New Orleans to Perdido Bay

[Jim Logan]

I am planning on making the cruise in a well-fitted 33' boat with a 5"3' draft from New Orleans to Perdido Bay, Florida (just west of Pensacola) in the Spring. Does anybody have any tips on doing this trip,like good overnight spots or shallow/tricky spots to watch? What about sailing in Perdido Bay, I've done it with a powerboat and I know there are some shallow spots. I've got the Northern Gulf cruising guide, but would like to hear from someone who has made the trip.

 

[Terry arnold]

Perdido-Mobile Bay

There are a wonderful set of anchorages north of the icw between Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay on the ICW. Ingram Bayou, Roberts Bayou, Soldier Creek. also, the Perdido Pass is normally ok to get out. If you can stan the eternal repetition of watch out platitudes of Claiborne Young's Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast, there's not much in the way of warning he doesn't cover.

 

[Chris Rice]

Biloxi toNew Orleans

We sailed our Hunter 40 (5' draft) from Biloxi to New Orleans over the Holidays (it was COLD but enjoyable), used the Cruising guide and found it was very reliable, my only mistake on the way over was cutting close to shore off Pass Christian thinking we could save time and pick our way thru the shoals, it was like being in a minefield, wasted 2 hours getting back to the channel. Stuck to the channel on the way back and made it no problem. Found that some of the buoy #'s were changed and additional #'s had been added, so I need to get Notice to Mariners and update my new chart, suggest you do the same. Not familiar with Pensacola yet but will be heading that way in 2 months also, so look forward to other reports.

 

[Chip]

Fort Mcree

Check out Fort Mcree, just west of Pensacola pass. Cool old fort and deep water anchorage. I can pull my Catalina 30 up on the beach.

 

[Rick Webb]

Watch Yourself Around Dauphin Island

I can speak with some knowledge, but I refuse to explain how. It gets very shallow on the north side of the island. You may be tempted to venture away from the channel but do so with the greatest of caution. Especially at this time of year.