Gulf Coast Marina

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Jerry10776

Jerry10776

.
Aug 19, 2005
66
NULL NULL Peoria, IL
Sailing in Illinois is pretty poor this time of year so my brother and I are thinking of towing my Ericson 25 down south to the Gulf Coast early this spring. We would need a place to launch the boat and store the PU/trailer while we're on the water (8 - 10 Days). The Ericson draws 2' with the board up so most any ramp should work. We really haven't worked out the details of how long we'd go out and come back. Maybe we'd come back in every night or be gone the entire time. Who knows. Anyway, suggestions about where might be the best places to start and end our adventure?? Anywhere between the FL panhandle and east TX is ok with us. Thanx, Jerry
 
Jerry10776

Jerry10776

.
Aug 19, 2005
66
NULL NULL Peoria, IL
Sailing in Illinois is pretty poor this time of year so my brother and I are thinking of towing my Ericson 25 down south to the Gulf Coast early this spring. We would need a place to launch the boat and store the PU/trailer while we're on the water (8 - 10 Days). The Ericson draws 2' with the board up so most any ramp should work. We really haven't worked out the details of how long we'd go out and come back. Maybe we'd come back in every night or be gone the entire time. Who knows. Anyway, suggestions about where might be the best places to start and end our adventure?? Anywhere between the FL panhandle and east TX is ok with us. Thanx, Jerry
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I would recommend

I would strongly recommend somewhere in the Fla. panhandle. Destin, Pennsacola, Ft.Walton Beach, Panama City areas. There is some good sailing all along the gulf coast, but the water is much nicer over that way. You could spend a week sailing around on Lake Ponchatrain, and probably have a good time, but the water is not nearly as pretty as it is over around Fla. With a 2' draft you can anchor up nights close in to the islands, do some 12 or 16 oz.curls and watch the dolphins play. There are also several inlets in that area where you can venture offshore if you desire. Overall a very, very nice area to visit.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I would recommend

I would strongly recommend somewhere in the Fla. panhandle. Destin, Pennsacola, Ft.Walton Beach, Panama City areas. There is some good sailing all along the gulf coast, but the water is much nicer over that way. You could spend a week sailing around on Lake Ponchatrain, and probably have a good time, but the water is not nearly as pretty as it is over around Fla. With a 2' draft you can anchor up nights close in to the islands, do some 12 or 16 oz.curls and watch the dolphins play. There are also several inlets in that area where you can venture offshore if you desire. Overall a very, very nice area to visit.
 
Norton

Norton

.
Mar 30, 2004
93
Allied Seabreeze New Orleans
2nd Nice n Easy

Try calling Palafox Harbor in Pensacola and ask about slips in the PNP (sp?) Harbor (it is across the way and run by Palafox). There are other places in the Pensacola area that are cheaper as well. Very nice newly rebuilt floating dock for about 1/2 as much as Palafox. It is gated and has shower facilities a short way away. We were there for two months for about 300/mo. for a 35 ft. It is downtown with a bunch of bars/restuarants nearby. The water gets nicer the further you go east. We bought our boat in Apalachicola and there are also reasonable slips available at the city Harbor there. Fun cruising, pretty water, and barrier islands to explore all along the G.C. from Pensacola to Apalachicola. Waveland, MS to Gulf Shores, Al. is similar and less crowded, but the water improves further you go east. The outer harbor at west end in N.O. is possible and a boat launch with parking is minutes away. I have no experience N.O. through Texas but I think you probably would be better Texas/LA border west, if you decide to go that direction. My apologies to those in between N.O. and TX if I am wrong. You could probably sail Pensacola to Destin/Ft. Walton, or Panama City to Destin/Ft. Walton, or Panama City to Port St. Joe/Apalachicola, maybe further on any leg possibly, and back, with time to explore somewhat unrushed, in the time frame of 8-10 days of sailing, barring bad weather, as well.
 
