Marathon to Key West

 
April 28,2009

     April 24, 2009 we left Marathon, Fl mid morning after fueling up.  The wind was blowing 20-25 knots out of the east so we were sailing in front of it. I'm just glad we were not sailing the other way into the wind.  The waves were 3-5 feet by the end of the day.   We sailed only to New Found Harbor which is by Big Pine Key were the miniature deer live (20 inches high).Palm Is. Key is at the entrance of this harbor.   Unfortunately, the wind was so rough we could not get to shore.  The depths charted were higher than it actually was so we had to anchor quite far from shore.  The wind howled at 20-25 knots all night long but our anchor held.

     April 25, 2009, a saturday found us leaving New Found Harbor at high tide progressing further south to Key West.  the winds were still 20-25+ knots and still from the East.  The waves were a little less that day, but it was a comfortable ride as we jibed across our course line.   we arrived at Key West Bight about 3  in the afternoon.  since the City Marina there was full, we went to Conch Harbor Marina.  After we got the boat docked and shut down, plugged in and hatches open, we went ashore to explore. We walked down Caroline Street to Duval which was really hopping.  It reminded me a bit of Mardi Gras.  I guess it was especially crowded because it was Saturday.  We stopped after a while at the Flying Monkey to rest our feet and have frozen drinks.  We proceeded on to scope out Mallory Square which looked much like a circus with various acts and kiosks selling art, jewelry etc.  we went back to the boat to clean up and then went out to dinner at Turtle Kraals. 

     Sunday, April 26, found us doing chores.  I cleaned the boat washing all the salt away.  We ate lunch at Dante's Bar and Grill which is at the head of our dock.  while I washed clothes, Charlie enjoyed watching the bikini-clad beauties at Dante's pool.  I joined him later.  We ate in that night.

     Monday, April 27, 2009,  we did some more work on the boat.  Charlie ordered a replacement for the lower bilge pump which has been giving us problems, but also discovered that the diaphram for the pump was split.  He found a replacement and it is working OK for now.  We cleaned the Strataglass of the Cockpit surround and worked on polishing the metal.  We ate lunch at Pepe's on Caroline St.  It was opened in 1909 and specializes in oysters.  We also ate dinner out after working most of the afternoon.

     Tuesday, April 28, 2009.  I went to a local grocery quite far from the harbor, but took pictures along the way.  I went by a place that claimed to be Hemmingway's first residence here. It is now the largest private residence here, but they allow tours of their garden.  We still have not been to the Hemmingway Bar or house yet.

     I leave tomorrow to return to Charleston for my mammogram and an appointment with the surgeon's assistant.  My surgeon is on bed rest due to her pregnancy.    Maybe I'll see some of you while back in Charleston.  I fly back on Saturday morning.  We hope, if weather allows, to leave Sunday for Bimini.   Charlie will be on his own here to explore while I am gone.       

   

Marathon, FL

April 22, 2009

     April 20, 2009: We started out sailing from Rodriquez Key midmorning under sunny skies.  However, the wind kept changing and it was soon on our nose so we had to start using the motor.  It was sunny most of the way with a few scattered showers.  As we progressed down the keys, I identified where we were by our Latitude and Longitude on the charts.  We arrived after the Boot Key City marina was closed but we had called ahead to get a mooring assignment.  Evidently the bridge entering the harbor is now permanently open as we could not get any answer from the bridge tender. We found our mooring ball T-7 and hooked up.  cocktail hour and dinner on the boat followed.

     April 21, 2009:  We had a leisurely morning.  Charlie found an internet provider from the boat (pay, not free).  We went into the Marina to check in.  It has a huge area for dingy dock all plastic floating docks with many, many cleates to tie up to.  They give free pump outs. They have a laundry (small for 244 moorings), a huge lending library, 2 TV's and internet access.

We explored the Boot Key Harbor ending up having lunch at Dockside Ba

r and Grill which is owned by our friends Mary-Ann and Peter Becker's son, Lance.  He offered to loan us his Ford Ranger truck to do some shopping, which we did.  

