Hi guys, I am bringing my 232 down for Memorial Day to Destin. I wanted to see if there are any experienced boaters down there who can tell me where the best place to launch is. We will be going to the Crab Island area.

I see what seems to be the biggest public launch, Joe's Bayou, but I wonder if that gets a tad crowded for Memorial Day? Is it manageable? If not any tips on a nearby launch that will be less crowded.

Thanks.

That's about it in Destin, you can go to Cinco Bayou or Liza Jackson in Ft. Walton Beach but that will be hit or miss as far as traffic. The launch in Navarre next too Jaunnas is the nicest IMO but it's a hike depending on where you are staying. Best bet will be to get in early and stay out late... It should be a nice weekend.

Thanks for the info, someone on another forum recommended Liza Jackson, we are staying in Mirimar Beach so Navarre might be a pretty good pull to get there.

Is night boating pretty manageable in that area? I assume it will probably be pretty busy all weekend. Luckily looks like the weather is going to cooperate.

+1

We boat at night all the time, a gps with good maps is IMO a nessicity... Just running around destin isn't a big deal but heading to Ft. Walton Beach or further might get a little tricky. Lucky it's a sandy bottom pretty much everywhere, but it can get shallow quick...

Thanks for the info. I will probably stick to near Destin and maybe a little jaunt out into the gulf. This will be my first opportunity to go offshore so I am looking forward to it. I have a handheld GPS but I don't have the sea charts for it. If I use that for position I think I can buy a map locally?

If the weather and the seas cooperate you can't get into to much trouble out in the gulf as long as you don't loose sight of land. As for cruising around Destin just stay in the channel and you will be fine. Crab island is gonna be slammed this weekend, I'll be out there, should be a good time.

1200 miles later I am sitting at home and had an awesome time down there in Destin!

Crab Island was fun and even did some ICW cruising which was a blast too. First time to get the 232 out in bigger waters and it performed great. Only rookie mistake I made was drag my skeg through the sand so now it is DE-painted lol woops.

Launched from Eglin on Sat but decided that was too much of a drive plus the $9 each way toll bridge was rough. So Sun and Mon launched from Joe's Bayou public launch, it was jammed packed but it went smoothly.