We were in the Florida Keys over the holidays and I lost out on taking the C22 with us and took our 16' Four Winns power boat. Some friends were also in the Keys and rented a 30' sailboat for a day. We were not able to go with them which turned out to be a good thing. I had just finished pouring my rum and coke for happy hour when my phone rang- "Hey what are you doing?" my friend asked. He said he had found a sand bar with the keel and couldn't move. I pulled out a chart and located where he was it was about 9 miles away. I said hang on I'll be right there. So my son and I took off and here is what we found
It took us about 10 minutes to free them but what was interesting is about a 1/4 mile away there was a 35 foot sportfisher also hung up. My friend said the tow boat wanted $500 to pull them off and told me he owed me. Like any good pirate I said I would take payment in rum.
My friend has alot of sailing experience but in Lake Michigan when you are 2 miles offshore running aground isn't a problem. It is also a good reason to have a swing keel in the keys and keep an eye on your charts.
Can't post a pic right now but the Mississippi Sound has a few sudden shoals like that. Have a look at chart 11371, link below, and zoom in just south of Pass Christian. The waters around Square Hankerchief Shoal are 8-11 feet then drop to 2-4 feet in a heartbeat.
Here's Square Hankerchief Shoal in the Mississippi Sound, not too far off the line for the Intracoastal thru the area either - good illustration of having charts and a depth finder being a good idea !!
There's a great website for food recommendations by long time NOLA food critic at www.nomenu.com..might as well chow down if you're in town..In New Orleans EE's crew also recommends the bread pudding at The Gumbo Shop..and the burgers at Port Of Call..
Drop me a PM and let me know if you need anything down there..
