The Story Behind The Destin, FL Beached Sailboat

Published On Friday, June 4th, 2010 | Total Visits: .

Being able to stumble upon such a scene in paradise was exciting, but I just couldn't seem to figure out how or why there was a beached sailboat on the Gulf Islands National Seashore. So, I decided to check into it a little.

To get you set on the story, I took a trip to Destin, Florida for spring break. While I was crossing the bay bridge, I noticed a sail over the sand dune's horizon on the west coastline of Destin. So, later I decided to go check it out. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in Florida when I stumbled upon this scene. Although known with the locals, I thought for sure that someone put this here just so I could take photos.

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After taking day shots, I came back that evening to capture it in the sunset, but unfortunately I found some idiot guys stealing and destroying the boat.

On brighter terms, I was able to capture shots like these after patiently waiting on them to leave.

The Destin Log.com posted the following about this sailboat:

LAND, WHOA! Crews try to save luxury sailboat from pounding waves

October, 2009

Gulf resident Russ Day became a temporary land-dweller Thursday when his 41-foot Morgan Out Island sailboat was beached on the Air Force side of the East Pass jetties.

While attempting to sail into the harbor late Thursday night, stiff winds and rough seas disoriented Day. Fighting the helm, he didn’t see the jetties, which he said are jet black and blend in with the open sea at night. He ended up veering off course and landing on the beach.

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MOTHER NATURE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD HELP ME NOW': Menaced by Ida, stranded boater is now banking on a strong south wind

December, 2009

New England native Russ Day said his 41-foot Morgan Out Island sailboat has become a Destin attraction, as it has been beached on the Air Force side of the East Pass jetties for more than a month.

Day ran ashore in late October while trying to sail into the harbor at night. Rough winds and seas disoriented the sailor, who said he couldn’t see the jetties in the dark and ended up veering off course and landing on the beach.

Without the money to hire a salvage company, Day thought his plan to spend the next five years on the sea would have to be changed until Destin charter boat Capt. Bill Waitzman offered up his boat and crew to help out the sailor. But the extraction attempt failed, and Day’s $400,000 sailboat continues to be battered by waves on the beach.

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DESTINED TO BE DERELICT? Beached sailboat finally succumbs to the Gulf as ghost boats rear their ugly head

February, 2010

After running aground in late October and three months of battery from Gulf waves, the 41-foot Morgan Out Island Sailboat surrendered and rested on the ocean floor, a few dozen yards off shore just west of the West Jetty.

The vessel’s owner, Russ Day, of Massachusetts had purchased the boat with the intention of sailing it for the next five years. This plan was scuttled when he ran the ship aground, trying to navigate the East Pass at night.

Without enough money to remove the boat by hire, Day had hoped to call-to-action the members of Destin’s fishing fleet to rescue the yacht. A number of attempts were made, but none, obviously, were successful.

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To the expense of Russ Day's $400,000 disadvantage, his sailboat has captured the attention of many in the Destin area. Although resident opinions would be to discard of the sailboat, it has become a part of marine life and of photogenic proportion. How much longer will this boat be visible? Probably not too much longer.