Tampa/St. Pete
 

Coming down April 10th, is anything going on that weekend? Will anybody be boating?

That's going to be a big weekend! They have the Blues Fest and Festival of Sates going on. Many people gather and raft up just outside of Vinoy Park to enjoy the music.

April 11 to 13 - 2008 Whitney Bank Tampa Bay Blues Festival.
Vinoy Park, Bayshore Dr. and 7th Ave. N.E. times TBA. National blues bands perform, arts and crafts and tasty food. $30. www.tampabaybluesfest.com

April 12 - Festival of States - Day Parade.
Downtown to the waterfront. time TBA Marching bands, floats and clowns fill the streets with fun and music. www.festivalofstates.com

It's a possibility, but I'm not positive that my boat will be ready by then. If so, I'll be out by the park.

Daze, what are you doing to you boat?

It was time for a freshening, got 2 new motors going in. The first one's done and already in the boat, working on the second one right now.

Sounds good I have heard about this. We will be in a little 18' CC that we have down there for the time being. Hoping to get into a Concept soon.

Cigdaze where abouts in shore acres are you ?

Nice! Who is doing the work? What motors did you get?

Skater, we're near where Chancellor and Bayou Grande meet; near the firehouse.

Mike, nothing crazy...been there, done that, had enough...putting in a pair of EFI 502s with stainless marine exhaust. Looking for no-nonsense, turn-key reliability. I've been working with Richard over at Knight's Marine, he's a great guy and a great mechanic.

I had a 502efi with Stainless Marine exhaust on my Scarab. The Stainless Marine exhaust was super nice!

Ya man, I'm super happy with the Stainless Marine stuff. The first motor's complete, it's back in the boat and is up and running....sounds great with that exhaust. I'm certain it'll be a nice upgrade from the garbage GIL sh!t that was on there before which led to the demise of my starboard engine.

We are on 49th ave NE, I guess you could say we are kinda behind you on the canals. Hopefully it won't be to ruff & we can get out to the park.

Way cool. Nice area. That's like a 1/2 mile from us.
You ever hang out at the pub? :D :eek:

Not sure what your talking about, I'm new to the area & don't know my way around very well. I think I could make my way to the park by boat for the jazz festival that weekend. Other than that I don't have a clue where I'm going... lol

Sorry to hijack this thread but...

Mike/Nick - you guys going to SM's boat parade party? I believe its the first weekend in April... Think I'm going to trailer the cat up there on Friday and leave it at SM's house for the weekend. Hope to see you guys there.

I will be there as long as it is not during the St. Pete Grand Prix...gotta see the ALMS cars and Indy/Champ car run!

Party is on April 5th - Grand Prix weekend - see schedule below:

Saturday, April 5th -

8:00 am Gates Open
8:05 am - 8:35 am IndyCar Practice
9:25 am - 9:50 am ALMS Warm-Up
10:05 am - 10:35 am Indy Pro Qualifying
10:55 am - 12:25 pm IndyCar Qualifying
12:45 pm ALMS Pre-Race
1:25 pm - 3:20 pm Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg (Live on ABC)
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm ALMS Post-Race on the XM Stage
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm Air Show
4:15 pm Indy Pro Pre-Race
4:45 pm - 5:45 pm Indy Pro Race (1) - 40 Laps
5:45 pm - 6:00 pm Indy Pro Post-Race

Dirt, already spoke with Miklos about this and yes his party is on the Grand Prix day. I am sending over my 2md half for me...she is more fun anyway. I will be at the St. Pete GP all 4 days unless there is rain.

Yep, I'll be at Steve's for the party. See you guys there.

Skater, I hear ya...I've been there for almost 8 years now and I still don't know my way around...:D...it's easy to get lost back there. Anyway, the pub is just a small local bar/restaurant back in the acres (corner of Chancellor/Overlook) that like 90% of the locals hang out at. It's nothing special (well, kind of a sht-hole, to be honest), but hey, it's in the neighborhood, most of my local buddies hang out there, and I can walk there and back. :D

That sounds like a good place, I will have to check it out. Is it a drinking establishment only or is there food also. So far our favorite place has been Ringside, they have great steaks.

