Dear F&F,
We had a leisurely start as its not far down to Admiral's Cove in Jupiter. Its a slower journey especially as there are quite a few manatee zones involving slow speeds.Also lots of small boats out and plenty to see with those big mansions lining the waterway especially around Jupiter Island. Many golfers have houses here.Not sure if Tiger Woods has his place still?
We arrived just at the same time as our friends Nancy and Bill did with their boat,(they have
a 40 ft Sabre like our old boat )We docked right next to the pool and clubhouse which has all been renovated since we were last here just over a year ago.Very swanky!
I spent the afternoon at the pool.Poor Graeme again on the phone sorting out the mechanical issues. The radar man too busy so no response from him.The Merc Cruiser people have scheduled the pod work to be done on Monday now so we will not be heading off to Bahamas this week. All fun and games in the boating world! Hoping for a 1st May departure, that is the most likely.
Because we are going over with Bill and Nancy and Roger and Linda (they have a 48 Sabre like ours) to the Bahamas,we didnt want to hold them up. Now Bill has boat radio issues to deal with so looks like a delayed departure will work out ok. There will be a break in the blog until we are underway again.
Had a casual meal at the nearby poolside restaurant ,then turned in for the evening.
Over and Out.
Erica and Graeme.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Crossing Lake Okeechobee again Heading East.
Dear F&F
We were up with the fishermen this morning around 6 am! They were all heading out on their boats after an early breakfast and armed with lots of food, drinks and fishing tackle.
We fueled up then headed off. Didnt see one boat on the trip across the lake which took just over an hour.Easy run heading East although we had a north east wind,and waves about 2 feet.
Then into the first lock and calm waters for the most part up to Stuart.We saw the occasional boat pass us by. Usually sailing boats with older guys traveling either solo or a friend on board. We met one guy in a lock who had just sailed from Havana . The boats are equipped with solar panels and lots of Jerry cans and stuff all over the deck Washing hanging out to dry. Just putting along at 6 knots , with probably no big agenda .Great life , if you like this style.
The last lock St Lucie's which had an 8 ft drop, was the slowest we encountered on the whole journey. Timing is everything , but you often can't predict what traffic is coming from the opposite direction and wether you get the lock to open your end first .
We arrived at Sunset Bay Marina ,Stuart around 11.30 am .We already had our slip number and side to tie up the lines and fenders.Again the beauty of having been there before . We did know the ropes so to speak! In the afternoon I took the bike and went for a bike ride for some exercise. Graeme meanwhile,was dealing with the Cummins/ Merc Cruiser people , waiting for someone to come and check the leaking issue. Fortunately the serviceman arrived promptly and decided the boat would need to be hauled out of the water and a cracked ring that surrounds the right pod would need to be replaced. He hadnt done this before but thought he could do it! Would take at least a day or day and half to do as the whole pod engine has to be taken out.Be praying he knows what he is doing!! Graeme also had a call from the radar guy to say he could help in a day or two.We decided to try it schedule the work in Jupiter especially as his business is down near there.
Had dinner once again at the Sailor's Return the popular restaurant that sits at the edge of the Marina. Felt we needed a good rest after all this excitement!
Over and Out
Erica and Graeme.
We were up with the fishermen this morning around 6 am! They were all heading out on their boats after an early breakfast and armed with lots of food, drinks and fishing tackle.
We fueled up then headed off. Didnt see one boat on the trip across the lake which took just over an hour.Easy run heading East although we had a north east wind,and waves about 2 feet.
Then into the first lock and calm waters for the most part up to Stuart.We saw the occasional boat pass us by. Usually sailing boats with older guys traveling either solo or a friend on board. We met one guy in a lock who had just sailed from Havana . The boats are equipped with solar panels and lots of Jerry cans and stuff all over the deck Washing hanging out to dry. Just putting along at 6 knots , with probably no big agenda .Great life , if you like this style.
The last lock St Lucie's which had an 8 ft drop, was the slowest we encountered on the whole journey. Timing is everything , but you often can't predict what traffic is coming from the opposite direction and wether you get the lock to open your end first .
We arrived at Sunset Bay Marina ,Stuart around 11.30 am .We already had our slip number and side to tie up the lines and fenders.Again the beauty of having been there before . We did know the ropes so to speak! In the afternoon I took the bike and went for a bike ride for some exercise. Graeme meanwhile,was dealing with the Cummins/ Merc Cruiser people , waiting for someone to come and check the leaking issue. Fortunately the serviceman arrived promptly and decided the boat would need to be hauled out of the water and a cracked ring that surrounds the right pod would need to be replaced. He hadnt done this before but thought he could do it! Would take at least a day or day and half to do as the whole pod engine has to be taken out.Be praying he knows what he is doing!! Graeme also had a call from the radar guy to say he could help in a day or two.We decided to try it schedule the work in Jupiter especially as his business is down near there.
Had dinner once again at the Sailor's Return the popular restaurant that sits at the edge of the Marina. Felt we needed a good rest after all this excitement!
Over and Out
Erica and Graeme.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Day 2 Back on the Okeechobee Trail
We left around 9.30am knowing it would be another longish day .This time around 6 hours and three locks to negotiate .Shortly before we left, Graeme noticed 12 wave runners (skidoo s) racing by in single file, going in our direction. Sure enough , they reappeared twice on our journey , riding our wake and still in perfect single file and in the same order.Only one lady amongst the group.She seemed to stand rather than sit on her wave runner.Could be a tiring affair for her! They looked like bikers who had taken to the water rather than the road.
We arrived at Roland Martins ,another one of our previous haunts on the trail.Had a meal at the tiki bar along with all the fisherman. We were surrounded by a big group , many were fire fighters from all around Florida who had come to test their fishing skills on Lake Okechobee .
A short walk back to the boat , along the one long continuous floating dock,followed by TV , reading and bed.
Over and Out,
Erica.
We arrived at Roland Martins ,another one of our previous haunts on the trail.Had a meal at the tiki bar along with all the fisherman. We were surrounded by a big group , many were fire fighters from all around Florida who had come to test their fishing skills on Lake Okechobee .
A short walk back to the boat , along the one long continuous floating dock,followed by TV , reading and bed.
Over and Out,
Erica.
Off on the next adventure : Day 1 of the journey back to Chesapeake Yacht Club and side trip to Bahamas.
Hi Family and Friends,
It has been a long break away , but we are once again back cruising! The boat has been in LongBoat Key Marina for 12 weeks. A wonderful spot to stay ,and we were made to feel very welcome by the staff.
Well as you may know by now,a boat is a never ending source of surprises and challenges .After our first day back cruising south to Fort Myers ,Graeme noticed when checking the engine room there was water congregating around the right pod. It had been something he had suspected for some time , but now the water was slowly leaking more consistently and the bilge pump ( an auto water pump) was having to work more often to get rid of the excess water. After hand pumping out 7 buckets of water, Graeme realized this may not be a good scenario for a trip to the Bahamas. Will work on that tomorrow.We arrived back at Legacy Harbor in Fort Myers after a 7 hour boat ride on the Gulf of Mexico .Originally we had thought about stopping at Captiva Island but as we were planning to be in Juptier by Wednesday, we changed the plan.
Good to stop at a familiar marina. They have all your details and you know the style of docks and slip you will encounter. Anywhere with floating docks gets my vote!
We even ate at Joes Crab Shack again .They have great seafood. We were not disappointed
Over and Out
Erica
It has been a long break away , but we are once again back cruising! The boat has been in LongBoat Key Marina for 12 weeks. A wonderful spot to stay ,and we were made to feel very welcome by the staff.
Well as you may know by now,a boat is a never ending source of surprises and challenges .After our first day back cruising south to Fort Myers ,Graeme noticed when checking the engine room there was water congregating around the right pod. It had been something he had suspected for some time , but now the water was slowly leaking more consistently and the bilge pump ( an auto water pump) was having to work more often to get rid of the excess water. After hand pumping out 7 buckets of water, Graeme realized this may not be a good scenario for a trip to the Bahamas. Will work on that tomorrow.We arrived back at Legacy Harbor in Fort Myers after a 7 hour boat ride on the Gulf of Mexico .Originally we had thought about stopping at Captiva Island but as we were planning to be in Juptier by Wednesday, we changed the plan.
Good to stop at a familiar marina. They have all your details and you know the style of docks and slip you will encounter. Anywhere with floating docks gets my vote!
We even ate at Joes Crab Shack again .They have great seafood. We were not disappointed
Over and Out
Erica
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