NORTH PALM BEACH

Stayed in Ft Lauderdale until Friday morning.  The heat exchanger was repaired(kind of) and reinstalled.  The repairman sealed several leaking tubes and told Tim that while it would last awhile, he might want to order a new one.  Since we had a rental car until Thursday afternoon we were able to go out to eat and to West Marine, Lowes, etc.  The guys got the new plastic bench seat 'reinforced' with wood. You see, I guess it isn't really designed for a couple of grown men/women to sit on. A couple of 48" 1x3s later and it should hold its shape now. A couple of windows were caulked/sealed, where leaks had sprung up, and other odds and ends were taken care of. 

Friday, we were underway a little after 0800. Jim's first experience on the ICW. Tim quickly broke him in with his first 1hr shift being right after Tims. Jim is a quick study and as long as he doesn't get distracted by lizards, or eagles, will be a great addition to 'the crew'!  Tim had touched base, through a AGLCA website, with another couple who are wanting to cross to the Bahamas. They just happen to be staying at the North Palm Beach marina, approximately 55 miles north of Ft Lauderdale.  Since it's always a good idea to cross open water with another boat, Tim decided we would head there and wait out this 'unusually bad' (according to the locals) Gulf Stream weather. Right now it looks like it will be at least Thursday before weather turns in our favor. But, you know what they say about weather. It can change at a moments notice, so we will be prepared to go at any time.

 Thursday nights approaching storm.

Water tower we passed several times while out and about in our rental car.

Jim's first mechanical task. Hold the door up.

Before we left Friday morning, we had fuel delivered to the dock. We tried this earlier in the week, but the boat was in a slip too far for the fuel hose to reach....AND the starboard engine was disassembled awaiting the repair and reinstall action of the heat exchanger. In other words, the boat couldn't be moved closer, SO we had to wait. Topped of both tanks before heading to North Palm Beach.

This 100'+ boat! from Jamaica was tied up on the end of the dock next to ours. Sometime overnight the bow came loose and the guys noticed it while we were preparing to move for fuel. Both Joe and Jim walked over to try and get the attention of someone inside. No one responded, but another boat owner got it secured until someone from the office could be notified, when they arrived at work.

A 'fixer-upper'!

It took about 9 hours to get to N Palm Beach. Although we do travel slowly in an effort to get the best fuel efficiency possible, we were slowed this day by the number of bridges we had to navigate under.  I'm guessing 25+.  Not all required an opening for us, but the majority of those that did were timed on the hour/half hour or :15/:45 hour. They are supposed to be timed so that if you travel at just the right speed, you can get through them painlessly. In most cases this was true, but unusually high winds and tides AND some unusually rude/inexperienced captains made it less enjoyable. 

Here are several of the bridges we passed under.

For Jessica, and all cat lovers out there 😍

Traffic near one bridge. Oh, and remember that rude captain? Yep, that's him right in front of us (when his place in line was right behind us earlier...).

The entrance to North Palm Beach Marina on the left. We didn't have to go through the bridge beyond!

Not too many restaurants near by. We broke out a bike for Joe to ride, while the rest of us walked. 

Joe and Jim at La Bamba Mexican restaurant. Good food! We were all pretty full when we left.

IF we do anything exciting and new in the next few days, I'll be sure and let you know.  

A special note. The crew of Maggie Mae is now being watched over, from heaven, by one of our most faithful followers. We love you Pidge!