vacation time

[Justin_NSA]

Anyone know of a reasonable place in Destin or Ft Walton beach FL to rent a sailboat for the day? 4 people, on the bayside. My crew is too green for the oceanside. I'd like a monohull. Never sailed a catamaran.

Thanks!

 

[Justin_NSA]

Found a couple places that charter. Can't rent anything

http://www.captguidocharters.com/ 3-4 people $290 for ½ day

http://www.ecoastsailing.com/index.html different times of the day

 

[Parsons]

I've dealt with both firms (although Emerald Coast was a decade ago), and found both to be honest and worth the money. I took one of the ASA courses through Emerald. I also could not find a bare-boat charter near the Bay, but I believe there is one in Pensacola, but that means a drive and going into the Gulf. I was in a similar situation last year with non-sailing family members. I chose the Captain Guido captained charter because it was convenient, not much more than bare-boat, and I was not familiar with the area (there are a number of shallows in that bay). He treated us well, didn't mind that we wanted to sail the boat most of the time, and allowed us to select destinations and interests. I'd do it again.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Thanks for the feedback. We may go with them. I have an old highschool buddy in Pensacola that we are going to see but we want to do this closer to where we're staying in Destin. I'm hoping everyone wants to go for a 'private' sail. We are going on the schooner Nathaniel Bowditch again for sure.

 

[rgranger]

I've rented cats in that area. No real difference in how they sail except the Hobie is a lot of fun and goes real fast...

 

[Justin_NSA]

This crew averages 60 years old. Bad hips, knees, backs etc. It's all I can do to get them to sit comfortably and cruise.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I've rented cats in that area. No real difference in how they sail except the Hobie is a lot of fun and goes real fast...

OT: if you try to tack a hobie/prindle/tornado, etc, you want to NOT release the jib, until it starts to backwind.

That helps push the bows thru the wind. if you release the jib like a mono hull, you likely end up in irons...

jibing is fine, but kinda exciting... but they don't usually rent if too windy.

you also need ~300# to right on that flips... unless you have a stay release kit, or waterbag...

if you were in miami, I'd send you to: http://www.arcmiami.com/rental.htm

 

[Stan Breaux]

I'm not positive, but I believe Emerald Coast Yachts in Pensacola Beach has a Hunter 28 that they allow to be rented and sailed privately without too much hassle.

Or... You could contact them for a captained charter on my boat, a Catalina 36.