Back to the Boat and Down to the Keys
January 12,2019
I'm writing this segment from Fort Myers Beach. We arrived late afternoon and as is the case on Saturday, steak dinner and a (surprise, surprise) NFL football playoffs. I'm able to watch both playoff games having watched the early one in which the Chiefs beat the Colts, now I'm settling down to the Cowboys and Rams.
We are anchored in Fort Myers Beach in San Carlos Bay, just off the Gulf. We have just arrived at Mile 0, where the Gulf Intercostal Waterway is finished.. This is the end of protected water travel for us. Originally, it was our intent to travel up the Okeechobee Waterway through a canal, lake and river system to the Atlantic side but... we are unable to get under a 49' bridge at Port Mayaka due to our 51' mast. We could have it dropped and re-stepped on the other side of the bridge but the cost of about $700 -$1000 (for taking down and putting up again) is a bit too much. When we started, we were going to hire a fellow called Billie Owen, who is known for healing boats over to get under the bridge. He does this by putting barrels on the side of your boat and pumping water into them until they heal over enough to get the necessary clearance to get under the fixed bridge. Once under he then drains the barrels and the boat uprights. The process takes about an hour. Not sure of the cost, but significantly cheaper than taking down the mast and the additional 400 odd miles it will take to travel down to the Keys and then up the Atlantic coats to Stuart, Florida ( St Lucie River) where the Okeechobee waterway exits.
As it turns out Billie Owen is still not well enough , having been hospitalized , to continue this enterprise.
At Mile 0, many Loopers will use the Okeechobee waterway to continue their loop, rather than go down to the Keys and then up as we have to.
At this point we have traveled about 125 miles fairy quickly. The reason behind this is that we wanted to get out of Fort Myers as there is a big Loopers Rendezvous next weekend and a 100 or so boats are expected here soon.
From Fort Myers Beach , we will continue down past Naples, the Everglades, to Flamingo the southern end of mainland Florida, then a short 25 mile hop south to Islamorada in the Keys. This is about 150 miles, on open water in the Gulf. We will have to watch and choose when we travel due to conditions ( winds, waves, storms) that can blow up. For example, east winds for a few days will blow the water out into the Gulf , leaving the already shallow waters we will be traveling in, even shallower. Winds from the west will , blow the water over to the Florida coast , hence the water rises where we are, but of more issue is the waves that will generally accompany them from Mexico. Winds coming around the south end of Florida ( originally from the Atlantic), will give us a headwind. If too windy we have to stay put. Winds from the north are cold and will push us along, which is generally not too bad, but because they are from the north, they have traveled several 100 miles from the top of the Gulf and can lead to some massive waves and rollers.
Because we have a 125-150 miles to travel on the Gulf and that there are not a lot of marinas and services (civilization) south of where we are, we need to pick a good weather window. Besides we are going to travel through the Everglades area and don't fancy being a snack for a gator and some of the 20 lb bugs /mosquitoes that I assume are down there.
That's the present, now for the time up to this date.
We left January 3rd and drove down to Knoxville Tenn., for the first night (794 miles). The next day we were stuck in rain all day .We left at 6:30am and arrived at the boat at 6:30pm. The drive was not the best, but better than last year when we got caught in a snow storm in Savannah Georgia and pulled an overnighter, having to drive right through. In total this trip was 1485 miles
The next day we checked out the boat, no damages, but a bit of moisture/mold inside so after a thorough cleaning we headed off for provisioning ( West Marine, WalMart , KOA for propane) . Next day was Saturday , so hooked up the TV , had our usual steak dinner and I was able to pick up the 2 NFL games. Repaired the leaky sink, clean BBQ, hook new Gernerator...
Next day, got dinghy working and took a ride to Angry Pepper for some nachos and a bit of football.
Next day we took the car to Stuart, Fl. to pick up our rental car. We dropped our car off at Indiantown, where we will take the boat to in April. It was a long day, approx. 180 miles both ways. The rental car was $40 plus $10 gas.
We arranged with local divers to have my bottom cleaned (hull) If you haven't had yours cleaned for a while, I highly recommend it. - you'd be amazed what attaches to your bottom, particularly when you don't see it and take the butt for granted. ( barnacles and algae growth ...about 2" growth)
Next day we met up with Dan & Bonnie Forgave, friends from Barrie, renting a place in Indian Shores.
Went up to settle my account with the Madeira Beach Marina , (extra 4-5 nights) to which the manager waived the fee. ( $100). What a gesture.
We pulled out next moring after picking up some last minute supplies and anchored in Gulfport.
The next day we motored 38 miles across Tampa Bay to Sarisota .
I should say that a cold front came in a couple of days ago. We have been in winter coats, gloves and touques. The temp during day was tolerable (low 60's) but sleeping was in the mid 40's to 50. We survived.
Next day we traveled 40 miles to Gaspirilla Island (Boca Grande) ...actually a fairly pleasant night... 60 degrees when I woke at 8am . I forgot to mention the other day we had 2 dolphins travel with us for about 30 minutes, swimming in our wake and surfacing beside us on both sides of the boat. They were 8-10' long , the one fairly scarred on its back. Man they are fast. We were traveling about 8-10 miles an hour... chicken play to them, one flap of the tail and they were beneath the boat surfacing on the other side. Much more fascinating than "Katie's " monkey,
Next day we made the 40 miles past Naples to Marco Island.
Ciao for now as we prep to go to Everglades City, Shark River or Flamingo , Fl., before we cross over to the Keys.
