DJD

I need some local OSOers to help me out with marina & night life recomendations. I'll be meeting my 50 Bertram in Mobile & then running to Apalachicola, then St. Pete, then across the Oceechobee to my marina in Stuart.
I don't know the good spots on the gulf but I'm sure someone here does
There will only be three of us guys aboard so any suggestions would be great

CigDaze

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime.

If you're spending the night in St. Pete, I would stay at the Tierre Verde Marina. It's protected, but is near the gulf. There's a lot going on in the vicinity. There's a neat little bar there and there's also quite a nice club.
http://www.tvresortmarina.com/

TeamTaboo

When you go across lake O stay very close to your gps lines the lake has a rock pass that is very shallow

DanB

Hi Dave.
I'm on the Calloosahatche river just before you get to the 1st locks (Franklin locks) on the Ft Myers side. I'm at the end of the first canal past the 31 bridge. If you make it this far and need to R&R let me know, I've got plenty of dock space.

Dan

restabr

Where in Mobile are you meeting your boat, how long are you in the Mobile - Pensacola area and what kind of time table do you have? There's alot to do and see that is relativley easy running for that boat between Biloxi (casinos) and Destin, Fl. The run from Mobile to Biloxi (which is acutally a little bit back to the west of Mobile) will take you about 3 hours start to finish - all icw. The run from Mobile to Destin will take you about 6 hours if you run in the gulf, about 8 in the icw due to no wake zones. Left to my own devices if I had some time to kill I'd run to Biloxi for a night to see the casinos (stay at Beau Rivage - they have an awesome marina) and then straight to Destin. I'd probably miss Orange Beach and Pensacola due to Ivan this summer. Things are still a mess and slips are still very hard to find in those areas. After Destin you're out of my territory. Let me know if you need any additional info. Good Luck and awesome boat.

bad2bonecapt

Living in Orange Beach, I'd have to agree with restabr. Most of the marinas are damaged, but ZEKE's is open fully and San Roc Cay has diesel fuel only. If you're looking for somewhere to get a bite along the way LuLu's (J. Buffett's sister's place) is located at the Hwy 59 bridge in Gulf Shores, and Tacky Jack's in OB has docks that can handle your boat for a cool one or a Bloody Mary at sunset.
I personally know the General Managers at ZEKE's Marina in Orange Beach and at Baytown Wharf at Sand Destin if you need anything while comming through.
The waters are clear from the storm from the mouth of the Alabama Canal (icw) throught to Pensacola (I've been there), just your usual icw trash floating down. The only "no wake" zone from Mobile bay to Pensacola is at the Theo Barrs Bridge in Perdido Key, it takes about 10 mins to clear other than that just sit back and enjoy the ride.

ORANGE BEACH IS UP AND RUNNING...AND RACING IN AUGUST!!!

Let me know if I can help,

b2b capt

Formula Outlaw

Be sure you check that the locks are all operating on the Okechobee (spelling?) Waterway. Once in a while one is down for repairs. I've stayed at Rolan Martins marina twice when running the Waterway, it's a hoot.

If you've got the time "Grandma Dot's" at Sanibel Island Marina is a GREAT place to eat and the Marina is a great place to stay. It's just south of Charlotte Harbor.

DJD

Thanks guys. I have made notes of your suggestions & may be calling on you for a little more info. I hope the weather is decent enough to run outside, the ICW will take too long.
I plan on staying in Mobile for the first two days.
Again, thanks & I'll get back to everyone as we get closer to the spring.
Dave

DJD

I almost forgot, After a day or two in Stuart FL, I'll be running up the east coast to Connecticut. There are LOTS of fun stops along the way. Charleston is a favorite!

CigDaze

Formula Outlaw made a great point. Start planning now for the Ockechobee crossing. The locks operate at totally different timetables depending on the time of year and sometimes not at all for weeks at a time if maintenance is scheduled.

SEE HERE