Thnikng about the Florida Panhandle as a cruising grounds. Pensacola, Ft Walton Destin ,,,,what bays are sailable with a five foot draft. Is all that water I see sailable or is it just shallow fisheries Would love to move up that way and live a board in the panhandle for a while if I can find a slip for living a board ????
Sailed the area with a 4'9" draft for 3.5 years. Choctawhatchee Bay between Brooks Bridge and the new high rise bridge to the east has plenty of depth, but anchorages are few and far between. From Brooks Bridge west it is stay in the ditch most of the way with some spots to anchor near Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach. Pensacola Bay never held much attraction for us. Did cruise down to Panama City from time to time. Three big issues -- barges and tows (dangerous and limited control), silting in the ditch, hurricanes (we evacuated 3 times and since have sold our land there and won't go back). Love to visit and sometimes rent a Hobie now.
Allen,
I live in Fort walton. we sail every week end on choctawhacee and some times around panama city. Water depth isnt the problem it's your hight that limits you. If your close to or over fifty feet as we are you are very limited.
Marinas are goig extinct at an alarming rate. If you can fit under the 48 to fifty foot bridges it will open up alot of great opportunities.
thanks for the help guys, Sounds like our 62 foot mast might limit our choices .
But we are seriously hoping to move north soon as the SW Florida area is getten a bit expensive. We also want to be in closer to a community that has something other than shuffle board
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Would love to move up that way and live a board in the panhandle for a while if I can find a slip for living a board ????
