I plan to sail in the Destin area next month. Can anyone enlighten me on what to expect? I know there are some protected areas to sail. We will be staying at the Henderson state campground.
Destin sailing
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Good sailing
There is some very good sailing in that area. Both in the bay, and outside the jetties. You should be able to get under the bridge, which most boats can't. But beware, there is a lot of very skinny water around there. But the water is absolutely beautiful.
There is some very good sailing in that area. Both in the bay, and outside the jetties. You should be able to get under the bridge, which most boats can't. But beware, there is a lot of very skinny water around there. But the water is absolutely beautiful.
Destin
This is my favorite time of the year in Destin. You will enjoy.
I live on the harbor. Great place to check out. The east pass entrance is difficult to navigate at night. The water is skinny but stay in the marked channels and you will be ok. If the winds are out of the North, the gulf is a great sail similar to a lake. If out of S or SE, the bay is more comfortable sailing.
This is my favorite time of the year in Destin. You will enjoy.
Re: Destin
Cernest, tell me more about the harbor. Are there slips I can tie up to for the night? Is there a restaurant and bar?
Cernest, tell me more about the harbor. Are there slips I can tie up to for the night? Is there a restaurant and bar?
Bridge
There is a fairly low bridge between the harbor and the bay. Not a draw bridge. I don't remember what the clearance is, but with a trailerable boat you should be able to get under it.. There are lots of slips and resturants. Also a large anchorage area that is protected and good holding. A very boater friendly place.
There is a fairly low bridge between the harbor and the bay. Not a draw bridge. I don't remember what the clearance is, but with a trailerable boat you should be able to get under it.. There are lots of slips and resturants. Also a large anchorage area that is protected and good holding. A very boater friendly place.
What kind of boat are you bringing? Henderson is on the Gulf, so no boat ramps there. I know there is a good ramp at Joes's Bayou that is on the bay, but close to the pass going to the Gulf. I don't trailer, so I can't recommend any other good ramps. Destin bridge is 49ft this time of year. December can be very pleasant for sailing, or very cold if the north wind kicks in. Lots of restaurants and bars in the harbor and this time of the year it is easy to tie up to one if you are spending $$ there. Henderson is several miles from the harbor. Get a chart or go on ActiveCaptain to get the lay of the land.
there are all kinds of restaurants and bars. we anchored out.
was a meat market environment with a meat market ambience. you will love it.
didnt see a launch ramp. many trailerable boats, tho.
restaurants have docks for dinghies
was a meat market environment with a meat market ambience. you will love it.
didnt see a launch ramp. many trailerable boats, tho.
restaurants have docks for dinghies
I am bringing a V21. It will launch from any ramp. I thought that the Henderson State campground listed a ramp. My mast is about 25 feet and it sits about 3 feet of the water so it will easily go under a 49 foot clearance bridge. Sorry, not in the market for fresh meat, I married last year to a lovely woman.
Several years ago we took our Y Flyer with us and sailed it on the bay. We stayed in the Sandestin area (couple blocks from the Outlet Mall). There is a public launch ramp called Legions Park with a single ramp. If I recall it had a small area for parking and was right on the bay. Only issue we had was having to walk the boat out to gain some depth. I sent away for a map of the bay and it listed all the access areas. I'll look for it and let you know what else it offers. The bay sailing was great, always good wind and two tack sailing, out and back.
Steve
Steve
Nothing out there on the Gulf Side
Best bet to dock the boat from Henderson Park would probably be Legendary at the south end of the Midbay Bridge or Bluewater Bay Marina on the other side of the bridge which is $3.00 each way.
Do you plan to leave the boat in the water? I can not think of anyplace that works for drysailing off of the trailer.
This time of year there is no reason to go out into the gulf without some local knowledge the pass can be treacherous.
This is a pretty good document that shows all of the ramps I know about.
http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1323
Best bet to dock the boat from Henderson Park would probably be Legendary at the south end of the Midbay Bridge or Bluewater Bay Marina on the other side of the bridge which is $3.00 each way.
Do you plan to leave the boat in the water? I can not think of anyplace that works for drysailing off of the trailer.
This time of year there is no reason to go out into the gulf without some local knowledge the pass can be treacherous.
This is a pretty good document that shows all of the ramps I know about.
http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1323
Re: Nothing out there on the Gulf Side
Rick, when you say the pass can be treacherous do you mean from the bay to the gulf? Treacherous, how? shallow water, narrow cannel, big boats? I plan on using my outboard until I get to a area to sail. Maybe the bay , as Steve mentioned would be a better bet?
Rick, when you say the pass can be treacherous do you mean from the bay to the gulf? Treacherous, how? shallow water, narrow cannel, big boats? I plan on using my outboard until I get to a area to sail. Maybe the bay , as Steve mentioned would be a better bet?
Another Website to Check
https://public.myfwc.com/LE/boatramp/public/CountyMap.aspx
Should have mentioned the Midbay Bridge charges another $3.00 per axle for trailers. I'd go through Destin this time of year rather than pay the toll. There are a couple of other marinas in Ft Walton that may make sense. No reason at all to think about Destin Harbor the place is all about taking money from tourists.
https://public.myfwc.com/LE/boatramp/public/CountyMap.aspx
Should have mentioned the Midbay Bridge charges another $3.00 per axle for trailers. I'd go through Destin this time of year rather than pay the toll. There are a couple of other marinas in Ft Walton that may make sense. No reason at all to think about Destin Harbor the place is all about taking money from tourists.
East Pass
It is a narrow pass with a very strong current. Most of the water in Chotawahatchee Bay that changes with the tides flows through the pass. When the tide is flowing out and there is any wave action on the Gulf it is hairy. LOTS of large fishing boats in and out and two long rock jetty that offer no forgiveness. With water temps in the 60s just not something I'd recommend in a small boat.
I have a friend who does charters on a Hunter 29.5 that may be a better bet for you if you want to sail in the Gulf while you are out here.
It is a narrow pass with a very strong current. Most of the water in Chotawahatchee Bay that changes with the tides flows through the pass. When the tide is flowing out and there is any wave action on the Gulf it is hairy. LOTS of large fishing boats in and out and two long rock jetty that offer no forgiveness. With water temps in the 60s just not something I'd recommend in a small boat.
I have a friend who does charters on a Hunter 29.5 that may be a better bet for you if you want to sail in the Gulf while you are out here.
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