Taking GF and her kid (9yr girl) out this Saturday and was thinking of running boat south from St. Pete (home waters) south across bay and into Sarasota. I have heard of Mar Vista, need a lunch spot and a place to beach it and chill would be great. Thought about Egmont but have been the many times, just never continued south. Any advise? Also, in a unrelated question, I did a search and turned up so e old posts froma old time frequent poster "Cuda" and his profile said banned. What's the story with that?

Mar Vista sounds great. Right at Longboat Pass Bridge is a great place to anchor or beach boat and hang out.Just inside pass you will find Jewfish Island, also anchor and beach friendly. Jewfish has ahuge flats area for kids to explore .Just watch what everyone else is doing and copy them. We'll be flying the Superman parasail boat at the north end of Anna Maria when you get to our area.. Have a great trip.

Thanks for advice. Launched outta Gulfport Saturday about noon and ran down the gulf , water was flat and clear. We had lunch at Mar Vista, cool place and good eats. Anchored up at the sandbar and let the little kid run around and burn off some energy. Nice cruise back in flat seas. I will definitely return.