Day 56 – 11/28/23

Starting location: Fort McRee, FL

Weather: 44 am. 55 pm. Sunny

Ending location: Seville Harbour Marina, Pensacola, FL. North of ICW.

Statute miles: Approximately 9

General summary: Windy night. I was wondering if sand would hold as well as mud – we didn’t budge. After a morning walk back on Sand Island we pulled up anchor and motored across Pensacola Bay with plans to spend a day or two checking out the town. The winds were in the high teens with gusts in the 20s and coming from the North and so there was a fair amount of chop right on the nose, but we’ve had worse. Moored in protected marina.

We were contacted on email by a very nice couple who live locally and own a C Dory. They found us on the Nebo app and wanted to know if we had any questions or needed a ride anywhere. We met them in the evening at the restaurant next to the marina and swapped stories. Got tons of tips and recommendations. They know the entire coast of Florida very well!

Boater information: When you pass Sand Island on your starboard side (called the Pensacola Cut) going East in the GICW, you need to announce your plans to pass through on VHF 16 as it is narrow. Barges and large boats go through here and have the right-of-way. If they are transiting, you should wait until they have cleared. There is no room to pass.

There is a difference between no wake (flat bow, no ripples behind you – about 5-6mph on our boat) and no wake idle speed (barely moving, gear just engaged).