Florida for the winter Planning help

[searay40dad]

Unless work gets in the way, I want to run the boat south for the winter. Like to get her to destin or panama city early to mid October then over t-giving holidays, make the pass down to ft. Myers area. Have friends in destin and love the fishing so that's my preference but PC, orange beach, etc isn't out of the question. Been to PCs baypoint marina and liked the place too. Any thoughts or other options on this leg of the trip?

Would also like some thoughts on marina options in the ft. Myers area. Have a buddy w a big SR and 320 outrage at cape coral so he's trying to talk me into cape harbour. Great place but expect it's very pricey. Don't need a lot of amenities but do want a nice place to keep the boat. We'd be down Xmas to new years, maybe a week in Jan and feb, then trip back north over spring break. Any comments to share?

 

[cod]

Try Port Sanibel Marina which is in Ft. Myers. portsanibelmarina.com Nice spot not far from Sanibel Island.

 

[mddickens]

I can't share any comments about doing this, but it is a very interesting idea. Being based at Pickwick Lake, it's an option for us as well so I hope to see some knowledgeable comments about this. Destin is the Admiral's favorite place on Earth (in fact, she's leaving in the morning for a "Admirals only" trip to Destin) and when I mentioned this at dinner, she got real quiet and I could see the gears whirring....

 

[searay40dad]

Try Port Sanibel Marina which is in Ft. Myers. portsanibelmarina.com Nice spot not far from Sanibel Island.

Thanks, will look into it. We stayed on Sanibel for a week this past March and looked around a little bit while cruising up to Cabbage Key. Anything on Captiva?

If we were at pickwick, being only 420 or so miles from Mobile Bay, it'd be a no-brainer. The only problem with Destin is AJ's bar. The place doesn't close which is just plain irresponsible. what could go wrong there...

 

[Asureyez]

Give a look here, I have had good experiences here.

http://www.sanibelmarina.com/

 

[fwebster]

With your schedule, you will be missing some of the best boating in NW Florida. If it were me, I'd push the south FL part of the trip to Christmas/New Years and enjoy more boating in the NW Gulf.

I am partial to Panama City because of the wide variety of things to see and do in a boat compared to Destin where you either fish or fish. Dockage in Destin is also a little problematical. You either rent a slip in the harbor which is expensive, or you stay at Baytown/Sandestin. Sandestin means you are exposed to NW winds all the time........our prevailing winds move to the NW from off-shore in the Fall.......and I've seen a 3 ft chop in the slips at Sandestin. It is a nice marina and the folks there treat you well, but trying to sleep in a boat may not happen. The other thing to consider is that it is 15 miles from Sandestin to the Destin pass and access to the Gulf. Panama City Beach has several marinas in Grand Lagoon.......from decent to world class......and all are protected from winds and seas. You are also 2 miles from the ship channel into the gulf and the bay in Panama City is protected by a barrier island so you can still go boating and catch fish on even the nastiest day off shore. In October, we still anchor at the island and walk the beach.

One other factor to consider, given your location, is marine services. We have one of the top 2 servicing Sea Ray dealers in the country in Panama City (according to Sea Ray Customer Service). This would be an excellent opportunity to get any work you need done on the boat out of the way by people who are honest, competent and really care about the customer and their boats. I've kept my boats in the marina owned by the dealer for 23 years and love the system and environment there. We are across the lagoon from Bay Point, we have parking directly behind our boats, 24 hour security, mechanics, fiberglass guys, travel lift, parts, store, etc. that a resort location like Bay Point doesn't offer.

When you consider the added fuel and other costs, my bet is you won't go any further than NW FLorida since even in Feb we usually have 4-5 boating excellent days a week........you just won't be swimming with dolphins in Feb!

I know NW Fla well......let me know if you need any info.

Also, were you the Cat owner who needed paint color match? ...........I 've been at the beach for 3 weeks and remembered to get the color code, but lost my note as to who needed it.

