Ahoy everyone!!! I am currently in Cortez, Florida, anchored off Desoto Point I left Panama City on Tues 3-6, did an offshore run to Port St. Joe, anchored behind the Cape for the night, then ran the ICW to Appalachicola. I wanted to sail a little to see how the weight was distributed and then motor a little to see how she was running prior to starting across the Gulf. Tues was an awesome day of sailing. Sweet beam reach all the way up the beach, making 5-5.7 knts. I was loving it!!! Wed was a little stressful since I had the water coming into the trough from aroud the top of the rudder post. I pulled everything out of the lazarette.... OMG how did I get all this stuff in there? LOL Crawled back and determined I do not have a stuffing box or packing. Several calls back and forth to a mechanic buddy in PC, determined it to be caused by a heavy boat and hydrostatic pressure. Nice to know I was not going to sink.
) It would stop coming in once water level stabilized. I just would hand pump the manual bilge every hour just to make sure all was ok and the bilge pump was not having to work too hard. It also only comes in while running the engine. I have a good bit of ground tackle on board since I will be gone during hurricane season and I am not willing to part with that. I was extra loaded with fuel since I was making the crossing and my tank is so small. All is good! I am sure it will get lighter as I go.
Jenny and I left Appalachicola at 6:50 am on Thurs morning in tandem with another boat called Naked Lady. They are a couple from Panama City too. We arrived safe and sound Friday night at 6:50 PM.
The crossing was wonderful. We unfortunately had to motor the whole way because winds were only 1-3 knots. During the night they picked up to about 7-9 and I was able to sail for about 1 hr, then again on Friday morning for about an hour, rest of time was listening to the iron genny. Porpoises entertained every few hours which is always a thrill. We also had a large sea turtle surface by the boat. Sunrises and sunsets have been wonderful. Thursday night I was the lucky girl to be on watch for the moonrise and what a fabulous site to see. The stars were incredible over the Gulf. I had so much adreniline flowing from the excitement of the trip, that I felt almost giddy and did not even feel like I needed to sleep.
Coast Guard circled us in a helicopter at one point on Friday afternoon. I think my mom may have had something to do with that. ( just kidding)
Tampa Bay channel was deserted coming in. No traffic at all which is unusual since it is a major shipping channel. Several freighters and a cruise ship were anchored off the channel, but not moving. Lucky for us!!! You all know how I love to eat.... I made a loaf of yeast bread in the pressure cooker and it turned out great, even browned on top!!!! I made it on the crossing, then while it was cooling, I cooked a pot roast with all the fixings. I assure you, Jenny and I pigged out. I will not go hungry on this boat. LOL
Some small engine issues, nothing major. Parts are ordered. I also fixed the depth sounder that went out while underway. I am becoming a bit of a trouble shooter and repair girl.
I have a good bit of ground tackle on board since I will be gone during hurricane season and I am not willing to part with that. I was extra loaded with fuel since I was making the crossing and my tank is so small. All is good! I am sure it will get lighter as I go.
The couple we traveled with know folks here in Cortez and they had dinner waiting for us at the Seafood Shack Marina when we arrived. They live on their boats. They also fed us Cracked Conch!! How cool is that. I am not even in the Bahamas and I have already had a meal of cracked conch. Gotta love that.
Jenny headed back to Tallahassee on Sun morning. I am sure gonna miss my buddy.
I really appreciate her crowding onto this little boat with me to help out with the crossing. We had a great time! Girls Rock as my niece says. I actually sent a bunch of clothes and some items home with her that I have already realized I can do without. I hope my storage unit can hold some more stuff.
I sailed on Tampa Bay today!! A blast. Gorgeous day for sailing. Rocking along when I realize I am being hailed on the radio. One of the folks who cooked for us was participating in a race (actually he calls it sailing with others) He had spotted me on the water and he was currently in last place...probably the reason he calls it sailing with others. LOL. I fell in beside of him. He has a 30' Pacific Seacraft. We sort of had our own fun little race going on. I snapped some picts of his boat under sail with all his crew waving. I then tacked and headed javascript:replaceText('
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Winkback to sail up Manatee River to an anchorage while I was still in the lead. LOL What are the odds of running into someone you know on Tampa Bay!!!!!
So many areas to explore here. I plan on taking the dinghy in tomorrow to explore the Fort area. I also plan on sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and probably heading up to Vinoy Basin in St. Petersburg for a night or two. I will be hanging out here through next weekend so I can get my boat parts and make the little repairs. I will then head to Venice Florida.
So far the weather has been great and sounds like it is going to continue for a few days. I am having a great time!! Even with the initial stresses of working some kinks out, the trip has been funfabulous.
Get your little boats ready guys and join me!!! It is fun out here on the water.
