Day 11-12, April 17-18: Key Biscayne Yacht Club to Marco Island Yacht Club to home

Anyone notice the change in direction for today, Atlantic to Gulf???

Late yesterday the company sent an estimate of $5K to get the part we needed for the boat today, and come back to fix it tomorrow. Decisions, decisions! Options, wait and let them fix it or head for home instead? 

Well, realizing we have two of these electronic systems to start the engines which are close to 20 years old, and after talking with others who have the same, we decided we need to start home rather than going further up the coast.  Eventually both systems will be changed for mechanical ones, which will allow the engines to start every time. 

I know this is probably more FYI than was needed, but helps the ones who do know boats to understand, and others understand it’s more than ok to change your plans if needed. 

Left Key Biscayne at 8:30 in the morning. It was an eleven-hour, but beautiful calm day to Marco Island Yacht Club,  We were all three beat!  Fixed a quick dinner on the boat, showered and went to bed.  We would need more fuel to get home, so hoped and prayed the engine would start at 7:30 tomorrow morning. 

First try it did not, but Dennis prayed, waited, and I’m happy to say we were fueled and headed into the Gulf again at 8:30. Good Friday was a beautiful, sunny, and calm day to cruise toward Punta Gorda, arriving home dock 6 hours later at 1:30.

In the beginning, we said life is about flexibility and change, and boating is no exception, in fact it’s a rule if you want to cruise. Disappointing yes, but the Chesapeake will be there, if we decide to try again.

Sorry for the changes in present to past tense as I wrote these last few days blogs.  It will take a while to recover both physically and mentally from our two-day over 200 mile-trek home. 

Thankful for God’s protection and good health on our 12-day excursion on Never Say Never. Home. Unpacked. Boat clean. 

Thanks for checking in on us and be safe and healthy until our next cruising adventure.

Tomorrow, ready to celebrate a glorious Easter Sunday. May you know the peace of knowing Him. 

 Day 9-10, April 15: Marathon to Key Biscayne Yacht Club

Up early with the sunrise on Tuesday, and off the docks by 6:40 for our long day north. Calm waters and little wind were welcomed, and watching for crab pots was our excitement for the day. It was our first time taking the inside route from Marathon to Biscayne Bay and Key Biscayne Yacht Club.  With a f5 ½ ft draft in the sailboat and shallow spots along this route, we were always relegated to the Atlantic.  When we purchased the Mainship Pilot with a 3 ½ ft draft we knew it would allow us to go places we never could before.  Marathon to Miami was what everyone told us, an uneventful and faster route to Miami than outside on the ocean. It was definitely was, and in site of the club in just six hours, which would have been twelve at least in the sailboat. Kind of liking the “fast lane!”

Our plan was to leave here Wednesday around 10:00, get fuel and head five miles to Coral Reef Yacht Club. 

Best laid plans on a boat are to have none.  Got to the fuel dock with two engines, but a beeping sound continued until the engines stopped, which should have raised the question "why."  After getting the fuel, the starboard engine wouldn’t start, so Captain checked out the starter, but with no luck, so limped back over to our slip on just the port engine. Luckily the slip was still available, and without much wind and without any help secured Never Say Never.  After multiple calls to 20 possible mechanics, finally got a local who zeroed in on our issue and sent over one. He can get the part in by Friday, so we will remain in this lovely place at least another couple of days before moving on to Ft. Lauderdale.  

Probably make a trip to Winn Dixie and ride bikes to No Name Harbor at the end of Key Biscayne where we have anchored in the sailboat. Makes tomorrow a day to explore, relax and prep for Friday.

Grateful for the blessing of a beautiful, safe harbor where help is soon on the way!  

 Day 8, April 14: Marathon Yacht Club

When we know there’s a 90-mile boat day, destination Miami, we need to get menial, but essential tasks completed. Plus with lots of inactivity for tomorrow, even more important to get off the boat and move, move, move. 

First menial task of the day, not knowing when we will have laundry close, and with Marathon Yacht Club’s just a few feet from our dock, decided to tackle ours today.  While First Mate started it, Captain decided to wash the boat, fill the water tank and take Lady for her morning walk.  With those jobs all completed, it was time for some moving.  

Biking is one of our favorite things to do in Marathon, so headed north past the Marathon International Airport and goal, the Dollar Tree, where Dennis can get his favorite candies for $1.25. Now we know there are no large commercial airlines which fly in and out of here, so not sure where the international ones are from or to but speculated, maybe Mexico, Bahamas, or Cuba???  But I digress.  Biking against the wind to get the candy gave us a good workout but pushed us along nicely for an easier return trip, completing nine miles total without incident.

