Have always used Dunedin causeway or Ft DeSoto area in St Pete, but I live further south now. Any suggestions for the best places to launch in Venice or Sarasota? I don't have cattracks, looking for hard sand causeway type area.

Resurfacing the post. Anyone have a suggestion?

I have always launched my cats for Sarasota Bay sailing right from the beach by the sailing squadron. You can back the trailer right down to the beach to launch or take it off the hitch and roll it down to the water. What type of cat are you sailing? I have taken H16's out of there for years and I have also launched my TF from there as well. Just bought a Prindle 18-2 so I will have to see how it is to launch a little bit bigger cat from there. The TF is 19' long by 16' wide so if I can launch that I should be able to launch the Prindle from there.

Sarasota also has a public boat ramp on the east side of the bay. It's just a mile or so north of the causeway to St. Armond's Circle on rt. 41. I see powerboats putting in there all the time so you could easily back your Hobie on trailer in there.

Also, Venice has a public boat launch in the middle of town, but I think it's on the river, not the gulf. Or you could drive out towards the airport, beaches and that Sharky's Restaraunt, just past Sharky's there is a public beach you might be able to roll your trailer onto and launch directly into the gulf. Or ask at that Coast Guard Auxilary station there, they might let you use their ramp.

sarasota sailing squadron even has mast up beach cat storage and is a really cool down to earth sailing facility. It is a really affordable place as well. Butif all you want is trailer too and go place than the parking lot on the east side of the bay is definitely the best place. I have set up everything from a p18-2 to a stiletto 30 there.