New Years Cruise- Panama City to Bluewater Bay

Our plan was to leave at daybreak, however since we couldn't sleep we were headed to the marina at 3 am. The temperature was 25 degrees and the dock was coated with ice as well as the boat. After a quick check of systems we turned the ignition and both engines fired right up. Gotta love those Perkins Diesels.

Cast off by 4 am, since the channel in the marina is not lighted so we steered from the fly bridge using the spotlight to light up the channel markers. We cleared the last marker into Grand Lagoon and headed for Deep Water Point. Once we cleared the point we headed out the pass to open water. We could see a slight hint of red in the eastern sky (hope the sailors tale is wrong today).

After setting the course west for Destin Pass we retreated to the warmth at the lower helm. Now we just settled in for the 5 hour trip. We had a following sea that built up to about 3 footers by the time we reached Destin

We cut the turn around the breakwater tight to avoid a beam sea as we entered the Pass. Once we cleared the breakwater we could see Destin Harbour and Noriega Point. we spent St Patrick's Day in the harbour earlier in the year.









As we cleared the bridge and entered the Choctawhatchee Bay we passed Crab Island which is a Hot Spot during the summer for boaters. It is not really an island just a sandbar for people to party on.

On the way to Bluewater Bay Marina. A family of dolphins escorted us for part of the trip playing in our bow wake as well as coming along side and looking at Vickie on the side deck. I am not sure who was most curious.









Docked at Bluewater Bay Marina. The restaurant here L.J. Schooners is a nice place to have a few drinks and dinner. We will leave tomorrow afternoon for Baytowne Wharf.