Sailing Area
Clearwater Harbor has many sand bars (shoals) that sailors need to know about before launching. Many shoals are shallow enough that most boats will run aground on high tide. Please take the time to review google maps and the image below to acquaint yourself before sailing. Areas around sand bars are deep enough that most boats can sail on low tide inside the harbor.
This screenshot shows the location of our major shoals encountered leaving the harbor.
Big
Big Shoal:
The 'Big Shoal' is right in front of the sailing center and needs to be left to the South. If you depart perpendicular to land you will run straight into the big shoal. As a reference, the northern edge of the shoal is even with the middle of the mangroves North of the sailing center. The South edge is roughly in line with the awning of the Columbia restaurant South of the Marriott.
Small Shoal
'Small Shoal' forms a boundary to the North. There is plenty of water between the drive on beach and the 'Small Shoal'. Be aware of this shoal so you don't sail too far North. Although the small shoal is smaller than the big shoal, it is the most common to hit and goes from deep to shallow quickly resulting in potential gear damage. Also note the sea grass area immediately North of the sailing center is quite shallow on low tide.
Sailors are required to stay within the boundaries (red) outlined within the screenshot above.
We highly recommend sailing to the South of the sailing center (South), towards and around One Tree Island, as you are most likely to avoid sand bars.