Planning to sail the Florida Panhandle this Spring

[thomeng55]

I am planning to tow to the panhandle this Spring - possibly March??? - and see what it is like to sail in some clear blue water and warmer climates.

If you can provide any information on places to launch, sailing routes, time to sail, etc, that would be awesome.  Or if you can just provide some links to information, that would be great also.

I am planning about 7 to 10 days on the water.

Thanks in Advance

Thom

[SouthernNomad]

Thom,

That sounds like a cool trip. I am a CP27 owner in St. Pete. I'm not sure what your intentions are in respect to this trip be it for personal pleasure or accomplishment or something else, but if you are looking for crew I would be ready and willing scheduling permitting.
Think about it as it approaches.

-SouthernNomad

[thomeng55]

Hi Grinder

be it for personal pleasure or accomplishment or something else

All of the above...  I'll keep it in mind as I get closer and more firmed up.  I don't have any crew at the moment (not that I can handle a lot of crew on a 23 for a week or so)

Thanks

Tom

[brackish]

I've sailed the entire panhandle at various times from Cape San Blas, FL to Gulfport, MS.

Some thoughts:

While it may be warm to you, it is often still cold and blustery in March.  If you have any say in the matter, I would do it in late April, early May.
Are you planning to go outside or stay in the ICW?  The anchorages and marinas for the most part are on the ICW.
The Trip I would like to do is from Port St Joe going outside, with maybe an overnight at Crooked Island off of Tindall AFB, then go in at St. Andrews inlet at Panama City and stay ICW (a lot of it is sailable for a 23), then on to Navarre, Pensacola Bay, maybe as far as Ingrams Bayou close to the Alabama line.
Keep us informed of your plans, I may tow down and make it a flotilla.  I can probably help you with launch possibilities and more importantly where to leave your tow rig.

A nice video on a cruise to Crooked Island.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeVlPSjJOPw

Also, you can look at the former BEER cruise itineraries for a flavor for the Pensacola Bay sailing, they usually do this one in early June.  For  $55 you can launch, have one night at dock, leave your rig, use their showers and laundry facilities during BEER which is 4 days.  Some folks go longer and add some days.

http://www.beercruise.info/

[thomeng55]

Thanks for the info.  That sounds like a nice cruise.  I'll keep you informed as it firms up a bit.

Also I will look into the BEER Pensacola cruise.

Thanks again

[thomeng55]

Well I am planning the "Pensacola cruise" for the spring of 2015. 

I think I am shooting for the middle of March or early April.  I would prefer slightly cooler weather verses hot and humid.  the duration will be between 5 and 10 days depending on the itinerary/ weather conditions, etc.

A couple more questions to you experienced cruisers (I have never cruised more than 1 night)

1) If I launch around St joe and sail up towards Pensacola, do I loop it back the same route to get to my trailer or somehow dock in Pensacola, catch a ride back to my trailer and drive up?  Just curious.

2) do you usually anchor overnight?  (I have NEVER anchored overnight and would like some thoughts about this)

3) Between Panama City and Destin, do you sail the Gulf?  I dont see an intercoastal there unless its that little manmade looking channel.

I am getting excited about this trip.  Its a number of new experiences for me...

Cruise with overnighting
Anchoring over night
Long Trailer trip
Sailing in tropical/ subtropical waters
Tides
Salt water sailing

and I am sure a whole lot more.

Tom

[brackish]

Well I am planning the "Pensacola cruise" for the spring of 2015. 

I think I am shooting for the middle of March or early April.  I would prefer slightly cooler weather verses hot and humid.  the duration will be between 5 and 10 days depending on the itinerary/ weather conditions, etc.

A couple more questions to you experienced cruisers (I have never cruised more than 1 night)

1) If I launch around St joe and sail up towards Pensacola, do I loop it back the same route to get to my trailer or somehow dock in Pensacola, catch a ride back to my trailer and drive up?  Just curious.

2) do you usually anchor overnight?  (I have NEVER anchored overnight and would like some thoughts about this)

3) Between Panama City and Destin, do you sail the Gulf?  I dont see an intercoastal there unless its that little manmade looking channel.

I am getting excited about this trip.  Its a number of new experiences for me...

Cruise with overnighting
Anchoring over night
Long Trailer trip
Sailing in tropical/ subtropical waters
Tides
Salt water sailing

and I am sure a whole lot more.

Tom

1. You can loop back if you have the time but another alternative is to take the bus.  My FIL did that one time when he needed a one way transit across the pan handle.  Keep us informed on your timing/itinerary, I start to be down there (Mexico Beach) a lot in March/April working on my MIL's house, getting it ready for the rental season, If paths cross maybe transportation......

2. Yes, anchor overnight in protected water.  Inside Cape San Blas, Crooked Island, St Andrews Bay, West Bay, Choctawhatchchee Bay, Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound...
The alternative is to stop at a marina and pay a transient fee to spend the night tied up to their docks.  It is not generally crowded at that time of the year.

3. You certainly can and with good weather it is a nice sail.  You need to plan your trip so you are not forced to anchor outside, that's not pleasant. You can also go inside I think you're right West Bay is connected to Choctawatchee by West creek and a man made section but I think it is not too long.  My charts are on the boat and I've never traveled that section inside so I'll check the next time I'm at the boat, probably this week.

With regard to your new experiences.  Anchoring overnight not a big deal, read up on scope requirements and anchoring techniques but keep mind in your anchoring will be in relatively shallow water. If you haven't slept on an anchored boat, it might be good to borrow an anchor riding sail to minimize the swing a bit. The water here is shallow it is good to have both a GPS with local charts loaded and a depth finder.  Tides are not really an issue, get a table but keep in mind your talking about 12-18" for the most part in tide changes.  Strong north winds can drop it further and somewhat likely early spring.

When crossing Crooked Island/Wild Goose Bay area, be sure to get an advance check on the Tindall AFB schedule.  They close passage outside when they do drones and fighter pilot training.  I think they give 24 hour notice.

You might want to get a cruising guide for the area to help with your planning.

[thomeng55]

Thanks for the information.  It is all greatly appreciated and will be taken to heart.