Gulf Islands (Miss-Fla). Tips?

[deminimis]

Howdy!!
Planning a trip next Spring (April) to the Gulf. We'll likely launch at BSL, MS and go as far east as we can, before heading back (hopefully we'll make Apalachicola). We will have nearly three weeks on the water. It will be a series of day sails (14-50+ NM/day). Corsair 970 Cruz. We can get into shallows. 40' mast, so roughly 50' bridge clearance needed (I need to get a good measurement as it's never been an issue where we sail). Basically the plan is pop out and go to an island (when applicable), perhaps spend the night, then sail on to the next port as we leap frog our way east (same on our return). ICW only if we have to. I've been to the area, but never on the water. Any tips, recs, must-dos or must-avoids? Good marinas and, more importantly, good anchorages? Etc? Thank you all very much!!

 

[rgranger]

That sounds like a perfect trip.... and a perfect boat for how you want to use it.

I have sailed my Hobie 16 all around Cape San Blas

I know it is not a cruiser but.... I can tell you that St. Joseph Bay is well protected and you can go ashore for provisions at Port St. Joe.

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the SBO forum.
Nice picture. Looks like a fun boat. I can imagine it screaming in the Hood River breezes.

The idea of a 14nm day with that boat bogles my mind. Feels like telling a driver “Take the Ferrari hybrid supercar out on the track, but only use first gear!”

Boat of the Year judge Mark Schrader summed up the pleasures of this boat: “You can park it on the beach. You can run around on the trampolines. You can get into a foot and a half of water. It’s your platform to go park in some little lagoon somewhere.”​

​

And yet, all that idyllic parking doesn’t account for even half the fun. Because in getting there, you’ll learn what boat speeds of 20-plus knots feel like.​

It feels like you could make your goal with few or no problems that affect us mere mortals with mono displacement hulls

 

[deminimis]

14 is the short days (port to an island when staying overnight on/at the island). I suspect 30 is more the average, until we get East. Knowing my crew, they will want lots of shore leave in order to NOT mind their Ps and Qs.

 

[jssailem]

BSL, MS is the home waters of @JamesG161. He has been busy with the rebuilding of his hurricane damaged boat. I’m sure he’ll pop on to this thread and share some of his extensive knowledge of the waters.

Roughing out stops, no layover days, I can see how with good winds your boat could make 15 knots and 30 to 50 nm half day sails to Apalachicola in 8-10days. If there were no crew mutinies your 3 week adventure might be possible.

 

[BigEasy]

With BSL, MS as your starting point, Gulfport's Bert Jones Small Craft Harbor is a good place to stay with restaurant within walking distance (Shaggy's) You will likely want to visit Ship Island, a barrier island a few miles south of Gulfport harbor and possibly anchor overnight (visit Fort Mass.) Biloxi Harbor marina might be another stop; lots of restaurants, clubs, & casinos. From Biloxi, there are Horn Island, Petit Bois, & Dauphin Islands with more opportunities for exploring & anchoring over night.
I highly recommend, Exploring Coastal Mississippi, by Scott B Williams for insight about the islands and surrounding water.
From Dauphin Island, you can explore the Eastern shore of Mobile Bay (Pointe Clear/Fairhope) or continue East on the ICW to LuLu's marina (owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister). Farther East on the ICW are Bear Point, Barber, & Pirate's Cove marinas. Continuing East on the ICW is Big Lagoon, a great place to anchor overnight with dinghy access to Perdido Key beach and watch the Blue Angels practice from nearby NAS Pensacola (check their practice schedule). In Pensacola Bay, Bahia Mar on Bayou Chico is a great marina with the Oar House restaurant on site. You can catch a ride into downtown Pensacola that is 5 minutes away. There is Seville Harbor Marina in downtown Pensacola that is within walking distance of most downtown attractions. On the East side of the bay you can anchor in Little Sabine Bay that provides dinghy access to attractions on Pensacola Beach. Navarre Beach is a few miles East and has a small lagoon for overnight anchoring (Juana's is a local bar & restaurant). More opportunities for overnight anchoring between Navarre & Destin. Goes without saying, be careful of the rip currents on the Gulf beaches; every year there are numerous drownings. Double check your air draft for clearing Navarre, Fort Walton, & Destin bridges. Once into Destin you can anchor in Destin Harbor with access to many bars, restaurants, & attractions. A bit more East is San Destin that is an up-scale marina & resort. Lots more between Destin & Appalach but I have only been there on Land cruise! Sounds like a nice trip; don't be surprised if you run out of time in three weeks.

 

[deminimis]

Good stuff! Thank you!!

 

[BigEasy]

Good stuff! Thank you!!

Oh, almost forgot, Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast, by Claiborne Young (deceased) is still a good reference for Gulf Coast waters. Unfortunately it hasn't been updated in many years: however, it remains the best available guide.

 

[JamesG161]

Where is your boat now?

A similar boat was hauled out of the water near me.

My boat is in Pass Christian Yacht Works.
Across from Bay St. Louis MS [BSL]

Jim...

 

[deminimis]

Partially sticking out of my shop, at home, in Oregon. Pulling it out tonight so we can tackle the remaining pre-season upgrades, maintenance, etc. Added bonus, I'll finally be able to get our lawnmower out of the shop (once the boat is out and I can slide the doors open). Grass is already starting to head out.

James, we have quasi-fam in BSL. We just got back a few weeks ago. We love it there.

 

[JamesG161]

This is the safest Sailing area from BSL to Apalachicola.
Doubtful you need to run the ICW.

Just go In and Out of ICW as needed, like you noted.

What is the boat draft?

Jim...

 

[deminimis]

Draft is 6'10" to 17" I love me some daggerboard.

 

[jssailem]

No sure how much running you have done on the Columbia. Beware of the down river side of Memaloose Island. I was sailing my trailer boat a Montgomery 15 about a half mile west of the island and ran into a sand bar in the middle of the river. Center board and rudder both popped up, violently.
I drew 1.6ft with them up. Sudden excitement.

 

[deminimis]

Man, we have stuck it in the mud so often... Wife demands I buy a MFD for this season. Thing is, you can see it, but it's so hard to give up a nice reach that you want it to last just a little bit longer...then on come the brakes if you time it wrong.

 

[Rick Webb]

Check before you go east of Choctawhatchee Bay.

Right now places are still rebuilding from Hurricane Michael there are few if any places that are offering transient slips.

 

[kloudie1]

Not much more to add. Attached is an old list of anchorages that may be useful. My caution is that the islands mostly have no wind/wave protection other than what the island blocks. I've had to pull up anchor a couple of times and go to the (new) lee side of the island when the wind shifted .. Cat Island and Horn Island are great for exploring. note that the east side of Cat is private but the west end is park land. There are old ruins from WWII on the west end. For crew excitement, good eateries, etc, Big Easy listed some good ones along the way. Caution on the weather.. There can be significant frontal activity in April that can stir up the place..