Marathon News

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: Overnight showers; mostly sunny; high in the high 80s low 80; 

E < 10 knots

Comment:  Happy Halloween! This is our first Halloween in Marathon. The first thing we realized is that it’s still summer in the Keys, even though there are fewer hours of daylight than dark.

The big news in the harbor is that the Dockside Bar and Grill is closed. The building is still there, the tables and chairs are still on the deck, but the place has been closed for a few weeks, if not more. So far, we haven’t found out what happened or what is going to happen. Most of the slips at the Sombrero Marina are empty, but that’s true for all of the other marinas as well, after all, its still summer. And, its still hurricane season. That point was brought squarely to our attention, although we were not oblivious to that fact, when we had to sign a hurricane preparedness document for the marina. 

Since it so hot, we're planning multiple trips to the beach and maybe even some local pools. The beach is about a three mile bike ride. The Sunset Bar and Grill has a great view and a free pool. That pool is a two or three mile bike ride. Banana Bay Resort and Marina has a pool and offers daily pool passes. It’s within walking distance. Speaking of Banana Bay, they have re-opened their restaurant (Cabana Restaurant) and offer a $2.22 breakfast special and a $3.99 cheeseburger and fries lunch special. I include this information because our friends Joe and Dee have reservation for Banana Bay for sometime in the new year.

We're Home!

From: Tarpon Basin, Key Largo, FL MM 1140.0
To: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0
L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W
Distance Traveled: 63.5 miles
Elapsed Time: 9.9 hours
Average Speed: 6.4 mph

Weather: After last night’s T’storms, the day dawned mostly sunny; the cold front brought an overnight low of 80 degrees and it reached 90 again during the heat of the day (so much for the cold in cold front, but we know cold from last year so we’re not complaining!); E @ 15 knots most of the day

Comment: The predicted wind materialized as forecast, but for the first part of the trip, we couldn’t take advantage because we were winding our way through narrow, twisty channels that would have caused numerous jibes. Rather than that, we continued under motor power until we reached Channel Five, where the bay opens up a bit. Given these wind conditions, we chose to stay on the gulf side and motor sailed toward the Seven Mile Bridge and Moser Channel at over seven mph.

Along the way, we saw a sea turtle and several dolphins. Unlike last year, there were no dead fish (remember the cold spell that killed a lot of fish?).

We made it to our mooring ball in Boot Key Harbor at 1800 hours. Because the marina office closes at 1800 hours, Anna Marie secured our ball assignment via the telephone.

Entering Boot Key Harbor (the old bascule bridge has been removed)

What Happened to the Wind Prediction?

Friday, October 29, 2010 Day 41

From: South Lake Anchorage, Hollywood, FL MM1072.5
To: Tarpon Basin, Key Largo, FL MM 1140.0
L/L: 25 07 16N 080 25 80W
Distance Traveled: 68.9 miles
Elapsed Time: 11.4 hours
Average Speed: 6.0 mph

Weather: Sunny all day, thunder heads appear around the anchorage justas we were setting the hook, thunder in the distance; S wind generalle < 5 knots; high 90, low 80

Comment: After calling for openings of the final four bascule bridges, we motored past Miami and under the Rickenbacker Causeway into Biscayne Bay. As usual, the water was clear and we could see bottom in 11 feet of water.

Sadly, the predicted sailing weather did not materialize. However, in both Card Sound and Little Card Sound, we were able to unroll the jib and motor sail at over 7 mph. That helped our average speed for the day!

We set the hook in Tarpon Basin after 11.4 hours underway. On the way home last year, we took two days to cover the same distance.

ALong the way, there was drama on the radio. I heard a Mayday call and the captain was reporting that his boat was on fire. Within minutes, three good samaritans were on the scene and not long after that, a park ranger showed up.

The USCG handled the details on the radio, but never made it to the scene. We even heard News Chopper 7 give a report of the apparent conditions of the three people who were rescued. All were in good shape and needed no medical assistance.

After setting the anchor, we battened down the hatches. Thunderheads popped up within five miles of the anchorage. In fact, we anchored near Key Largo rather than take our usual spot out near the mangroves in the Northeast corner of the anchorage. We were surprised to see another cruiser, on a big catamaran, already at anchor.

Eighteen!

