To the Stream!

Weather: After some morning clouds, it was a brilliantly sunny day; temp range 73 – 85 degrees; Wind S@10 knots; 1-2’ seas

Comment: “Alright gang, lets be flexible,” said the Captain. Our original plan, to sail to Newfound Harbor, was up for discussion because the weather forecast for Friday, the day we’d be heading back to Boot Key Harbor, was dicey. Plan B, as offered by the Captain, was to “stick our beaks" out to the Gulf Stream, reportedly only 8 miles off the coast of Marathon. We’d sail in the stream for a bit, and then head back to the harbor.

We put up with the tapping of an in-the-mast halyard last night caused by the “lumpy” anchorage. The crew was up at 0700. After breakfast, we pulled up the anchor at about 0845. We motored through the old railroad bridge and bid farewell to Paradise. Anna Marie and I said a silent prayer for our friend Richard who passed away suddenly a few months ago. He and wife Judy were to be camping at Bahia Honda this January and we were going to sail over to meet them. Sadly, it wasn’t to be.

In Hawk Channel, we navigated the 2’ chop making between 5.5 and 7.0 mph. We were on a starboard tack for all but about five minutes. We estimate that we reached the edge of the stream at around 1255 hours. In Hawk Channel, inside the reef, we sailed in about 40 feet of water. The water was turquoise and very clear. As we approached the reef, we could clearly see the bottom. We crossed the reef in 25’ and once on the other side, the depth dropped off dramatically. We passed the 100’ contour, then the 200, 300 and 400’ contours in quick succession. We turned around at the 526’ mark. The water temperature reached 79.6 degrees. The water was still clear, but it was now more of an indigo color. As we entered the deep water, there was a significant odor. It was at once smoky and sweet. “Ganja?” queried the Captain! No, not possible! How about burning sugar cane? The wind is coming from the general direction of Cuba (about 115 miles away). Could it be?

While sailing, Gary and Jim set up the Cuban hand line and dragged a lure. By day’s end, all we had to show for their efforts were two lost lures (probably stuck of some fisherman’s stone crab trap lines).

After making the turn to head back to Boot Key Harbor, Gary and Jim raised the red, white and blue spinnaker. This is the first time it’s been up since we purchased the boat. We flew it for about two hours. It seems small as spinnakers go, but it’s a very light material the stays full in light wind better than the jib.

As we approached Sisters Creek, we doused the sails and motored back to our mooring. Gary took the dinghy ashore for a shower and a quick glance at the newspaper and Jim went to get his kayak. He paddled through the harbor, down some lagoons and out the Sombrero Beach before returning.
Jim and Gary made a huge salad for dinner. After clean up, Gary booked his flight home and we planned a trip to Key West on Sunday and perhaps kayaking tomorrow.