Marathon ICW 1183

Our Fleet leaving Key Largo Harbor

      We had our final breakfast on the patio before departing at 8 this morning. We were first to leave because Pete had an 8 AM conference call, which he started just as soon as we cleared the dock. It was a clear, calm morning with no hint of the storms we had yesterday.  We had no problems clearing Crash Corner nor the entrance to the harbor as it was high tide.

This north-bound sailor
had no problems with
either wind or current!

      We headed south with a light breeze out of the South and a calm sea.  We seemed to be bucking a current most of the day as we had a challenge topping 5.2 knots.  Around midday we hoisted the mainsail, which helped about 2/10 of a knot. Pete was able to put in about 3 hours of helm time while I completed placing the pictures in the blog and brought us into port, following the cruising guide’s suggestion of staying close to the green markers. I was able to take some photos of the crab post that we have been dodging all day as well some other pretty interesting shots.

 

       Dan called the harbor master in Boot Key Harbor in Marathon to arrange for our mooring assignments.  Thankfully, there were still 4 moorings available 

 at 4:30, though not all together (which was still acceptable with us.)  The pump-out boat will be available at 8 tomorrow morning. There was no pump-out facility at Port Largo Harbor. It amazes all of us that in a place that has such stringent rules on its marine environment, we marvel just how hard they make it to comply with the rules.

Boot Key Harbor

     Once on our assigned mooring ball (# U-5), Dan and Martha stopped by to collect our payments so that they could pay for everyone.  Pete decided to check the oil, filters and sea chest as the engine seems to be running a little hot and sounding a little rough.  Sure enough, we were a quart low and the water intake strainer was pretty “mucked up” with sea grasses.  The good news was that the new filtering system is running perfectly clean.  Whatever bad fuel we had received, seems to have been filtered and we are now running clean again. . . and the new system, lets us see that our fuel is clean.  Once Pete did his thing, we checked the engine and she started “purrrrring;” well at least she sounded much better.

Full moonrise over Boot Key Harbor

     While I was preparing dinner, I figured I would try one of the prepackaged bread mixes I have on board since we are low on bread for lunches tomorrow. . . See if we like it.  Right now the boat really smells great, even with my cold.  I will let you know how it tastes tomorrow.

The full moon rises as the sun sets . . . here at Marathon.

63/1424 Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete