We Have Arrived in Vero Beach

M/V Joshie passed us today

From: Dragon Point Anchorage in the Banana River, FL MM 914.2

To: Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Mooring Ball 49, Vero Beach, FL MM 951.7

L/L: 27 39.75N 80 22.37W

Distance Traveled: 40.9

Hours Motoring: 6.1

Average Speed: 6.7 mph

Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; temp range: 70 - 81 degrees; ESE @ 20 - 25 knots; rough on the waterway

Comment: The weather prediction for today (and the next five days) is for lots of wind. In an attempt to mitigate the effects of the wind on our travel, we opted for an early departure from Dragon Point. We were underway at 0630. The wind was already at 15 knots out of the east. Once under the bridge, we unrolled some jib and were scooting along at 7.5 mph. We traveled a stretch of about twenty -seven miles of open water in building wind and seas. On two occasions, when the AICW turned to a more eastwardly course, we had to roll in the jib to prevent it from flogging as we motored along. Needles to say, our speed dropped dramatically on these occasions.

Once in the protected waters of the mangroves, we rolled up the jib and navigated the twisty course through the mangroves to the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. After refueling and taking on water and getting the holding tank pumped out, we motored to our assigned mooring.

Once secured to the mooring ball and after getting situated, we launched the dingy, checked out the cruiser’s lounge, took a walk and made it back to the boat by 2000 hours.

Tomorrow, we’ll probably take a beach walk and check out the beachside community. We’ll hold off our boat chores until Monday.