Panama City Beach

[RFoster130]

We usually go somewhere to a beach for a vacation every summer with the wife's family. This year I think they have decided on PCB.

I am still learning this boat and it is new to me. I am thinking about bringing it along. Is it safe for a novice boater? How is the water in that area for a 16' speedster. Decent public places to launch?...Lastly...Anyone form that area wanna maybe meet up and show me the places to cruise the water. We are lookin at July 11th to the 18th.

 

[easygoing]

pcb

U should be good to bring it......bays , lakes, gulf all choices in the area. Carl
Grey Park good place to put in. Alot less crowded than the marina which is further in town. You got Shell Island to cruise to. Don't know if I would be able to meet until closer to the date, but happy to give directions, info.....or least what I know ; new to boating myself....( 2 months)

Damon

 

[RFoster130]

Thanks. I am still contemplating whether or not I am going to bring it. I have a few obstacles. The house we are renting only has room to park 2 cars. We have 2 cars plus the boat coming. I don't know where to put it. Is there someplace at a the marina or any storage place I could safely leave it for the week.

Also, we are staying on the west end of town. The house we are renting i across the street from beach access 93. Looking on Google earth it looks like we are really close to Powell Lake. Any idea how it is there? My boat has never been in saltwater, so I am thinking I might keep it that way. Where is the closest freshwater lake close to the west end of town? Thanks for your help!!

 

[RFoster130]

Anyone else in PCB that can help me out here?

 

[easygoing]

Lake Powell would be your best bet if u don't want to run in salt walter. Especially being right down the road from it. I ran my boat in gulf from day one. Shell Island worth a check....sea turtles , dolphins, starfish, sanddollars, etc... nice place need to check it out while you are here. Water around island is oh so nice. Back side of the island is normally where everyone is at.

 

[RFoster130]

Everything I find online says Powell is actually saltwater. I am looking at going to Deefield Lake. Looks like it is North East of North Bay. I might end up hitting the gulf too, the main problem right now is finding somewhere to park the boat for the week since the rental house does not have space. I might head out to Shell island. I would hate to miss out on that opportunity. When you go out there, do people just anchor close to the beach and jump in or what?

Thanks!!!

 

[easygoing]

oops thought powell fresh into brackish. The other lakes have dried up around my area ..live in town ...You would be across town 30 or min from me.

 

[RFoster130]

Thats cool...I dont really mind driving anywhere. Around here I gotta go 45 minutes to a lake or hit the nasty a$$ ohio river which is close.

 

[easygoing]

People beach the boats, anchor up shallow, deep EVERYWHERE!!! Defintely want to have 2 anchors (one small one for the back) You could put in carl grey park which is by the bridge going into town. Not sure on ramps down by where you r staying. Gulf can get a little ruff to ride the coast though. Main Marina in town or carl grey r free. The state park ramp charges you to put boat in now.

 

[RFoster130]

Thanks for the tips. I really hope to be able to work out bringing it. I am gonna call around to some of the storage type places and see what they want for a week. Seems like all the marina places have like a 30 or 40 ft minimum.

 

[easygoing]

Probaly have luck with a storage place for parking the boat. Some of the palce I checked in town want 50 a month...so wouldn't translate into to much

 

[RFoster130]

Thanks!!! I will call around.

 

[wareagle5693]

Anyone else in PCB that can help me out here?

If you were going to ride in the bay or the ocean you could pay for a place at Treasure Island Marina for the week. But I have a question guys I'm trying to find a way to put in the SeaDoo straight into the gulf other than going down onto the beach, because if I did I wouldn't be able to bring my truck.

 

[oceanbrzz]

if you have not come here yet, consider the ramp at St. Andrews state park...its just across the pass from shell island. Deerpoint lake is great, but ramps can be hard to find, and you must be carfull going off the main body of water...lots of underwater stumps and gators.

 

[RFoster130]

We got back sunday. We decided not to take the boat. We rented a pontoon one day and had a blast. I will probbaly take the boat and go again next year.