Florida Panhandle Sailors?

[Steve]

Anyone here a FL panhandle sailor? I'm looking for personal recommendations for my April trip.

Thanks!

Steve

P.S. thanks to Sloop John B. for his continued help...any others?

[Chazz & Kim]

Hi Steve,
We're "New guys" to the website here!

Launch at Panama City's City Marina and have a fun time at Shell Island!
There's fuel, pumpout, ice and a nice marina store and groceries are just a couple blocks away. The Hawks Nest is where the sailors hangout to eat and drink-also within walking distance of the marina---No crowded springbreakers downtown-they are all at the beaches , and that's quite a long drive from where the marina is.

There's also Redfish Point where you can anchor the first day out and watch all the shrimpers, Navy ,Coast Guard,Marine Police, TowBoatUS and Seatow and recreational vessels float by---Or head just past it to the cove with the old ferro cement schooner for safe anchoring and fishing and swimming. Great storm anchorage!

One thing we really enjoy while there is to listen to the professional charter fishermen and comnmercial fishermen on the VHF radio at night in the cockpit---what a show !!! Better than you can imagine sometimes---we laugh and got to know where the fish are and even got to know them and their family members by name...yes, we are easily amused!


Anchoring is good in the Bay and you can walkover to the beach and have the most private of beach experiences! The sunsets are awesome!!!

Get adventurous and go out the pass and head East to Crooked Island. Just make sure to check with the Navy to see if they are testing that day.
Entry into Crooked Island (check with the natives first ) is a bit tricky but you will find shells galore--and not much else but lots of fish and a buncha sharks We love it there. And it's not really on the charts, hmmmm???

Take some more time off and go to Destin by way of the intercoastal or go offshore and see Destin Harbor-it oughta be jumping during Spring Break, as is most of the Panhandle in the springtime . You can take a water taxi to the clubs and restaurants for about $10.00, and then ride back to your boat that night. Don't plan on too much available dockage in Destin because everyone is there partying-but you can drop anchor in the middle and water taxi around. Harbor Docks-good sushi !!

And then there's CRAB ISLAND----world renown for anchoring on weekends---more like a boat show-the water is shallow by the Destin Bridge and boaters have long made it a hangout to see others and be seen. It's an experience to try at least once and maybe never again if you don't enjoy crowds--it can be very crowed. It is right near the pass under the bridge on the Choctawhatchee bayside. You can watch humanity at it's best and worst there..

If you need fuel and things are too crowed for you-try DECKHANDS MARINA---anchor out, but keep away from the Intercoastal, and be mindful that this marina is rough-the winds and the traffic (especiall the charter fishing boats!) rock this place day and night. But they have a neat Tiki Bar with freshly marinated steak dinners and comraderie you won;t find elsewhere in Destin-and the dress code is anything goes-so if you are a mess you can still eat there and they won't pay any attention!

If you get to Deckhands on the Choctawhatchee Bay-keep sailing north to another great place to eat---Rocky Bayou and the Fisherman's Wharf-you can dock there to eat and then anchor wherever there's no traffic-and that varies all the time. The crab claws are delicious, calamari good and the beer is cold-the restaurant overlooks their marina and it's always fun to walk the docks and check out the boats.

Or there's Mexico Beach, St Joe Spit, and more great places to anchor and enjoy. We've anchored at St Joe Spit, after launching in the State Park for over two weeks and enjoyed it all---the State Park is quirky about when the "season" is and before Memorial Day they may not have their store open to buy ice etc. So you should launch there and have a vehicle handy to drive to town to buy your necessities--or drop in at the new marina for fuel and basic supplies if you have launched elsewhere.

The only drawback to the Panhandle is the smell from the papermill in Panama City and or the Arizona Chemical Plant (they closed their papermill) in St. Joe....when the winds are blowing your way--ugh!! It usually doesn't last too long...just wanted to make you aware.
Hope you have screens too---the mosquitos aren't really the problem it is the flies---hopefully they won't be out till summertime but one never knows. It can be really windy in April, and storms roll in so keep a weather eye.

There are many unexpected things that can and do happen like a sudden Air show from the Thunderbirds right above your mast and the navy may be manuvering the hydrofoils in your direction ! A daunting show...
Be sure to try to locate Pearl Bayou--that's where the Coast Guard staions their retrieval vessels that round up the drones they fire over Crooked Island, and into the Gulf....and it's a great gunkhole too !
Plan to go there for a day or two-

Well, just wanted to Say HELLO , we're looking forward to posting and replying to this website. Hope this helps if you need more info just drop us a note.
Chazz and Kim

[Tom Root]

Yes, it was a great read, makes me wanna hitch up and go.....nah ,a bit too far, and way too expensive, considering the fuel prices!!!!

And most definately you saw the Navy/Marine Corps, Blue Angels, F/A-18's out of Pensacola, it's their home base!

[Tom Root]

I stand corrected..... My humble appologies!!!!!!!

[Chazz & Kim]

HEY TOM ----NO PROBLEM!!....

We have enjoyed your many posts and replys too!!
Chazz and Kim[/b]

And how long does it take one to learn how to use all these gizmos on the forum? ha ha haaa

[Steve]

Thanks to everyone (so far) that has responded! Looking forward to hearing from any others that sail in the panhandle area...and go BLUE THUNDERBIRDS!

Steve
Nashville, TN