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Sarasota Mooring Field

Location: Sarasota - Island Park
Mile Marker: Mile 73.4 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 27° 19.800' / W 082° 32.860'
Depth: 8-12 Feet
Description: Check with local authorities before anchoring in Sarasota. Anchoring is permitted in several parts of the harbor

NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.
DISCLAIMER: The laws and regulations governing anchoring in Florida waters are complex and everchanging. If you plan to anchor, whether overnight or for an extended period, you should confirm whether you are in compliance with local and state requirements before committing to a location. Two sources of information that may be helpful are the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida State Statutes.

3.67

(6)

3.67 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.60

Anchoring is not permitted in the mooring field.

Wind Protection:

2.00

Somewhat Exposed West Through Southwest and Wakes

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

2.00

Somewhat Exposed West Through Southwest and Wakes

Scenic Beauty:

3.67

Ease of Shopping:

4.00

Shore Access:

4.67

Pet Friendly:

4.60

Cell Service:

5.00

WiFi:

2.80

Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Linda Sarine, FAITH, on Jan 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

2

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

5

We stayed here for three nights over New Years Eve. The Fireworks were fabulous!! Easy to get to the dingy docks. There was one little mud/sand beach by the dock to O Leary's to take pup to shore, all other beach / shore access is rocky making impossible for the dinghy.
But the reason it scored so low with me was the wakes from boats all day! It is a slow wake zone by the mooring field. It should be a no wake zone. But it doesn't matter because no one observes either! Our boat isn't huge. 39 Mainship, but not tiny either. The wakes from boats ALL day was unreal! Sliding glass door slamming shut, drawers uncontrollably opening and closing, pots flying off the stove and the dog scared to death. Unsafe to walk to the head out take a shower.
I get it when you are in rough water but these are wakes from boats!! Marina Jack's runs the mooring field. They could at least put up a no wake sign. Have the cops sit out there in a patrol boat for one week and their quota would be filled for the month!! Also have them sit under any bridge! No one in this beautiful city obeys the signs for boating. It's the wild Wild West coming through the ICW in Sarasota.
We had so wanted to do things in Sarasota. Just too dangerous to leave our boat unattended in this mooring field.

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Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Kevin Williams, m/v Blue Tortuga, on Dec 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

4

Solid Mooring area just adjacent to Marina Jack. Can get waked occasionally from Marina or ICW traffic. Easy dingy access. Some restaurants allow pets. Amazing views at night of city and bridge. Large mooring field. Good responsive service.

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Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

5

This mooring field is now managed by Marina Jack's and can be booked via Dockwa. It's $30/night plus tax.

I spent one night. The mooring field is large and relatively exposed. If it's windy, the boat will be rocking. There doesn't seem to be much current in this area; most of the boat movement is due to wind. I was able to connect to the mooring ball's pennant solo on my first try.

Although I had no trouble with my mooring ball/pennant stability, another larger Looper boat did; the pennant came loose and they found themselves drifting outside the mooring field before turning in to bed. Their report of this problem caused Marina Jack's to reject new reservations for large boats in windy conditions for a while; clearly, they need to check their mooring setups. If this concerns you, set an anchor alarm; you should probably be setting one any time there's a remote chance that your boat could move anyway. (Anchor, public dock, unsecure dock, etc.)

Anyone staying in the mooring field has access to Marina Jack's dinghy dock and all of its marina facilities, including restrooms with showers and laundry. The only drawback is that the mooring field is large and dinghying to the dock in unsettled weather can be quite a long adventure. Still, this is a cost-effective way to visit Sarasota and still have some of the benefits of staying in a marina. Just be aware that the windier it is, the more your boat will rock. I was glad to move into the marina after one night on the ball.

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Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac on Mar 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

2

Managed by Marina Jack, the Sarasota Mooring Field has one hundred well maintained moorings for boats of different sizes. Exposed to from the east to the southwest, the field can be bouncy in winds but should not ever be rolling and really uncomfortable, given the enclosed nature of the area. The mooring pendant is enclosed in a flexible plastic pipe and has no pickup line or float. You snag the pendant with your boathook, grab the line below the eye and quickly put your line through the thimble and tie off before trying to establish your mooring bridle. It is a different system and it pays to be prepared. The mooring field is also serviced by a pump-out boat so, if you need a pump-out, you don't have to maneuver in the harbor to the gas dock to get it done. The price for the night was less than $30. Not bad when you consider that you have access to all the Marina Jack amenities including dinghy dock, showers, and laundry. As Marina Jack is in Downtown Sarasota, there is much to do on shore, if you ever get beyond the Marina Jack Restaurant. Fuel dock was easy to access as is the dinghy dock. All marina employees we encountered were professional and pleasant to deal with. Marina Wi-Fi in the mooring field was weak and we ended up using our cellular hotspots. Cell service was excellent for the big three. Definitely a good experience.

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Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Jamie on May 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.1'

Overall Rating:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

2

Had a great time here. Professional staff, very laid back, easy to get a ball from the marina. Dinghy dock was also laid back, didn't need a tag or anything. Large fuel dock. The WiFi was a little spotty. The marina restaurant was amazing, with a fabulous wine list. The marina is in the heart of all the action, easy access to downtown and some recreation trails. The marina offers some yacht services. On-site laundry and showers are available to mooring ball customers. I wish all marinas and mooring fields were this good.

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Review for Sarasota Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Wally & Coco on Apr 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Anchor 200 feet south of mooring field for free. No less than 6 feet.. Must enter and exit through mooring field.
- WG Editor Comment:
  
  Wally,
  Anchor 200 feet or yards south of the mooring field? You're reviews does not state.
  Ted Stehle
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