I am moving my boat to the Pensacola or Destin this Spring. Any advice on marinas and the sailing condistions in either area is greatly appreciated. I have a 53 ft. mast which I have already heard will give some problems with the bridges in Pensacola. I have no preference to either area, I just simply enjoy sailing! I would like to hear from some sailors in either area to try and gather some conclusions as to what marina to relocate to. Also the names of the marinas that you like would be appreciated as well. Thanks, Charles Hunter 34'
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Mast Problems
Charles, I think you better stick to Pensacola. There aint no getting out of Destin with a 53 ft mast unless you get on the gulf side of the Destin Bridge. As a matter of fact, until the new bridge is finished in Panama City you can't get to Choctawachee Bay without stepping the mast. The 50 ft bridges are west to east: Navarre Beach, Brooks Bridge in Ft Walton, Hathaway Bridge Panama City( in process of being replaced), Dupont Bridge at Tyndall AFB, and St Goerge Island Bridge (in process of being replaced). Additionally Pensacola is a better sailing area and plenty of marinas. I avoid Destin like the plague in the summer time.
Charles, I think you better stick to Pensacola. There aint no getting out of Destin with a 53 ft mast unless you get on the gulf side of the Destin Bridge. As a matter of fact, until the new bridge is finished in Panama City you can't get to Choctawachee Bay without stepping the mast. The 50 ft bridges are west to east: Navarre Beach, Brooks Bridge in Ft Walton, Hathaway Bridge Panama City( in process of being replaced), Dupont Bridge at Tyndall AFB, and St Goerge Island Bridge (in process of being replaced). Additionally Pensacola is a better sailing area and plenty of marinas. I avoid Destin like the plague in the summer time.
Pensacola is you best bet.
The bridge between Destin and Choctawhatchee Bay is 49ft on a good day. Tidal range here is less than a foot. If you kept your boat in Destin Lagoon, then you could not go in the bay. That becomes important when hurricanes come our way. Berthing in Pensacola would allow you to sail the Gulf, the bay, and the ICW. You could also get into a good hurricane hole if required. I could get you a great deal on a slip in Niceville, but you would have to go the ICW for 50 miles to Panama City to get into the Gulf. Let me know if you need more info on the area. E-mail me at Donnybrook27@aol.com
The bridge between Destin and Choctawhatchee Bay is 49ft on a good day. Tidal range here is less than a foot. If you kept your boat in Destin Lagoon, then you could not go in the bay. That becomes important when hurricanes come our way. Berthing in Pensacola would allow you to sail the Gulf, the bay, and the ICW. You could also get into a good hurricane hole if required. I could get you a great deal on a slip in Niceville, but you would have to go the ICW for 50 miles to Panama City to get into the Gulf. Let me know if you need more info on the area. E-mail me at Donnybrook27@aol.com
I vote for Pensacola Also
Pensacola is my boyhood home and is where I learned to sail. Can be shalow in spots but a great place. Jim S/V Java
Pensacola is my boyhood home and is where I learned to sail. Can be shalow in spots but a great place. Jim S/V Java
Marinas
There are few marinas in Destin. All but one have a 48 foot height limit.. Go to Pensacola.. Rod and reel, Pit slip and several more.. Easy access to gulf or intercostal.. JDA
There are few marinas in Destin. All but one have a 48 foot height limit.. Go to Pensacola.. Rod and reel, Pit slip and several more.. Easy access to gulf or intercostal.. JDA
I'm Thinking Pensacola Too
Unless you can take 5' off of your mast or are looking at the basin on the ocean side of Destin. The good news is the new 65' bridge in Panama City is going like gang busters and I hear may be done early. Another bit of good news is that they may recut the pass in Navarre real soon. Destin has a real traffic problem along US 98 and they are starting to talk about a new bridge across the bay not sure if it is to replace or to add to the Destin Pass or Brooks Bridge. Here is my solution though lets blow up the Destin Pass Bridge, get rid of the damn thing all together. That would solve the traffic problems in Destin and take care of the fishing and sailboats that do not make it under.
Unless you can take 5' off of your mast or are looking at the basin on the ocean side of Destin. The good news is the new 65' bridge in Panama City is going like gang busters and I hear may be done early. Another bit of good news is that they may recut the pass in Navarre real soon. Destin has a real traffic problem along US 98 and they are starting to talk about a new bridge across the bay not sure if it is to replace or to add to the Destin Pass or Brooks Bridge. Here is my solution though lets blow up the Destin Pass Bridge, get rid of the damn thing all together. That would solve the traffic problems in Destin and take care of the fishing and sailboats that do not make it under.
Life is good in P'Cola
Pendacola is a great place to sail. Try the marinas on Grande Lagoon for the best prices and great sailing in the lagoon, ICW, P'cola bay and only a couple of miles from the pass to the Gulf. Some of the marinas are Rod-n-Reel, Southwind, Oyster Bar, Holiday Harbor or join the Grand Lagoon Yatcht Club (where my H27 is)and get on the witing list for a slip. If you need any info, email me at mark.cross@kmcmail.net. Fair Winds Mark
Pendacola is a great place to sail. Try the marinas on Grande Lagoon for the best prices and great sailing in the lagoon, ICW, P'cola bay and only a couple of miles from the pass to the Gulf. Some of the marinas are Rod-n-Reel, Southwind, Oyster Bar, Holiday Harbor or join the Grand Lagoon Yatcht Club (where my H27 is)and get on the witing list for a slip. If you need any info, email me at mark.cross@kmcmail.net. Fair Winds Mark
Go to Pensacola
All the responses are correct, go to Pensacola. The bridges, shallow bay, jetties, power boaters, and local authorities around Destin/Fort Walton Beach are enough but when you add the tourist, it's not worth it. I have been on the bay for a year now. I can't get under the Destin bridge except at low tide and then it's tricky with all the traffic. Also, you will not get any respect from the power boaters or the local authorities while trying to go under the bridge either. Sheriff's Patrol around the Destin Bridge are not concerned. And if you do get into the ICW beware of sholling around the area. I'm e-mailing Mark for the information in Pensacola. Look at: http://www.marinas.com/
All the responses are correct, go to Pensacola. The bridges, shallow bay, jetties, power boaters, and local authorities around Destin/Fort Walton Beach are enough but when you add the tourist, it's not worth it. I have been on the bay for a year now. I can't get under the Destin bridge except at low tide and then it's tricky with all the traffic. Also, you will not get any respect from the power boaters or the local authorities while trying to go under the bridge either. Sheriff's Patrol around the Destin Bridge are not concerned. And if you do get into the ICW beware of sholling around the area. I'm e-mailing Mark for the information in Pensacola. Look at: http://www.marinas.com/
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