Without incident, because we ride on the sidewalks instead of the street, both wear helmets and bright colored shirts making it easy for motorists turning into or coming out of business to see us. But unfortunately, some don’t.  Our policy is when we can see the whites of their eyes, we know they have seen us and will wait until we cross in front of them. Then, waving a thank you, we go, otherwise we wait.

La Nina’s, a small Cuban roadside restaurant, where the chickens frequent the outside tables, is one of our favorites and was the answer to the daily, “What’s for dinner tonight?” All their food is delicious with amazing prices, but avoided sharing with the chickens, instead choosing the inside tables. Biking to and from added another two miles to our total for today.

Last Marathon sunset completed with no green flash sighted!!!

Next, early to bed, and early to rise with Miami on our minds.

God bless and keep you every one!

   

 

 Day 7, April 13:  Marathon Yacht Club

The Seven Mile Bridge on the west end of the City of Marathon connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys, originally built in early 1900, and replaced in 1980s with a new bridge, is the longest of any connecting the Florida Keys.  

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Seven Mile Bridge served as a famous fishing pier, jogging and walking route, and the major path to Pigeon Key. Today was a picture-perfect biking day, and from where we are docked it was 10 miles round trip.  The bridge was refurbished with a 5-lane walking and biking path in 2022, which contributes to heavy biking and walking traffic of both locals and tourists enjoying the sunny day and aquamarine beauty of Gulf on the north and Atlantic on the south.  Tarpon and sharks were easily spotted swimming in the waters below, adding to the excitement for children and adults. What a glorious way to spend Sun-day!   

Don’t know about you, but just on the boat alone we probably have at least 40 items, everything from phones, to flashlights, to Ipads, fans, watches, tens, toothbrushes, etc. which must be charged. I said to Captain, “It’s enough to drive me crazy keeping up with the cords for each one!”  He replied, “You mean crazier!”  I just smiled and nodded.  Given the problem, a while back, we purchased a small label maker so every time we add another chargeable item we label the cord.  It’s certainly helped to somewhat keep the “crazier” at bay.

Today was an “eat in” day, so spaghetti and our homemade canned sauce was an easy choice. 

Now to watch the sunset!  Hope your Sun-day was beautiful and blessed.

 Day 6, April 12: Marathon Yacht Club

Made biking trips to West Marine, Home Depot and Publix for a few essentials. Drug out the tennis racket and balls for a little practice in at the Marathon City Courts. North winds have increased during the day, and continue to rock Never Say Never. 

Last night dinner was at the Fisheries, a short walk from the club, and tonight the Yacht Club.  Sunsets here are some of the very best! Even Lady enjoyed the views.

Why “Never Say Never???”

Odd name for any boat but appropriately fits us. Two reasons for the name:

First, many of you know, sailboats have been our boat of choice for our 22 years together. In Missouri it was a 30-foot Hunter, and since living in Florida, another Hunter 41, which we loved and cruised for 14 years, one trip for 3 ½  month trip up the East Coast to Long Island Sound in 2012.  We loved sailing, and made the statement, over and over, and were convinced we’d never, ever have a power boat. 

Secondly, we had a small Australian Terrier, named Fritz, who looked like a giant Yorkee. He made the trip up the east coast with us and lived to 13 ½ years old.  He was diabetic the last 3 years, so needed a lot of special care.  As anyone who has had a cherished pet knows, when the time comes, it’s hard to give them up.  It’s sad, but especially a relief when they need extra care.  So again, made the convincing comment over and over to others, “We absolutely won’t ever get another dog,” and did wait 5 years, but here we are with our German Sheperd, Lady, and how she came to us is a story for another day!

So naturally, “Never Say Never,” was our boat name of choice, especially when others remind us of our emphatic statements. Think we learned our lesson and carefully consider when throwing out “Nevers!” 

Life is about change, and as we age, will attempt, with God’s help to navigate the rough waters, with an open mind and grace to accept the challenging ones, supporting each other with love. 

 

 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.

 

 

Day 3 & 4, April 9 & 10: Pelican Isles Yacht Club to Naples Sailing and Yacht Club

Day 3: Most days we’re early risers and like to get off the docks about sunrise.  But Wednesday we waited for the tide to come up, making sure the skinny water in the inlet was deep enough to leave, which was 8:30.   

Winds had shifted overnight from the Southwest to the Northwest, which tamed the 6 foot rollers which were slamming Never Say Never’s bow on Monday, down to 2-3 feet ones on her stern, giving a much nicer 13-mile, one-hour ride to Naples inlet. The steerage learning curve is challenging on any new boat, and captain has made transitioning from sailing to motoring look easy. 

