Nathaniel Bowditch

The Nathanial Bowditch (which was the original Blackbeard a few years back) is a 54-foot, steel-hulled, Gaff-rigged schooner. She can carry about 25-30 passengers and Capt. Rex and his wife sail her a couple of times a day. Weather permitting, she sails out of East Pass into the gulf 2-3 miles offshore. If there's a chop in the Gulf, Rex sails her into Choctawhatchee Bay. There's a CD player aboard and Rex will let you bring your own CDs, if you wish. You can also bring along coolers, including alcoholic beverages. Wear soft-soled shoes that will grip (and not scar the deck) and a light jacket or sweatshirt in the event it's particularly blustery. Bring along sunscreen for the daytime sail because you'll get fried fast with sun reflecting off the sails and the water. Be sure to take a camera and get a picture of yourselves in the bowsprit.

Cost is, I believe, about $30 per person for the sunset cruise and lasts a couple of hours. Daytime cruise is generally a bit less. It's a wonderful activity for couples or families -- or a single who just wants to sail a bit, relax and throw back a beer or two (cans only).

My wife and I were married aboard the vessel when it was the Blackbeard and owned by Georgia & Don Wiesen (who now own Shrimpers Seafood Market on Hwy 98 -- which I also recommend highly). Our daughter was married aboard the Nathaniel Bowditch just over a year ago. Both sails were spectacular with a glowing sunset and dolphins all around. Have fun and fair winds to ye, matey!

PS - If you've got young kids, be sure to pick 'em up some kitschy pirate hats, eye patches and swords. They love playing pirate aboard the NB and it makes for some great pictures that you'll treasure (pun intended) for a lifetime.

I highly recommend sailing with Captain Rex. He's recently purchased a giant catamaran but I'm not sure if he's sailing her yet.

http://www.sowal.com/photos-061207.html

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13335"]Fun Sailing on the Nathaniel Bowditch! - SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]


[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13696"]SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

And the website:

http://www.bowditchsailing.com/lowband/index.html

Jdarg went sailing on the Bowditch in May so you could ask her about it. We're going next Friday with a bunch of other SoWallers :clap: so I know there will be lots more Bowditch photos coming!

That looks like a blast :cool: :clap:

I highly recommend sailing with Captain Rex. He's recently purchased a giant catamaran but I'm not sure if he's sailing her yet.

http://www.sowal.com/photos-061207.html

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13335


http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13696http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13696http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13696http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13696

We did the Bowditch last night and captain Ron got his wings I guess because he was the captain and he was fabulous. Very informative and much more talkative than our trip Kurt. Also, I recommend the sunset sail over the daytime if you can only do one. It was FABULOUS! It was still light out when we left, enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and then sailed around the harbor and enjoyed the light reflections on the water. Just beautiful!