I plan to bring a Catalina 27 from Pensacola Bay to Biloxi Bay in a few weeks to replace the one I lost in Katrina. While I've sailed the Mississippi Sound and Pensacola Bay, I've never made this paticular passage. I'm looking for pros/cons on the ICW vs the offshore route. All comments welcome.
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TRip
Randy, Soinds like a fun trip if you watch the weather. I run the ICW between Mobile nd new orleans pofessionally and enjoy it . Need to watch the weather though , the pass can get pretty raunchy. Listen to FHF ch 16 after you come out of canal in gulf shores. That is where all the tug traffic is. Also the is a great spot to anchor at wolf bay, Apr mile 165 on ICW. OR you could duck into pirates cove for the night at mile 170 and enjoy a great cheeseburger in paradise. IF i was off work , i might want to tag along in my hunter 30. Safe trip and enjoy. Captain Charles CReel 251-401-6457
Randy, Soinds like a fun trip if you watch the weather. I run the ICW between Mobile nd new orleans pofessionally and enjoy it . Need to watch the weather though , the pass can get pretty raunchy. Listen to FHF ch 16 after you come out of canal in gulf shores. That is where all the tug traffic is. Also the is a great spot to anchor at wolf bay, Apr mile 165 on ICW. OR you could duck into pirates cove for the night at mile 170 and enjoy a great cheeseburger in paradise. IF i was off work , i might want to tag along in my hunter 30. Safe trip and enjoy. Captain Charles CReel 251-401-6457
Randy, it's really easy
Randy, It is a really fun trip, our little group of boaters here in Ocean Springs harbor and Pascagoula harbor make this trip several times a year over to Pensacola. I would recommend you stop down in the harbor some evening and talk to one of boaters, after 5 o'clock (most evenings), when sun downers begin,we are normally on the south side. KO
Randy, It is a really fun trip, our little group of boaters here in Ocean Springs harbor and Pascagoula harbor make this trip several times a year over to Pensacola. I would recommend you stop down in the harbor some evening and talk to one of boaters, after 5 o'clock (most evenings), when sun downers begin,we are normally on the south side. KO
I'll Go Along With Capn Creel
I'd Plan my trip stopping at Pirates Cove the first night and going for it the next day. There may not be enough light this time of year might spend the next night off of Horn Island. I'd go the ICW there is no place to duck into along the way to Mobile except Perdido and crossing Mobile Bay can be a bear in weather. I think it is actually shorter to go the ICW, it is from out here. What marina are you taking the boat to?
I'd Plan my trip stopping at Pirates Cove the first night and going for it the next day. There may not be enough light this time of year might spend the next night off of Horn Island. I'd go the ICW there is no place to duck into along the way to Mobile except Perdido and crossing Mobile Bay can be a bear in weather. I think it is actually shorter to go the ICW, it is from out here. What marina are you taking the boat to?
Motoring or sailing??
I've sailed from Pensacola to Mobile on the outside. It's about 60 miles and pretty good sailing. We sailed it in a long day as the predicted wind didn't show up until the afternoon. Once the wind showed up we made great time. There are a few oil rigs east of Mobile Bay and there really isn't anywhere to go in if the weather turns bad. But if the wind is out of the north the bottom of Mobile Bay on the inside can get very rough. The eastern side is really shallow and this makes it even rougher with a north wind. Diamond shoals stick out into the gulf several miles so if you are outside stay out far enough. I haven't been west of Dauphin island. If you are comfortable sailing at night and the wind is out of the north an overnight sail might be nice. Or start early and spend the night in Navy cove or in Dauphin island. But if you prefer to motor and the wind is out of the east or south the bottom of the bay is the shorter route. Wolf's Bay is nice but shallow around the edges. Ingram's is my preferred anchorage. Unless you have favorable winds you have to motor from Big Lagoon to Mobile Bay. We have came that route where we have sailed but you need wind out of the east as the route is too narrow much of the way for tacking. If I was doing it and the weather was favorable I'd go outside. But I really like to sail.
I've sailed from Pensacola to Mobile on the outside. It's about 60 miles and pretty good sailing. We sailed it in a long day as the predicted wind didn't show up until the afternoon. Once the wind showed up we made great time. There are a few oil rigs east of Mobile Bay and there really isn't anywhere to go in if the weather turns bad. But if the wind is out of the north the bottom of Mobile Bay on the inside can get very rough. The eastern side is really shallow and this makes it even rougher with a north wind. Diamond shoals stick out into the gulf several miles so if you are outside stay out far enough. I haven't been west of Dauphin island. If you are comfortable sailing at night and the wind is out of the north an overnight sail might be nice. Or start early and spend the night in Navy cove or in Dauphin island. But if you prefer to motor and the wind is out of the east or south the bottom of the bay is the shorter route. Wolf's Bay is nice but shallow around the edges. Ingram's is my preferred anchorage. Unless you have favorable winds you have to motor from Big Lagoon to Mobile Bay. We have came that route where we have sailed but you need wind out of the east as the route is too narrow much of the way for tacking. If I was doing it and the weather was favorable I'd go outside. But I really like to sail.
Weather makes the call
If you have a decent North, West, or South wind, I'd go outside...it's a great ride and we usually sail right along the beach and enjoy the sights...if you spend night at Big Lagoon and leave at 1st light, you've got 60 miles to Petit Bois. May end up sailing into anchorage at night if you're OK with that. If the wind is out of the West, I'd take the ditch, no question... I've made the trip many times and and it's a great trip either way...I usually go inside due to wind not being cooperative... Inside from Pensacola to Mobile Bay is no fun at night due to barge traffic and long distances between marks when you get closer to Mobile Bay. During the day, it's a beautiful, easy ride and you can sail most of it if the wind is North or South. Mobile Bay is a long, ugly, noisy, sail with rigs, traffic and short chop and especially no fun at night.
If you have a decent North, West, or South wind, I'd go outside...it's a great ride and we usually sail right along the beach and enjoy the sights...if you spend night at Big Lagoon and leave at 1st light, you've got 60 miles to Petit Bois. May end up sailing into anchorage at night if you're OK with that. If the wind is out of the West, I'd take the ditch, no question... I've made the trip many times and and it's a great trip either way...I usually go inside due to wind not being cooperative... Inside from Pensacola to Mobile Bay is no fun at night due to barge traffic and long distances between marks when you get closer to Mobile Bay. During the day, it's a beautiful, easy ride and you can sail most of it if the wind is North or South. Mobile Bay is a long, ugly, noisy, sail with rigs, traffic and short chop and especially no fun at night.
About 80 Miles
From Fort Pickens to Bellefountaine Point so it sounds like a three day trip this time of year. It was about the same inside or outside. There are some real scenic portions along the inside outside the view does not change much the whole way. I'm envious of the trip. A couple of us at the dock started talking about making a trip to Pirates Cove when it was real nice a couple of Sundays ago maybe we'll see you out there.
From Fort Pickens to Bellefountaine Point so it sounds like a three day trip this time of year. It was about the same inside or outside. There are some real scenic portions along the inside outside the view does not change much the whole way. I'm envious of the trip. A couple of us at the dock started talking about making a trip to Pirates Cove when it was real nice a couple of Sundays ago maybe we'll see you out there.
What about New Orleans to Mobile??
I appreciate all the information about Biloxi to Pensacola...but has anyone done the New Orleans or Rigoles to Pensacola lately? Specifically, I am looking for information on the Slidell/Rigoles to Mobile Bay portion...any anchorages, approximate sailing times, fuel stops, emergency anchoring or duck in spots, overnight areas, ect...thanks
I appreciate all the information about Biloxi to Pensacola...but has anyone done the New Orleans or Rigoles to Pensacola lately? Specifically, I am looking for information on the Slidell/Rigoles to Mobile Bay portion...any anchorages, approximate sailing times, fuel stops, emergency anchoring or duck in spots, overnight areas, ect...thanks
Thanks -
Thanks for all the info. I would like to sail, but would have no problems motoring the ICW. I plan a nonstop (4 to 7kts) from NAS Pensacola to a slip on Fort Bayou in Ocean Springs. Since the night sail will probably from south of Mobile Point (new waters) to north of Horn Is. (familiar waters). I lean toward the offshore, rigs and all, vs the ICW with it's traffic. But we are still in the planning stages. Thanks for all the inputs, at any rate - we'll be on the water! And KO, I just may vist the OS harbor, should I bring Red Stripe or St. Pauli Girl?
Thanks for all the info. I would like to sail, but would have no problems motoring the ICW. I plan a nonstop (4 to 7kts) from NAS Pensacola to a slip on Fort Bayou in Ocean Springs. Since the night sail will probably from south of Mobile Point (new waters) to north of Horn Is. (familiar waters). I lean toward the offshore, rigs and all, vs the ICW with it's traffic. But we are still in the planning stages. Thanks for all the inputs, at any rate - we'll be on the water! And KO, I just may vist the OS harbor, should I bring Red Stripe or St. Pauli Girl?
Jim
I left Dog River in Mobile at 7 am, did 6 knots the whole way and reached the entrence to the GIWW about midnight. If you don't want to do it all in one day then you will have to use the islands to protect from waves. They will not offer much/any protection from wind as most of the Islands don't have much on them. Which side of the island of course will be determined by the wind direction but be careful of which Island you pick because some you can't get any closer to then a half a mile or more. Horn Island may be the best bet for an overnight anchorage to split the trip in half. You don't have to worry about traffic near the islands as the traffic stays far away from them. You could seek a dock in Biloxi but that adds miles on to your trip so I would only do it if the weather was rough. Once on the other side, there are many different options as to where to anchor but very few options for docks.
I left Dog River in Mobile at 7 am, did 6 knots the whole way and reached the entrence to the GIWW about midnight. If you don't want to do it all in one day then you will have to use the islands to protect from waves. They will not offer much/any protection from wind as most of the Islands don't have much on them. Which side of the island of course will be determined by the wind direction but be careful of which Island you pick because some you can't get any closer to then a half a mile or more. Horn Island may be the best bet for an overnight anchorage to split the trip in half. You don't have to worry about traffic near the islands as the traffic stays far away from them. You could seek a dock in Biloxi but that adds miles on to your trip so I would only do it if the weather was rough. Once on the other side, there are many different options as to where to anchor but very few options for docks.
few answers...N.O. to Pensacola
Rigolets to Horn is about 50, Petit Bois is 60. Depends if you want to move at night or not. We've made the trip straight though, other times, we stop at Horn or Petit Bois for the night and leave at 4am or so. The ICW from Mobile Bay to Pensacola at night is a pain. Tows and many unlit markers make it tough w/o radar & plotter at the helm (which is why I'm finally buying 1 this season). Anchorages at the islands - Horn Island or Petit Bois: Good anchorages in both. There's a good spot at Horn, North side about middle of island due South of Middle Ground. 30 14.13 N, 88 39.23 W (except in strong North wind. Petit Bois anchorage on North side at 30 12.27 N, 88 26.57 W (except in strong North wind). You can see both as the closest you can get to shore. Much of the island has shoals a mile out, but this breaks the waves coming in from E or W if you can get between them in the spots noted above. If wind is out of North 'very' strong, some go around to South side of either island, though I've never had to do this. - I don't think there are any decent anchorages at Dauphin Island and you'll have to get local knowledge on the marina there as I've never stopped. - Once inside ICW, Wolf Bay or Ingram Bayou are supposed to be nice anchorages, though I've never stopped. - Big Lagoon: GREAT anchorage between Fort McRae and the big 'sandpile' at 30 19.67 N, 87 19.2 W. Plenty of water and protection from all directions. Little tricky entrance from the West due to no markers, just look at water color and look at your chart. Fuel - Lulu's in the ICW is at the hwy 59 bridge not long after you enter ICW 30 16.8 N, 87 41.1 W. has fuel food & drink - There are other in ICW after that, but this is the 1st one on entering. This is a great trip we've made many times, let me know if you have specific questions.
Rigolets to Horn is about 50, Petit Bois is 60. Depends if you want to move at night or not. We've made the trip straight though, other times, we stop at Horn or Petit Bois for the night and leave at 4am or so. The ICW from Mobile Bay to Pensacola at night is a pain. Tows and many unlit markers make it tough w/o radar & plotter at the helm (which is why I'm finally buying 1 this season). Anchorages at the islands - Horn Island or Petit Bois: Good anchorages in both. There's a good spot at Horn, North side about middle of island due South of Middle Ground. 30 14.13 N, 88 39.23 W (except in strong North wind. Petit Bois anchorage on North side at 30 12.27 N, 88 26.57 W (except in strong North wind). You can see both as the closest you can get to shore. Much of the island has shoals a mile out, but this breaks the waves coming in from E or W if you can get between them in the spots noted above. If wind is out of North 'very' strong, some go around to South side of either island, though I've never had to do this. - I don't think there are any decent anchorages at Dauphin Island and you'll have to get local knowledge on the marina there as I've never stopped. - Once inside ICW, Wolf Bay or Ingram Bayou are supposed to be nice anchorages, though I've never stopped. - Big Lagoon: GREAT anchorage between Fort McRae and the big 'sandpile' at 30 19.67 N, 87 19.2 W. Plenty of water and protection from all directions. Little tricky entrance from the West due to no markers, just look at water color and look at your chart. Fuel - Lulu's in the ICW is at the hwy 59 bridge not long after you enter ICW 30 16.8 N, 87 41.1 W. has fuel food & drink - There are other in ICW after that, but this is the 1st one on entering. This is a great trip we've made many times, let me know if you have specific questions.
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