Arrived at the Naples City Dock at 10:00 and took on 72 gallons of diesel fuel at $4 a gallon to be ready on Friday to motor to Marathon in the Keys.  Quite a difference from the sailboat, where it took us a year to use that much fuel, but what a beautiful thing to get places in half the time! A five-minute hop across the channel got us to Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.  Checked with the Dock Master to make sure we could stay and extra night, who agreed we could. With getting ready to replace their seawalls and also have dock updates many boats have chosen to find dockage elsewhere for now. 

After getting the boat secured, Captain made a trip to West Marine on his bike to pick up parts needed for repairs, replacement for front running light, and anchor chain roller. Both were probably original parts, which the Florida sun left brittle and broken.  Having an extra two days here has been a blessing to easily get parts before heading to the Keys on Friday.  

Walked to tourist trap, Tin City, which has many shops with similar souvenirs.  Nothing much of interest so saved up for another stop.

Day 4: One of our favorite outside restaurants in Naples is called Jane’s Café on 3^rd in old town Naples, which serves amazing breakfasts and lunches. It was a treat to walk the 2 miles there to partake of their dearly loved Eggs Benedict.  Lady went too and was greeted by our server with her own bowl of fresh water.  She laid quietly under Dennis’ chair the whole time.  She’s three, but not having been socialized before she became ours at 9 months we’re not always sure how she will respond to new people or new situations, but she’s been a real lady in Naples.  She’s also adapted to boat life pretty quickly. 

Spent some time laying pool-side, but the pool itself is actually closed since a wedding party somehow got broken glass into it.  It doesn’t get used much anyway, so when they renovate the club they’ll do away with it all together.

Dinner last night was K-Rico Mexican grill, a short walk from the boat, and portions were generous enough to have for tonight too.

With a forecast of a clear day, winds around 5 mph, the plan for tomorrow, Day 5, is to leave around 7:00 a.m., crossing the Gulf to Marathon in about 8 hours. During the crossing we will be without cell and internet service, but grateful for the Coast Guard which is only a radio call away in case of unforeseen problems.

Other friends, Kate and Bill Carney pulled into Naples today too, along with Rob and Diane Maffei, on their way to Key West tomorrow.  Should be a good crossing for them as well, and will keep a look out as they cruise by in their faster boat.

Naples is one of our favorite places on the Gulf coast, so blessed to spend 2 days here, while completing some quick-fix repairs, a 4 mile walk, people-watching on 5^th, laundry, reading, writing, resting, and of course, blogging.  

Another 2 days recorded, and grateful for the time, good health and opportunities God gives to spend cruising together.

Day 2, April 8: Pelican Islands Yacht Club

It's a boat, so "Expect the unexpected."

Rested well until 2:30 a.m., but awoke with no air conditioning.  Dennis took off his captain’s hat and put on his mechanical engineer’s one to check it out.  Thankfully it’s easy to access in the main salon under the settee. After about 15 minutes he found a loose wire on the capacitor, and making a guess reconnected it. Bingo, good guess!  Probably came loose from being bounced around yesterday. Shortly back to bed, and slept until 6:00.

At night we try to plan out the next day, and our schedule for today was to leave Pelican at 9:00 and go to Naples Yacht Club, about 2 hours away.  But of course, plans are weather dependent.  Radar indicated this one needed revision with showers coming in from the Gulf.  After checking with the dock master to see if we could stay another night, were glad to hunker down here.  The rain wasn’t real severe, but the winds were about like yesterday, so the change was right.  Thankfully with the club open tonight it’s a short walk over for dinner.

After leaving home early yesterday morning and our rough ride, it was good to have a day to regroup, clean floors, change out a bilge pump and inspect front running light, reload some charts, and rearrange the refrigerator. 

We call living on a boat, “Living large in small spaces,” and some days it’s challenging.  For us, attempting to keep up with routines much like home helps: coffee in the morning, stretching for both, exercising with bands and/or weights, if docked, walking Lady as far as the weather and time permits, showers, lite lunches, dinner around 6:00. All of which keeps us active and healthy and hopefully sane.

Finished the afternoon with pool/hot, tub and shower time, then a lovely dinner at the club. Back to the boat for coffee, tea and some sweets. 

Tomorrow, leaving early on a short 13-mile trip, destination Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, with a stop before docking to refuel at Naples City Marina.  

Cooler temperatures blowing in means a comfortable night for sleeping without the air, and gentle wave action for rocking to sleep. 