Yep, it's a pizza/pasta/wings joint and a bar with big screens, pool tables, dart boards and juke box. You can get 32oz pub mugs for 3 bucks. :drink: I wasn't kidding before when I said it's a sht hole, but nonetheless, I sometimes still call it my second living room.

Ringside is a great place, I love it there, seems there's always a good blues band playing on the weekends, and yes they make a good steak. Check out their Thursday night Ribs specials, too. They make killer ribs.

Another local favorite of mine is Limey's Pub. It's just a bit south of Ringside on the same side of 4th street. They have a good menu, and it's a great hangout. Lots of college-aged talent there. :D

I've seen Limeys & we almost stopped one evening, but the place always seems to be packed (which sometimes isn't a bad thing).

Pizza/wings, big screens, & cheap beer sounds right up my ally. Then add in the fact it's close to home & I believe you have your classic "no brainer". I will definately check it out when I come down & hopefully meet some of the locals.

Very cool. Hope to see you around.

Oh, And if you want to stop-in somewhere by boat that's close to home, check out Fish Tales at the Harborage Marina (15th Ave S, downtown St. Pete). It's a quiet little place to tie up and grab a bite and a drink - I call it my 'Cheers' (where everybody knows you name). Another option is Fresca's, which is directly adjacent to the southern side of the pier. They just put in new docks there and is a great place to tie up for a while to get you right into the heart of downtown St. Pete.

Take it Easy!

CigDaze, tell me more about Fresca's. Do you go up the canal like you are going to Fish Tails? South of the Pier is the airport so I am confused where these docks are.

Since Rattlefish closed Lisa and I are miserable with no close boating resturant

I hear ya, Rattlefish was a great hangout. Bummer :(
Fresco's is great.
----------------
Fresco's Waterfront Bistro
http://www.stpete-pier.com/dining.php?LID=1#fresco

"St. Petersburg's Premier Waterfront Dining Experience" Whether enjoying a glass of Sauvignon Blanc on our exclusive waterfront dock, or nibbling on our Black Tiger Shrimp Remoulade in our harbor side dining room, Fresco's is sure to leave the taste of Florida on your palette.

THE SCENE
We feature an elegant yet casual waterfront atmosphere located at the entrance of St. Petersburg's famous waterfront Pier. Guests may arrive by boat, foot or car.

THE FOOD
Our New World and Gulf Coast cuisine will tantalize even the most particular of appetites. Guests may enjoy our delicacies 7 days a week for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch on our 3000sqft waterfront deck over looking the Municipal Marina and sparkling Tampa Bay. For our guests convenience, Fresco's Waterfront Bistro offers a full package license with spirits to go!

AFTER DARK
Fresco's Waterfront Bistro Heats up the nights with happy hour specials 2 for 1 drinks 5pm -7pm daily. Thursdays through Sundays we feature live entertainment as well and other specials. Thursdays, ladies drink FREE from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Fridays & Saturday, The Bay Areas best R&B, Soul, Jazz & blues bands hit the stage to bring the house down; and Sundays cool down the weekend with the sounds of reggae.

THE HOURS
Fresco's Waterfront Bistro is located at 300 2nd Ave NE St. Petersburg Fl. 33701 727.894.4429. Open seven days a week visit Fresco's according to your craving: Mondays: Only Open for Dinner 5 p.m. -10 p.m.; Tuesday - Saturday: Lunch, 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Dinner, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday: Late Nite Menu Served 'til Midnight; Sunday: Brunch available from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please call 727.894.4429 for more information.

Mike - see attached aerial from Google Earth - Frescos is marked wtih a yellow push pin. Enter south of the Pier.

Have not been there since the got the new docks - loved the place before, but docking was always a bit of a challenge.

Thanks Cig and Dirt! Anyone want to come over and go for ride to check Fresco's out? I might take the boat over this weekend.

Will take you up on the ride some other weekend - we have a friend's birthday BBQ on Saturday afternoon and forced family fun on Easter Sunday...

Whos going to the Poker run next weekend?

It's official: I won't be ready. :(

I was on your side of the state this past weekend, it's gorgeous over there

Glad you enjoyed it, Kimmer. I met a couple Canadians at my marina this weekend, and they dubbed St. Pete the "San Diego of the East Coast." I appreciated their remark. :)