Our stops were to Publix, the liquor store, and Home Depot.   We spent the evening on the boat and invited the couple next to us for cocktail hour.  They are from Sandy Hook, NJ area and have been on their boat "Gratitude" since September.  They gave us some good tips about the Exumas to which they have been 4 times.   They are starting north today. We ate dinner on the boat. 

     Charlie dropped me off at the marina where I am using the internet connection to try to add pictures to the blog.  He went to the West Marine by water as they have a nearby dock.  We will probably eat dinner out tonight and depart tomorrow for Bahai Honda to explore the park there and anchor in New Found Harbor on the next key.  We hope to visit Big Pine Key, maybe see if we can get to No Name Key before we proceed to Key West.  

            

Rodriquez Key

April 20, 2009

We had a wonderful day of sailing from Biscayne Bay to Rodriquez Key. The winds were from the SE at 13-18 knots. We set our sails and cruised the whole way without the engine. Just after noon, we heard a clear 'Mayday" call without position or type of distress. Since we wrote down our position when we heard it, we were able to call into the Coast Guard and help contribute to the search. It was an interesting process to follow. They never did report if they found the boat. Rodiquez Key is just SE of Key Largo. Due to the almost 6 ft draft of our boat, we were not sure we could get into Key Largo so we chose to anchor on the N side of Rodiquez Key with 6 other boats. Except for the surprise rain in the early morning, it was a great night.
We are going to sail into Vaca Key, Boot Key Harbor commonly called Marathon where we will stay for a few days to explore and reprovision. I hope to be able to add pictures to my previous posts while there so check back later.

Coconut Grove, FL

On tax day, April 15th, we left West Palm Beach or Lake Worth with a rising tide and became temporarily grounded in the marina due to a sand bar again just outside the slip next to us! We did manage to get off it and proceed out into the ocean for a delightful brisk sail to Fort Lauderdale. We had great winds all day. We arrived just after the time for the 55 ft. 17th Street Bridge to open so had to wait a half hour. One reason we did go outside was that there are some 21-22 bridges that we would have had to be opened for our sailboat between Lake Worth and Ft. Lauderdale. Once through the bridge, we traveled north to the next bridge to an anchorage/mooring field for the night. Another boat already at the small anchorage encouraged us as we progressed into the area through very shallow water to an adequate depth where we did pick up a mooring ball.

We left Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The sea was flat! The wind was under 5 knots, so we were motoring. We did put up the spinaker for about an hour and though the wind was 3.6 knots, we were going 2.6 with just the spinaker alone. We were not getting anywhere fast. We motored to Biscayne Bay channel which is south of the Miami or Government Cut into Maimi. There was this cluster of scattered houses up on stilts/ pilings. Most looked boarded up. Someone later told us they were "party houses". There was quite a bit more wind in Biscayne Bay; but we were only about 30 minutes from the marina so we did not put up our sails.
We got ourselves docked and cleaned up so we could meet our friends whom we had not seen in 36 years since he was moved by ATT and Lucent to New Jersey and then various places around the world. They have "retired" here though both of them still work. We went to the Sonesta outdoor bar/swimming pool deck and watched the sun set. We had a panoramic view of Biscayne Bay and all the sail boats. We then walked to a french restaurant in "The Grove" for dinner which was also a birthday celebration of our host. Their daughter also joined us.

Reality returned the next day (Friday) with projects on the boat. The head has been leaking and getting worse so we went to a nearby chandlery to see if they had a rebuild kit. West marine would have been a taxi ride. Since they did not have a rebuild kit, Charlie replaced the head pump with a new one we had on the boat. Now no more leaks. I also did some grocery shopping at the Fresh Market...a wonderful gourmet grocery nearby. We went to dinner at our friends' home, a 1940 Coconut Grove summer house which they have extensively redone including a lush tropical garden surrounding it. We had a great time remembering old times and catching up on family. It ended too soon. My attempt to take a picture failed due to low battery.

Today, Saturday, I did laundry and bills. We ate lunch nearby and then walked around "The Grove" business area visiting Mayfair Shops and the CocoWalk. We will return for an early dinner. Coconut Grove is much more like a village than a bustling downtown of Miami. We have also been researching and planning our progress down the keys. Since our boat's draft is almost 6 feet, this limits where we can go into the keys due to shallow depths.

