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Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=55039		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  PutAwayWet [ Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:46 am ]
Post subject:  Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
I've recently relocated to SE Alabama and I'm looking for sites to launch my TI from the beach along the Florida panhandle. I need an access width of about 6 feet for my folded TI and beach cart. The accesses for most areas I've been to so far are narrower than this.
Author:  Totch [ Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
Hi PutAwayWet,
I grew up in SE Alabama, am sorry to here you have located there (that's a joke - we used to always make fun of my hometown of "Slowzark" AL).

I now live in west central Georgia (I know - big improvement haha), and go down to the panhandle when I can for diving and such. I haven't found any good straight up access points where I could launch my TI so I look for local boat ramps.

Here is a near link that will show them to you (click on the boat ramp icon at the top):
http://earthnc.com/chartviewer/index.ph ... 29969&z=18

I've use St Andrews Park in Panama City - it's a quick sail through the pass and out to the gulf. Also, Mexico Beach has an excellent FREE ramp with quick access to the gulf. Port San Joe and Cape San Blas have excellent launch points.

Hope this helps.
Author:  AIChris [ Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
If your beach cart will allow it, why not just disassemble the amas and strap them to the top of the TI? Then you will be less than 3 feet wide.

-Chris
Author:  PutAwayWet [ Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
Totch, thanks for the info. St Andrews does look good and is the closest beach to us. Most days the pass looks pretty calm. I guess that's due to the small tidal range. Didn't think about the ramp in Mexico beach, that's a good idea. We go to Cape San Blas a lot and that is a great option for sailing in the bay but looks like it would be a long sail around to the gulf side. We were down at St George state park recently and it looks like some of their accesses may be wide enough.
Author:  PutAwayWet [ Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
AIChris, My cart is constructed of a TI cradle with beach wheels mounted to it so that is the limiting factor, not the boat itself.
Author:  mcoop57 [ Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
Hmmm, if you live in S.E. Alabama there is a lot of gulf access a hell of a lot closer to you than Saint Andrews State Park....? Navarre Beach is very popular with the kayak crowd, You can park less than 100 yards from the surf, and there's only pure white sand straight from the parking space to the water, and the fishing is outstanding.
I've been using the county park on Okaloosa Island, (Santa Rosa boulevard) it's either #4 or #7, not sure right now, but it'll handle your launch rig fully assembled without issue. It may be 80 yards to the waters edge, again pure sand.
Author:  PutAwayWet [ Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
mcoop57, St Andrews, PCB is way closer to us than Navarre or Okaloosa but I haven't found a beach access wide enough for my TI and cart. I went to Cape San Blas yesterday and had a great sail from an empty beach using a vehicle access to get the boat to the water. The only down side is we lose that crystal clear water. I've been scouring google maps satellite view for potential accesses and see some that look promising. I'll check out the accesses you mentioned, thanks.
Author:  PutAwayWet [ Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida Panhandle Beach Launches
I should have mentioned I also need parking for truck and trailer. That seems to be harder to find in some of the more populated areas.
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