We passed through a great deal of bad weather and sporty water* in the Gulf of Mexico to make it to Key West. It was worth every uncomfortable moment.
A brief overview since the last blog:
· While in Steinhatchee (Jan 3-10), we weathered 2 rather significant storms. One chair lost during the 1st luckily floated across the marina and was recovered the next morning. All boaters but Rob sat out the 2nd storm inside the ship store. Rob takes seriously ‘the captain goes down with the ship’ maritime tradition. We spent a week at the Steinhatchee marina – a very nice place in terms of people and docks. Each day we’d evaluate the weather with buddy-boat loopers who kindly included us in their group. We passed the days walking, playing games, and watching football with new friends (way to go Michigan!).
· Thursday Jan 11 was determined to be the fairest in a long string of bad weather days to cruise to the next marina. The afternoon of the 10th a few of us with drafts around 4’ anchored in Deadman Bay outside of the Steinhatchee channel, as the low tide water levels the next morning would be too low for us to safely pass through. It was a sporty evening anchored in the Gulf. Around 2 AM, as the tide changed, the water laid down and we were able to sleep more restfully. I was only too glad to pull up the anchor and make our way to Crystal River at first light on the 11th. As we cruised southward, boaters over the VHF chatted about low levels and areas to avoid as they were leaving the channel and there were reports of boats touching the bottom. This affirmed our decision to anchor out, but anchoring in sporty conditions is something I’d prefer to do never again.
· Crystal River/Pete’s Pier Marina from Steinhatchee/Deadman Bay (Jan 11, 82 statute miles). Low wind speeds and calm waves made for a very pleasant run overall. Weather kept us at Crystal River for 3 nights. Turned out in our favor as we were able to enjoy the town’s Manatee Festival. Here we also took the dinghy out for the first time during our Great Loop adventure - to see the manatees. We also saw our first Yellow-crowned Night Heron while touring the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. There was also a sign somewhere in the town acknowledging the number of residents from Michigan.
· Tarpon Springs/Mar-Marina from Crystal River (Jan 14, 73 statute miles). Happy to stay at the marina 1 night. There were 4 props lined up outside the dock master’s office. Some boats had accidentally gotten outside of the Crystal River channel – it was a twisty channel and we can see how it would be easy to stray outside of the markers and touch nearby oyster beds. Laundry was caught up on at the marina and we had dinner on the boat. Quiet stay. There is a large Greek community with excellent restaurants in Tarpon Springs. Sorry to have missed out and hope to visit sometime in the future.
· Sarasota/Marina Jack’s from Crystal River (Jan 15, 64 statute miles). Marina Jack’s is Rob’s favorite marina to date. Wide floating docks, nice amenities, and a pleasant walk, even in the rain, to a quaint restaurant. We could have stayed longer but we needed to keep going while the weather cooperated.
· Captiva Island/South Seas Marina from Sarasota (Jan 16, 55 statute miles). Traveled through intense fog most of the day. LONG day. Thankful for radar and the AIS (Automatic Identification System - a black box transponder for marine vessels). We were 3rd in a line of 5 boats. Once tied up we went for a much needed relaxing walk on the beach. A quiet resort due to construction/renovations of condos damaged during the hurricane. We enjoyed relaxing by the heated pools overlooking the Gulf, and watching dolphins swim back and forth. Rob started a shell collection from the Captiva Island beach walks. We biked to dinner at the Mucky Duck, watching the sunset before hurrying back before dark (no lights on marina bikes!). A very pleasant stay.
· Morgan Beach anchorage south of Marco Island from Sarasota (Jan 18, 47 statute miles). Beautiful cruising day and when we dropped the anchor the water was flat. We anchored to give ourselves more time for the 12+ hour crossing the next day. After sunset, waves picked up - were quite sporty on the beam - for a 2nd uncomfortable night in Gulf waters (never again — again!). Anchored with 2 other boats, no one slept much.
· Key West/The Galleon Marina from Morgan Beach anchorage (Jan 19, 93.3 statute miles). A SPORTY, FOGGY DAY AFTER A SPORTY NIGHT. We, along with the 2 other boats anchored the night before, were all well awake and anchors-up at 5 AM, prepared for the 12-hour cruise to Key West. We noted the lack of crab pots in the general area the day before, yet shone spot lights to look out before daylight. (Better to start in darkness then come to new marinas in darkness). About 30 minutes into the trip, one of the boats in our group started taking on water as the seal on their prop shaft failed. Luckily the leak stopped if the engine wasn’t running and as they had 2 engines they were able to continue on. Determined to finish the journey we started together since the Carrabelle-to-Steinhatchee Gulf crossing, we traveled across the Gulf all together, at a slightly slower speed than planned. Fog, fog and more fog most of the day and LARGE rolling waves hiding crab pots, at depths of 50’ even! At one point, during the worst of the waves, the boat behind us said they could only see our blue bimini (the shade canvas over our roof) between wave crests. I’d like to say we were in 5’-7’ following seas (so 10’-14’ trough to crest). While I put on my life jacket, Rob was never worried, and maneuvered the boat well on the waves.
We made it into the windy harbor around 5 PM, and were happily greeted by friends. It is a great sight to see friendly faces on the dock waiting to take your lines. We had been on the boat for approx. 35 hours, with the last 25 hours in highly sporty conditions. I was thankful beyond measure to have made it safely to our destination. After a delicious dinner at Mangoes, a swim in the heated pool and soak in the hot tub, we slept soundly on a steady boat. Although when I closed my eyes I’d see wave after wave after wave after wave after … zzzzzz.
· Since Jan 19 we have been at the Galleon Marina in Key West (marina webcam: https://galleonmarinakeywest.com/webcam/). It is a wonderful place, and we are having a great time walking walking walking to the must-see sights (Hemingway House, the Little White House, Ship Wreck museum [may be over-rated but glad we went], Buoy-at-the-Southernmost point, etc.), and the many shops, coffee houses, museums, and restaurants.
As always, thanks for reading.
Bon vents …and Go Lions!
Amy
*Sporty water is our latest term for rough/uncomfortable seas. It sounds less traumatic.
LT leaving Steinhatchee Marina for Deadman Bay to avoid shallow channel depths the next morning
LT leaving Steinhatchee Marina for Deadman Bay to avoid shallow channel depths the next morning
Sunset at anchorage in Deadman Bay
Sunset at anchorage in Deadman Bay
Along the way to Crystal River…
Along the way to Crystal River…
Along the way to Crystal River…
Along the way to Crystal River…
In the channel to Pete’s Pier Marina
In the channel to Pete’s Pier Marina
Pete’s Pier Marina, Crystal River FL
Pete’s Pier Marina, Crystal River FL
Sunset at Pete’s Pier (windy days/choppy waters during our stay, glad not to be on mooring ball)
Sunset at Pete’s Pier (windy days/choppy waters during our stay, glad not to be on mooring ball)
Orange trees - sure sign we are in Florida
Orange trees - sure sign we are in Florida
No wake in manatee areas (during dinghy ride)
No wake in manatee areas (during dinghy ride)
Watching people swimming with manatees (during dinghy ride)
Watching people swimming with manatees (during dinghy ride)
Dodging kayaks and pontoons (during dinghy ride)
Dodging kayaks and pontoons (during dinghy ride)
Manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
A manatee
A manatee
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron sighted at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron sighted at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
One quiet night at Mar-Marina, Tarpon Springs FL
One quiet night at Mar-Marina, Tarpon Springs FL
At Mar-Marina, damaged props from shallow waters outside of Crystal Bay (not ours!)
At Mar-Marina, damaged props from shallow waters outside of Crystal Bay (not ours!)
Heading in to Marina Jack’s, Sarasota FL
Heading in to Marina Jack’s, Sarasota FL
Weather during our arrival at Captiva Island
Weather during our arrival at Captiva Island
Along the way…
Along the way…
LT along the way…
LT along the way…
LT along the way…
LT along the way…
Really cool boat along the way…
Really cool boat along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Iguana sighting at South Seas Marina, Captiva FL
Iguana sighting at South Seas Marina, Captiva FL
Dinner at the Mucky Duck - people making their way to watch the sunset
Dinner at the Mucky Duck - people making their way to watch the sunset
Sunset watchers
Sunset watchers
The start of Rob’s shell collection
The start of Rob’s shell collection
Along the beach in South Seas Marina, Captiva FL
Along the beach in South Seas Marina, Captiva FL
Anchoring at Morgan Bay (Marco Island in the distance): Calm before the sporty seas
Anchoring at Morgan Bay (Marco Island in the distance): Calm before the sporty seas
The waves WERE really big - you have to have been there
The waves WERE really big - you have to have been there
Staying together during the 2nd Gulf crossing to Key West
Staying together during the 2nd Gulf crossing to Key West
Dolphin sightings always lift spirits
Dolphin sightings always lift spirits
After sleepless night and sporty day of travel to Key West, we were refreshed after an evening swim and soak in the hot tub
After sleepless night and sporty day of travel to Key West, we were refreshed after an evening swim and soak in the hot tub
First Annual Nordic Tug Winter Rendezvous, Key West (Jan 19-Feb 19)
First Annual Nordic Tug Winter Rendezvous, Key West (Jan 19-Feb 19)
534 statute miles in the Gulf of Mexico
534 statute miles in the Gulf of Mexico
2,730 statute miles traveled as of January 19; happy to leave the Gulf portion of the trip in our wake
2,730 statute miles traveled as of January 19; happy to leave the Gulf portion of the trip in our wake