God’s peace to you and yours.        

 

 Day 1, April 7: Punta Gorda to Naples

Disembarqued Cesari dock at 7:15, navigated the rim canal and into Charlotte Harbor 30 minutes later.  Leaving on a long trip of any kind always brings contemplation, what did we not bring we will need, or what was left undone at home?  Those thoughts go in the Christmas frenzy category, if it really needs to get done, it did, the rest must not matter much, and as the song goes, “Let it go, let it go, just let it go!”

Hours and hours of planning and preparation goes into a long boat trip, fixing, replacing, buying, checking all systems, repairing, thinking, taking stuff off, putting more stuff on, having done everything financially and inhumanly possible to have the boat in perfect condition.  When it’s finally time to leave, and such a relief, makes you want to shout “halleluiah!”

Motoring across Charlotte Harbor seas were predicted to be 2 ft and was pretty accurate.  The Intercoastal waterway, ICW, to Ft. Myers was also pretty calm.  For the first time ever, we were able to skip the Miserable Mile on the way! It’s a dangerous mile of narrow, speeding boat traffic on the ICW to get under the Sanibel Bridge, and in season, truly a miserable mile. Now without the 60 foot mast of the sailboat, we could cut across and under the 26 foot Sanibel Causeway, into San Carlo Bay, shortening both trip, danger and frustration. 

Slipping under the causeway and into the Gulf of America, got into more of those 2 to 3 foot seas as predicted, but it was doable and comfortable.  It wasn’t long before the winds picked up, and yes, as you can imagine, so did the waves in the Gulf. Our Sailboat rule was we didn’t go out if the winds were above 15, well, they were at 17 on the bow. 

Captain Dennis did an excellent job, trying to out maneuver the waves which kept getting higher, cresting at 6 foot rollers as we pushed on towards Naples.  He sped up, slowed down, rode the crest, crashed down in the trough, saw lots of foamy white water over the bow, went closer to the shore, then back out again, but nothing seemed to help.  My job was to yell when went up those 6 feet crests and then crashed back down, and when captain asked why I said, “It’s either that or a heart attack!” I asked God to intervene, but he didn’t, so guess he trusted Dennis to get us through, and as always, he did. Arrived safe and mostly sound to Pelican Isles Yacht Club at 12:45 p.m.  Can't imagine why not, but interestingly we didn't see any other boats out on the water from Ft. Myers to Naples!!! 

Captain assured Lady, our German Sheperd and I we won't do that again!!!

Club wasn’t open so took advantage finishing off the evening with dinner at our favorite restaurant, Cooper’s Hawk. 

Blessed to be on this journey, but wiped out at 8:30! 

Sign off for tonight. God bless! 

New Adventures on "Never Say Never"

 2025 begins a new era for the Cesari's on "Never Say Never!"  

"Never gonna do that"...often gets passionately proclaimed!  Been there! 

First, swore we'd "never get another dog." after little Fritzy, then "never get another boat," and especially not a power boat, after sailing on Aurora for 13 years! 

Life changes, and never becomes a word which probably NEVER should have used EVER!  

We are ready for new adventures on a 34ft., new to us, Mainship Pilot, up the East coast to the Cheseapeake with our new dog, 3-year-old German Shepard, Lady.  

Departing April 8, first stop, Naples, FL then on to Marathon in the Keys. 

Our adventure invitation:  Come follow along with us........ 

April 15, 2019      Aurora has been made ready, with plans for us to cast off on Easter Sunday, destination, hopefully the Exumas, Bahamas.  It will be a new experience for us, although our second attempt.  
For those of you who followed us, we tried in 2013, but were struck by lightning outside of Miami, forcing us to make repairs and turn for Punta Gorda, while six other boats safely made the crossing. 

April 21- Day 1- Home to St. James City anchorage.  Avoided lots of crazy fast "Easter holiday" boaters on the ICW. Sadly, there was a fatality somewhere near Pine Island. 

April 22- Day 2- After a comfortable night's rest, weighed anchor at 7:00 just before sunrise and motored back onto the now quiet ICW, south, and under the Sanibel Bridge around 7:30.  Winds out of the east meant a perfect day for sailing in the Gulf without our engine. We were thankful for a peaceful 4 hour sail into Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.  Friends Steve and Sherry Lane joined us for dinner and great music at Shea's Pub on 5th Ave.  

