Day 5: April 11: Naples Sailing and Yacht Club to Marathon Yacht Club

Captain was up early, disconnected electrical, took off lines not necessary for leaving, turned on navigational instruments needed, all after coffee of course.

First Mate secured anything below which might fall, spill or break, locked all the doors and drawers, brought up log book, snacks, phone, books, Ipad, workout mat.

Day was breaking when Captain backed Never Say Never out of the slip at 6:40 and crept along the Naples channel into the Gulf’s light wind and calm seas.  His job today would be to keep us on track after dodging multiple crab pots.

Lady’s job was to find a comfortable spot to hang out, so like the three bears, tried several places till she found it.  She knew it was either come and endure the long days on the boat or spend 2 months in the kennel.  Of course, being a smart German Shepherd, she chose the boat.  

First Mate’s job, also keep a lookout for crab pots to maneuver around, take a turn at the helm giving Captain a break from the crab-pot dodging, supply hydration and snacks.  Record log readings for the trip. After getting underway do a 30-minute workout with yoga and resistance bands.

Each day on the water is usually totally different, but some make you question if we’re crazy to be doing this.  Like Day 1, Monday the 5 ½ hour, fifty-six-mile trip was washboard rough, with high winds and becoming a can’t-wait-to-get-off-this-boat day, while today, hardly any wind and very calm seas.  Captain did it again, choosing a perfect day to make the ninety-mile trip to Marathon from Naples in only 7 hours.  What a difference a day makes!  Wind and weather will also dictate when we leave, but here at least 2 nights.

Thank God for safe passage today, with fair winds and calm seas.