Sailing the Big Bend

[Bernie Ceilley]

We've just bought a Catalina 380 in Panama City and are wanting to sail it down the west coast of Florida and motor up the river at Ft. Myers on over to the east coast and up to Jacksonville. Our biggest concern right now is sailing across the Big Bend from Panama City. My understanding is summer is not the best time to do this because of squalls and that following the shore is not good because of the shallow water and nowhere to put into except rivers. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Debra Blatnik]

Check out the cruising guides to West FL.

I don't have mine with me -- so I'm not sure of the names. Cruising Guide to West Florida and The Gunkholers Guide to West FL and the Keys. They both give info on where to anchor, marinas, etc.Plenty of anchorages in Tampa Bay and the St. Pete area.

 

[Frank Walker]

Mast Height

Bernie,How tall is your mast. You are in the middle of 50' bridge territory. There is a bridge on the east side of lake Okeechobee in the ICW that is 48'. Appalach to Clearwater is not a big deal if you watch the weather. Frank

 

[Al]

big bend cruise

it would be a wise move to check with the corp of engineers as to the condition of the okeechobee waterway. the water levels are down because of the drought and there are some shallow places according to reports

 

[Al Sandrik]

Okeechobee Waterway

I talked to a stink potter in Fernandina Beach two weekends ago who informed me he couldn't get through the Okechobee Waterway and had to go down through Florida Bay due to shallow water. I think he said he drew 3 feet so a Catalina 38 prob won't make it through if this report was correct.

 

[br smith]

big bend

made the trip last aug. from tampa in my h-34 in about 42hours, some sailing , some motoring, was advised not to take the big bend route because of shallow water and we didn't.no problems going direct, just wait for the weather and enjoy.there is a fellow at watson bayou marina going in a catlaina 30leaving in a few days for tampa, maby you can link up . good sailing.

 

[Bill B]

Big Bend Trip

I made the big bend trip a couple of years ago at the end of hurricane season at the beginning of December in a C-22. I followed the bouy system from Clearwater to Apalachacola with Board down all the way (5½ feet). I ducked in at Crystal River, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, made the Big Bend overnight to Alligator Point, Carrabelle, and finally Apalachacola. You have to watch for shallow water off from Alligator Point (I don't remember the shoal name). Water is shallow inside 5 miles, but if you watch your chart, you will be OK. By the way, I hit one storm on the overnight from Steinhatchee to Alligator Point that was pretty rough (25-30 kt winds) for a C-22 out of sight of land. Yeah, I AM crazy!Fair winds...Bill B"Eagle's Nest" C-30