This route is tentative and may be modified based on weather conditions. Will post updates on Facebook and here on this site.
Updated 4/16/2025
For 2025, we will be doing something a little different to accommodate the various schedules of our participants who drive from both near and far to attend. We will focus on Wednesday (Ft. McRee), Thursday (Big Sabine), and Friday (Specter Island) as the days you should try and make at all costs. To this we will add Tuesday and Saturday nights as optional for those who want to take the week off to join us and want to get an earlier start on driving back or those who can only take a half week off and want to cruise for as long as possible. The stops are detailed below:
Launching:
Join us on the water after launching at your chosen ramp (refer to Pat's Cruising Map. in information). Please provide float plan details just in case by signing up on the Florida 120 Roster. Nice to have some information if a worried family member calls me or the coast guard, it has happened in the past.
Tuesday:
For those eager to be on the water and/or have to take the week of anyway to attend, we are adding Tuesday overnight at Spanish Point (30°19'11.7"N 87°19'39.0"W). Try and stay to the West of the line of buoys that indicate a no motor zone even if you do see other boats in that area. This is a little more protected than Sailboat Cove but still gives us the opportunity to walk over to the Gulf side of the barrier island and watch or play in the waves coming in. Maybe bring a firelog (produces less ashes than a regular log) for a fire by the surf. The Blue Angels practice on Tuesdays if they are in town so hit the water early for a free show!
Wednesday:
In the morning, we will head West from Spanish Point and sail down Big Lagoon which is one of my most favorite places to sail. We can go under the Perdido bridge and have a Bushwacker at Sunset Grill (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FJkFGu1m2KJATUBm9) or if the winds are favorable, sail all the way down to Pirates Cove for a famous burger (https://maps.app.goo.gl/UPsVnCmiYppqN9kJ8). That afternoon, we will head back east and find a spot near Ft. MRee (30°19'44.6"N 87°18'57.1"W).
Thursday:
We will go around Sand Island and then head 19 miles East to Big Sabine (30°21'17.7"N 87°02'09.8"W). There are a couple of great stops along the way including Ft. Pickens and the many restaurants and shopping at Pensacola Beach (30.334736, -87.140022). As people learned in 2024, keep an eye on the weather and if strong winds from the northerly direction are forecasted, pull back into the bay of Big Sabine. However, if the winds are forecasted to be light or non-existent, you might want to stay on the beach by the mouth of the bay or otherwise risk a bit of bloodletting from mosquitos.
Friday:
We will continue sailing 22 miles East to Specter Island (30°24'10.5"N 86°41'53.4"W). On the way you can make a pit stop to use the facilities (including outdoor shower) at the Pavilions on the Santa Rosa National Seashore (30°21'57.9"N 86°58'07.2"W). You can also resupply at the Tom Thumb in Navarre Beach (30°22'59.6"N 86°51'50.0"W) or eat at a number of different restaurants but please continue onto Specter Island, it is a beautiful spot! We tend to gather on the Southeastern shore of Specter Island which provides a bit more protection. There is also a nice bowl in the center of the island which is a great protected area for a fire.
Saturday:
We will head back West (hopefully downwind) for a 35 mile run to Dead Man's Island. So named because they used to careen sailing ships there to clean their bottoms using a large counterweight on shore aka a Deadman. It is also where they quarantined passengers and crew thought to be carrying the plague. It is a beautiful spot despite its history with a great view of the lights of Pensacola across the water. If the wind is predicted to be out of the Northeast, you will either want to pull your boat on shore or move around to the little bay behind Dead Man which is totally protected from winds from all directions. If there is a baseball game going on, we will be treated to a fireworks show across the water.
Sunday:
Recover your boat or keep sailing. the event is over until next year.
For boating information on the area, refer to Pat's Cruising Map.