Depth finder says 1.5 ft

by Ron

So we got a great side tie at Treasure Island Marina in Panama City, Florida. Not easy to find anywhere to tie up for the night but this worked out. Turns out this was only a few blocks from the Gulf so for the first time, finally, we had our feet in the white sands and salty water of the Gulf. We are close to a weather window to cross the gulf to Clearwater. We also had our closest call to running aground yesterday.

This entrance was tricky, and next morning with a stiff wind it blew me right out of that little channel by the marina (the Y channel at the top) into skinny water. A combination of thrusters and slow backing saved the day but it was 5 minutes of terror.
This looks like an ordinary Gulf beach shot, but when you just drove yourself 1,950 miles on your own boat from Minnesota, and got here entirely by boat, it is pretty amazing feeling. And it was first snow in the Twin Cities too.
Crusing the panhandle has many miles like this
How about this idea for the St. Croix River?
Arrived at Scipio Creek Marina last night, nice side tie out of the tidal current, $3 a foot, most we ever paid, and we are in the boon docks.
This morning on departure this stowaway was determined to leave with us, the dockhands say this cat is looking for a lift to Key West. Jumped on our boat twice.

Tonight we made it to Carrabelle, and we confirmed we have a “weather window” for tomorrow, Monday November 15th, to cross the Gulf of Mexico to Clearwater. So we spent the afternoon prepping the boat, putting things down low, filled the diesel, low on water (for weight reduction), and plan to leave at very first light for a 176 mile crossing on plane. I bought a SPOT Gen4 satellite tracker so if we have any issues when out of contact I can activate and SOS signal. The Vikings won today, Nancy made a great dinner for us, and I think we are ready for this.

Here is maps of our shorter travel route today to be positioned for a crossing: https://reports.nebo.global/e35e2e8b-8ee3-4ef8-952d-015249ae99ed/1a07e35d-97e3-41b6-a9a5-d6e6dbddef5b.pdf?v=1883046228

4 thoughts on “Depth finder says 1.5 ft”

  1. Hello Ron
    I remember the Scipio Creek Marina and waiting for a weather break there for the crossing to Tampa(Clearwater).
    Sounds like yours is forecast for an open. Great good luck to you guys!
    Can’t wait to hear about the cruise on the big water.

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