We need a photo album!
Thanks to Marc and his lovely wife Anita, and our host--the other partner in Wefing's--John Bone and his lovely friend Sherry. When we get the album I'll post some photos of all!
I was asked several times if radar is a good electronic item to have on a C Dory. We left Pensacola on Friday at about 12:30 PM (shortly after the Tornado watch was lifted for Pensacola--and with a watch still on Santa Rosa sound)--filled up with fuel and got to Pensacola NAS by 2 PM--we made Fort Walton by about 4 PM--and decided to go on to Panama City. We tried to get a slip at St. Andrews Marina--but to no avail at about 6PM--and ended up at Panama City Marina at 7 PM--where a night guard was very co-operative in fixing us up with a side tie behind a 100 foot Brevard and a 75 foot Azmuith! We had rain almost the entire run--with visability often at less than 1/2 mile. We ran the last 90 minutes at least under dark--The Radar and two chart plotters were essential for this type of running.
Friday, we took about 2.5 hours to run to Apalachicola in the morning and arrived about noon their time (I keep forgetting that that part of the Gulf Coast is on Eastern time). It was a relief to have a fairly easy run that AM.
On the way home Sunday, we left Apalachicola about 9:15 AM, and arrived at our home--just about 200 statuate miles by 5:45 PM. 7 1/2 hours--an average speed of 26.6 miles an hour. There was debris dodging on the ICW--a number of illegal "no wake" zones, and fishing boats we slowed down to 5 knots for--and picked up 80 gallons of fuel at Fort Walton Beach. The when we got to Santa Rosa Sound the seas had built 3 to 4 feet behind us, and when we turned up into Perdido Bay we had head seas of 2.5 to 3 feet. In the Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key area, we had visability down to 100 feet, with heavy rain and fog. Is radar necessary on the Gulf Coast--it sure is if you run like we do! The radar picked up every boat and bouy along the way, and allowed us to run at speed most of the run.
The time in Apalachicola was as wonderful as last year. Mark has a second career as a chef. I had made a remark about heart healthy food. Marc not only had plenty of heart healthy food, but it was delicious!
The other real virtue of Marc--and Wefing's--is that all of the folks are real boaters. They know what makes boats work--and why. As important is the honest approach they take to boat sales and their customers!
Little mention is given to John and Sherry--the owners of the property. They were constantly attentive to the needs and confort of their guests. It is tough to find better hosts anywhere!
Not only was it great to visit with all of the boaters--but to see the boats and modifications. For us, seeing the "origional" cruise ship--which Wefing's has for charter--was a real treat.
Great fellowship, great boats, great food--and a perfect day on Saturday!--hard to beat!
Bob Austin
Thanks to Marc and his lovely wife Anita, and our host--the other partner in Wefing's--John Bone and his lovely friend Sherry. When we get the album I'll post some photos of all!
I was asked several times if radar is a good electronic item to have on a C Dory. We left Pensacola on Friday at about 12:30 PM (shortly after the Tornado watch was lifted for Pensacola--and with a watch still on Santa Rosa sound)--filled up with fuel and got to Pensacola NAS by 2 PM--we made Fort Walton by about 4 PM--and decided to go on to Panama City. We tried to get a slip at St. Andrews Marina--but to no avail at about 6PM--and ended up at Panama City Marina at 7 PM--where a night guard was very co-operative in fixing us up with a side tie behind a 100 foot Brevard and a 75 foot Azmuith! We had rain almost the entire run--with visability often at less than 1/2 mile. We ran the last 90 minutes at least under dark--The Radar and two chart plotters were essential for this type of running.
Friday, we took about 2.5 hours to run to Apalachicola in the morning and arrived about noon their time (I keep forgetting that that part of the Gulf Coast is on Eastern time). It was a relief to have a fairly easy run that AM.
On the way home Sunday, we left Apalachicola about 9:15 AM, and arrived at our home--just about 200 statuate miles by 5:45 PM. 7 1/2 hours--an average speed of 26.6 miles an hour. There was debris dodging on the ICW--a number of illegal "no wake" zones, and fishing boats we slowed down to 5 knots for--and picked up 80 gallons of fuel at Fort Walton Beach. The when we got to Santa Rosa Sound the seas had built 3 to 4 feet behind us, and when we turned up into Perdido Bay we had head seas of 2.5 to 3 feet. In the Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key area, we had visability down to 100 feet, with heavy rain and fog. Is radar necessary on the Gulf Coast--it sure is if you run like we do! The radar picked up every boat and bouy along the way, and allowed us to run at speed most of the run.
The time in Apalachicola was as wonderful as last year. Mark has a second career as a chef. I had made a remark about heart healthy food. Marc not only had plenty of heart healthy food, but it was delicious!
The other real virtue of Marc--and Wefing's--is that all of the folks are real boaters. They know what makes boats work--and why. As important is the honest approach they take to boat sales and their customers!
Little mention is given to John and Sherry--the owners of the property. They were constantly attentive to the needs and confort of their guests. It is tough to find better hosts anywhere!
Not only was it great to visit with all of the boaters--but to see the boats and modifications. For us, seeing the "origional" cruise ship--which Wefing's has for charter--was a real treat.
Great fellowship, great boats, great food--and a perfect day on Saturday!--hard to beat!
Bob Austin
