Gulf coast transient suggestions

[importmonkey]

Running a 560DB from Pensacola to Cocoa Beach. Trying to figure out where to stay over. I'm not sure what marinas are up and running after the hurricane went through years ago, and which ones are convenient/transient friendly.

Was thinking Apalachicola then Clearwater then Fort Myers areas.

 

[fwebster]

The usual stop over transient marina with fuel is Scipio Creek Marina in Apalachicola. It is within walking distance to some great restaurants, but call ahead to ask about transient reservations and fuel availability. Space is limited.

With a 56DB, Treasure Island Marina in Panama City Beach, and easy run from Pensacola, had very little damage from Hurricane Michael and has been open since the week after the storm. You should have the range to go direct from Panama City Beach to Clearwater City marina. The fuel at Treasure Island is ValveTech fuel and is clean and filtered and they fuel all the charter boats in the area so the fuel is cycled regularly. They have 2 large slips they are holding for transient use....one was mine. The only down side is they are in the middle of adding a huge storage barn so expect some dust and dirt, but that won't affect transient dockage or fuel availability. The marina is in a protected area a short ways from the main ship channel. The trip to the Gulf entrance is pretty much no wake so your engines will just about be warm by the time you are past the slow morning traffic. The marina is just across the lagoon from 2 great restaurants. Call the dock master, George Laird, 850-234-6533, ext 39 or his assistant, Dave Schaler ext 41. Both are great guys and tell them I sent you.

There is nothing between Treasure Island Marina and Scipio Creek that can handle a 56DB unless you go to Carrabelle and fuel up then anchor out behind Dog Island for the night and leave from there to Clearwater. I don't know about fuel availability after Hurricane Michael in Carrabelle, so you'd need to call ahead.

Good luck and enjoy the Gulf Coast.



Frank

 

[dtfeld]

On the other end, Clearwater Beach Marina should be able to accommodate you. It's a great location, easy to get to, fuel dock etc. It's about a 4-5 minute walk to the beach and a couple restaurants right out front with many more just short walk down the road. There is a big Walgreens across the street for minor restocking.

We enjoyed our 6 month stay there.

 

[FootballFan]

Clearwater you have 2 options both city marinas. Beach Marina and Harbor Marina.

For transient I would pick Beach. Fuel and walking distance to a large number of restaurants.

If Beach is full (limited number of transient slips), then its Harbor. No fuel at Harbor so you would still go to Beach for fuel. At Harbor you will be in a side tie directly on the ICW. We have stayed there a lot over the years, overnight not horrible, but definitely can be some rocky times. 1 decent restaurant (Clear Sky) which is directly up Cleveland. Was over there this morning, lots of construction so not sure the walking path currently.

Note there is a Clear Sky restaurant on both the Harbor side and the Beach side. Ate at the one on the Beach side last night - was fabulous.

 

[importmonkey]

There is nothing between Treasure Island Marina and Scipio Creek that can handle a 56DB unless you go to Carrabelle and fuel up then anchor out behind Dog Island for the night and leave from there to Clearwater. I don't know about fuel availability after Hurricane Michael in Carrabelle, so you'd need to call ahead.

Good luck and enjoy the Gulf Coast.

Frank

So I guess Port St. Joe Marina is closed?

The usual stop over transient marina with fuel is Scipio Creek Marina in Apalachicola. It is within walking distance to some great restaurants, but call ahead to ask about transient reservations and fuel availability. Space is limited.

With a 56DB, Treasure Island Marina in Panama City Beach, and easy run from Pensacola, had very little damage from Hurricane Michael and has been open since the week after the storm.

I think I'd really like to get beyond the point, so I was also looking at Apalachicola. Scipio isn't taking transients until after the busy fishing season though.

 

[fwebster]

St. Joe marina is owned by the city and they were closed due to storm damage to docks. They did have 2 nice side tie transient socks we’ve used several times.

you would need to call them to see if they have space for 56DB. It would be worth a try particularly if their restaurant is open. It is at the marina a short walk from any slip abd the food was excellent.

 

[importmonkey]

St. Joe marina is owned by the city and they were closed due to storm damage to docks. They did have 2 nice side tie transient socks we’ve used several times.

you would need to call them to see if they have space for 56DB. It would be worth a try particularly if their restaurant is open. It is at the marina a short walk from any slip abd the food was excellent.

Yup. Under Construction. Looks like Treasure Island to Clearwater Beach.

 

[All's Well]

St Joe is still wiped out. I drove by there about 3 weeks ago, they have a loooong way to go to get reestablished.
Carabelle has fuel at the moorings and C Quarters I believe.

 

[fwebster]

If you have the range, Panama City Beach means a shorter leg from there to Clearwater than other panhandle stops. Plus, treat yourself to a great dinner at Captain Anderson's which is directly across the lagoon from Treasure Island. The approach to Treasure Island and an early morning departure is via a much better marked and a shorter channel to the Gulf. Apalachicola and Carrabelle are both a bit tricky and via long slow channels.

