Hi - We just returned yesterday from delivering a 39' Island Gypsy Eurosedan from Bradenton to Galveston. We also delivered a 42' Ricker trawler in February from Bradenton to Mobile - Dog Island Marina. Here are our latest experiences to add to your gathering of information. >From Ft. Myers, a good well-protected anchorage is Pelican Bay, just inside the Boca Grande Pass. If weather is good and you want more breeze, anchor just west of Useppa Island just east of ICW channel. Another great stop is just inside Venice inlet - anchor in the basin off the Venice Yacht Club or tie up at the free dock just past the Yacht Club. Next stop depends on your choice of outside or inside, as there is no reliable Gulf inlet for non-locals between Venice and Longboat Pass, where you can anchor on south side of Pass inlet east of bridge on the east side of ICW channel - pay close attention to depth here. In Tampa Bay area, anchor on east side of Egmont Key in good weather or go up Manatee River to DeSoto point anchorage. Reasonably priced dockage and fuel at Clearwater municipal marina, and a great rest stop before crossing the Big Bend area. Anclote Key anchorage - inside or outside - is the last stop before crossing Big Bend to Appalachicola, or Carabelle, depending on your choice for entering the Gulf ICW. Miller's marina, on the west shore just past the Appalachicola bridge, has good fuel and dockage at reasonable price, and Caroline's, next door restaurant, has great oysters. Our next stop along this route is usually Panama City - where we head for St. Andrews municipal marina. We like this neighborhood's restaurants and clean marina. Going outside, the usual next stop is Port. St. Joe - good, clean marina. Pensacola is was our next stop after Panama City - downtown to Palafox Pier, a great, well-maintained marina with clean fuel and walking distance to historic downtown. Pensacola is displaying "Pelicans on Parade", a fun excuse to walk all around town. We stopped at Dauphin Island Marina at Mobile Bay inlet on this trip because we were going through to Galveston, so no need to go up the Bay to Mobile. Can't recommend Dauphin Island Marina - still in need of renovation at docks and land facilities, although the cruise inside the Island channel was interesting. Hope this is somewhat helpful. Send a note off-line for any specific questions that may not be of general interest to trawlerlistees. Capt. Calvin Cornish Capt. Wendy Young, RN USCG licensed masters Yacht delivery & instruction "Blue Crab" Albin 27' aft cabin Punta Gorda, FL