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Cruising

From the Manatee to Tampa Bay; from Key West to the Bahamas...we are the 'cruisingest'

Check out our Club Calendar for the latest!


One of the most anticipated and enjoyable features at BCYC is our monthly weekend cruise. The first weekend of each month is typically Cruise Weekend, and trips may include excursions to Bahia Beach, Desoto Point, Regatta Point, Longboat Key, Clearwater, Tampa, Caladesi, or Terra Ceia Bay. Trips are close enough to BCYC that sail boats can get there or back easily in a day - with plenty of time left to socialize. Frequently, especially in the summer months, the trips are to local marinas, so cruisers can cool off in the pool and plug in the AC; and 'land cruisers' can join the sailors for cocktails and dinner.

Boats leave the BCYC basin shortly after the 9 am Skipper's Meeting on Saturday with the objective of arriving at our destination by late afternoon, where boats raft up for happy hour and often a potluck dinner. On Sunday morning cruisers may join together on a member's boat for breakfast. Then we pull anchor and return home. On marina cruises we may take advantage of the restaurants and lounges to kick back and relax. We arrive back to BCYC Sunday afternoon - either early or late, depending on the sail conditions.

Some long distance cruising takes place in the late Spring when members can cruise together to places like Sarasota, Key West, Fort Jefferson, North Florida or the Bahamas Islands.In the Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and school holidays are often used for cruises to Fort Myers or Charlotte Harbor.


Each year the cruising trophy is presented to the ‘Cruisingest Cruiser’ who has participated in the most cruises for the year. Other cruisers may also receive fun awards for their participation.

A Note from our Cruising Chair......

Cruising Protocol


    At BCYC, we have monthly club cruises. In winter months, we typically anchor out as the weather is cool enough for anchoring. In summer months, we typically go to marinas, hopefully ones that have a pool, and we can use our A/C.


    These cruises are for members, as this is a ‘perk’ of being a member. If a non-member wishes to come along, they can come as a guest of a member. That member is responsible for their guest at all times. Be sure to contact me with the guest name.


    We do have Reciprocity with some other clubs that allow us to visit them occasionally. Their fees and ‘perks’ vary depending on the facility. No guest boats are permitted as this is for BCYC
members only.


    It is very important to contact the Cruising Chair if you plan to cruise, whether by boat or land, and if you have guests attending. When we go to a restaurant for dinner, I let them know how many we have so they can prepare for us. We just do not show up and expect them to accommodate us.


    This is the Protocol for Cruising. Please respect the time and work it takes in planning a cruise. The Cruising Chair is the one, unless otherwise noted, that communicates with the Dock Masters of these marinas. That is what the Dock Masters prefer and I always pass that information on to you.


Please contact me if you have any questions.



Got Questions? Want to volunteer? Contact cruising@sailbcyc.org