Finally, A Day at Sea

Friday, 22 March 2013

Today the seas were forecast to be semi-smooth and the winds tolerable,though the temperature would only get into the high 60’s.

The new sea water pump had arrived this morning so I picked it up and Joe and I installed it.  Patt and Dave arrived so we headed out to Boca Grande Pass and Gasparilla Island. 

This was about 11 miles away.  Seas were indeed smooth.  We tied up at the Boca Grande Marina and rented a 6 person golf cart to travel around the island.

Many very pretty high dollar homes.   We went to the south end of the island to an appropriately named bar and grille called “South Beach Bar and Grille”. 

 After lunch we walked out on the beach and people watched and collected shells. 

Then, we rode the golf cart around for a short tour of the rest of the island before departing back to our marina.  The pier full of resting seabirds:

 One of the amazing things we saw were these Banyan Trees. 

Seas were still smooth and we encountered several more dolphins. 

We encountered this fine vessel, “Little Toot”. 

Included For Kevin Newman

On our return to the marina I prohibited Joe from looking in the engine room.

Lazy Day

Thursday, 21 March 2013

One of the things Joe discovered after we got back from our aborted attempt to go to sea on Wednesday was a leaking sea water pump on the port engine. (I told him to quit looking in the engine room, no good ever comes of that) So, with Dave’s assistance, we removed the pump and disassembled it.  It had a leaking seal which we found to be available on line, but not handily, and till we got it fixed, we were dead in the water.  Dave conferred with the Marina Maintenance Man, who declared these pumps to be non-repairable, (which prompted Joe and I to come up with our pump overhaul business plan).  Chuck and his associate, Merlyn, the maintenance men, were happy to order us a replacement pump for $400.00 and it would arrive here by 0730 the next morning. So order it we did.  Now, having nothing better to do since we could not go to sea, even if the winds allowed it, we launched the dinghy to motor up to the end of the marina cove, where there were many Manatees swarming.  We were able to get to within about 6 feet of them.

Beth and I went first, then Joe and Patt. 

Joe had worked up such a lather that he had to get into the water to cool off. (water temperature of 67 degrees).  

While he was in the water he caught the “crabs”.

 

 Don Fortune, the former Kansas City area Sports Broadcaster came down and visited with us for another hour or so.  He visited with Beth while his dog “Skipper” visited with Joe.  He advised us that we were entitled to use the marina pool and hot tub during our stay so off we went to the tub.  Returning from the tub we noticed that the Marina Lounge was having a Karaoke event. Joe and I went to this event to evaluate the talent.  We found plenty of talent, none of it good.

Rough Sea

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Temperature was going to be ok for today, but the winds were still blowing.  We attempted to go to Boca Grande, but after battling 3-4 foot waves for 3 miles we turned around and went back to the marina.  Then we went to Joe’s friends house in Cape Coral to explore the possibility of leaving the boat at their house (they live on a boat road/canal).  They have a very fine house. They were discussing the plans to demolish this fine home to rebuild it 6 inches higher to meet “code”.  It was either that or do a $400,000 remodel. After visiting them we went to the historic downtown district of Fort Myers waterfront and had lunch at Fords Garage. 

After lunch we walked over to the actual waterfront which is on the Caloosahatchie River.  There, much to our surprise/shock/amazement, were the Nina and Pinta, two of Christopher Columbus’ ships from his discover America Cruise. 

These two replica ships have been many places where we have been. Wherever we go, there they are! (quite amazing). Now it had started raining.  So in this rain, the five of us went to Cactus Jack’s for dinner. They initially seated us under a thatch roof, which was dripping all over us, so we moved.  The live jazz music was good and the food tolerable.

Wasting Away in Punta Gorda Ville

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Our original plan for this segment of the journey was to get to the Florida Keys, visit Key West, The Dry Tortugas, get around Miami and across to the Bahamas.  Since we have lost so much time due to weather delays, we have decided to leave the boat at Burnt Store Marina (Punta Gorda, FL) and return home for several weeks. But before departing for home we will visit several of the outlying islands in this area and sight see. 

While we were tiding up the boat, an official marina person approached us and asked if we were the people with the boat from the port of Perry, Kansas.  We said yes, and suddenly Beth shouted, “I know you!”. I did not know if this would require a fisticuff engagement or not.  This “celebrity” marina person is Don Fortune, a Kansas City area sports announcer/commentator for the Kansas City television and radio markets.

We visited and caught up on old times.  Don had a sailboat on Lake Perry at the Perry Yacht Club Marina during his time broadcasting in the Kansas City area. He had retired from broadcasting and moved to this area and whiles away his time working at this marina.  He told us he was working 4 days this week, through Saturday, so we would have many opportunities to visit more.

Dave and Patt came to pick us up and we went to breakfast at John Skis’s House of Breakfast in Punta Gorda.  A menu to behold. Then it was on to West Marine for another couple hundred dollars of stuff, then Walmart, Bealls, then to Dave and Pats home.  Dave, Joe and I rested while Beth and Patt went out to do even more shopping.  Dave and Patt had been invited to a Hors d'oeuvres event at Carl and Linda’s condo at our marina, so we dressed in our finest and away we went.  Carl is a retired Harbor Pilot from the New York Harbor area and entertained us with many interesting sea faring tales.

