Well we arrived in Marathon yesterday afternoon putting an end to a very long trip that we are glad is behind us. Overall it was a great experience and was full of valuable lessons learned, memories and even a few laughs in there someplace. We went from our previous anchorage in Key Biscayne Wednesday down to Tarpon Basin in Key Largo without a hitch, we managed to make over 45 miles of ICW and enjoyed the lack of bridges on this leg of the trip. Tarpon Basin was a very secluded anchorage nestled back in the mangroves, full of beautiful visuals and LOADED with mosquitos. We called it a night fairly early, which is becoming a common thing for us lately. It's really amazing how doing almost nothing is actually tiring. (Truth is we are working our butts off around the boat lol)
Thursday I woke up at 5am and planned on leaving by 6am for Marathon, that was the plan at least. We managed to pull anchor and leave around 6:30, planning on heading out of the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) and into the Atlantic via the Channel 5 bridge. The day was spent in very shallow water averaging around 5'5 ft, our draft is 4'6! Quite unnerving to be cruising along knowing there is less than 12 inches of water underneath your keel.
We headed for the Channel 5 bridge around 11am and planned crossed over into the Atlantic side. You would be amazed at how turbulent the water is where the two salinities of the Gulf and the Atlantic meet. We were making 3.5 kts into the current heading under the bridge as the water swirled around us. We punched through and were back in the Atlantic and back on the horse so to speak. The last time we were in the Atlantic sailing, well it wasn't exactly smooth so I was hoping for a slightly better experience this time. We got out and the weather was perfect for a run down the coast to Boot Key with waves around 2 to 3ft. The wind was off our port side beam around 10kts and we decided to do a little sailing, even if it was only with the jib since our mainsail is still out of order. I'm going to have to wait until funds improve before I'll be able to replace the metal batten slug and the other parts that broke during the storm.
The afternoon went well and after seeing our ETA was well after dark, we knew we needed to kick it up a notch and we fired up the motor. She started right back up without faltering with that healthy clackity clack I've grown to love the sound of. The seas were rolling a little and at one point the tank got a gulp of air causing it to choke and then die. I went down the steps with confidence and grabbed the bundle of tools I'd set aside just for the task, with a couple torques of a wrench I had bled the air out and yelled up to Jess "Fire it up!" She started without hesitation and ran like a top the rest of the trip.
We arrived in Boot Key Harbor around 3:30 and called the city marina on VHF 16, they then had us drop to channel 14 and we were informed they had open mooring balls available and to call back when we reached the entrance to the inside harbor. We were given our mooring ball and I bumped towards it taking the boat in and out of gear, Jessica waited at the bow with boat pole in hand to catch our new home address. She reached down and grabbed it like a pro, secured it and we both took a deep breath "we are here" was all she said, but the way she said it told the story.
We woke up this morning and put some coffee in the French press and turned on the radio for the local cruisers net at 9am on channel 68. This is a daily broadcast where people talk about local news, information and ask for assistance or offer to help. We checked in and said hello excited to be part of the community. This place is really a tight nit community of like minded people who are always willing to help out a fellow boater. We have been towed in our dinghy while rowing and offered help, tips and advice on how to get around or do things. Jess and the kids went to the local city park and took part in their free Yoga class, then the kids played. Tomorrow Colby will be trying out for the local community theater, they need kids with Brittish accents and this kid has a freakishly good one.
Today I managed to walk down and find a local store that repairs outboards. I asked them if they happened to have an external tank sitting around they wouldn't mind selling, after a little digging he came back with an almost new 6 gallon tank for 25 dollars! Next door at West Marine these go for nearly 100.00 so I jumped all over the offer. However I did need to run to West Marine and grab the fittings to hook it to the outboard motor but it was a small price to pay for the convenience of a running motor. There are several things about life that become much easier when you have a dinghy with a motor, like getting loads of water and now being able to dinghy down the river to Publix instead of walking over a mile. When you live on a boat, on the hook and completely unattached from land, a dinghy is like your pickup and a vital part of life. This afternoon I hooked everything up and fired up the motor, took a buzz down to Burdines restaurant and fuel dock to fill up the tank. Colby and I had a good 15 minute ride there and back and he got to drive the dinghy.
Lots going on, trying to get settled into life and finding some work to replenish the sailing fund. Next week that will be the main goal, this weekend is family time (ON LAND)
Here are a few pictures..
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