We hope to sail tomorrow, Sunday, with East winds outside in the Hawk's Channel. We hope to get to Key Largo which we may not get into or to Rodriguez Key and anchor overnight. We will proceed on to Marathon from there the next day.

Change of plans again

April 15

     We did not end up sailing overnight on April 13 as the auto pilot was acting up and the wind was too rough.  We instead went inside at W. Palm Beach into Lake Worth.  We anchored for the night in Lake Worth and turned the generator on to rechare the refrigerator and freezer.   The generator turned itself off and we could not get it to stay on.  Charlie worked for several hours trying to fix it.  

     The morning of April 14, we called the manufacturer and found a service person locally.  Then we found a marina to go to so we could plug into shore power and recharge the refrigerator and freezer.  The workman came about 4p.m. and fixed it or at least found out what was wrong. We walked to Rivera Beach Marina Tiki Hut for dinner...ate Maine lobster; it was very good and sweet.  This marina is supposed to have internet but it only works in the office where we can get plugged into the ethernet when they are open.  

     We plan to sail outside to Ft. Lauderdale and anchor overnight before we proceed outside to Miami and Coconut Grove where we plan to visit with friends for a few days.  

     This ma  

.Happy Easter

April 12, 2009

    We are presently in Stuart, FL.    We woke up early this morning to attend an Easter Sunrise service just north of where we are docked.  There was a HUGE crowd out on Jenson Beach. Trinity Methodist Church sponsored it and they even had persons helping direct the parking in the beach parking lots.   It was a lovely service.  The sunrise was a bit delayed due to a cloud cover just at the horizon; but once it appeared, it was glorious. 

     I last posted on April 7th  so I will continue from there.  April 8, w we were underway e left the marina in Titusville about 9a.m.  We continued in the ICW because there was no outlet at Titusville.  We were hoping to get to at least Melbourne, FL.  while going through the Mosquito Lagoon, we noticed a green daymark was floating in the water instead of standing upright so we called the US Coast Guard to report this because the channel in this area is VERY shallow. Since we were making such good time, we got even further than that. We thought we would stop and anchor in the Sebastian Inlet area.  However when we called to confirm that the anchorage still was deep enough for our boat, we were informed that it had shoaled in tooshallow.  We were told that the nearest place was Vero Beach which was still two + hours away.  We had noticed a boat about our size had anchored just off the ICW where the charts showed 7-9 feet of water so we turned around to retrace our track to G-55.  We slowly made our way outside of the ICW channel and found it had about 7.5-8 feet.  It was enough to anchor.  so we spent a peaceful night anchored under the stars and almost a full moon.

       April 9, 2009   We were underway by 0730.  We should have been in Stuart, up the St. Lucie River by 4 p.m. (1600 nautical).  However, as we turned into the St. Lucie river going just as the Cruising Guide said to do, we hit a sand bar, definitely only 5 feet deep there.  We backed off the sand bar and tried again at a slightly different place.  This continued for several more tries to no avail!  I finally called Tow Boat US to ask if they could tell us a safe way to enter the St. Lucie River channel.  Numerous large fishing boats, cruisiers, and even a smaller sailboat seemed to go through safely. we were 2 hours before low tide and the Tow Boat guy said to anchor nearby  off G-17 and wait until high tide.....not until late at night!  We had made reservations at a marina in Stuart.  I called them to alert them of this situation.  They closed at 6 p.m.   I called the Tow Boat guy back and he came and pulled us through the first red/green markers.  This sand bar went all the way across and was almost all the way to the next set of R/G buoys!    We continued on up the St. Lucie River to Stuart, FL; and as we went into the marina, we hit another sand bar.  We couldn't even get into a slip due to the shoaling inside the marina.  Evidently because of the full moon tides, they have been especially low this time of the month.  they finally had us tie up on an outside dock where our depth sounder read 5.8-6.0 feet.  This was our day for sand bars!     After tying up we went to the Marina "Happy Hour".  we needed that.  The marina is The Harborage Yacht Club which does have a Yacht Club, pool, and many condos.  we ate dinner at the separate restaurant on site.

      April 10, 2009   Since we couldn't get together with our friend living here, we went in search for the laundry, supposedly on site, but not,  and a rental car.  We did rent a car from Toyota and they even came and picked us up.  We headed to a AAA place to get a map ane then to Marine store for some needed repair supplies.  We ate while out doing errands.  Then I left Charlie at the boat fixing things such as the bilge pump. I went to the Best Buy in search of electrical solutions to my iPod and downloading my pictures from my camera.  Successful on both accounts, so now we can use my iPod for music and I can download my pictures.  Now if I can just get them on this blog! 

     April 11, 2009 We spent another day in Stuart.  I got up early and did the laundry off site and went to the grocery store in the same shopping center.  After stowing clothes, food and making a lunch, we were off to the closest West Marine store for more repair items.  Mid afternoon, the switch for the fresh water pump failed.  We bought two replacements and charlei spent the rest of the afternoon fighting to get it installed.  Our friends still didn't call so we fixed dinner on the boat again....flank steak. 

      April 12, 2009.  after the Easter Sunrise Service, we ate breakfast in the old town Stuart at Maria's Cafe with fresh-squeezed orange juice.  Then back to the boat to work on projects such as changing fuel filters and putting a larger main sheet shackle to the traveler.  Our friends finally are free and will eat dinner on our boat tonight.  I took a leg of lamb out of the freezer and will fix it for dinner.  I had bought a small apple pie at the grocery, so we will have that for dessert. We met a nice couple with a boat down the dock from ours.  He is a retired pilot and she is working in a law office.  They live on their 52 ft. Trintella sailboat.  We went aboard to visit.  It feels twice as big as ours. They recently bought it and are presently doing major work on it.  

      We will leave Stuart tomorrow, hopefully during high tide at the St. Lucie River entrance so we won't get stuck on the sand bar again.  We plan to sail outside overnight and arrive in the Miami area Tuesday.  We hope to visit with long time friends who live in Coconut Grove.  Wmay stay there a few days as well.  Maybe I can get some of the pictures added to former posts.        

Weather dictates our decisions

April 7. 2009 (Tuesday)
We did not get off yesterday as planned. The winds were too strong and pinned us in our slip at the marina. So we went out to eat instead at the Grill at the Riverview Hotel. Charlie had grouper and I had mussels. Yum.
Very early this morning we got up to try to get out of the slip before the winds began in earnest. By 7:oo the engine was started and we left the marina by 7:15 a.m. We then went through the Bascule bridge and sought an anchorage to wait until 2p.m. when we wanted to begin sailing outside. The winds inside were already 30-40 knots. We anchored but then as the tide went out, we discovered we were near a sand bar which we kept hitting. We pulled in 15 feet but were on the sand again very soon. We pulled up the anchor and reset it but soon we were in the same problem . All this time the winds were howling from the N-NW, but due to the tidal current or something strange all the boats were headed SW. After a thrid and fourth time, we gave up and decided to just go down the ICW to Titusville. We didn't leave Smyrna beach until 12:40, having to go through the Bascule bridge again. We had 28-33 knots of wind the whole way. We arrived about 5:30. and were able to get on a face dock at the City marina. I washed down the boat which had gotten a layer of salt on it despite the fact that we had not been outside in the ocean.
Even though we were on the ICW, I was tired because you have to be alert on the ICW to make sure you are not out of the channel and going aground. In fact, we called into the US Coast Guard about a green day mark, G-19, which had fallen or been knocked down along the Mosquito Lagoon channel which is very shallow.  The picture is of the ICW Haulover Canal, which is quite narrow with a bridge in the middle.
We are not sure what we will do tomorrow...continue on the ICW or try to go outside at Cape Canaveral. The morning forcast is for mid 30 degrees for tomorrow. Not sure what the winds will be.

St. Augustine to Smyrna Beach FL

April 3-6, 2009

     Friday April 3 we were able to sail down he FL coast to St. Augustine from Fernandina Beach.  it was a beautifu

l sunny day with winds out of the West at 15-20 knots which turned NW at 10-12 as we proceeded.  It was a bit cho

ppy which gave Sharon some Mal de Mar.  

