ONE AT A TIME

Whenever and wherever, the boat has to be regularly checked, to make sure that the anchor is holding, that mooring lines aren't chafed, or that something isn't bearing down on you. On one check this long string of dredging equipment seemed a bit too close.

It is hard to tell in these pictures but the string is within fifty yards. It is outside the channel. One tug is pulling on one end. Another is pulling on the other end to keep the string in a line. It seems as if they are waiting for another string of commercial traffic that can be seen to the left in last few pictures.

Hopefully those diesels keep chugging while they are upwind and upcurrent of us.

IT'S SUNDAY. I'M ON VACATION, AND I'M SAILING, DAMMIT

It is blowing 20 knots, gusting over 30. The current is with the wind. It appears these sailors went downwind first. Now they are trying to get back.

PINEAPPLE

We have come to love pineapple when they can be had for less than $3.00, which is a good part of the time. It is amazing that pineapples are sometimes priced at $5.00 or $6.00.

Mom, this is what you are are missing!

RECRUITING

Members of the Atlantic Fleet of the Island Packet Navy recruit wherever and whenever.


One IP Captain suggests of these three, one fighter, two distractions!

T RAY'S

We possibly found the best greasy spoon diner in the world! T Ray's is probably best known for hamburgers, but it is one good breakfast. Eggs over easy. Two big sausage patties. Grits that a fork will stand up in. A biscuit as big as a saucer. And, good coffee, finally.


T Ray's does not advertise. Someone just has to tell you about the place. T Ray's fills the right three quarters of an Exxon station.


That is T Ray in the pink hat and shirt in the first picture. And, yes, you can eat, and get gas!

ST AUGUSTINE TO FERNANDINA BEACH

Anchor up at 06:30. Through the Temporary Bridge of Lions soon thereafter. Out the St Augustine Inlet with some swells before sunrise. Right into the Atlantic Lake!

Winds were forecast Southeast 10 to 15 knots. That would have been a perfect ride. As you can see below we found very light winds.


Ron is focusing on becoming a sailor. He drove most the day.

Barry took the wheel from Ron when we found some wind in the ICW after coming off the ocean at the St John's River. All in all we only got to sail about 20% of the time. We possibly should have stayed in the Ocean but Barry got to practice controlled gybes as we meandered throught the ICW.

FORT ISLAND PACKET

Island Spirit and Charmed, sailing vessels of the Atlantic Fleet of the Island Packet Navy, have successfully captured a fort in northeast Florida! Catspaw assisted, defending offshore. Tiller, with his exceptional night vision, stood sentry against advancing enemy ships and desires special mention.

Safe anchorage in the Matanzas River is now secure within 100 yards of the Fort for the entire Navy. However, be careful. Fly proper colors as you approach. Vessels without will be presented one warning shot across their bow. Vessels without will certainly be sunk if they then close on the Fort.

SNUBBED FOR HIGH WINDS

It all started with a steel chain hook. Steel because the hardware store in Sag Harbor did not have a galvanized hook. The hook tied to the middle of thirty feet of three strand nylon worked great until the hook rusted so badly it had to be discarded.

Next was a galvanized hook. That worked all of one night in Cocoa. Why it wore through the line is anyone's guess, but at anchor up the next morning the snubber was in two pieces, each piece hanging limp from a bow cleat.

So now, a simple rolling hitch tied to the anchor chain.

(The Captain of Cat's Paw would be proud of me for returning to simple.)

STAYSAIL (FOLLOW UP)

The facts: solo sailor, Mosquito Lagoon, moderate chop, wind 100 to 110 degrees apparent, eight to thirteen knots, staysail added 0.1 to 0.3 knots SOG, for a final speed of high fives, low sixes.

BAD DAY

It is not that we are looking for them, but we seem to see a fair number of bad things that happen on the water. These pictures show a 105 foot Feadship that learned there was not enough water at the dock in Ft Lauderdale at low tide. She sat like this for at least thirty six hours, through at least one next high tide and was reportedly still unable to get off. Two tow boats drug her off and rushed her to a boat works facility.

Charmed has bumped the bottom for sure. We have bumped over, and we have had to back up and go a different way. We have thankfully not been aground hard such that we needed assistance or such that we strained anything except nerves.

We have unlimited tow insurance. Even though our choice of tow service covers us in all waters, we think about backing up our one policy with the one from the other guys. When aground, we think it is important to get help from the nearest, most responsive service.

HATTERAS ON THE ROCKS

Unfortunately this Hatteras drug and landed on the rocks on the north end of Pumpkin Key. This tow boat was unable to get the Hatteras off. A second larger tow boat arrived and did. Aftermath, no water coming into the bilge and "some vibration at 1500 rpm."

Put out lots of chain when the shore is behind you!

STUCK IN THE SAND AT HURRICANE HARBOR

A beautiful classic sailing vessel attempted the entrance to Hurricane Harbor at lower than low water. The shoal stopped her. She draws 6.5 feet. Her backup was to offload a neighbor, who brought out a sportfisherman to pull her free.

BIRDS WALK ON WATER ON ICW?

Well, okay, these birds are not actually walking on water (as if you couldn't guess). Nor are they walking on a sandbar. These birds are actually on small sticks placed there to attract them so they can fertilize the seagrass. The seagrass in turn acts as a filter and protects the reef. We learned all this from Ben, who gave us a tour of nearby Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park (see slide show).

MARATHON MINIVOUS TWO

At Keys Fisheries:

 

CHARMED  Debbie and Craig

KAIROS  Alli and Chuck

PAPILLION  Jon, The Famous One

PLAN SEA  Loretta and Jim

OPTIMYSTIQUE  Judy and William

TANGO  Lana and Bob

WIND WHISPERER  Barbara and Terry

 

Unfortunately WITCH OF ENDOR  did not attend.

COCONUT FOOTBALLS

Mac, a good friend, has a good job. But, he is ambitious. He is always thinking. He has opened a gift store in Key West. His best branded product, Coconut Footballs! Place your order with me for a special discount.

Below are Debbie, Jean and Dan, displaying some of the available footballs. They can be customized!