Gulf Shores AL day rentals

[PotomacDaysailer]

Hi all,

My wife and I, our granddaughter (age 9), and possibly our son are planning a week in Gulf Shores, AL this June. I'd like to take the family out for a day of sailing. I will likely have ASA 101 certification, maybe 103 -- I have the knowledge and lots of time on my daysailer but no "official" certification and not a lot of bigger boat handling experience; I'll probably take classes to get the certs. and some bigger boat tiller time in April/May.

Web listings seem slim. I came across ECY Sailing Charters, it seems they have a two day minimum, and would probably want me to take their bareboat certification class - I'm not averse to spending the whole trip on a boat but wife and gr.daughter are not avid sailors (yet!) - they want plenty of sun and sand, and I don't want to turn them off by pushing too hard, so one day seems like about the right length of time. I'd want to rent something in the 27' to 35' range, I think.

Anybody familiar with bareboat/rental operations in that area and what degree of experience they require? Any particular dangers or pitfalls to beware of in that general vicinity (tides, currents, shoals, etc.) ? Any information or comments greatly appreciated!

 

[kloudie1]

Ya might try Turner Marine. they may have some leads on boats in that area. He is in Mobile Alabama, up Mobile Bay 877-265-5863.. The sales number but
they can maybe give you some leads in the area.

 

[Mike Turner]

I don't know of any bareboat operations in Gulf Shores, but I'll give you two leads.

First, call Blue Water Ships Store in Foley, AL (about 10 miles up the road from Gulf Shores). Their number is 251-943-4179. They are the major independent chandlery in the area, lots of good info and also a fun place to shop around in if you have the chance. They might be able to give you some info on bare boat charters in the area.

Second, if you want to come up Mobile Bay, call Fly Creek Marina in Fairhope at (251) 928-4868. They used to have a C&C in the 27-28' range available for rental; if they no longer have it they might have some info on other local rentals.

If you strike out in the Gulf Shores area, you might try either Perdido Key, FL or Pensacola, FL, both easy drives to the east. Pensacola is a major sailing destination in the area.

By the time June rolls around we'll be into summer winds, which typically fill in from the southeast in early afternoon. You can typically count on a thunderstorm moving through sometime in mid- to late-afternoon. Sailing in the open Gulf can mean some rolling swells. Up Mobile Bay is calmer but can get choppy in shallows when the wind comes up, particularly when opposed to tides. If you come up Fairhope way there are some shallows off the beach, and the average depth of the Bay is only around 8-10' in most places, some sandbars and oyster reefs.

Lots of great restaurants in the area. LuLu's in Gulf Shores (Jimmy Buffet's sister's place) is a great place for burgers, and they have a nice marina to walk thru. Right on the ICW. Gulf Shores has some fun stuff for your granddaughter - some nice miniature golf courses, water parks and go-kart tracks, and be sure to take her to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Fairhope in the north Bay is a nice destination, nice small town atmosphere with shops and restaurants, nice parks and beaches along the waterfront.

Mike Turner
Lazyjack 32 schooner "Mary'Lis"
Mobile Bay, Alabama

 

[Stephen K]

Look up Lanier Sailing Academy - Pensacola on the internet. I know they have day rentals and recognize ASA certifications as they are an ASA school. They are right on Pensacola Bay and that's a great body of water for day sailing. You could sail to Fort Pickens, get off and walk around on the beach. You also might get lucky and see the Blue Angles fly.

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

Thank you all for the info! Seems we'll be staying at Destin, FL instead of Gulf Shores, but all of the above seem nearly as accessible, if not more so. I'll post details as plans firm up.

 

[Rick Webb]

Good Guy to Check With

http://captguidocharters.vpweb.com/

 

[Stan Breaux]

You could also try Emerald coast Yachts in Pensacola Beach.
Beauiful area, and they have everything from a Hunter 28 to a 40 foot catamaran.
Here is a link to theiur website: http://www.ecsailing.com/

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

Look up Lanier Sailing Academy - Pensacola on the internet. I know they have day rentals and recognize ASA certifications as they are an ASA school. They are right on Pensacola Bay and that's a great body of water for day sailing. You could sail to Fort Pickens, get off and walk around on the beach. You also might get lucky and see the Blue Angles fly.

Just returned from our stay at Destin. We rented a Catalina 25 from Lanier for a half day on May 29. I did not get my ASA certs. yet, so they did a check-out on my sailing experience which consisted of a questionaire on my experience - how much, what kind of boats, whether as captain or crew; a written test - pretty basic stuff, explain the difference between a tack and jibe, man overboard procedure, how and why would you reef the main, etc.; had me tie a bowline, figure-eight and cleat hitch; quizzed me on rules of the road, a couple of sail-sail situations and a power-power crossing; and finally leaving and returning to the dock under power.

The wind and weather were perfact and we had a very nice sail out on Pensacola Bay. I was very pleased with Lanier and especially Tony, who did the checkout and showed me the ropes on the Catalina 25. We started out with reefed main but the wind died a bit and we shook out the reef towards the end of our sail.

If you're in the area and looking for a rental or charter, definitely look up Lanier Sailing Academy.