Anchored off Plantation Harbor Marina, Islamorada. FL
Day 44. Jan 30. 2017
We were aground over night. The wind calmed during the night and the day dawned calm and sunny. At 12noon Tow Boat US came back, about 22 hours after we went aground and pulled us off easily. The man said it was a lot easier when he was not fighting 30kt winds. We motored about a mile to just outside a marina and dropped anchor in 6 ft. It sure felt good not to be stuck on a sand bar. The afternoon stayed fairly calm but after dark the wind kicked up again, only in the teens not 30+. Our snubber was not rigged just right and we got a lot of jerking. Just recently got a new rig that is very different from what we usually used. The freezer condenser seems happy again and is keeping the temp down where it belongs. I think being keel cooled having the keel in the sand caused the problem, but that is just a guess based on what was going on when it seemed to give out on us. Between the sun and the wind the batteries have stayed charged nicely so all is working fine.
Day 45. Jan 31 2017 Plantation Harbor Marina. at anchor
Last night was a little bouncy but nothing too bad. Sunny but chilly even under the canvas sunroom until afternoon when it got comfortable. I had on sweat pants and Lee wore jeans so you know it was cool. We did next to nothing except a little more detail planning on crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas Banks. We are hoping to be able to go across in the next week to 10 days. It is never cold in the Exumas. We talked to our house sitters today and she got bitten by a friends dog. It was bad enough to need stitches. Can not imagine that, she loves dogs and could not have done anything to justify a dog doing that. It was a German Shepard, maybe it is just bred into them to be vicious. I know lots of people say that is bullcrap but I would never want a doberman or pit bull or any dog known for aggression. Think we will leave here soon to get our last minute provisions buttoned down and get set to take off when everything weather wise is a GO.
Voyages of Sea Turtle
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Day 42 & 43. Jan 28 & 29, 2017. Sat & Sun
Anchored off Keys, FL
Jan 28, 2017. Saturday
We did not do much today. It was a mostly sunny easy day but after dark the wind picked up. It was a really bouncy night. We checked around and found where we could get our propane tanks for cooking and the dinghy motor refilled. It was far enough away we will have to rent a car to get refills. There is a yachting club that will accept transients, Upper Keys Sailing Club. We can get water there too.
Jan. 29, 2017. Sunday
Lots of rain, serious wind and cool weather today. We decided to move from where we anchored last night and when we came up top we saw we were not where we anchored. Our anchor had drug. When we pulled it up a crab pot float was embedded in the grass and sand in the anchor. That is the first time that has happened to us. We started our engine and motored to a place that had a sand bar that slowed the waves down a bit. The wind was over 30kts and it was really tough going. After a few hours Lee decided that an anchorage called Cow Pens off Islamorada would be better and more protected. We headed that way and before we reached our intended anchorage we went aground. We do not have much tide but hoped there would be enough to float us off. We hung around for few hours and could not get off so finally called Tow Boat US around 4:30. They came but could not pull our full keel heavy sail boat off. We tried again about 9pm and still could not budge the boat. We will try again tomorrow in the day light. Pretty sure we won't drift away. Between the wind, the weather and the going aground this has not been a fun day! The wind kept the batteries charged to 94%. The only upside of this weather.
The freezer had been staying cold much better until today and it started rising about 1/10 of a degree every 10 or 15 minutes once we ran aground. It went from 21 last night to 36 tonight. It is full of 3 months worth of meat. Would hate to lose it all. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Jan 28, 2017. Saturday
We did not do much today. It was a mostly sunny easy day but after dark the wind picked up. It was a really bouncy night. We checked around and found where we could get our propane tanks for cooking and the dinghy motor refilled. It was far enough away we will have to rent a car to get refills. There is a yachting club that will accept transients, Upper Keys Sailing Club. We can get water there too.
Jan. 29, 2017. Sunday
Lots of rain, serious wind and cool weather today. We decided to move from where we anchored last night and when we came up top we saw we were not where we anchored. Our anchor had drug. When we pulled it up a crab pot float was embedded in the grass and sand in the anchor. That is the first time that has happened to us. We started our engine and motored to a place that had a sand bar that slowed the waves down a bit. The wind was over 30kts and it was really tough going. After a few hours Lee decided that an anchorage called Cow Pens off Islamorada would be better and more protected. We headed that way and before we reached our intended anchorage we went aground. We do not have much tide but hoped there would be enough to float us off. We hung around for few hours and could not get off so finally called Tow Boat US around 4:30. They came but could not pull our full keel heavy sail boat off. We tried again about 9pm and still could not budge the boat. We will try again tomorrow in the day light. Pretty sure we won't drift away. Between the wind, the weather and the going aground this has not been a fun day! The wind kept the batteries charged to 94%. The only upside of this weather.
The freezer had been staying cold much better until today and it started rising about 1/10 of a degree every 10 or 15 minutes once we ran aground. It went from 21 last night to 36 tonight. It is full of 3 months worth of meat. Would hate to lose it all. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Friday, January 27, 2017
Day 41. Jan. 27, 2017. Friday
Anchored off Tavernier Key, FL
Today we decided to go sail. We started off in the late morning and sailed until about 3:30-4:00. There was not much wind. Varied from 5 to 9 kts. The up side is we could go in what ever direction we had the best wind position, well within reason. This area is on the west side of the keys and most people would think it is the Gulf of Mexico but, it is called the Florida Bay. It is dotted with mangrove islands and shallow spots so you can't just go anywhere the wind blows or you will go aground or run into a mangrove tree. We had some broad reach sailing which is the most fun, some close haul and stern which is not as good and something we never did before in this boat, wing and wing. Our club footed boom on our jib makes sailing wing and wing tricky but we did it for a while with a stern wind. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Sitting at anchor can get boring.
I route planned all night in my sleep, or not sleep, going across the Gulf Stream and Lee had had enough of that too so it was a day off so to speak. We know Sun. is going to be nasty and no chance before Tues of getting out of here. Although Here is a pretty place to be, all things considered.
Today we decided to go sail. We started off in the late morning and sailed until about 3:30-4:00. There was not much wind. Varied from 5 to 9 kts. The up side is we could go in what ever direction we had the best wind position, well within reason. This area is on the west side of the keys and most people would think it is the Gulf of Mexico but, it is called the Florida Bay. It is dotted with mangrove islands and shallow spots so you can't just go anywhere the wind blows or you will go aground or run into a mangrove tree. We had some broad reach sailing which is the most fun, some close haul and stern which is not as good and something we never did before in this boat, wing and wing. Our club footed boom on our jib makes sailing wing and wing tricky but we did it for a while with a stern wind. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Sitting at anchor can get boring.
I route planned all night in my sleep, or not sleep, going across the Gulf Stream and Lee had had enough of that too so it was a day off so to speak. We know Sun. is going to be nasty and no chance before Tues of getting out of here. Although Here is a pretty place to be, all things considered.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Day 40. Jan 26, 2017. Thursday
Anchored off Tavernier Key. FL
Today was another day of enjoying the lovely weather and beautiful aquamarine water. Lee got industrious and cleaned all the stainless steel on the deck. I intended to clean the cabin but did not get around to it. We spent some time looking at options for jumping off spots to go the Bahamas and landing places to clear customs. We still have not decided but have narrowed it down.
We tried to listen to weather guru Chris Parker but the transmission on SSB radio had so much static we could not hear but about half what he said. We gathered he did not think it was a great time to cross the Gulf Stream. We need to fill our diesel jerry cans, our water cans and pick up some bread & milk and paper towels and I think we will be ready to jump when the weather is a GO. We plan to go to some of the places we enjoyed before and explore some new places too. Maybe stay 6 weeks or more.
Looks like we are going to have a rainy cool day this weekend. First one of those in a long time. We have been very lucky with the weather except for the bad winds earlier this week. Just another day in paradise. Retirement is great.
Today was another day of enjoying the lovely weather and beautiful aquamarine water. Lee got industrious and cleaned all the stainless steel on the deck. I intended to clean the cabin but did not get around to it. We spent some time looking at options for jumping off spots to go the Bahamas and landing places to clear customs. We still have not decided but have narrowed it down.
We tried to listen to weather guru Chris Parker but the transmission on SSB radio had so much static we could not hear but about half what he said. We gathered he did not think it was a great time to cross the Gulf Stream. We need to fill our diesel jerry cans, our water cans and pick up some bread & milk and paper towels and I think we will be ready to jump when the weather is a GO. We plan to go to some of the places we enjoyed before and explore some new places too. Maybe stay 6 weeks or more.
Looks like we are going to have a rainy cool day this weekend. First one of those in a long time. We have been very lucky with the weather except for the bad winds earlier this week. Just another day in paradise. Retirement is great.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Day 39. Jan 25, 2017. Wednesday
Anchored off Tavernier Key, FL
We had a calm and lovely night. We awoke to a sea as smooth as glass and a slight breeze. Was as totally opposite from the 2 days in the marina as it could have been. We just enjoyed the calm and sunshine and perfect temps. We did a little studying on getting to the Bahamas and where we would check in. The location we went through customs last time is no longer open due to hurricane damage from Matthew. Napped and enjoyed the NOW. Boring to our readers but great for us.
We had a calm and lovely night. We awoke to a sea as smooth as glass and a slight breeze. Was as totally opposite from the 2 days in the marina as it could have been. We just enjoyed the calm and sunshine and perfect temps. We did a little studying on getting to the Bahamas and where we would check in. The location we went through customs last time is no longer open due to hurricane damage from Matthew. Napped and enjoyed the NOW. Boring to our readers but great for us.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Day 38. Jan 24,2017. Tuesday
Anchored off Tavernier Key. FL
The wind finally died down in the middle of the night. This morning we got up and filled our water tank, disposed of our trash and headed south. Glad to be out of the marina. We did not go far. Only a few miles to an anchorage on the FL bay side near Tavernier Creek. It is mostly 8-10 foot deep and has quite a few crab pots.
It has water the color of the gem stone aqua marine. I had never really thought of it before but that is a perfect description of the stone. Color of sea water. In the Bahamas the water is more the color of blue topaz, more turquoise. The bottom is grass and sand and a bit murky right now because of the high winds recently. For the next several days the day time temps are 70s and night time 60s. Which is really nice when we are on the hook because we do not have AC if we do not have shore power,
It finally feels like we made it. We are in beautiful water, anchored off islands, soaking up sun and relaxing. We will enjoy this time until we can cross to the Bahamas, where it only gets even better.
The wind finally died down in the middle of the night. This morning we got up and filled our water tank, disposed of our trash and headed south. Glad to be out of the marina. We did not go far. Only a few miles to an anchorage on the FL bay side near Tavernier Creek. It is mostly 8-10 foot deep and has quite a few crab pots.
It has water the color of the gem stone aqua marine. I had never really thought of it before but that is a perfect description of the stone. Color of sea water. In the Bahamas the water is more the color of blue topaz, more turquoise. The bottom is grass and sand and a bit murky right now because of the high winds recently. For the next several days the day time temps are 70s and night time 60s. Which is really nice when we are on the hook because we do not have AC if we do not have shore power,
It finally feels like we made it. We are in beautiful water, anchored off islands, soaking up sun and relaxing. We will enjoy this time until we can cross to the Bahamas, where it only gets even better.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Day 37. Jan. 23, 2017. Monday
Mangrove Marina Plantation Key, FL.
Well last night it hit the fan. At 4 in the morning the wind came with a vengeance and rain too. We got a tornado warning just before that for here. We rocked and rolled and in spite of everything we did rubbed and beat our solar panels against the post at the stern of the boat. There just was not enough room to stop the contact. Thank goodness it was covered with wood and not bare concrete.
We have continued to have winds about 40mph all day. Can't get out of the slip because of the wind or we would have anchored out today but since we can't leave we are paying for another day to beat up our boat. If we had been smart, we would have left the marina last night before the wind got so strong and gone about 5 miles to a good anchorage. Hind sight is 20-20. At least we did not get hit by a tornado.
We finally got the freezer emptied and some frost scraped off and reloaded and added a 10pound bag of ice added to the top it off. The temperature has dropped 8 degrees. Had to thaw 2 big beef roasts and some other things to make room in the freezer for the ice. Also added about an inch of styrofoam insulation to the bottom of the freezer.
Lee has been doing some planning on our route to the Bahamas. But we still have to wait for the weather window. We walked over a mile to get to a CVS and a grocery store to get some medicine for Lee and few groceries. When you have to carry it back you keep it to the minimum. On the walk back from CVS it started to drizzle and our main hatch was wide open. Fortunately it did not turn into a downpour but quit. We made it back without being too wet. We got back to the boat just as it got dark.
Hopefully we will get out of the marina tomorrow and be anchored off Plantation Key. Our friends who have a home there have left for his ranch in central FL. But it was nice to have some time with them.
Well last night it hit the fan. At 4 in the morning the wind came with a vengeance and rain too. We got a tornado warning just before that for here. We rocked and rolled and in spite of everything we did rubbed and beat our solar panels against the post at the stern of the boat. There just was not enough room to stop the contact. Thank goodness it was covered with wood and not bare concrete.
We have continued to have winds about 40mph all day. Can't get out of the slip because of the wind or we would have anchored out today but since we can't leave we are paying for another day to beat up our boat. If we had been smart, we would have left the marina last night before the wind got so strong and gone about 5 miles to a good anchorage. Hind sight is 20-20. At least we did not get hit by a tornado.
We finally got the freezer emptied and some frost scraped off and reloaded and added a 10pound bag of ice added to the top it off. The temperature has dropped 8 degrees. Had to thaw 2 big beef roasts and some other things to make room in the freezer for the ice. Also added about an inch of styrofoam insulation to the bottom of the freezer.
Lee has been doing some planning on our route to the Bahamas. But we still have to wait for the weather window. We walked over a mile to get to a CVS and a grocery store to get some medicine for Lee and few groceries. When you have to carry it back you keep it to the minimum. On the walk back from CVS it started to drizzle and our main hatch was wide open. Fortunately it did not turn into a downpour but quit. We made it back without being too wet. We got back to the boat just as it got dark.
Hopefully we will get out of the marina tomorrow and be anchored off Plantation Key. Our friends who have a home there have left for his ranch in central FL. But it was nice to have some time with them.
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