From: Lantana, FL MM 1031.0
To: South Lake Anchorage, Hollywood, FL MM1072.5
L/L: 26 00 49N 080 07 52W
Distance Traveled: 42.0 miles
Elapsed Time: 9 hr 35 min
Average Speed: 4.5 mph

Weather: Cloudy in the early morning, clearing to mostly sunny; hot again, high 90, low 80; SE wind <6 knots all day

Comment: Eighteen! Anna Marie called us through eighteen bridges today. Many caused us no delay at all, but there were three of four that caused 25 minute waits. That negatively affected our average speed. Still, we made 42 miles in a little over nine hours. We are about 10 miles north of Miami Tomorrow, we’ll finish the bridge portion of the trip with five required openings.

We’re hoping for sailing weather tomorrow. IF we get it, we sail Biscayne Bay all the way to Key Largo.

Lantana

It's been five years since we used the anchorage to the southwest of the Lantana Bascule Bridge. We were last here in Fodder's Cat on our maiden voyage. The anchorage is a bit exposed, especially to south wind, but we're expecting south east wind less than 10 knots tonight.

Before leaving Peck Lake this morning, we went ashore and enjoyed another beach walk. This is a remote beach in the Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge. Sadly, the beach was strewn with trash for as far as the eye could see in either direction.


View S/V SUNSHINE 2010 - 2011 in a larger map

Peck Lake

We finished our run on the Indian River today. The wind and currents were mostly against us, but we persevered and made it to Peck Lake by 1500 hours.

The boat is handling fine and the motors don't miss a beat.


View S/V SUNSHINE 2010 - 2011 in a larger map

Picture of the Day

This guy was enjoying a meal in one of the Live Oaks on the marina property. He got a bit rambunctious when a squirrel happened by. Trapped on a "branch to nowhere, the squirrel patiently waited for the woodpecker to finish its meal.

Pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Favorite Photographs from our Camping Trip on the Way to the Boat

Pics of and from the Miller Barber Bridge in Vero Beach

View of the mooring field

Another view of the mooring field

At the foot of the bridge, looking east

The view from the high point of the bridge looking east

View looking southeast

Some Pics from Titusville and the trip to Vero Beach

Westland Marina's Cruisers

"Now, this is the life!"

"it's my turn!"

Light air sailing and under tow!

The Simple Plearsures

Lay Day:  Vero Bear Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL MM 951.7

Weather: Bright sunshine, high mid 80s low mid 60s; calm in the AM 10 - 15 NE in the PM

Comment: While cruising, we have experienced moments of sheer terror; moments of great trepidation; times when the adrenalin courses through our bodies at break-neck speed; times when we hold so tightly that our knuckles are white. Times that provide sleepless nights on anchor watch. During these times, our brains kick into high gear in an effort to stop from crashing into another boat while the anchor is dragging or getting a recently failed engine to start before we run into those rocks that getting ever closer. Fortunately, those times are few and far between.

There are other times, today for instance, that allow us to engage in life’s simple pleasures. After swimming in the 79 degree waters of the Atlantic, we strolled hand in hand down the beach. One of life’s simple pleasures that we so often neglect. Walking the beach, talking about the joys of our lives, provides one of the great pleasures of the cruising life.  

Vero Beach Again!

From:  Cocoa, FL Anchorage MM 897.8

To: Vero Bear Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL MM 951.7

L/L: 27 39 48N 080 22 28W

Distance Traveled: 53.9 miles

Elapsed Time: 9 hours

Average Speed: 6.0 mph

Weather: mostly sunny; high in the mid 80s low in the mid 60s; S @ < 5 knots backing the SSE @< 10 knots

Comment: For the most part, the Indian River was a sheet of glass today. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough wind to sail and when a whisp of wind decided to fill in, it was on the nose. We’ve had a couple of white knuckle transit of this river, so we’ll take the calm conditions without complaint!

The VHF radio emitted the usual chatter, a boat in distress here and there, mixed in with some fishing news and other dribble. We are way ahead of the cruising bubble, so the radio was devoid of any kind of cruiser conversation. We did hear a new take on the “radio check” requests. Each request was answered with the comment “you can hear it for yourself on channel 27.” So we tried it. I called for a radio check on channel 27 and, after a commercial for the Sea Tow outfit that sponsors the effort, I heard my voice requesting the radio check. It was “loud and clear!”

Underway!

