The desire to include some Gulf Coast cruising to augment summer Great Lakes cruises received a receptive ear from several others on the C25/250 and Trailer Sailor forums. After a few interchanges with those interested, we voted on where and when to hold a winter sailing cruise. Pensacola Bay in late February got the most ayes.
From the beginning, we saw the event as a non-sponsored loosely organized affair with each skipper fully responsible for his or her boat and crew. My son Eric has sailed with me often and with vacation available would crew. Charts were acquired and we began making plans for a week long cruise. A float plan was agreed to that provided a days passage west to Predido Cut, returning the next day and anchoring near the Pensacola channel to provide a night departure east to fetch Choctawhatchee Bay. Sailing the bay a day and half and returning to Pensacola via the ICW with a stop for an evening meal and night's anchorage along the ICW. Finishing on Saturday afternoon.
The trip to Pensacola was only ten hours compared to the twenty-three hours for my summer cruises to the Great Lakes. Mark Melchoir and his dad were also coming from Texas and in fact provided a ride for Eric as they all live in Austin. Those in the Pensacola area had suggested a marina on Chico Bayou and the six participating crews found it very suitable to our needs. When I arrived, Ben Allen had Latee Dah in the water and as well Jerry Hardin had his boat wet. Before I finished setting up, Mark and others arrived.
Ben Allen aboard Latte Dah, his Oday 26
Jerry Hardin on right and crew aboard his Southcoast 23
Arlyn tying a red bandanna in memory of Doc
Mark Melchoir setting up his Catalina 250 C/B, his dad to my left
After a leisurely wake up and breakfast, we departed the bayou and made our way out of the bay and into the channel and once in the Gulf, bearing west toward Predido Cut in light winds. I was immediately aware of the great difference between the long wave periods of the Gulf compared to the short periods of the Great Lakes. The passage to Predido Cut was easy and relaxing and as usual presented a bit of competition.Following Mark out the channel at Chico Bayou
Ben Allen sailing south on Pensacola Bay
Mark and I both have C250's. However, I had a drifter and chose to entertain the others with its Texas motif and of course gain some advantage over Mark. I was too eager however as the conditions for its use were on the high end and the extra heeling robbed any advantage. Realizing that its wind limit had been reached, we then were forced to fall off downwind to douse in the lee of the main. By this time, Mark was gone... but he had chosen a route farther off shore and lost time coming back to the cut.Mark Melchoir in the channel between Naval Base and barrier islands
Entering the channel, gave my first taste of tidal flow with a strong current flowing under the bridge spanning the channel. Within our pre-chosen bay, we set to rafting up for the night. After trying twice to set the Danforth, the Bruce clone set without problem. We rafted four abreast with R&R to port. The remaining two boats rafted a short way off. We enjoyed pot luck with food passing from boat to boat. Mark's boat was popular as he works for a candy company and had samples. I was the single brave/foolish soul to enjoy and evening swim.
The starboard boat to our raft up had also set and anchor but the night wind shift had us all on my rode in the morning. Under drizzly overcast with a slight easterly wind, we returned to Pensacola via the ICW. The next days plans rested heavily upon the weather and the forecast didn't go our way. Winds would be east... our direction. We had too far to go to beat and tack. We could motor via the ICW and hope for a gulf return, or modify the float plan.
We chose to modify the plan. On the morrow, we would sail the bay and lunch at Banana Bob's. On Wednesday visit the Naval Air Museum. Thursday and Friday we would repeat the sail to Predido Cut, which would include a banquet meal. This would allow some others who had been in touch but not had the free time to sail, share with us. Saturday would be free sailing in the bay prior to hauling out.
Winds the next morning were as promised from the east and we beat southeast toward the ICW. Banana Bob's is located on the barrier island a short distance within the ICW heading east from the bay. The sail was pleasant in a moderate wind and once southing was made, required several tacks to fetch our way into the ICW. Banana Bob's was not busy and we enjoyed the time to visit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Rains came Wednesday, which fit our plans to visit the Naval Air Museum with the exception that we had planned to sail and tie up at visitation docks and hike some distance to the museum. The museum was fantastic and all seemed to have a great time there, Eric and I did for sure, glad we made it a part of the cruise.
With three boats in the group finishing their window of time, the remaining three exited Pensacola channel the next day bound for Predido Cut again facing light westerly winds and a dense fog limiting visibility to three boat lengths. Beating the next few hours, various tacks gave sightings of Mark and Ben occasionally though we often heard conversations from the other boats during the first half of the westward trek. Nearing Predido Cut, Mark asked over the radio for a closer waypoint as his stored position had him too far out to spot the channel in the fog.
Ben had been in touch with some of the Pensacola locals who hadn't been free to sail with us. Tom who had intended to meet up and sail the gulf with us had chosen because of westerly wind and fog to work his boat west in the ICW and met up with us at Predido Bay. Another local C25 owner and his family joined the group for the evening meal and chatter. We took temporary dockage near the restaurant. All enjoyed a very nice meal and camaraderie, though Mark's dad has a case of the woosies and stayed behind, perhaps do to the fog sailing, which had been surreal. True to my convention of preferring to anchor than dock, we moved R&R deeper within the bay for the night.Mark negotiating the fog just before setting sail for the Gulf passage west to Predido Cut
Upon leaving the next morning, we are treated to our first dolphin sightings and enjoy two of them chasing the bow for a short way. Again, the weather is not suitable for sailing and we return to Pensacola motoring along the ICW. The last day is enjoyed day sailing in the bay with haul out late in the afternoon, to sleep in the boats while on the hard that night ready for an early Sunday morning departure. Eric headed back to Texas with Mark and his dad and I stored my boat at the marina a few days while I visited my sister at Jacksonville.Ben securing things in preparation of our banquet
While sailing conditions hadn't been fully in our favor, they hadn't been completely against us either and several good sailing hours were enjoyed. Very happily, temperatures were moderate and we remained comfortable throughout the week. Putting faces to and sharing with internet friends has great rewards. I thank our friends in the Pensacola area for sharing their local knowledge, which made the cruise go well.Mark and his Dad eastbound in the ICW aboard Lorelie
This account is very slow in coming (almost two years) but I hope it serves a reminder to a nice time had by all. Not only was there some very nice sailing and making of new friends, it became a special time between a father and son. Our last cruise together was during the summer of 1988.
There were others there as well and I make apologies for ommitting names and boats. I didn't always have camera in hand and confess not having a gift of remembering names... and, again this log was a very long time in coming.
Arlyn and son Eric at Pensacola Ship Yard Marina on R&R a Catalina 250 C/B
