Scalloping at Port St Joe

We decided to celebrate the end of summer by going scalloping at St Joseph Bay for the Labor Day Weekend. We cleared the St Andrews Pass around 9 am and set the Autopilot for a run east along the coast about 2 miles offshore.

It was a beutifuel morning barely a  wind ripple. We were escorted by dolphins for most of the 4 hour trip. There were several sea turtles and even a sailfish.

On a day like this you really appreciate how lucky we are.

As we approached St. Joseph Bay we made the turn at the tip of Cape San Blas and entered the bay. We set a course for Port St Joe Marina where we would be staying for our adventure.

The marina is not very big and the entrance is a little narrow but a few minutes after we cleared the breakwater we were tied up on the Lay Dock.

 We were treated to a wonderful sunset.

We decided to check out Downtown Port St Joe which is within walking distance. We had dinner at Pepper's a Mexican restaurant. The food was very good and the drinks were cold. Huge Margaritas.

We settled in for an early night for our scallop hunt in the morning.

We anchored near Black Island in an area where some of the locals told us to try. Since it was the second to last weekend of scallop season there where alot of empty shells. We did get a few scallops. The warm water and the sun made it an excellant way to spend the day.

We were visited by some friends from our marina in Panama CIty. There dinghy motor wouldn't start so they had to paddle over from there boat. They decided right then they need a new motor. We all sat on the sundeck and had a few drinks until the sun started to set so we headed back to the Port St Joe Marina.

Back at the dock cleaning the scallops. There is an oyster bar at the marina and decided to give it a try. Several friends from our marina in Panama City arrived today. They had the same idea about scallops.

We never cease to be amazed by the sunsets we see on the water. Makes us wish we had done this years ago.

In the morning we headed back to Panama City. It was even calmer then when we came over.

Summer at Shell Island

Shell Island is a barrier Island to St. Andrews Bay. It is about a 45 minute trip to Spanish Ante on the east end where we like to go for the weekends.

Our favorite times are during the week when no one is there but us. Harley agrees.

Other times it can get quite crowded. This is a popular area for the bigger boats because you can stern in and the water is deep almost to shore then it shoals quick. Your boat can be in 6 ft of water and the swim platform in 3 ft of water. This makes it easy to get to shore.

You need to have two stern anchors since with this many boats you do not want to move to much. The wind can change at any time and usually does.

There are all types and sizes of boats here.

The sunsets over Shell Island are beautiful. In this area the island is only about 200 yards wide. A short walk and you can be on the Gulf side. With no lights on the island you can see a most awesome night time sky.

Sundeck Trawler-Stern Boarding

When we decided on a sundeck trawler there was one area that we knew we would have to find a solution for is the height of the sundeck to the swim platform. This is not only a problem for us but getting the dogs on and off. Mer Soleil came with the typical monkey ladder. Although Harley the Lab would jump off the sundeck into the water, about a 6 ft drop. The hard part was getting a wet 70 lb dog up a monkey ladder.

We made a custom set of steps to take us up the level of the sundeck. we kept the treads wide so the dogs could make it up on there own. They turned out great and work fantastic, for us and the dogs. We had them powder coated white to make them less industrial looking and provide a maintenance free finnish.

If any one wants to know how to make these send us an email. Cost about $750.

Not having to haul the dogs up the ladder...priceless.

The Delivery-Destin to Panama City

We woke up and had coffee and did a little shopping before dropping the lines and heading out Destin Pass into the Gulf. The weather is going to be nice today so we are going to make the trip on the outside using the autopilot most of the way. More relaxing then steering the whole way. As we entered St Andrews Bay firends of ours form "Happy Thought" met us in there dinghy and took some great pictures

 It was a little cold, but we wouldn't have traded this experience for anything. The warm weather will come soon enough

Mer Soleil is home in Panama City Beach. The adventure is just beginning. We stayed on the boat for the evening and slept like babies. Tomorrow we start adding our own touches.

The Delivery-St Patricks Day Destin Harbor

We enjoyed our first St Patricks Day on the boat. I can see we are going to really like this. We went to AJ's Restaurant and had a great time. Walked around the various shoppes and restaurants. We are leaving Friday for Panama City. It is nice to be able to go to the restaurants and bars and just walk back to the boat.

Sunset over Noriega Point in the harbour.

The Delivery-Orange Beach to Destin

Woke up about 9 am, helped the previous owner gather his gear. Here is where we say goodbye and thanks. After a systems check dropped the lines and headed over to the fuel dock to take on some diesel. Cheaper here then in Florida. Left the Wharf at 10 am and headed toward Destin, FL. Passed several tows on the way. wind will not let up today either. As i approached Perdido Key, Fl the water changed from brown to blue. A small dolphin picked up my wake and stayed with me for about 20 minutes playing in the wake. Entered Pensacola Bay and I am able to use the autopilot.

Heading to Fort Walton Beach the GICW is very wide here and it allows me to use the autopilot. Have to take advantage since as I get closer will pass through an area know as the narrows and will be all manual steering.

Spoke with Vickie and she is going to meet be in Destin. we will be leaving the boat here for a few days until we make the final leg to Panama City, FL. She found a slip in Destin Harbor where she has always wanted to stay so tonight we will be there.

Entered Choctawhatchee Bay about 4 pm and headed for the harbor. Engines off about 6 pm.

The Delivery-New Orleans to Orange Beach

Left Seabrook Marina in New Orleans at 3 am. Arriving at the M&R Railroad Bridge and hailing them on the VHF and blowing our horn no response. So much for 24 hour operation, I shined the spotlight at the bridge tenders window and after a few moments magically it opened.

Using the spotlight to watch for debris in the GICW headed south toward the Gulf. It was nice leaving the bayous for open water. Set the autopilot east and enjoyed a wonderful morning. The seas were building and by noon they had reached 3 to 4 ft on the stern quarter. Shortly after noon received a distress call from a sailboat that we passed about an hour before. They had capsized south of Cat Island. At 8 knots it would take us an hour to get there the Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopter. Last I heard the sailboat crew was in  the water and the Coast Guard was picking them up. I never heard what happened, it was a 40 ft + sailboat.

You have to respect the sea.  Seas continuing to build up to about 5 ft now. Thought of heading into Ocean Springs, MS but I figured as I got closer to Dauphin Island, AL the barrier islands would block some of the waves.

About 2 pm autopilot can no longer keep up with the waves, turned it off and here is where the fun begins. Keeping the waves on the stern and riding the waves down. Being careful not to broach. Surfing down the waves I would pick up almost 3 knots. This was a tiring two hours. As we approached Dauphin Island the seas subsided.

The plan was to spend the night in Dauphin Island and make the last 40 miles to The Wharf at Orange Beach. As we got close the tide was approaching low tide and the wind direction meant the wind would be blowing the water out of the marina. That meant I would have to turn beam to the waves and ride it in and hope the water would not be to skinny.

To many if's. Hailed a tow coming out of mobile bay and asked about the condition on Mobile Bay. He told us it was not to bad, a moderate chop. I figured the wind would lay down after the sun went down.

Cruised under the bridge and entered mobile bay wind picking up even more. So much for a break, been up for 13 hours. Clouds closed in so no moon, no starlight, running on GPS only and using the spotlight to illuminate the occasional marker.

Finally crossed Mobile Bay and found the markers into the GICW. Most not lit so spotlight was the only way to see them. Wind still blowing hard.  About 9 pm entered the GICW, no wind, water like glass. Passed by Lulu's a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffets Sister (Lulu). I could see people having dinner watching me go by. At 10 pm I could see the Wharf, by 10:30 backed into the slip and engines off. 16+ hours. I think I bonded with the boat that day. She is a cruiser.  Found the only restaurant open had a hamburger and several rum and cokes. it will not be an early day tomorrow.