From:  Westland Marina, Titusville, FL MM 878.2

To: Cocoa, FL Anchorage MM 897.8

L/L: 28 20 97N 80 43 24W

Distance Traveled: 20.8 miles

Elapsed Time: 3:55

Average Speed: 5.3

Weather: Sunny, mid 80s, SE @ <10 knots, low in the mid 60s 

Comment: The A TEAM finished the cushion installation at 1330 and by 1345 hours, we slipped our lines from Westland Marina. While there we enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow cruisers.

Just before slipping our lines, we had to wash some residue from SUNSHINE’s deck. Five manatees showed up to drink the water that was falling overboard. They put on quite a show, vying for position to drink the few drops of fresh water that went overboard.

Once clear of the Titusville Swing Bridge, we were joined by a couple of dolphins who played in our wake. It is always a treat to watch them cavort.

While making way to the anchorage in Cocoa Village, we watched Pelicans crash dive for food. It sure looks like a difficult way to gain a meal as they fold in their wings and crash, beak first, into the water. When they catch a fish, they flip their heads up to align their beak with their neck. You can actually see the bulge of made be the fish as it slides down their throat. 

Because of our late start, we chose to anchor at Cocoa Village for the first time. Usually, we head to Dragon Point, but that is twenty miles distant and, were we to go there, we’d be anchoring in the dark. We’d rather not do that on the first night out.

So the anchor is set in the Cocoa Village anchorage located on the west side of the waterway and just south of the Cocoa Bridge. There a few dozen other boat anchored here. We’re not sure how many of those are cruising through like us.

Did You Hear the Splash?

S P L A S H ! Did you hear it? SUNSHINE is floating again and all systems are go. We had planned for a departure at first light tomorrow morning, but the cushion guy needs a couple more hours. No problem, Mon. We'll depart the marina at around 1200 hours for points south. Westland Marina has a vibrant cruising community. We have enjoyed meeting these folks at the daily happy hour/dinner at the pavilion over the water.

Paul, the resident chef, whipped up authentic Maryland Crabcakes and fresh asparagus for dinner tonight. It was delicious! You couldn't get better on the Chesapeake.

Dinner was followed by spirited game of Mexican Train.

Thanks to everyone at Westland for the hospitality!

Working and Having Fun in the Sun!

Getting SUNSHINE back into her element is taking longer than expected! We are working, but the sun and 85 degree temperature makes for frequent water breaks. In fact, it's too sunny to wax! We do bits of waxing in the early evening, when the sun is lower in the sky. It's much easier to see and we don't miss as many spots.

Besides washing and waxing, we have cleaned the cockpit and the cabin. We still need to organized the cabin; that task will be accomplished over the weekend.  SUNSHINE is scheduled to be splashed this Monday.

One coat of bottom paint was applied today and tomorrow, she will receive a second coat. The sails are on, the bimini is up and the seat cushions are down. We're waiting on the backs right now.

Over Columbus weekend, we visited friends in New Symrna and had an absolutely great time. Besides taking us to a great "Wings over Waves" air show, we accompanied them on a small boat cruise on a portion of the St. John's River, sponsored by the Daytona Beach Boat Club. What a great time!

This evening, we discovered that our anchor, nav and deck lights aren't working. I'm guessing there's a short somewhere. I'll try to track it down tomorrow.

If everythings ready, we'll be headed south on Tuesday.

SUNSHINE!

We made it to Westland Marina and S/V SUNSHINE on schedule. Although a little dirty, the boat looked great! The interior was as good as we could have hoped it to be. There were no bad odors, no mildew, no nothing. Just a bit of dusting and she'll be in good order.

We have some exterior maintenance to perform, a little bit of interior work and a bit of prep to do before the boat can be launched. It may be Friday (10/8) or Monday (10/11) before the boat is launched.

Jekyll Island

Tuesday and Wednesday, September 28 & 29

It was an easy drive from the campground in St. George to Jekyll Island. As we crossed the bridge to Jekyll, we spotted our friends' new boat. We registered for a campsite and then set off in search of the Joe & Dee.

They gave us a tour of their new boat. It sure is a beauty. We enjoyed their "Cruising the ICW Stories," especially the tales about the Half Moon Marina.

We enjoyed the hot, steamy Low Country Boil for dinner and the next morning's breakfast at the Jekyll Island Club. We spent the day walking through the historic district, while occasionally checking the comfort of various chairs at some of the cottages.

It was a most pleasant day!