Rodriguez Key to Marathon, FL

Today:          56 miles        8.6 hours          ICW St M “     ”

Total:       1369 miles    203.8 hours

     Around 2:30 this morning, the anchor alarm awoke us.  The winds were supposed to increase to 18-20 mph from the NNE and did!  Pete checked and we dragged about 10 feet, but the Manson Anchor is really good about resetting itself.  Pete watched it for over an hour.  The winds lessened and we were still in the new position, which was still within our sounding circle. He returned back to bed and we were able to catch a bit more sleep before morning. What is surprising is that since we had purchased this anchor and prior to this trip, we had only dragged once - in 2011, off of Lanyard Cay in the Bahamas. Yet in 2 weeks, we dragged twice! Both times, in places we never anchored before and the bottom was scoured coral.
      We were underway around 8. The winds kept time with the boat so trying to sail wasn’t an option. Bailey didn’t enjoy today’s travel.  The rocking and rolling caused by the aft-quartering waves upset her.  Unfortunately, she has gotten worse in unsettled seas since we had the long and rough ride in the storm on a jump from Charleston to Fernandina Beach.

      Other than some crab floats, there wasn’t much to see except the beautiful aqua and turquoise water.

     We pulled into Boot Key Harbor in Marathon around 4:55. As we pulled up to get fuel and water, we were greeted and told that they closed at 5, but we could stop by tomorrow to fill up.  So, we continued on through the bridge and found a place to anchor amid all the other anchored boats.  It was still a long ride to take Bailey to the City Dock.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Miami to Rodriguez Key, FL

Today:          55 miles        8.5 hours          ICW St M “   ”

Total:       1313 miles    195.2 hours                                                                                                    

View to the west

View to the East

     We had light winds as we upped anchor at 8 am.  We went through the channel that cuts through Stiltsville, but I watched a catamaran cut though the one closer to Key Biscayne.  It looks to be a shorter run.  We might try it on our return trip.

      Pete worked for a good part of the morning.  We were hoping to be in better cell reception area before his conference call at 11, but Pete still had problems.  South of Key Biscayne there is no cell service.  When we neared civilization again, he could only get 2 bars of 3G.  It didn’t support the internet and his call was dropped twice. Thankfully, these dead zones are getting fewer and far between.

     There were two interesting calls to the Coast Guard.  In Card Sound, a sailboat wandered into very shallow water.  Another motor boat tried to assist, but it was too shallow.  The South Dade County Police boat couldn’t even get close.  The sailboat decided to stay put until the tide rose to be assisted off. The second was a broadcast to be on the lookout for debris from large house boat with possibly one person in the water.  Closer Key Largo, the site had been located above a reef, 2 miles off shore, in 70 foot of water and checked out by the Coast Guard.  What would a 50-foot house boat be doing out there???

     We dropped anchor around 4:30. Pete didn’t want to anchor any closer to shore due to the water depth.  It meant that he and Bailey had over 1 ½ mile trip to shore and 1 ½ mile trip back.  Before he took Bailey, he transferred the fuel from the cans on deck.  That will definitely get us to Marathon.

     As I prepared dinner, I realized it was an “international” dinner.  I reheated some of John's German pork roast and served it with Rice Pilaf and French Cut string beans.  It was really good!

     Once darkness fully descended, the stars were magnificent!  By 9, there were some clouds that hid some of the stars.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, FL

Today:          33 miles        6.9 hours          ICW St M “1092”

Total:       1258 miles    186.7 hours

     We departed the mooring field around 9 am only to cross over to the marina to fill up water. Then we were on our way.  It didn’t take long to get to Port Everglades and out onto the ocean or rather The Straights of Florida.

Homes of Ft. Lauderdale

Naval Training

     No sooner were we underway, when TowBoat, captained by the former Coastie we met on Saturday came over to say, “congrats on getting the problem solved! Have a safe cruise.  By the way, please keep closer than ½ mile to shore. The Naval vessel is doing training 2 miles off shore.”  We had heard the broadcast on the radio and were prepared.  The naval vessel was a submarine doing surface training.  We kept our distance.
   The breezes were too light to do any sailing, but the Gulf Stream eddies helped to keep us cruising at around 7 mph.

A very clear day on the water!

