i am stationed at Ft Rucker AL and Panama City beach is only about an hour away. I have a 21 ft American fiberglass that I would like to take on the bay. My first option would be to find a place to keep it on the trailer with mast up and be able to launch it. New to sailing, any local advice on an economical place to keep it would be greatly appreciated, Tom
Where to park boat in Panama City FL
- Thread starter Armyaviation
- Start date
I'm not familiar enough with the area to recommend a marina but I have sailed there a bit. You might want to expand your search to include Port St. Joe (Saint Joseph Bay) to the south or Freeport or Niceville to the west. I spent a week sailing around Saint Joseph Bay last summer in a Hobie 16. Really nice water and a nice steady sea breeze...
That expanded range should still be about an hour drive and you might have more luck finding what you are looking for.
You might also consider putting this request on the regional Craigs List... or use Active Captian to scout for marinas in that area....
For instance below is a screenshot of Active Captain marina listings for Panama City area... there is a lot of good info there regarding phone numbers and email addresses of marinas.
I'd write up a letter similar to the one you posted here and send it to each of the marinas in the area... see if anyplace allows for a "dry slip" situation (a boat mast up). I'm guessing you can find someplace that will work with you. Good luck.
That expanded range should still be about an hour drive and you might have more luck finding what you are looking for.
You might also consider putting this request on the regional Craigs List... or use Active Captian to scout for marinas in that area....
For instance below is a screenshot of Active Captain marina listings for Panama City area... there is a lot of good info there regarding phone numbers and email addresses of marinas.
I'd write up a letter similar to the one you posted here and send it to each of the marinas in the area... see if anyplace allows for a "dry slip" situation (a boat mast up). I'm guessing you can find someplace that will work with you. Good luck.
Ok thanks. What's the deal with all the moorings in the bay? How do you get one, do people own them?
Beacon Beach Marina at Tyndall AFB does have dry slips and you can leave your mast up and is in the proximity to one of the launch areas.
Fort Walton Yacht Club is the only place between Panama City and Pensacola that accommodates mast up dry storage that I have ever found. There is a military membership plan that is very affordable. I'd be happy to tell you about it. I was at Mother Rucker in the 80s so I absolutely understand the desire to get away from time to time.
