11-30-2008, 04:09 PM
Here is the google-earth file of the route: http://texas200.com/florida120-revised.kmz This event is different in the BEER cruise with an emphasis on sailing and camping.
We will launch and recover from Pirates Cove near Josephine, AL. It is a classic old-time Florida hamburger joint with marina and they are receptive to events like ours. In fact, they are hosting a woodenboat get-together the first weekend in May.
Thursday, May 14th we will have a meeting at 9am that is not required but will be a chance to get to know everyone and start together. I do realize some folks may not be able to make it until Thursday morning. We then sail 15 miles but through the twistiest portion of our route to the spoil island across from Ft. McRee that has been called Sand Island but is marked as Robinson Island on Google Earth. This is a beautiful camp-cruising spot with protected anchorage for deeper draft boats. Tent camping is common on these spoil Islands. Hopefully we will arrive with plenty of time for swimming and socializing. Anyone want to set up a beach grill?
Friday, May 15th is a long sail with 38 miles as the crow flies. This is a challenge after all! However, it is a beautiful sail through protected waters and no narrow channels (unless you are deep draft). We stop at the westernmost spoil island in Santa Rosa sound with nice protected anchorage to the south. Pat Johnson scouted this for us the weekend before Thanksgiving and reported perfect conditions including a 45 degree angled beach which may even allow wing-keelers to step off dryfoot on the sand. There is also a real-nice public park and boatramp nearby if people want to join or leave us there depending on schedule. We could easily ferry people over from the park to join us on the island.Â
The 38 miles is repeated in reverse on Saturday, May 16th. On both days we have a couple of great bail-outs in case the weather doesn't cooperate. One is the town of Navarre which has showers, a nice launchramp, a convenience store, and a good restaurant and bar. There is also a convenience store in Pensacola Beach right off of ill-named quietwater beach. This is the beach behind flounders and there are docks available. We stop Saturday night on the barrier island off of Big Lagoon a mile past Sand Island, our first night stop. This is a good opportunity to walk accross to the Gulf and enjoy the waves!
Our final day, Sunday May 17th, we sail the sortof twisty 15 miles back to Pirates Cove where we will have an early dinner and awards ceremony (gotta have those funny awards!). Anyone who is interested in helping with awards please let me know.
I am really excited about this route with beautiful and soft white-sand beaches to camp on and some legs to challenge us.Â
We will launch and recover from Pirates Cove near Josephine, AL. It is a classic old-time Florida hamburger joint with marina and they are receptive to events like ours. In fact, they are hosting a woodenboat get-together the first weekend in May.
Thursday, May 14th we will have a meeting at 9am that is not required but will be a chance to get to know everyone and start together. I do realize some folks may not be able to make it until Thursday morning. We then sail 15 miles but through the twistiest portion of our route to the spoil island across from Ft. McRee that has been called Sand Island but is marked as Robinson Island on Google Earth. This is a beautiful camp-cruising spot with protected anchorage for deeper draft boats. Tent camping is common on these spoil Islands. Hopefully we will arrive with plenty of time for swimming and socializing. Anyone want to set up a beach grill?
Friday, May 15th is a long sail with 38 miles as the crow flies. This is a challenge after all! However, it is a beautiful sail through protected waters and no narrow channels (unless you are deep draft). We stop at the westernmost spoil island in Santa Rosa sound with nice protected anchorage to the south. Pat Johnson scouted this for us the weekend before Thanksgiving and reported perfect conditions including a 45 degree angled beach which may even allow wing-keelers to step off dryfoot on the sand. There is also a real-nice public park and boatramp nearby if people want to join or leave us there depending on schedule. We could easily ferry people over from the park to join us on the island.Â
The 38 miles is repeated in reverse on Saturday, May 16th. On both days we have a couple of great bail-outs in case the weather doesn't cooperate. One is the town of Navarre which has showers, a nice launchramp, a convenience store, and a good restaurant and bar. There is also a convenience store in Pensacola Beach right off of ill-named quietwater beach. This is the beach behind flounders and there are docks available. We stop Saturday night on the barrier island off of Big Lagoon a mile past Sand Island, our first night stop. This is a good opportunity to walk accross to the Gulf and enjoy the waves!
Our final day, Sunday May 17th, we sail the sortof twisty 15 miles back to Pirates Cove where we will have an early dinner and awards ceremony (gotta have those funny awards!). Anyone who is interested in helping with awards please let me know.
I am really excited about this route with beautiful and soft white-sand beaches to camp on and some legs to challenge us.Â