Sarasota to Punta Blanca Island

Reunited and it feels so good, lol

Ruth has finally arrived.  Yay!  We can’t thank Chuck and Marilee enough for delivering Ruth to Pura Vida (and me).  We were hoping they would stay a night or two on Pura Vida with us, but they could see our eagerness to head south after mooring in Sarasota for 10 days.  Knowing the cruising life as they do, they headed on to their next destination for us to get an early start.  We really wanted to spend more time with them.  Before bed, Ruth and I did get a chance to replace the old anchor swivel with the new Mantus swivel.  I feel better about that. 

One of 10 bridges today

We released the mooring ball (S. Mile 75) at exactly 700.  Our plans were to travel 35 to 40 miles and anchor.  Knowing there were 10 bridges which required an opening we didn’t expect to go far.  The first two bascule bridges open at the top of the hour and the 30 minute mark.  The first bridge, Siesta Key, was only about 2 NM from the mooring so we were able to time it easily.  The second bridge, Stickney Point, is about 6 miles past the first.  As we normally travel about 6 knots/hr., it would take one hour.  However, we found ourselves against a strong current allowing us to only average about 5.5 knots at top cruising RPM’s.  Fortunately, the bridge tender was extremely generous and stretched the opening about 7 minutes.  The third, Blackburn Swing Bridge, opened on demand requiring no slow down.  And so this went on most of the day, 7 more bridges of all kinds.  As I’ve mentioned before the bridge tenders of Florida are the best.  They treated us like the professionals they are. 

Tonight's anchor location was chosen from above

We dropped anchor at approximately 1530 much further south than we anticipated near Punta Blanca Island (S. Mile 25).  Our current plan is to continue south and possibly anchor near Cape Sable in three nights (Tuesday) and then travel across Florida Bay to the Florida Keys on Wednesday.  Weather permitting, we may cut the 4 day trip to 3. 

Weather patterns and ground tackle

Date: Dec 24, 2019

Comments: 

PV in Sarasota - Pic by Steve Romeis

I’ve been watching and studying these (northerly) fronts that have blown in, since Apalachicola.  One thing for certain is when they blow in they are blistering.  I was amazed to see 30 knots in Cortez, but it seems that is not uncommon.  Generally the temperature doesn’t drop much as I’ve only seen about 60 as a low.  I’ve learned that when the gettin’ is good, you better get (moving) and when they blow in you better sit tight in a good spot with good holding.  After they blow through they tend to rotate clockwise, over a period of days.  The hope is they stay SE to E for a few days and settle for a little while.  On Monday (12/23) it blew in from the NW around 1415 and ripped all night into Tuesday morning.  There were lulls then it returned with a vengeance.  Don and Steve text me around 1700 (Monday) informing me they were going to dinghy to shore, with an invitation to dinner.  I declined in favor of leftover venison chili I had already started warming, plus my dinghy was tightly secured on the davits.  I never saw them return though I’m sure they did.  I wondered how bad the return trip to their boat was. 

After doing chores Monday, as Mom can attest, I checked a few things including the anchor, rode and

PV's ground tackle

swivel.  I noticed the swivel to be slightly bent where it connects to the anchor.  I assume this was caused by side loading when the wind clocked around viciously, at Cortez.  In examining the swivel I had an uneasy feeling about my ground tackle for the first time.  The ground tackle is so important.  Giving way during one of the strong fronts could be disastrous to the boat, other boats and even life threatening.  I have an oversize all chain rode (3/8 inch), a larger then recommended Mantus anchor (45 lbs.), and what I thought was a pretty good oversize (1/2 inch) swivel between the two.  When I saw the slight bend it really scared me.  After thinking about it for a while I decided I would purchase a Mantus swivel which is said to be the best available and prevents damage from side loading.  I called Phillip with Mantus, in Kemah, who told me he would be open until noon Christmas Eve.  Ruth made a trip to Kemah Christmas Eve morning. 

I’m starting to make more detailed plans for heading to the keys.  My insurance rider for the Bahamas kicks in on January 1, so we can get on our way pretty soon.  We’re currently anchored near statute mile 75 so it looks like a 2 day trip to Fort Myers (St. mile 0).  From there it’s offshore, hugging the coast for about 100 nautical miles to East Cape, the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula.  Because we will be anchoring offshore this is where the weather is the most critical; thus, we will be looking for a light easterly wind.  We choose to anchor near shore instead of sailing overnight, as the crab/lobster pots (I’m told) are everywhere.  I was astounded how many Bryce and I saw as far as 40 miles offshore west of the Clearwater Channel.  I wouldn’t want Ruth to have to go overboard to cut one off the prop or shaft.  From there I plan to head SE along Yacht Channel to Long Key, approximately 25 nautical miles.  We will dissect the Keys under the Channel Five Bridge to an anchorage south of the keys, perhaps Rodriquez Key. From that anchorage we will wait for another window to jump across the gulf stream to the Bahamas. 

So if the weather cooperates this could be about a 5 day journey to the Keys.  It could be done faster but I’m trying to ”slow down and smell the roses,” a little and be safe. 

These plans are tentative and subject to change based on weather, conditions of the boat, comfort and whatever Ruth says we will do.  I’m looking forward to her arrival but I guess as admiral she outranks the Captain.  Maybe not…. Maybe so.  

Just for you, Mom

Ok, mom.  This one is for you.  In our telephone conversation this morning you expressed displeasure in me for not blogging everyday.  I explained that I had not moved from the mooring field yet so I really don’t have anything interesting to write about.  You went on to express more displeasure, sounding like an English teacher I once had.  So I write for you.

Your awesome grandson

Saturday (Dec 21):  Bryce left on Friday (Dec. 20) leaving me with a week to complete a long list.  Don, a friend who is moored near and recently brought his boat from Kemah, rented a car for the day and offered to bring us to the airport.  We accepted his nice offer in lieu of an Uber.  It was such a treat to have Bryce for a week.   I’m so proud of the man he has become.  I miss you buddy.

Monday (Dec 23):  The weather has been windy and rainy since Bryce left.  Today I saw steady winds of 30 knots gusting to 45 for about an hour.  Without the sun the solar panels are not able to keep up with the electrical requirements of the refrigerator and freezer so I’ve run the generator and the engine a time or two.  This is needed anyway to make hot water for showering and to warm the engine oil to change it as I did on Saturday. 

Raw water strainer

The last two days I haven’t left the boat; completing Maintenance projects.  So Mom, here is what I’ve done:  changed the oil, changed the raw water impeller, built a new fender board, maintained the batteries checking each cell with a hydrometer, cleaned the raw water intake strainer, tightened the belts, adjusted the fuel gauge sender, replaced a foam bumper on the dinghy davit, glued a section of the v-berth liner, adjusted the mooring lines and a few more meaningless tasks.  I still need to change the primary fuel filter and a few other things.  Of course I’ve cooked and all that too.  Now you know why I haven’t blogged.

The maintenance list

By the way Mom, I know how much you like pictures in the blog so I’ll add some as exciting as my  

actions.

Also, Steve is here to help Don bring his boat south.  They are probably leaving Wednesday.  They dinghied over around noon; Steve with his go-pro strapped to his head.  So, maybe there will be a video somewhere.  It’s good to see a familiar face.  Ruth and I will head south Saturday or Sunday if weather permits. 

I’ll talk to you in the morning (Tuesday), Mom.