 

[cod]

On Captiva, there is Yacht Harbour Marina @ the South Seas Island Resort. Beautiful place but may get pricey for long term but certainly worth checking into. There is also Tween Waters Inn. Sanibel Marina is also very nice but anything on Sanibel or Captiva will probably be more expensive. Port Sanibel Marina I think you will find it to be the best value. The marina is about a little over a mile from the Sanibel bridge. If you do venture down there, make it a point to visit Useppa Island. Its private but they allow transients sort of as a membership introduction or something. Real old Florida charm.....

 

[searay40dad]

Frank,
We've been fishing out of Destin for the last 5-6 years and find that we end up losing several days due to rough seas. Although we're not fishing a 70' viking, we not in a 20' cc either. We started near the end of Oct and have learned to plan our trips nlt early part of october. I just dont want to gamble with the few precious days I have out of the office to be on the boat. Being in PC-Destin-Pensacola-wherever over xmas (even t-giving) seems like a big roll of the dice?? if I'm off base, pls let me know and we'll re-think it. The last 3 trips we've made to gulf shores in march has pretty iffy too. Havent given it a great deal of thought but figured we'd just do the Harbor Walk marina which is right at the east pass vs. sandestin.

My wife isnt thrilled about the thought of 2,500 gallons of diesel and another $5k for dockage for just 5 months but has now accepted the fact (sort of...ok, maybe not so much). But, if she can't end up on a beach somewhere in 80 degree sunny weather when we're in FL, i'm pretty much screwed. Maybe the move south to FM area over xmas vs. tgiving might work fine but I need to fairly sure.

if we make the FL trip, I pretty much have to make FM for 2-3 months as we have good friends there and dont get to boat with them much anymore. so, playing with them for a few weeks over the winter is part of my plan. what a couple extra gallons of fuel anyways. we drove around sanibel marina in March, and we did like it.

yes, i was looking for the cat white paint option...
Tim

 

[mddickens]

Frank,
We've been fishing out of Destin for the last 5-6 years and find that we end up losing several days due to rough seas. Although we're not fishing a 70' viking, we not in a 20' cc either. We started near the end of Oct and have learned to plan our trips nlt early part of october. I just dont want to gamble with the few precious days I have out of the office to be on the boat. Being in PC-Destin-Pensacola-wherever over xmas (even t-giving) seems like a big roll of the dice?? if I'm off base, pls let me know and we'll re-think it. The last 3 trips we've made to gulf shores in march has pretty iffy too. Havent given it a great deal of thought but figured we'd just do the Harbor Walk marina which is right at the east pass vs. sandestin.

My wife isnt thrilled about the thought of 2,500 gallons of diesel and another $5k for dockage for just 5 months but has now accepted the fact (sort of...ok, maybe not so much). But, if she can't end up on a beach somewhere in 80 degree sunny weather when we're in FL, i'm pretty much screwed. Maybe the move south to FM area over xmas vs. tgiving might work fine but I need to fairly sure.

if we make the FL trip, I pretty much have to make FM for 2-3 months as we have good friends there and dont get to boat with them much anymore. so, playing with them for a few weeks over the winter is part of my plan. what a couple extra gallons of fuel anyways. we drove around sanibel marina in March, and we did like it.

yes, i was looking for the cat white paint option...
Tim

Concerning the "precious few days out of the office", I calculate that the trip from Pickwick to Mobile (453 miles) will take about a week, given the shorter days that time of year, the locks, no wake zones, etc. To get the boat to Choctawatchee Bay, I figure would take another two days (perhaps a little less). Does this sound right?

 

[searay40dad]

For a trawler maybe. I did Chattanooga to ky lake (480 miles) last summer in 2.5 days...5-6 locks. Did ky lake to PC a few years ago (660 miles and 13 locks I think) in 4 days. A lot of this trip is ho-hum so you might as well put the hammer down and run.

 

[mddickens]

That's good news. I had heard that there were a number of areas where you were restricted to no wake speeds and that the water police vigorously enforced it.

 

[fwebster]

The thing to keep in mind about NW Fla is that the winter prevailing winds are from the NW to North. The later in the year you go, the higher the risk of windy conditions. Normally the weather is nearly perfect from Oct 1 to about Thanksgiving and November is usually one of the best boating months. While we seldom have enough wind to keep me at home, 15-20 kts makes for a bumpy ride off shore, but if you slow down it is manageable. It doesn't help when fishing off shore, but if you are traveling, the land mass protects you for the first mile off the beach so you just hug the beach and go where you want.......either that or use the ICW.