April 23- Day 3 - Change of plans.  Rather than stay 2 nights in Naples we opted to go the short distance to Marco instead and be a couple of hours closer to Marathon.  Arrived at 10:45 in Marco and spent the day walking, exploring, finding a Coldstone ice cream shop...and you know what!  Day 4 would be long haul to Marathon so retired early. 

April 24 - Day 4 - With light winds predicted for today, and more for tomorrow from the wrong direction, we got up at 5:00, cast off at 6:00, skipped anchoring at Little Shark, and make the 12 hour trip to Marathon in one day, rather than two. 
Question of the day, what would your preference be?  "One 12 hour day, or two 6 hour days?"  










  

Day 17-20    April 28-May 1     St. Augustine

After the overnight here we docked at City Marina, rested, did laundry then rode our bikes to the nearest grocery store, Winn Dixie, stopping too at a roadside market to buy local blueberries.  Later we explored and talked over what else to do as we would be here for a few days because of winds.

 

The next day we were hoping to move to a mooring ball, but with the slips and balls all reserved, instead had to anchor north of the bridge with a few other boats.  It turned out ok, but didn’t put the dinghy down to go into town and hung out on the boat.  That night Dennis did not sleep well, thinking about what we should do about going further north. Our schedule was to over night to Charleston, SC, when weather would permit, probably Tuesday.  Both of us were having second thoughts.  We decided to sleep on it another night, but pretty much agreed, we would be happy to head back south to explore Florida instead. 

 

On Sunday we got onto a mooring and were again able to dinghy to the historic city.  Monday morning we biked 3 miles to the Y, I did yoga, and Dennis weights and elliptical, then 3 miles back to the marina. The Rum distillery and Chocolate Factory tours would fill up our afternoon, but just as we were getting ready to leave the boat, my back spasms started, and kept me aboard.  Dennis went on with a promise to bring me samples, which he did.  I had fixed chili early that morning so we had it for dinner.

 First, let me say that our goal for this trip was to get to Boston and explore New England.  One issue with trying to get to a certain place in a sailboat is that the wind and weather really dictate where, when, and how fast you can cruise.  Captain’s motto since a couple of rough overnights to the Dry Tortugas has been, “We are not leaving a safe port to go out into high wind or weather.”  Trying to decide what would be the right thing we went to our notes from the last trip.  2012 winds most days were 5-10 and calm seas, we spent extra days in Marathon and Ft. Lauderdale, but after those we were able to travel every day unless we chose to stay put. We cruised all the way to New York City without major weather or wind issues except for one storm in Atlantic City.

2018 winds have been 10-15, some 20s-30s, and kept us in port 4 days in Naples, 4 days in Ft. Lauderdale and 4 days in St. Augustine.  There seems to be a pattern here, and although we love being on the boat, to stay in ports will probably keep us from achieving our goal.  In fact the weather since January has been very different in Florida and in most other places, which makes us think at this rate we probably would not make it to New England.

Even if the wind and weather were perfect, another issue we recalled from 2012, were the many 10-12 hour motoring days to get up the coast to New York City, and then the return trip in the heat of the summer.  As we compared notes, dread might be too strong a word, but neither of us were looking forward to those days in July and August. 

All things considered, we decided to relax, head south, and stay in Florida exploring new places or return to places we love.  Best thing, we are not disappointed, but instead very happy with our change of plans.  Maybe instead a car trip to New England and Maine are in our future!

For those of you who have followed us this far, thanks, and sorry to disappoint.  Next year, if possible, we will attempt a trip to the Bahamas, but for now we will probably sign off the Cesaris blogspot, with this our last post. Fair winds till next time!

Nautical Miles:  573 in 21 days

Day 16-17     April 26-27     Overnight Ft. Pierce to St. Augustine

Knowing it would be long 170 miles to St. Augustine we loosed the lines and pushed away from the dock at 7:00 a.m. (Thursday).  With favorable winds and weather plus a desire to get out of Florida sooner than later we decided to do an overnight to Florida’s oldest city.  If it became necessary we could always go in at Port Canaveral, but set our heading towards the further destination. 

So often we have no choice but to motor, but today we had plenty of wind from the west which made for excellent sailing northwest with the engine silenced, and the only sound being the swoosh as Aurora cut through the sapphire water of the Atlantic.  Normally, whether under sail or motoring, we average around 6-7 knots.  So doing the math, 170 miles divided by 6.5 knots is about 26 hours to St. Augustine putting us in around 9:00 a.m. (Friday).  The big question is could we sail the whole way?   It makes for a pleasant day to have the engines off so hopefully we could keep them off at least for a while.

