Pensacola to Tarpon springs

Destin. Made it to Destin on the outside. Did a little motor sailing but mainly motored. Highlight of day is I looked out to Starboard and saw many Dolphins jumping out of water coming straight at me at high speed. As they approached all went for my twin bows they went back and forth and a couple dropped down in front of my keels after 5 minutes they disappeared. Many of my trawler friends talk of Dolphins riding the bow pressure for an extended period I do not think my skinny hulls create what they are looking for. We could not get under the Fort Walton Bridge to go into Ft Walton. Had to stay at Destin fish pier. All yacht clubs and recreational marinas are on Ft Walton side of 48 ft bridge so sail boats cannot get to them. To stay here is 1.50 ft with no heads, or courtesy car but you do get music from the half dozen clubs nearby, all night long.


Next day left for Panama city great motor sailing day with wind out of NE. It is finally getting warmer.

First and so far only picture of a dolphin hope we do better later

Stayed at Bay Point for 1.00 ft. very nice place and it includes a continental breakfast and get together.


We had a lift to town and ate at Joe Michael’s. Lots of shrimp and oysters. Took a cab back.

Very shallow.  Inch or too outside Chanel

Good way to tell people to be careful!!!

Left for Port St Joe. Nothing special on way over.


Port St. Joe is a nice Marina but town is closed. More than half of stores and restaurants were for sale or lease. Town is old south so what was still in business was closed on Sunday. Beach and sand are truly amazing.




I bet this is as far south as anyone has worn a Waterville adaptive vest

 Apalachicola


We travelled through the GICW to Apalachicola. Ride was foggy and rainy so no pictures. I believe it was beautiful but do not really know.

The crossing Most people go from Apalachicola to either Dog Island or Carrabella then cross. Because we thought the weather window was in our favor so we decided to leave directly from Apalachicola even though it added 4 hours to the trip. Woke up to thick fog. Made the decision if we could not get off by ten we would only go to Carrabella and leave from their the next day. Fog lifted about 9:00 so we left. About half way across Apalachicola bay fog set again Got to east pass and we were going to go to Carrabella. Heard two boats outside of east pass talking and talked to them they said no fog ½ mile off shore. Went out and they were correct. Started the cross and about 1:00 PM fog came back with a vengeance, it stayed till 4:30 AM. Amazing Grace, another sail boat, and Windsong rushed because we were suppose to have good winds from South West which would have given us a beam reach, we didn’t. Instead of Sailing most of way ended up motoring about half, motor sailing a quarter and sailing the rest. Spent two days at Tarpon Springs, Sponge capital of world, Bought one sponge but ate lots of good Greek food and seafood.


Thats it for now we are at Treasure Island and I will but that in the next blog.