Panama City Fl sailing scene?

[Bud man]

The wife and I have a second home in Panama City and a Searay Sundancer (currently for sale) in dry stack in a marina on grand lagoon. We're probably going to have this as our primary retirement home in a few years.

When we sell, we're considering going back to a sailboat, probably 30-35 ft. We have owned several mono hulls and have coastal cruising certifications.

We're wondering how the sailing community is around Panama City. Seems we see some boats at the docks, but only see a few out on the water. Is there a decent presence of sailors around?

Anyone in the area? Why the small number of active sailors around?

[xsboats]

There is a yacht club with a pretty active racing schedule over in "The Cove" in P.C. [St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club]

[a64pilot]

I'm new to sailing, but keep my boat at in the city marina, PC and the gulf coast has always been more of a fishing area than a sailing area, most Bubba's don't sail, and they few that do seem to mostly day sail in the bay.
They were racing last weekend, very little wind though

[Dockhead]

Ah, the Redneck Riveria! Best crab claws in the world , although eating crab claws down there will never be the same after Cap'n Dave's in Destin blew away in that hurricane in the '90's.

I've sailed off Pensacola in Santa Rosa sound -- trailered my very first sailboat down there for a break from lake sailing once or twice when I was in college. Another time capsized a rented Hobie Cat in the same place.

Unfortunately that was 35 years ago, so my experience will not be helpful. Sorry, but I couldn't resist posting after that wave of nostalgia.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'm new to sailing, but keep my boat at in the city marina, PC and the gulf coast has always been more of a fishing area than a sailing area, most Bubba's don't sail, and they few that do seem to mostly day sail in the bay.
They were racing last weekend, very little wind though

I'd say that's fairly accurate, but the wind is variable. Usually calm in the morning, kicks up in the afternoon.

There are sailing clubs in those Gulf Coast bays. There are two in the Fort Walton Beach area, and they have the usual Wed night and weekend races.

[Frankly]

As others have indicated this area is more fishing than anything else. Having said that It is also a great area for cruising with a sailboat. Reliable sea breeze most everyday, lots of good protected anchorages, good bottom holding, and not crowded. There is one cruising club “Panama City Coastal Cruisers”, really more social than cruising.

One important point is keep your mast height below 50 ft. We are bounded on both the east and west with 50 ft fixed bridges. Sooner or later the GOM will not be your prime interest and it is great to still be able to cruise from St Joe to Pensacola on the inside.

I have been at it for 50 years, two trips to the Bahamas and still think this section of the Florida Coast is the best.

[Bud man]

Thanks for all the feed back

Frankly - are you in the PCCC?

We'll be in town the first week in July, might stop by the meeting and see who is around.

[Frankly]

Not currently a PCCC member. Have been in the past, but a good bunch.
Check website for meeting info.

[RKsailsolo]

The "redneck riviera" is a tired old reference that changed in the late nineties as two things happened, developers and commerce drifted in to reshape many coastal areas and four or five major hurricanes literally swept away the old making way for the new. NW FL IS the Deep South, and it IS one of the best FL coastal areas with amazing amounts of wide and protected sailing areas.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by RKsailsolo

The "redneck riviera" is a tired old reference that changed in the late nineties as two things happened, developers and commerce drifted in to reshape many coastal areas and four or five major hurricanes literally swept away the old making way for the new. NW FL IS the Deep South, and it IS one of the best FL coastal areas with amazing amounts of wide and protected sailing areas.

So a redneck like me will no longer feel at home?

[RKsailsolo]

Funny. I lived in Pcola Bach, Gulf Breeze, Destin, Navarre Bch and I don't consider myself a Redneck. But I do support whatever reason you have for doing so because at one time, I also called that region home. Great part of the US coast.

[OldBoatCruiser]

Hello everyone. I'm head from Tarpon Springs to Panama City, how is the depth of the channel entering the bay from the Gulf? I draw 6'.

All advice is appreciated.

[a64pilot]

I'm in Tarpon Springs right now, City marina, IP 38 says Dream Catcher on the stern.
I'm based in PC and left there Sun., I can answer most anything you want to know about PC, look for me if your in Tarpon Springs

[a64pilot]

BTW, Panama City is a port, depth is no issue as it's a ship channel, some pretty good anchorages there too

[OldBoatCruiser]

Right, should have been more specific... How is the depth of St Andrews inlet?