 

[importmonkey]

I was trying to limit that long run from Panama City to Clearwater - mainly because I wanted to limit my chances in the Gulf during this season...BUT, I think that's the only way to go. Here's what I'm thinking so far...

Pensacola (Marine Max Bahia Mar) to Panama City (Treasure Island)
109.7MI | 3H 39M | 256.0G

Panama City to Clearwater (Clearwater Beach Marina)
237.6MI | 8H 17M | 580.2G

Clearwater to Ft Myers (Fort Myers Yacht Basin)
154.4MI | 6H 10M | 431.6G

Ft Myers to Stuart (Sailfish Marina)
109.7MI | 5H 30M | 266.9G

Stuart to Titusville (Kennedy Point Marina)
117.1MI | 5H 24M | 377.9G


Total
730MI | 29H | 1,913G


I'm using:
60FT LOA
16FT Beam
4.5FT Draft
30MPH Cruise Speed
70GPH Consumption
=343MI Range


I still have to confirm with the marinas that they can fit me - and nail down the dates, but targeting the last two weeks of July. Should be interesting with the weather. I also estimated with the time and miles for the run through the cut. Navionics wouldn't auto-route. I have a feeling times will be longer to take into consideration no wakes.

Time to make some calls about availability.

 

[FootballFan]

have you checked lake levels, was thinking they were low a short time ago. I would just confirm.

 

[importmonkey]

6.5ft right now. Hoping the rainy season brings that up a bit, but so far so good.

 

[370Dancer]

6.5ft right now. Hoping the rainy season brings that up a bit, but so far so good.

Be careful in the lake. Lots of bumpy things that love running gear. That said, if today is any indication, you may have plenty of water by the time you get there. We just had our first summer afternoon light show with lots of liquid.

 

[kevin27]

Also there is no way you will cross lake O from coast to coast in 5.5 hours. Last time I did it took 10 hr to go from Hobe Sound to Alva.

 

[importmonkey]

Also there is no way you will cross lake O from coast to coast in 5.5 hours. Last time I did it took 10 hr to go from Hobe Sound to Alva.

Ok thanks. It was just a guess but planned on the whole day.

 

[FootballFan]

A really long day.

When we had our Sea Ray we would cross in 1 day. Start/stop at Fort Meyers City marina and/or Sunset (I think, first marina west of the train bridge, first one you get to).

This was running as hard as we could leaving at or slightly before sun up and arriving totally beat at 6 or so. This was when the locks were open later than they are now.

Locks can be quick or 45 minute wait.

 

[Ididntdoit]

F the lake - run clearwater to marco - marco to marathon - marathon to PE - PE to Ft Pierce - Much nicer trip......Its fun spending other peoples money!

 

[370Dancer]

F the lake - run clearwater to marco - marco to marathon - marathon to PE - PE to Ft Pierce - Much nicer trip......Its fun spending other peoples money!

Definitely more scenic, and if you have the time, take it a bit slower and enjoy the Keys too. In your boat you could run Arsenic Bank and come out more like Channel 5 or above than Marathon.

 

[FootballFan]

Maybe the "Captain" will weigh in with his perspective, Rusty has made that trip more times than all of us combined.

First time I crossed the lake, I was on the phone with him in advance getting some really sound advice.

Now we would only go the lake route if we were worried about weather and was not willing to layover.

 

[ttmott]

I was trying to limit that long run from Panama City to Clearwater - mainly because I wanted to limit my chances in the Gulf during this season...BUT, I think that's the only way to go. Here's what I'm thinking so far...

Pensacola (Marine Max Bahia Mar) to Panama City (Treasure Island)
109.7MI | 3H 39M | 256.0G

Panama City to Clearwater (Clearwater Beach Marina)
237.6MI | 8H 17M | 580.2G

Clearwater to Ft Myers (Fort Myers Yacht Basin)
154.4MI | 6H 10M | 431.6G

Ft Myers to Stuart (Sailfish Marina)
109.7MI | 5H 30M | 266.9G

Stuart to Titusville (Kennedy Point Marina)
117.1MI | 5H 24M | 377.9G


Total
730MI | 29H | 1,913G


I'm using:
60FT LOA
16FT Beam
4.5FT Draft
30MPH Cruise Speed
70GPH Consumption
=343MI Range


I still have to confirm with the marinas that they can fit me - and nail down the dates, but targeting the last two weeks of July. Should be interesting with the weather. I also estimated with the time and miles for the run through the cut. Navionics wouldn't auto-route. I have a feeling times will be longer to take into consideration no wakes.

Time to make some calls about availability.

I didn't know Kennedy Point was open - thought about every boat in there was sunk and the docks hopelessly destroyed....

That is a two day trip through the Okee in a boat that size; can't run on plane much as the residence and their docks will be swamped. Plus the locks closed at 1900 unless something has changed. Unless you know the lake like the back of your hand don't attempt in the dark...