When darkness fell on the water the moon illuminated the way.  Another sailboat, “Salt Shaker,” who had been off to starboard all day called on the radio and found they too were overnighting to St. Augustine, as well as a catamaran, “Shenanegans,” who was in our anchorage last night. We have been amazed at the number of boats we’ve seen on this trip both day and night, compared to very few in 2012. 

Taking turns sleeping for 2 hours is what works the best for us and I took the first watch at the wheel right as the sun went down and Dennis stretched out on our berth below.  And so it went, 2 hours on, then 2 off and the winds stayed 10-12 steady, but the direction starting out NW then N, then NE, then E, then SE, finally S., eventually clocking around a full 360 degrees.  Predicted wind was to have been 10 from the west all night.  Around 3:00 it jumped to  SW 15-20 for a couple of hours.  Now with full sails up it would have been hard to keep the boat upright, but before sunset we decided to reef down the main sail by 1/3, and then reef the head sail as necessary, which really helped with the wind picked up for those couple of hours.  I was grateful it was not during my watch and Captain handled the sails beautifully, keeping the ride comfortable.   We traveled about 8 miles off shore all night with Salt Shaker close by, but when the winds increased they headed in to 2 miles off shore to be more comfortable.

ETA was 9:00 on Friday, and we made the Bridge of Lions at 8:30, it had been a good night, but a long one, and Dennis was ready for a nap.  Sounds like more high winds for the next few days, so will probably be in St. Augustine until Tuesday and then overnight to Charleston, SC.

Nautical Miles:  170  and only used 17 gallons of fuel. Averaged 6.5 knots. Thankful for the wind and safe passage!

Day 15     April 25, 2018     Lake Worth to Ft. Piece

In almost every Florida channel you will find large container and cruise ships transversing accompanied by a pilot boat out ahead, warning of their entrance or exit.  This morning motoring slowly out of the anchorage, seeing the pilot’s flashing lights, but not the ship, Captain slowed Aurora.  AIS describes them as having “limited maneuverability,” i.e.; they’re huge!  When this big girl came creeping around the corner and into view, we were thankful for the pilot’s early morning alert.

Several huge dredgers with long tubes sucking up sand to return back to the eroded beaches were moving parallel to the shore today.  Maybe that’s what need on the Gulf Coast to replenish after storms wash our sandy playground out to sea.

In 2012 we anchored in the Ft. Pierce channel, but unable to purchase fuel there today motored a short way into the Ft. Pierce Marina on the Indian River.  With 237 dockage slips many live aboards on all sizes and shapes of boats call this cruiser-friendly marina home. Walking around downtown and a waterfront market didn’t take long and left us wondering how a mammoth Federal Courthouse came to be there.  Afterwards we wound up back at the marina’s tiki hut using our 20% off coupon for dinner. 

Tomorrow we are planning to do an overnight 170 miles to St. Augustine.  Forgetting to get ice until 8:30 we called and the friendly dock hand quickly agreed to meet Dennis and get us some.  Couldn’t get any better customer service, definitely a 5 star marina!

Nautical Miles: 49.7

Day 14    April 24, 2018     Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Worth 

        

Most bridge openings are on a schedule, while some are on request.  When we came in the Port Everglades inlet on Saturday there were several sizes and shapes of boats on both sides of the bridge waiting patiently for the scheduled 3:30 p.m. opening.   This morning for the 7:00 a.m. it was only Aurora who stopped traffic.  Sure hope she didn’t cause anyone to be a few minutes late to their destination.  She was into the Atlantic early to avoid the predicted rainstorms in the afternoon, with sails up for a short time, then motoring 3 miles off shore avoiding any wave action for the rest of the trip.

 

It was a clear, calm day and arrived to the Lake Worth inlet around 1:00.  What wasn’t calm were the currents where we anchored, and after noticing every boat in the anchorage had their bow facing a different direction decided we were too close for comfort and went a few yards farther into the anchorage.

As predicted the storms came rolling through in the evening cleaning the sea salt off Aurora’s topside, but thankfully didn’t produce any significant lightening.  Even with the shift in current overnight our anchor held us in place for another comfortable night’s rest.

Nautical Miles:  45

Day 12-13     April 22-23    Las Olas Marina, Ft. Lauderdale

There are much worse things than being forced to spend two extra days in Ft. Lauderdale on a boat.  From a cruiser’s perspective it’s probably the best place to be weathered in.  It’s where Dennis repaired Aurora in 2013, after we were struck by lightning in Miami, finding every possible resource at our fingertips plus the largest West Marine in the world. 

