I'm going to be taking my H170 to PCB this spring and looking for easily accessible boat ramp. Know there is a public one at the Hathaway bridge but was looking for one closer to St. Andrews. Anybody been down this road? Thanks! E.
Trailering to Panama City Beach
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Dan McGuire
In Calloway
I can't remember which bridge is which. There is one between Calloway and Tyndall AFB which may be the Dupont bridge. The ramp is north of Highway 98 and is on the stretch of water between the bridge and the north side of Tyndall AFB. If you are military, retired, reserve or active, there is one at Bonita Bay on Tyndall AFB and one near the marina in the housing area.
I can't remember which bridge is which. There is one between Calloway and Tyndall AFB which may be the Dupont bridge. The ramp is north of Highway 98 and is on the stretch of water between the bridge and the north side of Tyndall AFB. If you are military, retired, reserve or active, there is one at Bonita Bay on Tyndall AFB and one near the marina in the housing area.
St Andrews State park
I trailered my boat there several years ago. You have to pay an entrance fee but the ramp is close to the bay's entrance and Shell Island. We left our truck there for a week while we anchored at Shell Island and sailed the bay. Be sure to explore east bay and west bay during your stay. Downtown try Hunt's Seafood Restaurant. The last time we were there over New Years they had $4/doz raw oysters and $1 beer. Their grouper was great as were the sauteed crab claws.
I trailered my boat there several years ago. You have to pay an entrance fee but the ramp is close to the bay's entrance and Shell Island. We left our truck there for a week while we anchored at Shell Island and sailed the bay. Be sure to explore east bay and west bay during your stay. Downtown try Hunt's Seafood Restaurant. The last time we were there over New Years they had $4/doz raw oysters and $1 beer. Their grouper was great as were the sauteed crab claws.
Try these places
In Panama City, City Marina and Saint Andrews Marina both have public boat ramps with water deep enough to launch your boat. The ramp at Hathaway bridge is very shallow (It was difficult to launch a JetSki).
In Panama City, City Marina and Saint Andrews Marina both have public boat ramps with water deep enough to launch your boat. The ramp at Hathaway bridge is very shallow (It was difficult to launch a JetSki).
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Henry Flack
Why not try Mexico Beach?
Hi Edwin Come on down! Might I suggest an alternative to PC? We live in Mexico Beach (about 15 miles east of PC. We have a canal with outlet to the bay. Two boat lauch ramps one on each side of the main hiway (Hiway 98). By sail, it is about two to two and a half hours to Shell Island. But you could also go east to Cape San Blas for some great times. Fairly deep water all about. Oh, and did I mention that there is no launch ramp charge and trailer parking is free?
Hi Edwin Come on down! Might I suggest an alternative to PC? We live in Mexico Beach (about 15 miles east of PC. We have a canal with outlet to the bay. Two boat lauch ramps one on each side of the main hiway (Hiway 98). By sail, it is about two to two and a half hours to Shell Island. But you could also go east to Cape San Blas for some great times. Fairly deep water all about. Oh, and did I mention that there is no launch ramp charge and trailer parking is free?
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Henry Flack
By the way
By the way, while you're here, give me a call. We'll have a beer and talk sailing....unless you're on the water, there ain't nuttin better.
By the way, while you're here, give me a call. We'll have a beer and talk sailing....unless you're on the water, there ain't nuttin better.
What are your plans???
The H170 looks like a great daysailor!!! Are you going out into the gulf or staying in the bay??? When the tide and wind are right you can get some pretty large waves just outside the jetties. I have been standing in my cockpit and lookiing up at the tops of waves. There is usually a lot of boat traffic between the jetties. If been intimidated by the number of fast fishing boats racing through the pass. If I was day sailing a small boat I'd avoid this area. That said once you are away from the pass there usually aren't many boats. Mexico beach is a pretty area and we have anchored out behind the point of St Joe Pennisula several times. St Joe bay is good but can get choppy with a south wind. Mexico beach is partly protected by St Joe Penninsula. The water off of Mexico beach is fairly shollow less than about 20' until you are out a 1/2 mile or so. The best daysailing is probably east bay and west bay. There is a boat ramp just before the bridge on 98 going into Tyndale AFB. This ramp is probably 7-8 miles from the pass. The closest ramp that I know of to the pass is St Andrews State park. It is only a couple of hundred yards to the ship channel. But the traffic can be very heavy in that the dive/fishing boats are based farther up the lagoon. Tom
The H170 looks like a great daysailor!!! Are you going out into the gulf or staying in the bay??? When the tide and wind are right you can get some pretty large waves just outside the jetties. I have been standing in my cockpit and lookiing up at the tops of waves. There is usually a lot of boat traffic between the jetties. If been intimidated by the number of fast fishing boats racing through the pass. If I was day sailing a small boat I'd avoid this area. That said once you are away from the pass there usually aren't many boats. Mexico beach is a pretty area and we have anchored out behind the point of St Joe Pennisula several times. St Joe bay is good but can get choppy with a south wind. Mexico beach is partly protected by St Joe Penninsula. The water off of Mexico beach is fairly shollow less than about 20' until you are out a 1/2 mile or so. The best daysailing is probably east bay and west bay. There is a boat ramp just before the bridge on 98 going into Tyndale AFB. This ramp is probably 7-8 miles from the pass. The closest ramp that I know of to the pass is St Andrews State park. It is only a couple of hundred yards to the ship channel. But the traffic can be very heavy in that the dive/fishing boats are based farther up the lagoon. Tom
Great responses
Wow, getting great feed back! Since where we stay is close to St. Andrews State Park my plans are to stay in-shore, maybe some snorkling in the Grand Lagoon and daysailing in the bay. With four families down there I'll be taking out a mix of ages on different days. So wanting to put in close to that area. The state park may be my best bet. Does the marina by Cap'n Andersons have a ramp available? I see the marina over there but have never driven back in that area. Mexico Beach may be further than I want to drive but a cold beer always sounds good. Thanks for all the input, keep it coming!
Wow, getting great feed back! Since where we stay is close to St. Andrews State Park my plans are to stay in-shore, maybe some snorkling in the Grand Lagoon and daysailing in the bay. With four families down there I'll be taking out a mix of ages on different days. So wanting to put in close to that area. The state park may be my best bet. Does the marina by Cap'n Andersons have a ramp available? I see the marina over there but have never driven back in that area. Mexico Beach may be further than I want to drive but a cold beer always sounds good. Thanks for all the input, keep it coming!
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