Tomorrow, June 24th, kicks off the 2008 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at San Destin’s Baytowne Marina. This year’s activities include Dockside Party, ‘mini-Gras’, and Fireworks on Tuesday at the Baytowne Marina and Village of Baytowne Wharf, another Party and the Captain’s meeting on Wednesday, Thursday fishing start and boat parade, Friday and Saturday weigh-ins, and final awards ceremony at 11:00am on Sunday.

Local Bouys and Markers

If you’ll be boating as a part of the tournament this year, here’s a quick reference map of the local area complete with main channel markers and lights, courtesy of EarthNC.com.

Shalimar Yacht Basin is a full service marina and boat yard. They offer wet slips, outdoor, and indoor dry storage, haul-out for vessels large and small, trailer storage and a yacht brokerage. A friendly, helpful staff round out their facility. (more…)

The Ft Walton Original Waterfront Crabshack Restaurant & Marina offers direct access to Santa Rosa Sound and an easy run east to Destin, north to the Bayou’s, and west to Spectre Island and Navarre.

Completely rebuilt after hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Crabshack offers bunk lifts rated for 10,000, 13,500, and 18,000 lbs as well as wet slips for larger vessels. All lift slips are covered, have 30 - 50 amp shorepower, potable and non-potable water, and nearby pumpouts. Free pumpout service is included with slip rental.

Mid-grade fuel and transient pump-outs are available.

Just west of the wet slips is a dredged channel leading to the restaurant dock.

(more…)