     

Another film crew

The color is always magical!

     Off of Miami, we heard one of those large cigarette-type boats crossing our bow.  It was being “chased” by a helicopter.  Once again, a film crew!  It passed us 3 times before the helicopter headed back.  The crew on board the boat enjoyed a little more, fast sea time.

     

         

        

    

     We saw the port of Miami very active today.  It was interesting watching the containers being unloaded off the ships.

     As we made the turn from the main channel to the Rickenbacker Bridge, we saw the ship SEAFAIR once again docked in Miami.  We had heard then seen it traveling north past the Riviera Beach Marina while we were there.  It has a very impressive and loud sound system!

         

    Approaching the bridge, Pete got concerned with the north bound yacht.  This 100-foot plus boat was zig-zagging while passing under the bridge.  Pete waited until he was clear before we took our turn passing under the bridge.

     There must have been a dense patch of grass where we tried to anchor.  It took 2 attempts to get the hook to catch. Once it, we were in solid.

     Pete had to get down below and on a conference call, so I stayed above and watched the sail boat races that were one regatta was taking place about a mile from the anchorage.  There were 3 more groups further south that I could see.  They headed back to the western shore around 5.
     

     When Pete took Bailey to shore after her dinner, the wind pushed the dinghy further onto the shore.  Pete got his jeans wet getting the dinghy back to floating. When he took Bailey for her 9 pm walk, he put on shorts and his clogs. He then called me to put om the anchor light.  The problem was it was already on, but not working.  I got out our old aft hanging one.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Boca Lake to Ft Lauderdale, FL

Today:          18 miles        3.9 hours          ICW St M “1064”

Total:       1225 miles    179.8 hours

     There were some heavy rains over night, but had for the most part, passed by later in the morning.

Unique private dock decorations

     We upped anchor as planned. SV YARY is slightly slower than PEKABU, but we got lucky at a number of bridges, squeaking through with other boats or the bridge tender delaying opening by a minute or two.

3 of the 5 cruise ships and the tug turning the freighter

SV YARY, the 17th St Bridge and
sailboats heading to a regatta

     As we approached the Port Everglades Turning Basin, there were 5 cruise ships docked.  It was amazing to see so many as well as realizing that there had to be about 20,000 passengers debarking this morning and another of the same amount boarding either later today or tomorrow!  Private security is now patrolling the harbor.  I don’t know if it is because of the government shutdown or new USCG policy that they no longer patrol for cruise ships.  There was also 2 tugs and a large ship being turned for docking.  We watched them as YARY placed their dinghy on the cabin.

Approaching the
 Port Everglades Inlet

     Once they were done, we headed out the inlet.  No sooner had we entered the inlet when our alarm sounded indicating an engine overheat.  Pete immediately shut down, I took the wheel, while he investigated.  As he was down below, I saw smoke (which was really steam) rising out of the aft locker.  Pete checked and that hose from the engine to the hot water heater (the one he has been concerned about) blew and the bilge now has all the engine antifreeze.  YARY stayed with us until TowBoat US came.  They decided to continue with the outside jump since the winds were so favorable, while we were towed.  Pete told the TowBoat US crew that we had everything we needed to repair the hose since we panned to do it once we arrived in Key West.  We just need a safe and inexpensive place (since this is Ft. Lauderdale!) to do the repairs. Luckily, Las Olas Marina has an 8-ball mooring field and there was 1 mooring ball left.  With the paperwork complete, we were about to say our thanks, when one of the crew noticed the USCG emblem on my jacket.  He served 7 years on the west coast Station Cape Disappointment, where their boats are specially equipped for rollovers in the surf! That probably gives the Coasties’ parents night mares.  I know I would have them if Greg were stationed there!

Returning to Ft Lauderdale with an assist from TowBoat US. 

The antifreeze bottle
with notations

Bailey is not a watch dog,
even with all the chaos.

Access to the hose means
emptying out the rear cabin.

     Once Pete returned from the marina office, we got busy. It turns out that the engine belt snapped, which caused the overheat and build up of steam, which forced the hose to separate.  It took about 2 hours, but we did it and everything works perfectly! 

     We had some very strong storms come through the area for the rest of the day, but in the email from YARY, they had no rain, just a ‘bumpy” ride and made good time.  Hopefully, our paths will cross again.