Two days in between the rain showers to do laundry, to walk the boardwalk, to clean the boat, and to take a memorable trolley ride!  Our destination was a trolley stop 7 blocks from West Marine, another stop on the way back at Publix, and be returned to the original trolley stop one block from the Marina.  Sounded simple enough.  Right?  After accomplishing two of three, we hopped the trolley at the same stop where 1st one dropped us expecting to return to our point of entry.  All I can say we should have saved our six bucks from the all day pass, and ridden our bikes.  We did have a nice tour of Las Olas Blvd., got off the trolley after realizing it was going the wrong direction, waited for the next one that never came, then wound up walking back to the marina, our backpacks still heavily laden with Publix goods.  Thank goodness for Map Quest and phones to point the way to home.

Nautical Miles: 0  Walking miles: 5

Day 11     April 21, 2018     Rodriguez Key to Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas Marina

Our custom mattress from Bedmasters in Port Charlotte makes for an awesome night’s rest, and occasionally can even lull us into sleeping in until 7:00.  This was not a morning to lounge, and were up at 5:00 checking the wind and weather forecasts.  Aurora’s cruising speed is around 6 to 6 ½ knots, making Ft. Lauderdale, 71 nautical miles away, a long haul from Rodriguez.  We had plan B, if the weather became a factor, we’d be stopping at No Name Harbor in Miami instead.  Rodriguez Key is an easy in and out wide open anchorage, so leaving at 6:15 without much light was not a problem.  Thus it being an anchorage many use to leave from on their Bahamas crossing.

Wind can be your friend or foe.  East/Northeast at 8-10 it was definitely on our side today.  Our Genoa, the head sail, was unfurled the whole distance helping Aurora average 7.77 knots.  No Name Harbor came into view around 11:30, and the weather although overcast, stayed clear of storms, so we passed it, cleared Government Cut, Miami by 12:30, entering the way point for Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale. Our entrance into the channel was smooth, making the 3:30 opening of the 17^th Street Bridge, took on fuel at the City Marina and were docked at Las Olas Marina by 4:00.   This marina is a block from the Ft. Lauderdale Beach, so of course we headed there first to walk and then eat.

Today there were a couple of interesting boats along the way. First was a huge cargo ship, 0.182 nm. long and 148 ft beam, 39 ft. draft, employed by the Maersk Line.  It came out of the Government Cut loaded to the top with containers, making it several stories high and passed a quarter a mile in front of Aurora.  Second boat, the T/S Gunilla, a three masted tall ship, 164 ft. long, 26 ft. beam, was built in 1941 in Sweden, destination Charleston. It is listed as a training ship and appeared to have many young people aboard, although not sure for what kind of training.

   

Nautical Miles:  71.7

 

Day 10     April 20, 2018     Marathon, Boot Key to Rodriguez Key

Leaving today for Rodriguez meant leaving behind our good friends and sailing buddies, Tom, Sandy with furry friend Stormy, on Higher Porpoise, and Suzanne and Mark Stillwell on Dragonfly.  We were glad they cruised along with us this far and wish them even more great days exploring and enjoying the laid back lifestyle of the Keys.

   

With rainy, stormy weather predicted for tomorrow afternoon, our destination for today was, Rodriguez Key, 47 miles north. The sun coming up over the harbor was the signal for us to drop our mooring ball free and slip out of the sea of boats in Boot Key Harbor.  Four other sailboats had the same idea as we all motored quietly and safely through the narrow waterway into Hawk’s Channel and the Atlantic together.  Four of five headed southward, while lone Aurora‘s heading was set northward. 

Water in the Keys is the most beautiful, clear, aquamarine, and the reefs along the northern Keys, keep it shallow, so the bottom, only ten to fifteen feet below, is visible from above.  About half way to Rodriguez Key Dennis spotted, Fair Winds, our friends, Mike and Linda Weins’ sailboat on the AIS coming towards us on our starboard.  About that time we heard Mike hail us on the VHS radio.  Ironically they had just spent the night at Rodriguez after their crossing from the Bahamas, completing their two months cruise there.  It was good as always to recognize friend’s voices on the radio, hear about their adventures in the Bahamas, and finally to bode them farewell and safe travels!

By now the aquamarine water had changed to emerald green dotted with patches of floating brown sea grass, a beautiful combination.  Arriving about 2:15 and setting anchor, one of the first tasks was to clean the engine sea strainer.  Again, being diligent to notice even slight changes in the temperature of the engine can mean saving you major problems.  Dennis thought the engine was running a little hot, and was not surprise to find seaweed and plankton in the strainer.  

We enjoyed the quiet anchorage, but were intrigued by a large fish who circled our boat about 6 times.  Think we might have been in his favorite spot!

