Pensacola / Fort Walton Area

[TwistedSweeper]

I am relocating to this area from Seattle Wa. I own a Sea Ray Sport 185 (2007) that we have only used in fresh water for wake boarding etc. I was considering trying to sell my boat before moving to Florida as I figured it was to small for the gulf etc and haven't seen much for fresh water or wakeboarding. however while checking out the area I was told I'd be missing the best this area has to offer if we don't bring our boat.

Where in the area do people wake board? Thoughts on a sport 185 in Salt water?

Bring it or sell it and get a different type of boat?

thanks

 

[Gettin' There II]

We have lived in this area for over ten years. We started boating with a twenty foot bowrider and moved up to our 240 DA about three years ago.
Your boat would be great down here on the bays. Take a look at some maps of the area and you'll see why. We boat exclusively on the Intracoastal Waterway between Pensacola and Destin. It is absolutely true that to really enjoy this area a boat is needed.
The boating season is very long here, in fact we were out just a few weeks ago. Even in a bowrider I have been out in late March/early April.
There are a large number of boat ramps in the area and the boat related activities are numerous. Crab Island in Destin is very popular, the Billy Bowlegs festival in Fort Walton Beach, Destin has a boat week and there are a few poker runs that are great to watch. The beaches here are top notch and plenty of places to run out to and enjoy without going outside the bays. I have only ventured out the passes (into the gulf) once or twice and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
Welcome to the area, and bring your boat. Not a wakeboarder myself I can't say but I can tell you the areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway (in the bays) get plenty of waterski and tubing action.
Contrary to popular belief saltwater does not contain acid and as long as you flush and wash down you can keep everything in great condition. I use a product called saltaway to flush the engine and wash and hand dry the boat every time it comes out of the water.

 

[1stSeaRay]

Pensacola is my hometown and I can't imagine having lived there without a boat. Most of my relatives have boats (I think my uncle has 3 now) and they range in size from 18'-25'. There is plenty of water in the area, perfect for boats this size.

 

[VinceR]

Our 340 is dry stored at Orange Beach just west of Pensacola. Bring your 185, you will be lost with out it. Boating season is 8 to 9 months down there. There are many marinas and restruants within 25 miles of Pensacola. Get ready to have some fun.

 

[SeaRide]

I agree with above. I stongly recommend purchasing a galvanized or aluminum trailer if you do not already have one. Also, try a search on Destin, Crab Island, Panama City Beach and Shell Island. You will find a bunch of threads about the area.

 

[fwebster]

The 185 is a great starting point. Bear in mind the area you are relocating to is a boater's paradise. You will really enjoy exploring with and using the smaller boat, but most transplants to the area prett quickly move on to other types of boats. If you learn to enjoy fishing, then a mid-20 ft center console will soon catch your eye.....if you lean more towards cruising, anchoring out and just enjoying the unsurpased beach enviornment , then a 25-30' cruiser or Sundeck is in your future so you can extend the 8 month boating season to 12 months.

Enjoy the experience but keep these points in mind:

1.All the bays in this area have shallow spots, sand bars and grass flats. Get a paper chart and learn to read the contour lines.
2. Salt water is corrosive.......fresh water rinsing of the drive, engine, trailer, etc. and soap and water are your friends.
3. There is some big water here and even the bays can be treacherous at times. Watch the weather and don't get caught beyond your ability and experience or that of the boat.
4. Lots of commercial and military traffic on the water here, so get a copy of the rules of the road and take the Florida Safe Boating course. Follow the Nav Rules and observe local customs, which are sometimes different than the official rules of the road.

 

[coolings]

You dont want to sell your boat. We have boated two seasons and love it. Your 185 will do just fine. I live in Pensacola. People tend to wakeboard in the bayous and a river, where the water is the calmest. On calm days, I take my boys wakeboarding in the intercoastal waterway. In Pensacola, there are three large bayous. Two are commonly used for wakeboarding. Bayous Texar and Grande if you want to look them up on a map.

On windy days, you will have a hard time in the bays. Many boat ramps are in a location where you have to go through the bay to get to the beach or other popular areas.

Many boaters never venture out into the Gulf. Unless you fish, there really isnt a need to. You can go from Mobile, AL Bay to at least Destin in the ICW. Several times a summer we will go to LuLu's to eat (in Orange Beach, AL) and to Crab Island in Destin. Your 185 will do great getting you to all of those places.

On calm days you could go out into the Gulf. I go offshore fishing several times a year. I have been 13 miles from shore before. I have seen boats smaller than yours out there with me.

 

[jwfoster4]

One of the most popular smooth water areas to wakeboard are the bayou's in and around Niceville, Fort Walton and Eglin AFB. Do a search for Rocky Bayou State park and you will see the water to the north and west of the park. We boat there often and the water is always great for skiing and tubing even if Choctawhatchee Bay is choppy. I've got a boat ramp right in my neighborhood. Let us know when you make it down.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

If you sell your boat you will be sorry....:smt021

The gulf coast as a whole is a boating wonderland. I started out in a 176BR and made trips between Panama City and Destin both through the Gulf and intercoastal waterways. Proper planning, safety equipment trips like that are yours for the taking. The intercoastal between Pensacola and Destin/Ft Walton is like one big long lake with lots of coves and beach area to play in. :grin:

Take the time to talk to locals once you get down here, charts won't tell you the whole story. :thumbsup: