Little Shark to Marathon (April 10-11, 2013)

Most of us get in our cars for a vacation trip and it’s not unusual to travel three hundred miles or more in a day which just doesn’t happen when traveling by boat.  So not only do you have to think of living in small spaces when cruising, you have to get used to thinking of traveling short distances in a day as good progress.  It’s not unusual for us to cover only 30 to 40 miles to get to the next port.  And where in a car you can average 70 miles an hour, on a boat it’s probably going to be only about 5 or 6 nautical miles in an hour, making a 40 mile day sometimes stretch into an 8 hour passage.  The nagging questions of “Are we there yet? or When will we arrive?”  do still come up, but are answered quite simply by our electronic road map, ie chart plotter showing a computer read out of our present location and distance to the next way point.  Captain has entered these points all along our journey to make sure we get to the correct destination and avoid any shallow or hazardous areas especially given Aurora’s 5 ½ ft draft.

Yesterday was an almost perfect sailing day, and every bit as good as our trip to Burnt Store last Friday.  Leaving Little Shark at 7:00 our heading was south with easterly sustained 15-18 knot winds, thus we traveled all day on a one-tack reach with no engine power.  Almost as soon as we left the anchorage at Little Shark though, crab pots littered the water by the hundreds and even with the engine off we kept a sharp lookout to avoid hitting and wrapping one around the prop.   From Little Shark three of the Bahama bound boats with shallower drafts (less than 4 ft) in our group, Chatty Cat, Broadwater II and Chat-eau took an easterly route heading for the ICW, the inside route up the east coast of FL to Miami, while the other three of us with deeper drafts, the Sharps on Lena Bea, Beers on Valhalla and us, needing the deeper water of the outside route cleared the Seven Mile Bridge about 1:00p.m and into Boot Key Harbor by 2:00 p.m.  And then the decision for the Bahama bound Sharps and us, do we stay here two nights, or only one and then head north in the morning?  With winds tomorrow predicted to be 20-25 knots we opted for a day of R, R, and R (that’s rest, relaxation, and as always, repairs) here in the safe harbor.  

Valhalla's plans all along were to accompany us just this far on their maiden gulf coast voyage and then stay to explore the Keys for a few days before returning home.  We cheered as they pulled into their final destination, Boot Key Harbor, picking up their mooring ball on the first try and with the high winds quite an accomplishment!  We have been blessed to get acquainted with these two amazing and tenacious sailors.  Last night during our sunset dinner at Burdines they leaned forward and gave each other a kiss, something they said they have done for the last 45 years:  a truly amazing couple.

Just imagine sailing for 6 hours covering 36 nautical miles with no engine, certainly a wonderful first for us, and making short distances a perfect way to travel.

Marco Island to Little Shark (4-9-13)

Smokehouse Bay at Marco turned out to be a delightful anchorage, with only a five minute ride to a wonderful dinghy dock at Winn Dixie, and West Marine a few blocks from there.  In the evening Sharps, Kidwells and, Beers gathered on Aurora with us for snacks and cocktails sharing how to disengage mooring ball lines from props and other amusing antidotes. 

With a long day ahead to cover the 52 miles to Little Shark we were up washing clay off the anchor by 7:15 as were several others.  When traveling with a group you see how many little things can go wrong to slow cruisers down and make a long day even longer.  One boat was pulling up anchor at the same time we were, but as we exited the channel were nowhere in sight.  Come to find out their wash down system wouldn’t work to clean off the anchor and they spent an hour working on it before finally hauling bucket after bucket of water to the front of the boat putting them an hour behind schedule.  Another had to stop drop a hook in the channel and work on his rudder making him also have a much later start than planned.  Still another waited 45 minutes at the fuel dock.  Once underway, we were all treated to several hours of sailing on a southerly heading with winds out of the east, but as it often goes once we set our heading more eastward, sails were dropped and engines again purred.  Arrivals at Little Shark were at varied hours, but thankfully everyone, after solving all the unexpected issues in the morning settled tired but comfortably into the anchorage.  One last boater had to pull a crab pot off the prop after he arrived, with luckily no damage done.  Even with brisk east winds, which kept the bugs at bay, holding was excellent and the starry sky was just brilliant at this place known as Little Shark, part of the Everglades National Forest.

(At Little Shark we had no phone or internet service but will get the blog up to date tomorrow as we have good service now that we arrived here in Marathon this afternoon.)

 

 

Ft. Myers Beach to Marco Island

Just before bedtime last night Dennis had to tighten up our mooring line and then the east winds gently rocked us to sleep.  In the morning we had no issues getting underway around 7:45, but later learned that two others in our group had mooring balls to catch under their boats causing them to take the plunge into the 78 degree water of the harbor to free their lines.  Burrrrrr…glad not to have that experience to describe. 

Easterly winds were around 10 knots making for another good sail, not completely engineless, but blessing us with more quiet sailing than noisy motoring.  We made the 40 mile passage to Marco from Ft. Myers Beach in around 6 hours with only a few pesky crab pots to avoid, pulling into Smokehouse Bay around 2:00p.m.  Amazingly, on our arrival Don Kidwell, a fellow Mariner who is not on the cruise with us, came to our rescue and dinghyed over to explain the best spot to set the hook.  If he hadn’t we might have been aground at low tide in the middle of the night.  Proving again that Mariners are just the best, coming to the aid of others!!! 

 

Tomorrow we will have a 56 mile trip to Little Shark and will not have any service while traveling for the next two days, so look for a long post on Wednesday evening. 

********************************************************************************

 

We call it “living large in small spaces”…think of a living in a 300 square foot house for 2 months.  But you know what, it’s one of the best things about cruising, living efficiently.  So think again of everything you couldn’t live without, then ask yourself what purpose does it have, and could it be used for something else.  Dual purpose and fitting into small spaces helps narrow the choices.  All that being said we seldom have to leave behind the things that make life easier, albeit if it uses electrical power it might get quickly vetoed, as saving power is a top priority, especially when anchoring.   But back to living efficiently…how much “stuff” that fills our lives is really that necessary for a good life, and does taking care of the “stuff” sometimes keep us from having the time to do the things that really matter?  Cruising makes you slow down, treasure time with friends and family, and throw off the chains of the “stuff.”  Sorry about the rambling…and oh by the way, there’s lots of time for philosophizing in these small spaces.

Burnt Store Marina on Charlotte Harbor to Ft. Myer’s Beach

Clear skies, rising tide, easterly 10 knot winds creating following seas, and light chop on the water escorted us from Burnt Store Marina into Charlotte Harbor around 10:20a.m. this morning, finally Bahama bound. 

It’s been three days since we left home, but already the cruising routines have begun.  Before leaving in the mornings everything inside the cabin must be secured, routes must be charted and weather apps carefully studied to make sure conditions are good for travel.  Upon departure, all lines, hoses, electrical cords and fenders must be secured, with instruments turned on to make sure they’re functioning properly. 

Crossing Charlotte Harbor was easy and uneventful arriving on the ICW near Boca Grande around 12:00p.m.   At Useppa we were joined by another Mariner sailboat, Valhalla, with crew Louis and Sherry Beer on their maiden voyage to the Keys.  The Miserable Mile in Ft. Myers was enough to make even the seasoned sailor ill with large vessels kicking up wakes of all shapes and sizes.  Finally under the Sanibel Bridge we motored to Ft. Myers Beach picking up a mooring ball around 4:30p.m., covering the 43-mile day in about 6 hours.  Overall a good day, except for heavy Sunday afternoon boating traffic, we were all ready to relax.  Four of the seven boats gathered aboard Wayne and Michele Sharp’s  “Lena B,” for appetizers and cocktails, while the other three wandered ashore to explore the Ft. Myers Beach sand sculptures and have dinner at Nervous Nellies.  Gentle breezes should make for gentle dreams for the night, resting crews for tomorrow's destination, Marco Island.    

Being on the water means leaving the hectic pace of retirement life and slowing to a turtle’s pace, immersed in the wonder of nature.  Seeing everyday things in a new perspective, senses intensify and the beauty of God’s world is again brought sharply into focus.  Elements of wind and water now control our destination, and possibly destiny.  Venturing into the unknown to test self-reliance and strength of our faith, we feel both privileged and grateful for this awesome opportunity. 

Home to Burnt Store Marina

After months of preparation, anticipation, and occasional consternation, we cast off Aurora’s lines and departed our home port of Punta Gorda Isles yesterday at 10:00 a.m.   Unlike last year when we quietly slipped off the bowlines with little a due, our departure was noted by our neighbor’s hand-scripted “Bon Voyage” sign and as we motored about a half mile into the canals were surprised to be joined our friends Dave and Anna aboard their Catamaran  “Lion’s Paw.”  Another 15 minutes, a Hunter, “Southern Bell” with skipper Joe and first mate Lisa, pulled into the procession, then followed more Mariners, Jim and Dawn on their newly acquired Hunter vessel, “Tranquillo.”  

So you know Aurora’s Bahama Bound, and some of you know that 7 assorted vessels are also headed for the Abocos with us.  But none of the above mentioned sailing vessels are making the that crossing, instead we all set a course for Burnt Store Marina about 9 nautical miles south of Ponce Inlet.  Morning rains had freshened the winds and made for an amazing two-hour engineless sail across the harbor in 8-15 knot winds.  What a fun sail for everyone and what better way to start the first leg of our trip than accompanied by our sailing friends.  In our minds we’re thinking, “This could be the best sailing of the whole trip!”   Just a little before 1:00p.m. Captain Dennis guided “Aurora” into her slip, with the other sailors in the flotilla all safely harbored shortly thereafter.   

Greeting us as we docked were members of our PGI Mariners boating club who had also arrived for our annual Regatta, which includes but is not limited to a race for the sailboats, crazy games, fabulous food, entertainment, dancing, prizes…everything you can imagine for a fun-filled two-day event.  Last night was Hollywood night, with skits, surprise visits from Mariner/Hollywood stars, prime rib, with all the fixin’s, then DJ and dancing into the night.  Today was team games…more food…manatee sitings…scavenger hunt…crafts.  Tonight…more food…more dancing…more good fun with our boating friends.   It doesn’t sound really relaxing, but after a month of listing, purchasing, washing, packing, hauling,  cleaning house and boat for departure, it’s actually quite a nice change of pace, and quite enjoyable.  Plus it will be two days in the luxury of a marina before we are again “Bahama Bound.”   

To those of you who followed last year, welcome back, and for those just joining us welcome aboard…and hope you enjoy the journey with us.   We will be able to post almost every day till April 15, then only when we have access to Wifi, which may not be every day, so please be patient if you do not hear from us but every few days.  Just know we miss each of you that you are in our thoughts and prayers throughout our journey, and please keep us in yours.     

(Bahama Bound, all things considered, continued from Mar. 24 blog post) 
Please ignore highlighted words in the text.  

Two more considerations for the trip…

Body…

Health:  Usual recommended first aid items plus, antibiotics, clot aid, super glue for deep cuts, white vinegar for jellyfish stings, blood pressure cuff, heating pad, sea sickness wristbands/pills, Ginger Aid tea, ginger ale, ginger cookies, getting a theme here?  Yes, ginger is good for sea sickness, and although we never “heave ho,” you just never know. 

Fitness:  resistance bands, Pilate DVDs 

Gear:  wet suits, rain suits, snorkeling equipment, water shoes, marriage savers.

Nutrition:  Some food items are difficult to purchase in the Bahamas, and if they have them they’re expensive, so the provisioning list is long, but stocking 40 plus dinners with meats/meals in Seal a Meal packages in our freezer, canned pasta sauce, new bread machine, powdered milk, potatoes, rice, pastas, canned veggies and fruits because produce is scarce there.  Removing cardboard from packages to eliminate trash and storing crush able items in tubs are two space savers.  In trying to eat much like we do at home, we just have to prepare a little differently.  The grill on board is quick and healthy solution for the meats.  Canning ahead is great for soups, red and white chilies.  Our oven will come in handy for baking items that are plentiful in the states, but that we won’t find in the Abacos, a three burner stove top, plus a microwave should cover anything and everything we want to prepare. 

Boating Equipment/Necessities…

Marriage savers, looky bucket, dinghy swim ladder (Dennis made), barbecue grill, Sailrite Ultrafeed Sewing Machine with extra snaps, straps, and sail patches, many extra boat parts, heaters, pumps, switches, too numerous to mention.

Preparations update: 

Dennis has been up the mast 5 times in the last week, three of them today, but finally got the antennae replaced all by himself (and a little help from his Admiral)…saving some $.  Scariest part was with the wind blowing 5-8 knots he had to use a blow torch at the top to solder, and then to loosen a fitting that he couldn’t manage with wrenches.   At the bottom I’m thinking, “What do I do if he catches himself on fire up there?!!!”  But he is super cautious, and thankfully completed the job with just one small drop of solder stuck on his jeans. Just off one of the the main streets in our subdivision we were quite entertaining with people honking, yelling and even one friend stopping for pictures.    

It was worth it though after completing a radio check and hearing radio calls from miles away…just amazing, and also realized it's no telling what we missed all those miles up the east coast last year!

Today saw the return of our autopilot computer from Raymarine…installed and ready for calibration tomorrow, fingers crossed it also works correctly, we are cautiously optimistic.  Best part, it was under warranty!   

If you are new to the Cesari blog, welcome, and if you are a returning friend, welcome back. However you found your way here, it is good to have you on board, and hoping you enjoy the journey.  A:)U(:RORA                                                         

It has been 7 long/short months, depending on your perspective, since signing off in August from our east coast adventure.  After the last post, plans formalized to attempt, all things considered, a trip to the Abacos, Bahamas in April 2013.  So what, you ask is considered in preparing body, mind, and boat, plus the house, for a two-month cruise, and how is this trip different from staying stateside?    

Two Things Considered….

Mind…gathering information: “Bahama Bound” par excellence course by Steve and Nancy Johnson who navigated us through much food for thought on topics including, but not limited to, communications (including radios, phone, Internet, weather info) customs, web resources, best Apps, charts, routes, insurance, pets, firearms, anchorages, marinas, island highlights and how to avoid hazards in between.

Boat...making sure Aurora's systems are seaworthy:  overheating engine in December-January, after multiple attempts at repairs, replaced cracked engine head; upgraded chart plotter (computer maps of the water), radar, and thereby all computer systems attached; multiple trips up the mast to replace the radio antennae and radar dome; sent off malfunctioning autopilot (cruise control) computer in on Mar. 22, and praying that it is returned functional by April 5; installed new AM/FM radio with XM radio; replaced dodger windows; new dinghy chaps; multiple calls and dollars to Dave W. our “go to” guy for making sure all systems are a “go.”  Plus many, many other misc repairs/upgrades by captain too boring to mention, and time consuming to explain.

10 days to Departure  Thanks for following; we will try to post a few times before we leave PGI.