Panama City to The Keys

[ryanandchantal]

good morning all, We have recently purchased a Gemini 3000 and are located currently in Panama City. We would like to sail her to the keys then West Palm prior to going to Bahamas in the spring.
Can anyone suggest the best routes and stops from experience ? we do not plan on doing much night sailing and would expect to average 60- 100 miles per day...

thanks in advance

[Frankly]

Are you in Panama City Fl or Panama City Panama?

[hobopacket]

Hah thanks frank, that made me giggle

[hobopacket]

If you don't want to go to the keys, or a fun side trip, the okeechobee waterway is fun. Really good scenery and wildlife. Get to experience the locks and dams too.

[a64pilot]

Assuming Fl if I don't want much night sailing I first head over to Carrabelle, actually Dog Island and over night or a day or two there and if we want to take the dinghy in, long way though so not do-able if you don't have a fast dink, or willing to take a long time.
Anyway from there your closest place to go to is Tarpon Springs or it's not much further to Clearwater.
You can meander down the ICW if you wish from either to Venice I think where you have to go back outside.
The crossing to Clearwater is easy just as always check weather.
I have heard that Venice is not a cruiser friendly town, but I have only overnighted at the Marina a couple of times so not sure. I have not tried to anchor there as I've heard they don't want you there.
May or may not be just as unsubstantiated rumor, I didn't try.

[cgrabens]

We jumped from Panama City to Clearwater. It was 200 miles and took us 48hr. We are now in Gulfport (near st pete), which is a cool town to stop at! Eclectic and funky. Good restaurants, a market on Tuesday, and a nice free dinghy dock. Next stop for us is the keys!

[skipmac]

Hi Ryan and Chantal,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new (to you) boat.

Trip from PC to the keys is pretty straight forward. The ICW goes most of the way but there is a big gap in the big bend, roughly Carabelle to Tarpon Springs as I recall, about 200 miles. The coast along the gap is shallow mangroves and no good places to stop for most of that gap.

From Tarpon Springs south you can stay in the ICW and make easy day trips to the Keys.

[a64pilot]

You know, he might could go to Cedar Key, I avoid it as I'm afraid of running aground, but what is his draft?

[ryanandchantal]

FL sorry

[ryanandchantal]

draft is 18" with centerboards up

[captstu]

Your 3000 easily clears the Okeechobee waterway. I've done both trips, the OK is really an experience to do at least once. Several days of mostly motoring with a potential nice sail across the LAKE. There are several nice stops along the waterway to enjoy the nights - and the bugs if you do it in late summer.

The trip down the West Coast to Marathon is also nice, as is the trip to Key West.

It all depends on your wishes.

Leaving the East coast for the Bahamas presents similar choices - if you go to the Keys, I suggest leaving South and West, someplace between Ley Largo (nice stop at Pennekamp) and Elliott Key. If you cross the Okeechobee, I suggest leaving at least as South as Lake Worth, departure at St. Lucie gives you an upstream crossing that may be less comfortable in the 3000.

Have a great trip.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You know, he might could go to Cedar Key, I avoid it as I'm afraid of running aground, but what is his draft?

With a Gemini cat he should fit in Cedar Key just fine. Maybe even Suwanee although that could be tight. Charts list 2' depth into Suwanee from the Gulf.

[Scoop Scott B]

Let me opine on the Tarpon Springs/Clearwater leg to the keys. I grew up in these waters and still cruise them. While you are cruising south you may want to jaunt through Gulfport just south of Clearwater for a pleasant anchor out and then on up Tampa Bay to the St. Petersburg area. There are anchorages, moorings and marina's there. St Pete is on fire with activity and restaurants if that is your thing. South of the south Siesta Bridge in Sarasota you will come to a spot where you pass two points--on on either side and the bay opens up. I anchor off the ICW to the west in 5 feet of water and it is fine holding and protected. Heading back south toward Venice there are anchorages off Marina Jack in Sarasota where you can also dinghy ashore for some night life. The Venice area has gotten crowded with moored and docked boats near the public launching ramp. But, with your draft you should be able to find a place in Roberts Bay to anchor for a bit being unaffected by even the lowest cold front tide. Much to do in Venice and a short uber up to town or walk it in 20 minutes. If you go outside at Venice your next stop will be Boca Grande. If you go inside you will find some anchorages off the ICW north of the Englewood Bridge on the east side. you will see some other boats that are permanently moored there. There is an anchorage just south of the Englewood bridge to the west. It can be crowded but offers easy dink access to the gulf beach. South from Englewood you will follow the ICW to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande/Pine Island Sound area. Get a cruising guide and check this out for a plethora of anchorages with great fishing, star viewing and the like. Don't miss Pelican Bay and Cabbage Key. You can go back out the channel at Boca Grande and head south in the gulf or take the ICW down to Fort Meyers passing Sanibel and other nice stopping off spots. From there you have a decision to make. ICW over through Lake O. or down the coast to Naples/Marco or right on down to the Keys. One more caveat. If you are adventurous, I would encourage you to go into the Everglades at Little Shark River and anchor. I too am shoal draft and like to go all the way up to Whitewater Bay. This area is really remote so be sure you are prepared for same. Hope that gives a little color. If you are in a hurry you can do long jumps. But, if you can wander there are many many nice areas on the west coast of Florida to gunk hole, dine and watch fab sunsets from. Have a hell of a trip!

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by ryanandchantal

draft is 18" with centerboards up

About what I thought, then Cedar key is easy for him, neat little town, tourist trap. I have flown in many times, never been by boat though always worried about depth.

[Ken Z]

panama city to carrabelle, to cedar key , hug markers, tarpon springs or clearwater, duneden for supplies, icw to sanibel draw bridge, supplies up cal. river to ft meyers,anchorage in lee of sanibel island, marco ,south to inside passage ,on the inside toward maimi, a small public dock south of maimi, maybe 30 miles. A nice trip. good luck.