    When cruising one has to be aware of the sunset and conditions of the inlet to which you are proceeding.  since we had to sail 61 miles to St. Augustine, as the wind dies, we had to add "iron wind", the engine to make it by sunset.  Arriving after sunset even in an area with 

which you are familiar is even risky, but very unsafe to an area you have never been.

      We arrived at the St. Augustine Inlet about 6 p.m. amidst local sailboats racing.  We were anchored just off the old fort by 7:12p.m.  I was sorry that the dingy was still bagged and on deck because we could not go into the old town and explore.  We could hear music playing on shore.  

     We woke early and had the anchor up by 7:50  (0750 nautical time) and were proceeding out the St. Augustine channel on our way to New Smyrna.  The winds were from the N-NE at 10-15 knots.  the winds were from a good direction to try out our asymetric spinaker sail.  we were successful on the second try but when we tacked the sail to the other side, the "Tack" of the sail came loose.  since we had spent almost 2 hours doing this, we put it away so we could arrive on time.  the winds dies down to 6-9 so again we had to apply the "iron wind" to get tot eh Ponce de Leon inlet leading to New Smyrna Beach by sunset. Fishing and pleasure motor craft were speeding in and out the narrow channel as we entered.  Everyone slowed down when we entered a Manatee Protected Zone.  We arrived too late to get a slip in a marina so we anchored in Sheeps

head Cut for the night.  Since we needed to get a few groceries, we obtained a slip the next morning (April 5) at the Smyrna Beach City Marina.  We ate at the nearby Dophin View Restaurant.  We went hunting for an internet hot spot and visited with the locals on the dock.  We had one couple, Rick and Mary Jane Brackett over for an apertif later.  We served them "American Honey".  They are from Nova Scotia: a retired Canadian Mounty and retired school teacher who live on their boat      "Wind Lore" which is a sister boat to the one in the movie "Capt. Ron".  It is the 4th boat in this picture.  Mary Jane gave me a ride to the local Post Office this morning. 

     We plan to leave today , April 6, about 2 p.m. (1400 nautical)  and proceed overnight sailing outside in the ocean around Cape Canaveral and into Ft. Pierce Inlet by 8 a.m. Tuesday.  We will then go via the ICW  down to Stuart, FL where we will spend a few days.    

Waiting in Fernandina, FL

April 2, 2009 (Thursday)

     We are waiting for the weather to clear up so we can proceed.  We have not been idle.  We have added a number of embelishments to the boat while waiting:  two new LED lights, one in the liquor cabinet and one under the galley sink.  We added hooks and a line too keep books from falling off the shelf in the salon.  We also added hooks for a fruit hammock in the galley. This allows us to hang the fruit instead of its taking up room in the refrigerator 

or rolling back and forth on the counter top getting bruised.  We also added a hook on the back of the companionway ladder to store the items to be recycled (whenever we find places to do this.) They had been ha

nging off one of the fire extinguishers by the ladder.  Charlie spent many hours rebuilding one of the bilge pumps twice.  BUT it now works!  The skills you learn by having a boat!  He also had to rebed two of our deck prisms which are prone to leak, but give such nice light to the interior of the boat. 

     It has been raining and raining and raining here in Fernandina Beach.  The first night we ate at an Italian restaurant, Geranno's,  late in the evening walking back to the boat in a downpour!

     Last night we had a lovely early dinner at a restaurant "Le Clos" after working all day on the boat.   Lovely music set the mood and two glasses of wine helped to relax us.  

      Today we met

 a Rice University graduate school friend of Charlie's : Phil Davis

 and his wife Lee Ann for lunch at the marina.  Phil is teaching chemistry at the local college in Jacksonville after retiring from industry.  He was involved with a local chemistry regional meeting Tues and Wed so we could not 

get together with them until today.   Phil is also a 1964 grad of Vanderbilt. (Picture later when I get my cable).    

     After lunch I went to the internet Cafe to pay bills, a necessary evil.  Chas joined me after finishing the bilge pump.  

      We plan to proceed to St. Augustine, FL tomorrow via the ICW because the wind is predicted to be in our faces trying to sail.  It should take us all day to get there.