We just recently bought our first boat, 20 ft. Stardeck, and was thinking of catching the air show this year from the water instead of the packed beach. Not being too familiar with Pensacola, was wondering where would be the best place to launch and anchor to watch the show? Any advice would be much appreciated from this novice boating couple!
First, welcome to the PFF. Since this is your first boat, I have to ask if you've been around boats before and how much experience you have as it may play into where you actually want to be. It can get pretty crowded and somewhat challenging maneuvering in the areas where most people anchor for the show. If you're uncomfortable, stay on the outside fringes of the crowd or plan to get there very early, like before 8:00 a.m. and plan to stay late. It can be a lot of fun with the right planning. A lot of folks anchor on the sand bar in Little Sabine. Personally I don't like it there, too crowded, no access to restrooms, ice, general amenities. Some of the very brave venture into the Gulf, which has the same issues, plus the typical bobbing up and down all day. We always prefer to be somewhere from quietwater over to the east to about Paradise Bar and Grill.
we usually anchor behind quiet water. Understand though that blue angel weekend the water in the bay and the intercoastal will be 3-4ft waves most of the day with all the boats. Get out early and stay late to avoid the crowds at the ramps. Be 100% legal the marine patrol will be in full force and they don't have time to play that day.
Little sabine bay, right out side little sabine bay, and the gulf is where most people watch the show. It is extremely crowded and the bays get rough as heck so be ready for that.
Thank you for your replies! We are very new to boating and do not have experience in the ocean. We are thinking we might stick to the beach this year for the show, since this seems to be a pretty big day and we wouldn't want to get in a sticky situation on one of our first few times out on such a busy day on the water. We also have a young child, so better play it safe until we have a few more hours of experience under our belts.
I don't go these days but the area behind the beach bridge is ok (over by Paradise, etc.).
You can have more fun watching one of the practices, imo. Everything said in this thread is pretty much spot on. If you go to the actual show and anchor by Little Sabine or in the Gulf, be prepared for a long, hot, crowded, possibly very stressful day.
We go behind quiet water around flounders. It is mostly to hang out with friends and enjoy the day. Occasionally some planes fly over us. It is not really a good place to actually watch the airshow but it is fun.
I wouldn't go to the show if I had to go by car. It will be hours sitting in traffic. That said the boat ramps will be packed, the bay will be rough, it almost always storms that weekend, and the idiots will be out in force. I have probably been one of the idiots before. I do however have all my crap loaded on the boat before I launch, know that my boat starts and runs, and I can drive a boat and a truck with a trailer. I would suggest doing the same if you go out there.
plan to get there early and leave late. same advise as by car.
i would recommend quiet water as others have.
next year if the weather is good. i recommend the gulf.
fish before or after or both.
You also need to be familiar with anchoring your boat and how to keep it unnder conntrol if and when a storm blows in. I've seen big and small boats broken free from anchor and drifting freely into others.
yea i had a little pre blue angels practice last weekend in OB at the Gumbo Key concert, we had 3 boats rafted up on the hook and i kept my motor running to keep us out of harms way the current and the wind were running in opposite directions all day so boats were going every which way
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