I hear there is a place to launch your cat right next to Key Sailing in Pensacola. Is that correct? If so what kind of launch is it? If I have cat trax will I be able to launch there? Thinking about taking a trip over this weekend if the weather permits.
Look on Google Earth just north west of Key Sailing there is a public concrete boat ramp. It is just south of the go cart track. If going on the weekend get there early, I think finding a place to park with a trailer might be hard later in the day. No cat trax needed.
This photo was taken from the restaurant over Key Sailing. The ramp would be just at the end of the beach.
edited by: skarr1, Aug 05, 2010 - 07:13 PM
At the boat ramp how do you get your boat from the ramp over to the beach area to raise your sail and such? Paddle?
Thanks
The water is not deep. Push the boat off the trailer and walk it the ten feet to the beach.
Ah I see. I think we are going to go this weekend. Do you think 8am is early enough to get a spot to park? Also I see all kind of pilings in the water in your pic. Is that where you cant bring boats up at? Now taht I look again it may be people I see. Thanks for your help.
edited by: av8erdunn, Aug 05, 2010 - 08:59 PM
Jeremy,
I sail there regularly. I first started sailing there back in the mid 80's. It was much better then because there weren't so many damn jet skis and PWC's. The oil scare has reduced traffic tremendously. I went a couple weeks ago during the week and it never filled up. In fact I was the only cat on the beach. Only one of Kirk's rentals went out. You will be fine before 10am on the weekend. Beach wheels will make it easier since you won't competed for launch ramp time. The water is more like 30 feet from your parking spot but it's an easy roll. If you want to ramp launch use the north one as it's more reliable and less likely to cause problems with getting stuck.
Hope to see you some time.
H16 Tequila Sunrise. 51806
By north ramp you mean the one just south of the go kart track?
In front of the picnic shelters there is a roped off area, past that you can see where the power boats are anchored close to the beach. 8am is probably fine. If I can find crew I might come down!!
Larger photo here http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=22055&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
edited by: skarr1, Aug 05, 2010 - 09:08 PM
Well if you see someone with a getaway that looks like they dont have a clue on what they are doing it will be me. Me , the old lady and my 3yo daughter will be going. This will be the first outing by myself and only the second time on a sailboat.
The weather looks great.
Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 91. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Hey Steve,
You left out the water temperature? Your friend from the North hehe...
Be there before 10. Else no parking space
Jeremy for what it is worth, Biloxi is a better launch and closer
Here you go Mr. "I'm to busy to have lunch with you"
edited by: skarr1, Aug 05, 2010 - 10:35 PM
I'd be more impressed if the chart shows the weekend forecast water temperature.
... lol
Jeremy,
Be sure and have a pair of water shoes handy. Never know whats lurking on the bottom around the boat launch. (broken glass, beer top, crabs, seaweed, etc...)
golfdad75 wrote: Jeremy for what it is worth, Biloxi is a better launch and closer
I have never been to Biloxi's water, is it a nice place to let my daughter play on the beach and such? How can I find an areial view on google earth of the Biloxi launch? I am really looking for a place that has easy access to launch the cat (preferably boat ramp) and a nice beach to play on. It would be nice also if their were other hobies around in case I have a question. Thanks for all of the replies.
I think Terry might be talking about the ramp at about 413 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=413+Beach+Boulevard,+Biloxi,+MS&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=413+Beach+Blvd,+Biloxi,+MS+39530&gl=us&ei=kfVbTNHFHoH78Aa_8vDjAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ8gEwAA
edited by: skarr1, Aug 06, 2010 - 07:47 AM
That looks like a nice place to launch also. Dang it, now I dont know which place to choose.
I think the water is normally clearer in Pensacola.
I agree with Steve 🙂 Plus Captain Kirk at Key Sailing is a super nice and friendly guy. He will give you all kind of tips and advise on Hobie cat sailing if you ask. His store is very well stocked with Hobie parts. At Pensacola you can spend a day there and not have to drive anywhere, restaurants are walking distant down the beach... Hooters !!
So at Key Sailing you can leave your boat on the beach, go eat and come back and it should still be there? That does not sound too bad. The distance is not a factor, its only 15 minutes more to Pensacola.
the water is definitely clearer in p-cola, i'd do that one with the wife and kid. thee secret spot(biloxi) is easy and has many options-bay sailing, beach sailing, horn and ship islands(12 mile trip), deer island(across channel 1/2 mile) depending on the wind and weather. terry and i are the only ones using the secret spot right now so parking is easy.
I reckon we will got to Pensacola then. I would love to meet yall down in Biloxi one weekend though.
the secret spot rocks! on nice days i always run into other cats from ocean springs yacht club(total beachcat club!). come and join O SEGREDO FROTA(the secret fleet)!
This is my NACRA on the beach at Key Sailing, with his rental Hobies. We ate at the restaurant over Key Sailing. Pensacola would be better for a newbie, no narrow channels, not much current from the tide, land in all directions.
The public boat ramp near Key Sailing is to the right of second pic below, see how close the parking is. But you don't need to use the ramp, leave it to the jet skis and big power boats. If you have beach wheels or are willing to drag across the sand. You can back the trailer right up to the beach from any parking spot.
damonAdmin wrote: The public boat ramp near Key Sailing is to the right of second pic below, see how close the parking is. But you don't need to use the ramp, leave it to the jet skis and big power boats. If you have beach wheels or are willing to drag across the sand. You can back the trailer right up to the beach from any parking spot.
It seems like a good place to launch. I have beach wheels but have never used them. Dragging across the sand is not an option with a getaway and my wife. Will a 2WD truck get stuck parking like it is is in the first pic? Also why does it look like all of the trailers are unhitched from the tow vehicle?
av8erdunn wrote: Will a 2WD truck get stuck parking like it is is in the first pic? Also why does it look like all of the trailers are unhitched from the tow vehicle?
You will be fine in the parking lot (left of short piling/fence in first picture) and you aren't allowed to drive on the beach side of the pilings.
There are gaps every so often in that fence to back the trailer through, set the boat up, then launch off the trailer directly onto the beach wheels.
Those detached trailers were there during a regatta, I'm not sure you get away with that during a normal day, but you can detach your trailer and leave it in the parking lot. Use common sense and don't leave valuables unsecured on the boat or trailer "after hours".
One more question, Is this free parking? I am just wondering how much cash I will need on hand.
1 dollar toll to get on the island free parking