tlark

Just got back from Destin and the 30A for 10 days. No boat, just a pontoon rental to crab island and the east inlet. Have been doing homework, looking at charts, google earth and getting some pretty good ideas via youtube. Selection of a marina is essential IMO with respect to the time it takes to get to a destianationl It difficult to tell but with most boaters in this area chasing the fish it not the norm to explore some of these beaches and bays in remote spots like St. Joseph Bay or around the southern most tip of St Joe to St. Vincent Island. Scallop season is about 45 days long inside the bay and it ended late August I believe. Basically your on your own b/c paddle boards, swallow draft boats and kayaks from the State Park are more popular. You really need to pay attention to where your at in St. Joe bay and weather will be a critical factor as always as it appears you have to run out into the Gulf from St. Joe Bay to Panama City which is near 35 miles. In a sloppy sea your talking a few hours travel time just to get inside the inlet. With respect to Crab Island it's cool but found it more enjoyable beaching along the west side of the inlet and south of the Destin Bridge. Hope other contribute.

Zach F100

fasthawk6

Have been to emerald coast poker run twice, The area from Destin to Pensacola is pretty easy to navigate. There is only one spot towards Navarre that gets wide and you have to go towards the gulf side to find the markers again. Other that little thing it's a awesome place to boat with very little no wake zones. The only no wake is by the 98 bridge around the emerald grand hotel area and were you go under 98 in ft walton beach

tlark

I had not even seen that yet. This is part of the GICW system (assumed) Any navigation issues your aware of, debris,shallows.......... I would assume this is of similar width to the cut that runs from West Bay to Choctawhatcee Bay ???

tlark

For Ref only, the chart of thie GICW between the bays. I believe this is the "Ditch" and from what I understand you can blow through this section at a good clip, nice width and some areas to beach a boat.

F14A water jet

Man o Man...I am going to have to raft up with you guys! You are doing the exact kind of exploring/cruising my wife and I are going to try in a Formula 311.
Ps-Sach F100 I have a Pantera too (although its got 4 wheels and a 351 Cleveland)

Zach F100

Zach F100

F14A water jet

That is 100% correct/responsible! You'll get back to boating...its taken me almost 30 years.

F14A water jet

Perdido Hillbillies...From the foothills of North Carolina, in the shadows of Andy Griffith and Jed Clampett…(see attached)