkkKDUploAd



and my fave ft de soto dog beach

Willhound

MarkB said:

Want good Italian (authentic), go to Verducci's.

Middle Grounds is also a good steak and seafood place, but Salt Rock at Indian Shores is another great option!

X2 on Verducci's
As per @trip_n I was also a little disappointed with the Salt Rock. Very trendy and I guess I expected more from all the hype. Nothing really wrong with it, just didn't wow us.

Liberty44140

X3 on Salt Rock, great place down there! 

MarkB

Handymans342 said:

You came down and didnt tell me Mark???

I haven't been there since March. We are planning to be there in December/Jan for 2 weeks. We can meet up at John's Pass.

For those who didn't appreciate Salt Rock, try Middle Grounds ... you won't be disappointed. It isn't as posh as Salt Rock, but still a really good place, and a bit less expensive. Food is great.

Handymans342

Cool. Will do

rasbury

Sea food?

MarkB

Middle grounds serves sea food and steaks. They've been around for many, many years and are always packed (so make a reservation).

rasbury

I will keep that in mind...I love the west coast but being 45 miles from the east coast.....

trip_n

middle grounds is on treasure island=very good food...stone crabs when in season 
@markb....it wasn't about appreciate @ salt rocks...it wasn't good the last cple times we have gone.

MarkB

I'm Canadian ... Appreciate = didn't enjoy it for whatever reason. Just trying to say it in a nice way. LOL.

We went a few times last year, and found it was good. The prices are a bit high though, which is why I prefer Middle Grounds ... and that Middle Grounds is much closer to my place anyhow.