Restart of trip to the Bahamas
12/23/08
After two plus days of addressing overheating and a depth sounder problem, we headed down the Manatee River out into Tampa Bay. There was a 10-20 knot following wind all the way through the channel markers. We used the jib and had to jibe several times. Then we headed SW with a beam reach – mostly having speeds of 5-6 knots/hr. Finally we were into the Gulf of Mexico. The water turned an emerald green and the waves were 3-4’. We turned south with the wind on our nose. Just like a seesaw in the playground we went up and down – looking at the sky and sun and then slicing down into the sea. This boat is designed along the lines of old working boats built to handle rough conditions.. Through several hours of heading into the wind, hardly anything came out of place below. There was even an old paraffin oil lamp sitting the sole in the cabin that never moved. John and I took turns at the helm. John preferred to recline in the cockpit using the autopilot. I liked to stand up and manually steer the wheel and survey the water in front of us. Coming out of the Bay and all down the Florida coast and inland waters, there are crab pots with associated buoys, everywhere! We came close to a few. We saw several dolphins – some swam right under us. Now we’re here on anchor just inside Longboat Key. We sailed more than 30 miles to arrive at a location just 9 miles (geographically) from where we started. It really took it out of us but we had a great sail. Tomorrow we’ll have another 30 miles but in a straight line – and into the wind again. The forecast for Naples is 10-15 knot winds from the east – good!
12/24/08
We motored most of the day down to Venice in smaller waves than yesterday with the wind on our nose. We fueled up at the Crow’s Nest after entering through the jetty entrance from the Gulf. Then we proceeded to get grounded in the “Public” anchorage. Some other boats were there but evidently had shallower drafts that ours. Two men in a powerboat helped us off by taking our main halyard that raises the mainsail and towed us out of the sand/silt. Then two other guys in their dinghy with two dachshunds and beers in hand told us about the public dock just a stones throw away across from the Venice Yacht Club. Just off the dock was a small park maintained by the club, complete with bathrooms, electrical outlets and water. We had our hobo dinner of collard greens with vinegar, refried beans with vinegar, Pace’s salsa, beer and wine.
12/25/08
Low tide, but enough depth to leave. The outside sea was calm. Fish were jumping up in the air. Saw some big turtles. It was a partly cloudy day. On came the diesel motor to get us down the coast - keeping up with our schedule of trying to get a decent distance every day. Of course, I’d rather be sailing! We ducked into Charlotte Harbor just off the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) channel and dropped the hook. Saw some sharks swimming nearby. Slept well.
12/26/08
Sailed mostly for 4 hours in the AM. 6-6.5 knots/hr. Turned towards Naples and decided it was too far, so we headed into shore. Then we decided to set a course for/near Marathon in the Keys. Then the wind died down to nothing, so we headed directly to Naples/Wiggins Pass. On the way in, the wind picked up but we continued anyway. We anchored offshore in 14’. The weather was clear with 5mph breeze.
12/27/08
Headed toward Cape Romano sailing then motoring. Couldn’t get to shore or inlet before dark, so we continued that direction in big swells. Finally in 10’ and over a sand bar, we dropped the anchor. A very rough night pitching and rolling. I put on my snubber (a combination of line and shackle/thimble/hook) to take the shock of movement off the chain, and transferred it to the bow cleats.
12/28/08
Found the snubber had worn through during the night and was lost overboard. Sailed toward Little Shark River until the wind died down and we started the engine. It promptly quit. I spent the rest of the day changing out the main fuel filter and bleeding the fuel injectors – once I figured out the problem. I configured a new snubber and installed it before heading to bed.
12/29/08
We sailed till the wind died down and started the engine and “cruised” to the Little Shark River. Two hours before sunset we made it to the mouth of the river and just up on river left we dropped the anchor. Very peaceful night and sunset with a new moon. No no-seeums and Guinness Stout in the cockpit. John cooked potatoes/onions and collards. Wine was served. WDNA from Miami was on the radio. Very cool! Great Jazz!
12/30/08
Sailed to Marathon on Long Key/Florida Keys. Picked up a mooring ball in the Marathon City Marina – a superb facility with 165 mooring balls and all the amenities a sailor could want. During our stay there till 1/5/09 we got more groceries, fuel, spare fuel and oil filters and rebuilt the carburetor on the outboard motor. We also visited with the owners (James and Ellen) of a sister ship, Solution – another Allied Seawind II. New Years Eve was a bit noisy. We waited for a forecast of southerly winds – which are perfect for crossing the Gulf Stream. Finally they were predicted and we set out for Channel Five. Other people had even left from Marathon for the Bahama Banks.
1/5/09
Anchored (on the Caribbean side of the Keys) just off Hwy 1 at Channel Five – in 13’ amongst a circle of crab pot buoys. A very quiet anchorage. There we stayed till the next day when we made our way offshore to the blue water and the Gulf Stream.
1/6/09
We sailed all night and made Gun Cay at the crack of dawn. After coming through the cut, we soon dropped the hook and hit the sack. What a passage!
1/7/09
We motored from the anchorage to the “Recommended Route” on the chartplotter, then set the sails. You could see the shadow of the sails on the bottom. We were followed by a ketch and catamaran. They were quite some distance behind us and then the catamaran hoisted its spinnaker. The wind was good (NE) and we were staying on course. Then the wind changed and the cat caught up with us and passed. We had to go off course to get better winds. We sailed all day and past sunset until 10pm. The moon was out and you could still see the shadow of the boat on the sand below the surface. We then dropped the hook in moderately rocking/rolling choppy seas. The moon shone through the night and was a bit cool. Heard that it was 54 degrees in Miami tonight. Another snubber is in place now – heftier line and tygon tubing for chafing prevention. John’s asleep below – after starting in on some reading. The boat is rocking side to side and up and down. Still he sleeps. Tomorrow, Morgan’s Bluff to check into customs and immigration and pay $150 to cruise for 3 months.
