Bob, Go for it!
First, I've uploaded several files you might find use full here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_sb5TfIENvsTndzZm5kVV9KeDQ Not sure if you can download them, but if you want any, I'll be happy to email them to you. One very helpful file is a spreadsheet of distances up and down the Gulf Coast. Nice when planning your trip. Just be advised there aren't any good marinas between Point Cadet and the ICW. The Gulf Shores Marina near Ft. Morgan isn't a favorite of mine. OK in a pinch but I'd rather push further east to The Wharf. I really like The Wharf Marina on the ICW near the Orange Beach toll bridge. There are several shops and a couple nice restaurants. Villagio Italian Grill and Ginny Lane are both good. Another file is a GPX file of waypoints from Lake Pontchartrain to Destin. Most newer chartplotters can upload GPX files. Or you can see them by uploading them to this site: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/ Stopping at the boardwalk in Quietwater Beach at Pensacola Beach is also recommended. There are shops and restaurants. You can usually dock at the T-pier midweek with no issues. Just dock west of the walkway to the shore. The east end is shallow. Most of the info is contained in the document called "Cruising Mobile to Destin" shared above. If you have any questions, email, text or call me. Dennis C. Touche' 35-1 #83 Mandeville, LA On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:13 AM, Bob Caughran via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > First let me apologize. I do get carried away writing at times. > Until Beemer, 29mkII, was moved down to Biloxi 14 months ago, she had been > a lake boat for ten years, day sailing and spending weekends in the marina, > racing around the cans. > Sailing on a friends 48' Tayana occasionally over the last seven years in > the Gulf spoiled me to the joys of cruising to destinations and point to > point distance races. Have sailed from Corpus Christi all along the Gulf to > Key West on that big beautiful yacht. > I remember the first time I sailed Beemer out into the gulf, out of the > protection of Deer Island. Single handed, I headed out. The winds were > 10-12 out of the south in the marina. I threw the 105 on deck and rigged > the first reef. Figuring I'm by myself, better to be prudent. A little chop > in the bay as I motored west to open water. Most of you can guess what > happened when I cleared Deer Island. Yep, bam!! 16-25 knots and 4' seas. > Of course, Beemer was getting tossed around. Got the main up and the 105 > and Beemer put her ear down and took off. Dang, she's a good lil boat. > Since moving her to Biloxi, it's been mostly day sails, occasional > overnight anchoring on the barrier islands, and tons of working on her, > setting her up to cruise. > Next month, my sailing/racing buddy, his wife and myself are heading out > on a week cruise to Pensacola, 100 miles away. We will do fairly short > days, 20-40 miles. Stop and enjoy ourselves going and coming. Anchoring > here, marina there. > Since most of the time I'm by myself, having to plan all the extra stuff, > blankets, towels, food for three has been fun. My wife went out and bought > a new quilt for the v-berth and new towels. Guess my older towels and > blankets aren't good enough for guests. LOL. They both use CPAP machines > at night. Still working that electrical requirement. And although his wife > loves sailing, she is rather frail, so have to really watch weather so not > to bounce her around too much. We will probably spend a fair bit of time on > the ICW, at least heading east into the prevailing winds. The return should > be outside, downwind run. > Anyways, just thought I'd share my little plan for my first cruise. > Oh yes, for any of you southerners, I'll always accept suggestions for > anchorages or marinas between Orange Beach and Ft Walton Beach. That means > you too Dennis. > > Bob Caughran > Beemer, 29mk2, 309 > Biloxi, MS > > > > Sent from my iPad > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