 

[MLauman]

That's good news. I had heard that there were a number of areas where you were restricted to no wake speeds and that the water police vigorously enforced it.

It's been about 10 years since I last ran the Tenn-Tom, but back then there were few, if any no-wake zones in the river. However, there was a handful of fishermen along the stretch between Columbus and Aberdeen who would hang out in hidden areas along the way and raise unmitigated hell at anyone in a cruiser ("RVs" they called us) leaving any similance of wake. Had one that called his buddy, the lockmaster and reported us for 'going too fast' - we never saw him. Kind of a humbling experience to be trapped in a lock with a lockmaster giving you the third degree.

Plenty of long no-wake zones in the ICW around Pensacola to Destin though - and well enforced.

 

[mddickens]

It's been about 10 years since I last ran the Tenn-Tom, but back then there were few, if any no-wake zones in the river. However, there was a handful of fishermen along the stretch between Columbus and Aberdeen who would hang out in hidden areas along the way and raise unmitigated hell at anyone in a cruiser ("RVs" they called us) leaving any similance of wake. Had one that called his buddy, the lockmaster and reported us for 'going too fast' - we never saw him. Kind of a humbling experience to be trapped in a lock with a lockmaster giving you the third degree.

Plenty of long no-wake zones in the ICW around Pensacola to Destin though - and well enforced.

Yes, this is the general story I have heard, that there are some "good ole boy" fishermen who have law enforcement buddies they call if you kick up a wake around them. Glad to know there aren't many of these areas.

 

[fwebster]

Fishermen are one of the reasons I don't run the Tenn-Tom unless it is absolutely necessary.

And, I don't blame them either. Some of us cast a disasterous wake, particularly if you are looking up at it from a 14' jon boat. The problem is that many times they fish way up in thickets and you just cannot see them in time to back off the throttles. We all know we are responsible for the damage our wakes cause, but that is little solace to a good ole boy who just had his boat swamped by a cruiser who didn't see him in time to slow down. Count yourself lucky if you only get to talk to a local sheriff about your wake. A friend ran a 460DA down the waterway from Nashville 2 years ago and was surprised to find 4 bullet holes in the side of his boat when he got to Destin.

 

[Alex F]

.....A friend ran a 460DA down the waterway from Nashville 2 years ago and was surprised to find 4 bullet holes in the side of his boat when he got to Destin.

You're at risk of being shot for throwing a wake in FL? Man, I thought FL was the boaters paradise.

 

[mddickens]

Fishermen are one of the reasons I don't run the Tenn-Tom unless it is absolutely necessary.

And, I don't blame them either. Some of us cast a disasterous wake, particularly if you are looking up at it from a 14' jon boat. The problem is that many times they fish way up in thickets and you just cannot see them in time to back off the throttles. We all know we are responsible for the damage our wakes cause, but that is little solace to a good ole boy who just had his boat swamped by a cruiser who didn't see him in time to slow down. Count yourself lucky if you only get to talk to a local sheriff about your wake. A friend ran a 460DA down the waterway from Nashville 2 years ago and was surprised to find 4 bullet holes in the side of his boat when he got to Destin.

I didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I really like searay40dad's idea and would love to find a way to do this that didn't require a week to run the Tenn-Tom or risk being shot in the process. The Admiral might find that a little off-putting :smt021

 

[MLauman]

You're at risk of being shot for throwing a wake in FL? Man, I thought FL was the boaters paradise.

Not Florida - it's a stretch of the TennTom waterway that straddles MS and AL north of Columbus, MS.

 

[fwebster]

Yeah, to the Jersey guys everything below Kentucky is "South"...........and they probably think we are all barefoot and are missing most of our teeth too.

 

[mddickens]

Not Florida - it's a stretch of the TennTom waterway that straddles MS and AL north of Columbus, MS.

You know, where as you motor along the waterway, you can hear strains of banjo music and smell moonshine cookin'?:lol: