Great weather prevailed this weekend as we explored east into Choctawhatchee Bay to Hogtown Bayou and then relaxed at Crab Island on the return to Fort Walton Beach. Besides stretching the legs on our Regal 2760, we were also collecting up a host of a new waterway photos to use with our EarthNC Marine Charts for Google Earth.

Click on the photo at left to see highlights from our day.

The American Business Women’s Association Emerald Coast Chapter is hosting this year’s Billy Bowlegs Poker Run this Saturday, May 19th. We’ve made a special DestinSharks.com / EarthNC.com marine chart for Google Earth which you can load via the image at left or by direct link HERE - this link will include our real-time position while we’re out on Saturday. Poker run card pickup locations are marked by the Ace of Hearts icons. You’ll need Google Earth installed to load the chart.

Poker Run Information

Participants can register via a form at the ABWA Website or in person at Shalimar Yacht Basin on Friday the 18th from 11am-6pm or Saturday from 9-11am. Cost is $40 per hand or a Boat Package 4-hand special for $140. Stops include local waterfront businesses in the Fort Walton, Destin, Eglin area.

We’re planning to participate ourselves in our Regal 2760 Southern Comfort and will be ‘live casting’ our position via Google Earth (details to come later this week) so look for our DestinSharks.com transom banner and smile for our cameras.

We had a fortunate chance to get “Southern Comfort” out for a sunrise cruiser early this morning. Calm waters and cool temperatures combined with a beautiful sunrise gave backdrop to an impressive show from a large Tarpon. (more…)

Friday evening was one of those great times to be on the water - pretty skies, a quiet anchorage, and good company. We knew there was a slight chance of scattered showers during the night, but nothing like the wind storm and drenching we were due to receive. Click on the radar image to play the movie. You’ll need Apple Quicktime to it play it.

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Well over 20 boats turned out for this years NBYC Spectre Island Shrimp Boil. The weather today was ideal (following morning showers), but for the brave souls (ourselves included) who held the beachhead Friday night it was quite a ride. Today’s activity also featured 4 Regals - possibly a first in our area.

Please visit our Shrimp Boil photo album at www.SLRSite.com to see all the pictures.

Contact Virgil at vzett@destinsharks.com for any photo inquieries.

Today was the annual Navarre Beach Yacht Club Spectre Island Shrimp Boil. This event always draws a big crowd and we likely had the single largest “gathering” of Regal boats in our area today.

We arrived 1st yesterday evening with our Regal 2760 followed shortly thereafter by Larry and Violet in their nice 3560. Saturday morning saw the arrival of Roger and Teri in their recently aquired 2860 and finaly Greg in his 3860. All told, not a bad showing of Regals amongst the crowd of hungry boaters.

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The website Destin-ation.com offers a good list of charter fishing captains and boats in the greater Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Northwest Florida area.

Sailboat “Hagar” is a common sight on Santa Rosa Sound, often moored in front of the Fort Walton Landing. While out-and-about on Memorial Day, I had the opportunity to visit with her Captain and Owner Ray Hackney and tour this interesting vessel.
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