DINGHY SPEED

While here in St Augustine with the new engine out of the break in period, we have had the chance to check the max speed of an AB 10VL with a Yamaha 15 HP two cycle engine, 22 knots.  We are thrilled with the performance of this combination.  The dinghy jumps on plane with one or two, easily planes with three, and may plane with four in smooth water.  We have not had the opportunity to check performance with four aboard.

We think we use much less fuel with the new combination than when we had the Johnson 8 HP two cycle engine on the dinghy.  The Yamaha is probably newer technology, and it is overall probably working at a better spot on its performance curve.

MORE FROM ST. AUGUSTINE

Look for two new mooring fields in St. Augustine next summer, one north of the Bridge of Lyons and one south, to be installed by the City. We heard this today from Dockmaster Sam. The City is waiting on final permits, but we can't imagine why those won't come through. Prices have not yet been set, but Dockmaster Sam says they will be in line with mooring prices charged by other Florida cities.

DON'T NOAA

While in Oriental, as we lamented over weather forecasts, Tom (Whispering Sea) shared a quip I like ... NOAA or Don't NOAA. It often seems that NOAA doesn't get it right with either the wind direction, wind speed or wave height. Well, yesterday was no exception, so I dubbed it a "Don't NOAA" day. We dropped off the mooring in Fernandina Beach (just $15 a night) at 6:30 a.m. and headed out the St. Mary's inlet. That was a great run. We had the current with us and so went about 8.5 knots out the inlet. When we turned south, we set sails and thought we would be able to sail all day. NOAA had predicted 10-15 knots of wind. Alas, the sails came in about an hour later as the wind settled down to less than 10 knots and sometimes less than 5 knots. But all was not lost! We had a wonderful day anyway. Although we had to motor sail, the conditions were calm, the sun was bright, and we had lots of company on the water. Our friend Carey (Catspaw), who had been with us for several days but left us in Fernandina Beach, had taught us Cribbage, so Craig and I enjoyed a few games in the cockpit as we headed south. We arrived at the St. Augustine inlet about 2:45 p.m., in time to make the 3:00 p.m. opening of the Bridge of Lyons Bridge. We anchored just south of the Municipal Marina. I am happy to be back in the Sunshine State!

ST AUGUSTINE

It has been a long while since we posted.  We have nothing to do, and we are three days late!

Today we landed in St Augustine.  You can see the stops we made getting here on the map above.  If you are interested, view the larger map.  Then pan around.  The list of place markers down the left side are stops in chronological order.  If you click on a stop the map will center on that stop.

We have had wonderful weather this trip south.  Little cold and little rain.  Three legs were offshore.  Beaufort NC to Jehossee Island, Walburg Creek to Fernandina Beach, and Fernandina Beach to St Augustine.  We had hoped to do more offshore sailing, but we would have had to wait for weather.  Even though better time is made offshore, and it is usually easier sailing, waiting for weather would have been a delay overall.

Highlights of this trip south have included more time with old friends, meeting Jim and Laurie of Kismet, getting hooked on LOST, spending significant time with Tom and Joyce of Whispering Sea(including the making of deer stew), and having Carey bring cribbage aboard.