Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach, FL

Today:    77 miles, 9.5 hours, ICW St. M 897

Total:     1129.2 miles, 151.5 hours

The view from our dock
 just before sunrise 

The observers to our departure
on the boardwalk destroyed by Irma

Local hangout

     We were away from the dock at 7 and dropped off the key to the dock hand with the fishing net by 7:05. We were one of 2 sailboats heading south at this time of the morning. The warming sun was cool by the clouds, but it was a pretty sunrise. As morning progressed, the clouds lessened.

More local hangouts

Ponce De Leon Light from Rockhouse Creek

      On the ICW, passing by the fishing camps before Mosquito Lagoon, there was extensive damage to almost all the docks.  It was far worse than Matthew’s damage to this area last year.  However, with all that damage, we saw very few sunken or displaced boats onto shore.

Destroyed dock with its new occupants

Floating fishing shanty

    Being the holiday weekend, we did see lots and lots of fishermen. Just outside the fishing camps, was a pontoon boat with 5 fishermen, three of which had fish on their lines, all about 8 inches and looked similar in shape to a damselfish.  The majority of fishermen were in the limited area of Haulover Canal.  At each end of the canal were 10 or more small boats with 2-4 fishermen apiece. In the canal were about 40 more boats spread out over its ½ mile length. Every open space between the trees that lined the banks of the canal we a couple of hundred people with fishing poles. There were campsites, cars and trucks.  It was remarkable to see.  It was also remarkable that one of the fishermen anchored in the middle of the channel on the western end of the canal.  He was totally blissful and ignored us when we passed.

Eastern entrance to the canal loaded with fishing boats

Can you find all 9 fisherman?

Looking back at Haulover Canal

Cloud maker over Indian River before the wind came up

Bailey likes her comfort

    The winds finally came up around 2 and we were able to do a little motor sailing. Around 4, we got a call from the harbormaster at Cocoa Village Marina.  He wanted to know how far from the marina we were and our current speed.  It turns out, they close tonight at 5 instead of 6.  Thankfully, we should be there with about 10 minutes to spare.  I rigged for a port side tie, but unfortunately, to hook up power, our 30-foot cords will not reach unless we turned the boat around.  Pete did a masterful job of doing so and the harbormaster was able to leave at 5.  While Pete walked Bailey, I headed up to the laundry room.  They have a beautiful facility; 4 washers and 4 driers in a separate room from the men’s and women’s locker with 4 showers.  After starting my two loads of laundry, I went back to the boat to cut up the vegetables and prep for dinner.  Then it was time to switch machines.  I headed up with my shower bag and took advantage while the laundry was drying.

Cocoa Village Marina at twilight

  The laundry and I were clean and dry and heading back to the boat by 7.  I finished making dinner.  By 9, we both headed to bed.  We have an early start again tomorrow, but less miles to travel.  We will be meeting Mike and Debbie, SV RESOLVE in Vero Beach tomorrow. Then we will head over to Marilyn and Jon’s (SV ESCAPADE) new home.  It will be good to see them again.

~~~ /) ~~ K & P