I'm writing this segment from Fort Myers Beach. We arrived late afternoon and as is the case on Saturday, steak dinner and a (surprise, surprise) NFL football playoffs. I'm able to watch both playoff games having watched the early one in which the Chiefs beat the Colts, now I'm settling down to the Cowboys and Rams.
We are anchored in Fort Myers Beach in San Carlos Bay, just off the Gulf. We have just arrived at Mile 0, where the Gulf Intercostal Waterway is finished.. This is the end of protected water travel for us. Originally, it was our intent to travel up the Okeechobee Waterway through a canal, lake and river system to the Atlantic side but... we are unable to get under a 49' bridge at Port Mayaka due to our 51' mast. We could have it dropped and re-stepped on the other side of the bridge but the cost of about $700 -$1000 (for taking down and putting up again) is a bit too much. When we started, we were going to hire a fellow called Billie Owen, who is known for healing boats over to get under the bridge. He does this by putting barrels on the side of your boat and pumping water into them until they heal over enough to get the necessary clearance to get under the fixed bridge. Once under he then drains the barrels and the boat uprights. The process takes about an hour. Not sure of the cost, but significantly cheaper than taking down the mast and the additional 400 odd miles it will take to travel down to the Keys and then up the Atlantic coats to Stuart, Florida ( St Lucie River) where the Okeechobee waterway exits.
As it turns out Billie Owen is still not well enough , having been hospitalized , to continue this enterprise.
At Mile 0, many Loopers will use the Okeechobee waterway to continue their loop, rather than go down to the Keys and then up as we have to.
At this point we have traveled about 125 miles fairy quickly. The reason behind this is that we wanted to get out of Fort Myers as there is a big Loopers Rendezvous next weekend and a 100 or so boats are expected here soon.
REALLY!!!
BFF, Pelican and gull sharing dinner
From Fort Myers Beach , we will continue down past Naples, the Everglades, to Flamingo the southern end of mainland Florida, then a short 25 mile hop south to Islamorada in the Keys. This is about 150 miles, on open water in the Gulf. We will have to watch and choose when we travel due to conditions ( winds, waves, storms) that can blow up. For example, east winds for a few days will blow the water out into the Gulf , leaving the already shallow waters we will be traveling in, even shallower. Winds from the west will , blow the water over to the Florida coast , hence the water rises where we are, but of more issue is the waves that will generally accompany them from Mexico. Winds coming around the south end of Florida ( originally from the Atlantic), will give us a headwind. If too windy we have to stay put. Winds from the north are cold and will push us along, which is generally not too bad, but because they are from the north, they have traveled several 100 miles from the top of the Gulf and can lead to some massive waves and rollers.
Because we have a 125-150 miles to travel on the Gulf and that there are not a lot of marinas and services (civilization) south of where we are, we need to pick a good weather window. Besides we are going to travel through the Everglades area and don't fancy being a snack for a gator and some of the 20 lb bugs /mosquitoes that I assume are down there.
Unexpected visitors playing by the boat
That's the present, now for the time up to this date.
We left January 3rd and drove down to Knoxville Tenn., for the first night (794 miles). The next day we were stuck in rain all day .We left at 6:30am and arrived at the boat at 6:30pm. The drive was not the best, but better than last year when we got caught in a snow storm in Savannah Georgia and pulled an overnighter, having to drive right through. In total this trip was 1485 miles
The next day we checked out the boat, no damages, but a bit of moisture/mold inside so after a thorough cleaning we headed off for provisioning ( West Marine, WalMart , KOA for propane) . Next day was Saturday , so hooked up the TV , had our usual steak dinner and I was able to pick up the 2 NFL games. Repaired the leaky sink, clean BBQ, hook new Gernerator...
Next day, got dinghy working and took a ride to Angry Pepper for some nachos and a bit of football.
Next day we took the car to Stuart, Fl. to pick up our rental car. We dropped our car off at Indiantown, where we will take the boat to in April. It was a long day, approx. 180 miles both ways. The rental car was $40 plus $10 gas.
We arranged with local divers to have my bottom cleaned (hull) If you haven't had yours cleaned for a while, I highly recommend it. - you'd be amazed what attaches to your bottom, particularly when you don't see it and take the butt for granted. ( barnacles and algae growth ...about 2" growth)
Next day we met up with Dan & Bonnie Forgave, friends from Barrie, renting a place in Indian Shores.
Went up to settle my account with the Madeira Beach Marina , (extra 4-5 nights) to which the manager waived the fee. ( $100). What a gesture.
We pulled out next moring after picking up some last minute supplies and anchored in Gulfport.
The next day we motored 38 miles across Tampa Bay to Sarisota .
I should say that a cold front came in a couple of days ago. We have been in winter coats, gloves and touques. The temp during day was tolerable (low 60's) but sleeping was in the mid 40's to 50. We survived.
Next day we traveled 40 miles to Gaspirilla Island (Boca Grande) ...actually a fairly pleasant night... 60 degrees when I woke at 8am . I forgot to mention the other day we had 2 dolphins travel with us for about 30 minutes, swimming in our wake and surfacing beside us on both sides of the boat. They were 8-10' long , the one fairly scarred on its back. Man they are fast. We were traveling about 8-10 miles an hour... chicken play to them, one flap of the tail and they were beneath the boat surfacing on the other side. Much more fascinating than "Katie's " monkey,
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach
Tampa Bay to Bradenton
Next day we made the 40 miles past Naples to Marco Island.
Got in, in pretty good time, relatively nice day, bit of wind and waves on the bow. What else to do on a Sunday, than go to the bar to watch some ...
Good news was that I could get the game back at the boat and save the bar costs. Ciao for now as we prep to go to Everglades City, Shark River or Flamingo , Fl., before we cross over to the Keys.
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