Choctawhatchee Bay

[Redeye71]

Yesterday, my wife and daughter and I launched our Bayliner 185BR from Fred Gannon State Park, and tried to head west under the bridge and then south into the Choctawhatchee Bay. As we got out towards the inlet to the bay, I found that there were 3-4 foot swells. Now, I saw the quite obviously larger boats (Sail, Yacht, 22-23ft runabouts) but I found that I hard a go of it.

If I ran through at a decent speed, I beat the snot out of my bow, but seemed to stay above the top of the crest. However, at one point, I saw a huge swell coming and slowed down. That actually worked against me and I had a wave come over my bow, much like the deep-sea fishers do on Deadliest Catch. That was enough to second-guess what I was doing so we turned around and decided to stick with our plan of shutting down and just letting the wind blow us back in...basically just sittin in the sun and floating.

So, I guess I have two questions: 1) Does anyone know if its crazy to try to take a 18 footer into the Choctawhatchee and try to cross over to the Destin Peninsula? 2) Is it normally that choppy in the Choctawhatchee?

I had a theory about the Venturi Effect, which if you didnt know, is where the pressure and speed increase as you narrow the opening...as in a funnel effect. If you look at a map, it seems to me that this would make sense?

Any ideas?? Thanks for your ideas!!

Teddy

 

[Prophammer]

Re: Choctawhatchee Bay

Windy days can really kick up the chop, I've never been in Choctawhatchee Bay, but I have been in Mobile Bay to the west of you, and St. Joe to your east, the west wind really does it, most afternoons, went straight out in my 19ft'er, love it or leave it!

 

[Redeye71]

Re: Choctawhatchee Bay

First, let me say...AWESOME quote! lol!

Thank you for the quick response! Im glad to hear someone had something under 20' out there. I thought I saw a couple that were in that range, but I just couldn't tell for sure.

I think the next time, we'll launch from by Destin Harbor and try to go north a bit and see how that does us. I did find a great website (new idea to me, anyway) that forecasts the swells. LOL had I known about it, I might have been a bit more prepared for what I encountered yesterday! =-)

 

[emilsr]

Re: Choctawhatchee Bay

It's been a few years, but we used to boat there every so often in small boats. When staying at Gannon (great park by the way) we'd run south to Destin early in the morning before the wind kicked up. Going north, we had the wind and waves at our back which smoothed out the ride somewhat. Run just barely on plane and you can make it, just won't be a comfortable ride.

 

[Redeye71]

Re: Choctawhatchee Bay

Awesome! I think that was part of my issue--going so late in the day. I'm based at Ft Rucker, which is two hours north in Alabama. I had errands to run in the morning, then head south about noon. By the time I launched, I think I missed the smoothest part. But you are right, I did notice also that once I turned around it was MUCH better!

Incidentally, I found that the US Army has a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation camp right on the peninsula in on the NW tip (just north of Destin Harbor). Since they have a boat launch, I may just have to try that?

Thanks for the tips guys!!!

 

[emilsr]

Re: Choctawhatchee Bay

We stayed at the MWR facility once but really liked the state park there in Niceville so that's where we usually stayed when camping.