On to Burnt Store Marina

Monday, 18 March 2013

Omission, before I talk about today, I forgot to include a couple of items from Sunday.  Our route took us through Tampa Bay.

Approaching the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge



Under we go!

The Coast Guard was broadcasting that a moving security zone would be in place beginning at 1600 hours while a cruise ship moved out to sea from the Tampa Cruise Ship terminal so we were in quite a hurry to get out of the way before we were shut down for a couple of hours.  We were successful.  Now, back to today.

Under way again, today headed to Burnt Store Marina, located in Charlotte Harbor, Florida. About 58 miles by water, we traveled through the Venice Florida area. Many, many, many high dollar homes and condo developments along the waterway and recreational boat traffic is increasing with many boats piloted by not so skilled or courteous skippers.  The first thing we encountered after getting underway was the U.S. Corps of Engineers Dredge Murdock. I hailed him on the radio to coordinate passing instructions and he advised me that the channel was 100 feet wide and he was using the right hand 50 feet of it, so I should pass close alongside.  It is quite a vessel!

It is dredging sand up from underneath itself and depositing it in the interior of the ship.   The channel clearly needed it since we showed only 4 feet of water.

Soon after passing through the Venice area, we received a severe thunderstorm alert warning of "deadly air to sea lightning" so we headed to the nearest marina to park next to something taller than us.  We found the Palm Island Marina and called them for tie up instructions. They were most helpful.  This marina is located in Englewood, Florida and must have been the favorite place for lunch and extended lunches on this coast.  It was packed.  After a hour, it quit lightning and the rain had eased up so we got under way once again.

This was the last obstacle blocking our access to Charlotte Harbor.

It opens on the half hour and hour, so after a 9 minute wait we were through.

We arrived at the Burnt Store Marina about 1800 hours and were met by Beth's brother Dave and his friend Patt.  Once secured, we moved to the marina lounge for celebratory stuff.

Refreshed

Sunday, 17 March 2013

Up at 0700 for another early departure, we had 60 plus miles to go through the Intra-Coastal Waterway, hoping to get to Sarasota Bay by night fall.  We were only successful in getting to the Bradenton, Florida area as it was getting dark.  According to our Skipper Bob Guidebook, there was an anchorage available across the waterway from Bradenton.  We pulled into the anchorage and were hailed by a man on a moored sailboat.  He told us where we could anchor.  We did not know if it was free or who to pay, so we just dropped the anchor.  There were about 30 boats moored in this area, and half of them appeared to be abandoned derelicts, to include one sunken Carver that had only part of the flybridge showing above the water.  The wind was really blowing hard from the south as Beth prepared our Waffle House T-Bone steaks.  A Waffle House T-Bone is huge in size but only ¼ inch thick.  The wind had us swinging in wide arcs so we heaved out the aft anchor.  It did not quit blowing/raining until about 5 in the morning.  During the night I heard a horrible grinding noise and went out to see what disaster had occurred.  I thought that either we had broken loose or another boat had and we were grinding against one another.  The culprit was a strap to the radar that the wind was causing to vibrate and make the noise.  I swiftly fixed it and went back inside.

Saturday Continued

Saturday, 16 March 2013

Once we arrived at the Port Tarpon Marina, we refueled and tied up.  We then caught a taxi to the historic dock section of Tarpon Springs to sample the Greek cuisine.  We also visited the “Sponge Museum”.  Tarpon Springs was the sponge diving capital of the U.S. Here, I am shown wearing one of the diving outfits.

 

 

We returned to the marina in time to watch KU beat K-State in the Big 12 Championship game.  While we watched the game, the birds watched the boat.

Retired early from our grueling previous 36 hours.

The Crossing

Friday, 15 March 2013

Today began with final preparation for the crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.  Beth was saying goodbye to her friends Lefty, the cat, and James, the helpful marina guy. (We had now been here for 7 days waiting for suitable weather)

Lefty was happy to see us go as all we did was pet him.  James was happy too..you see, we kept borrowing tools from him.

Part of our preparation was to have the boat holding tanks pumped out, however, Dave (of Dave and Jerry (Two Sailboaters)) had been pumping out their sailboat when Dave dropped the suck out attachment into the water.  This is a critical item! James, the marina man was highly irritated and encouraged Dave, pictured here

to get into the 61 degree water and attempt to find the attachment.  He was cold and unsuccessful. Here is his associate Jerry, casting off lines to get out of town before everyone’s sh&^%t hit the fan.

Joe devised a method for us to pump out so we did not have to suffer self imposed constipation for the next 36 hours.  We were to do this Gulf crossing with Dave and Jerry following us in their 26 foot MacGregor Sailboat, powered by a 70 hp outboard.  Forecasted conditions were seas under 1 foot and winds less than 10 knots. (Ha, Ha, Ha.)

Dave and Jerry following us off to sea.

So off we went.  We were supposed to meet another boat, the M/V Loon (36 foot Grand Banks Trawler) at the East Pass at 1200 noon, however he was running behind schedule so we got to the pass and anchored to wait for him.  Joe, thinking ahead, made lunch for us while anchored.

 

 

Note that the water is smooth.  The Loon was still behind schedule, so we departed at a slower speed to allow him to catch up. (He did at about 2:00 am) The weather was beautiful, calm seas, bright sunshine as we motored south at 8 mph.  The sunset was quite stunning, with no land within 50 miles of us.

Note that the sea is still somewhat smooth.  Soon after sundown, the wind picked up and we caught a beam sea (waves from the side) that rocked and rolled us from 8:30 P.M. until 5:00 A.M. the next morning.  It was somewhat disconcerting as you could not see the waves coming in the dark.  At 5:00 A.M. I noticed on the depth finder that we were approaching the 40 foot deep line, from 80 plus previously. We were warned that fishermen started setting their crab pots at about the 40 foot line.  Now, we were still 20 miles offshore.  I lit up the spotlight, and sure enough, within two minutes we went right past a crab pot float.  A crab pot consists of a baited cage with a line attached to a float.  The cage sits on the bottom of the ocean and the float naturally marks the location.  The problem with this is if you catch the line in your prop or prop shaft, it will wind the line up and smash the cage into the bottom of the boat with unpleaseant results.  We called all other boats nearby (about five of them) and reported what we had found and everyone slowed down and started using their spotlights.  The radio chatter ws quite amusing as various strategies were used to manuever around hundreds of these death traps. (at least to crabs)

It became light enough at 7:00 A.M. to see without the spotlight. We got into the Port Tarpon Marina at 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning.  25 hours after setting out the day before.  This crossing for us was 168 non-stop miles.  The map below with our actual course highlighted.

 

Just a quick note to let you all know we survived the crossing. We departed C- Quarters Marina at 10:00hrs, Fri, 15Mar. We arrived at Port Tarpon Marina at 11:00hrs, Sat, 16Mar. More details and pictures to follow. Currently headed south to Sarasota... Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

And on The Seventh Day....

Saturday, 9 March - Thursday, 14 March 2013
This is our seventh day at C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle, Florida.  Weather will finally be great to cross the Gulf tomorrow, but I will bring you up to date with the past 7 days.
Saturday was the BIG PARADE EVENT in Carrabelle, this was one of the events commerating the 18th Annual Camp Johnston Days.

The Parade consisted of various military vehicles and veterans floats with most all eras represented.

And Joe and I watched them all

 

After the BIG PARADE, we walked "Downtown" to see the sights, here is the "Worlds Smallest Police Department".

And here we discovered "Carrabelle Junction" a 1950's Malt Shop.  This was not a new malt shop, but an actual old one.

Beth's Special Treat

 

Reverend Jesse Jackson's Brand

That pretty well wrapped up Saturday.

Sunday thru Wednesday was just a flurry of inactivity, we met another couple, Bob and Debby, who were also waiting a weather window to do the crossing.  We enjoyed showing them our end of town (two blocks from their end)  After we took them to Carrabelle Junction for ice cream, we discovered World Famous Harry's Bar.

 

The outside is much brighter than the inside.

A Toast to Good Weather

Harry's also featured a pool table which we were unable to resist.

Dr. Bob, jut prior to Defeat

Exiting Harry's back into daylight we arrived at Fathoms Steam Room and Raw Bar which was closed till????????? Here Debby performed musically for us.

On Stage, performing Live!

During this period we needed to replace the hot water heater on the boat.  This required many trips to the local hardware store.  Joe found this unique tool.

Who can tell us what it is and used for?

After replacing the hot water heater, we needed to fire up the Dinghy and make sure it was operational for the crossing, although I do not know how far it will take us on its 1/2 gallon fuel tank.

On Wednesday evening, Bob and Debby invited us to dine with them on their boat.  It was a wonderful Italian dinner of Spagehtti, salad and bread. Since it ws a formal affair, we dressed up in our matching JULI-IV Hats.

That's it till we report back in on Saturday sometime announcing our "successful" crossing to the Tampa, St Petersburg Florida area.

Early Departure

Friday, 8 March 2013

Ready for an early departure, we awoke at 0600, only to discover that we had burst a water line once again and had no water, as it was all in the bilge.  Joe crammed himself into the bilge and repaired it.  Good job Joe.  Departed and within 3 miles encountered several pods of porpoises feeding, very entertaining.  Also a great day for Bald Eagle sightings, about 6 by Joe's count.

A nice day to travel, sunny and warm in the enclosed fly bridge.  We left the Appalacicola River and entered Appalacicola Bay, very large.  Water was a uniform brown.  35 miles later we passed the East Pass Inlet from the Gulf of Mexico and saw blue water; there were also several pods of porpoises feeding where the two different types of water mixed.

 










The only commercial shipping we encountered this day;

 Got into our slip at the C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle, Florida and went out on the town.  Fresh shrimp right off the boat. 

 
We returned to the boat to get ready for Saturday.  Big Annual Military Recognition Parade at 10:30, we will have to take our deck chairs up to the street to watch it.