Dennis’ pasta sauce was served up for dinner with our new bottle of Cesari wine purchased in Naples, and thinking the Oakes Market will be the destination for a land cruise when we return home, as it was a fine wine we found there!

Nautical Miles traveled:  47

AIS is Automatic Identification System.  It is used to track position, movement, course, and speed of named boats, and is the primary method of collision avoidance for water transport.   

Day 9     April 19, 2018      Little Shark to Marathon, Boot Key

Awakened in the night I carefully ventured out of the cabin expecting a barrage of famous Little Shark bugs, but instead found a clear cloudless night dotted with brilliant diamonds, including the dust of the Milky Way; Just another breath-taking cruising moment.

One lone fisherman appeared around 7:00 a.m. to cast a bit in the Little Shark River, joined by one lone pelican on the channel marker.  All 3 sailboats were southward bound by 7:15, keeping a sharp lookout for crab pots with literally hundreds strung along our route to Marathon.  Stone crab pots can be destructive to a prop if the line happens to wrap around it.  Attached to our props is a blade which is supposed to cut the line attached to the pot preventing damage should we happen to catch one. Tom Wells, on Higher Porpoise, noticed his RPMs slowed down at the 7 mile bridge and when he arrived in the mooring field found a crab pot line dangling from his prop.  He was able to successfully stretch the line across his cutter to remove it, preventing damage to the prop; another problem easily solved, but if left unnoticed could have meant serious consequences.  Good catch Tom!!!

Stopping at Burdines to top off the diesel fuel then continuing on Marathon Boot Key City Marina to successfully pick up a mooring ball, everyone arrived safely without incident. The mooring field looked great considering Hurricane Irma had just plowed through in September 2017 causing massive damage to many boats in the harbor.  It took only 3 months to get the mooring field and marina reopened, and was amazing to see 200 boats already there.  It was easy to pick out the surviving hurricane boats, patched up with plastic, black tape, and plywood. Around the marina there were areas where the damage was evident, but not as bad as expected. Their main building, restrooms, laundry, and dinghy docks were all intact. All in all it looked like the boats took the worst of it. 

After two great days out in the Gulf, a celebration at the Keys Fishery picnic tables overlooking the water was in order.  Small tarpon and sharks swam a few feet away giving us a close up look at the sea life in Marathon.  

A mother manatee with her baby gracefully nosing along the dinghy docks were the highlight of another fabulous day on the water!

Nautical Miles Traveled: 45

Day 8     Wed., April 18, 2018    Naples to Little Shark River Anchorage, Everglades

Our Cruising day routine

·         Up at 5:00

·         Coffee

·         Sunscreen

·         Water bottles filled; Drink 2-3, 20oz. per day to stay hydrated

·         Secure cabin; All doors and cabinets locked, and all loose articles secured

·         Electronics powered up; Radio, Chart plotter, radar, wind instruments, depth, autopilot

·          Fenders removed/stored

·         Captain’s seat in place

·         Life jackets, hat and sunglasses

·         Start engine

·         Remove 5 dock lines

·         Push off from dock

With 66 miles to go before we sleep, leaving the Naples docks at 6:30 was a necessity.  Everyone made sure their fuel and water tanks were topped off and ready to go on Tuesday.  Getting away from the docks can be difficult in winds, but there was none, allowing all of us to depart without incident.

Into the Gulf at 7:00 then locked on a heading to first skirt around Ramono Shoals with the ETA to Little Shark 4:30.  A light wind from the East filled our head sail for a short time, but when it shifted more south, or “on the nose,” as Dennis says, our sailing became just motoring.

 

Its days like this that makes us wonder why we live on land.  Clear sunny skies, 80 degree fresh salt air, aqua green water, dolphins, pelicans, even a turtle graced our journey.  And with no cell service, plenty of time to read, reflect, write, exercise and pray. 

With winds increasing from the southwest the decision was made by Captain Dennis to go into the anchorage instead of anchoring offshore.  Being first into anchorage allowed us to choose anywhere to drop the hook.  First a shallow spot, then deeper water, but when the tide dropped another 3ft., and was to predicted to drop another 1½ ft. we pulled up the 55lb. Rocna and found even deeper water.  Terrible mosquitoes and flies frequent the popular stopover, but our overnight stay was bug-free.  By sunset there were 9 boats of various sizes tucked into the protected water.

Although Naples was nice, it was much nicer to finally be on the water again, ending our day in the remote anchorage blissfully quiet after the busy noise of the city.

Nautical Miles traveled:  66 miles