Norton

Norton

.
Mar 30, 2004
93
Allied Seabreeze New Orleans
2nd Nice n Easy

Try calling Palafox Harbor in Pensacola and ask about slips in the PNP (sp?) Harbor (it is across the way and run by Palafox). There are other places in the Pensacola area that are cheaper as well. Very nice newly rebuilt floating dock for about 1/2 as much as Palafox. It is gated and has shower facilities a short way away. We were there for two months for about 300/mo. for a 35 ft. It is downtown with a bunch of bars/restuarants nearby. The water gets nicer the further you go east. We bought our boat in Apalachicola and there are also reasonable slips available at the city Harbor there. Fun cruising, pretty water, and barrier islands to explore all along the G.C. from Pensacola to Apalachicola. Waveland, MS to Gulf Shores, Al. is similar and less crowded, but the water improves further you go east. The outer harbor at west end in N.O. is possible and a boat launch with parking is minutes away. I have no experience N.O. through Texas but I think you probably would be better Texas/LA border west, if you decide to go that direction. My apologies to those in between N.O. and TX if I am wrong. You could probably sail Pensacola to Destin/Ft. Walton, or Panama City to Destin/Ft. Walton, or Panama City to Port St. Joe/Apalachicola, maybe further on any leg possibly, and back, with time to explore somewhat unrushed, in the time frame of 8-10 days of sailing, barring bad weather, as well.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
New Orleans

If you think you would like the New Orleans area, Marina Del Ray over on the north shore has gobs of parking and a boat ramp, don't know about costs. On the south side, Seabrook Marina on the canal, right by the lake as a fair amount of parking. Both have boat ramps, but have no idea as to costs. From New Orleans going west, there are probably some facilities around Lake Charles, but that is pretty much it until you get to the Galveston Bay area. Galveston Bay and Clear lake is loaded with sailboats. Second largest sailboat community in the world is located there in Clear Lake. But I still recommend over around Pensacola, Destin areas. Much prettier water and beaches over that way.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
New Orleans

If you think you would like the New Orleans area, Marina Del Ray over on the north shore has gobs of parking and a boat ramp, don't know about costs. On the south side, Seabrook Marina on the canal, right by the lake as a fair amount of parking. Both have boat ramps, but have no idea as to costs. From New Orleans going west, there are probably some facilities around Lake Charles, but that is pretty much it until you get to the Galveston Bay area. Galveston Bay and Clear lake is loaded with sailboats. Second largest sailboat community in the world is located there in Clear Lake. But I still recommend over around Pensacola, Destin areas. Much prettier water and beaches over that way.
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

.
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Launch in Appalachicola Pull in Pensacola

Rent a car to go back and pick up the truck. I'd suggest Scipio Creek Marina to start out from. The state of Florida Publishes guides for many areas and will send them to you for free. I pasted this from their website: Boating and Angling Guides Since 1992, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute has been producing a statewide series of educational boating and angling guides that also provide information about Florida ecosystems. Boating and Angling Guides Available: Apalachee Bay Apalachicola Bay Biscayne Bay Biscayne Bay (Spanish Version) Brevard County Charlotte Harbor Choctawhatchee Bay Citrus County Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound Collier County Duval County Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties Lake Worth Lagoon Lower Florida Keys Middle Florida Keys Sarasota County St. Andrew Bay St. Joseph Bay Tampa Bay Go to this website: http://research.myfwc.com/products/products.asp and order these: http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=4689 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1272 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1323 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=4706 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1374 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1391 If you have enough time keep going west to Mobile and stop at Pirates Cove, and Lulu's. Or you could save that trip for next year and go from Pensacola to Biloxi.
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

.
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Launch in Appalachicola Pull in Pensacola

Rent a car to go back and pick up the truck. I'd suggest Scipio Creek Marina to start out from. The state of Florida Publishes guides for many areas and will send them to you for free. I pasted this from their website: Boating and Angling Guides Since 1992, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute has been producing a statewide series of educational boating and angling guides that also provide information about Florida ecosystems. Boating and Angling Guides Available: Apalachee Bay Apalachicola Bay Biscayne Bay Biscayne Bay (Spanish Version) Brevard County Charlotte Harbor Choctawhatchee Bay Citrus County Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound Collier County Duval County Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties Lake Worth Lagoon Lower Florida Keys Middle Florida Keys Sarasota County St. Andrew Bay St. Joseph Bay Tampa Bay Go to this website: http://research.myfwc.com/products/products.asp and order these: http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=4689 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1272 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1323 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=4706 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1374 http://research.myfwc.com/products/product_info.asp?id=1391 If you have enough time keep going west to Mobile and stop at Pirates Cove, and Lulu's. Or you could save that trip for next year and go from Pensacola to Biloxi.
 
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