     We had to wait until shortly after 10 pm for a break in the rains so that Pete could take Bailey to shore.  Couldn’t wait to put my head on the pillow!

     SUNDAY, 1/27/19 ~ Thankfully, we decided to stay until Tuesday.  The heavy rains continued through the night and frequently through the day.  The winds that came up this morning added to the intensity of the rain.  There were a few gusts that were 30+. With the strong current and the winds in different directions it made for some interesting rock and rolling.

Las Olas mooring field

From the Las Olas Marina
 we could see a cruise ship leaving port.

  We planned to watch the live performance of RENT on the Fox channel, but as the program started the heavy rains blocked the dish from the satellite reception, so back to reading.  Before we lost the TV signal, we did see that a tornado watch had been posted for our area for the next hour or so.  Thankfully we didn’t have a second encounter with a tornado. (Last July, we had one on Kent Island.  A water spout started in Annapolis; traveled across the bay; destroyed a home and severely damaged 130 homes in a development; jumped across Rt 50; took out a line of electrical poles and transformers, then hit our marina. Our boat, with us on board, was tossed about, but not damaged. A number of boats had canvas damage.  All the patio equipment by the pool wound up in the pool.  Thankfully, no one was hurt in any location.)

     MONDAY, 1/28/19 ~  The storms have passed, but the winds have remained.

     Pete was busy with work all day.  I went to work on the blog, but found my WORD would not work.  After a call to Microsoft support, I found out that I need to have internet at least once a week for verify and update MS OFFICE.  Once I connected to the internet, I was fine.  Besides writing up about 2 weeks’ worth of blog from my daily notes, I also downloaded the photos.  I still have a lot more to do before I can post. 

The film crew on the bow

The boat used for the filming

     When Pete finished for the day, he sat up in to cockpit to read.  As he was sitting, he called me to come up quick.  He heard someone yell, “cut!” and looked out to the channel to find a film crew on the bow of a large boat. Only in South Florida!!!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Old Port Cove Marina to Boca Lake, FL

Today:          38 miles        7.2 hours          ICW St M “1048.1”

Total:       1207 miles    175.9 hours

    We left the marina around 7:15 this morning.  The skies were overcast, and the winds were light.  With it feeling raw and damp, I decided to make Tuscan ham, bean & veggie soup for dinner using the crockpot. As we traveled in and out of the rain, I was glad I did. 

  

Derelict boats near Riviera Beach

   

   

Riviera Beach City Marina                                             NOT a derelict!

   As we waited for each of the 9 bridges we had to pass through, we spoke with a couple from Ontario also heading south on board SV YARY. When asked where we were heading for the night, we informed them of Lake Boca.  They decided to follow us.

     Once anchors were set, we invited them to join us for dinner aboard PEKABU.  Since Pete had to Bailey to shore, he offered to pick them up.  I did a quick search and found the recipe for Red Lobster’s cheese and garlic biscuits.  Dinner and the company were great.

Goodyear Blimp over Boca Raton

     Bill and Diana bought the boat in Vero Beach last spring and this is their first cruise on it.  They have sailed the Great Lakes, but bridges and anchoring are new.  Even more challenging is how different the systems are on this boat compared to their boat up north.  The learning curve has been steep.  Their plan is to stay in Coconut Grove marina and have friends join them for the trip to Marathon and back.  We told them our plans to jump outside from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami and anchor by the Rickenbacker Bridge tomorrow.  They might be interested in joining us for the jump.  They know that it would be great to have others along for the experience.  They will let us know tomorrow what they decide.  We agreed to pull anchors at 7:30 am  so we can make Biscayne Bay before sunset.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P   

Riviera Beach to Old Port Cove Anchorage, FL

Today:          5 miles       1.2 hours          ICW St M “1013.8”

Total:      1169 miles    168.7 hours

     Before we left on FRIDAY, 1/18/19 morning, Pete stopped by Publix for the 2 items I forgot and a quick stop at the bank. He re-positioned the car closer to the marina office.  We were underway by 10 am. It is a late start for us, but we only had 5 miles and even traveling leisurely, we were able to drop anchor by 11:15.  During the afternoon we were visited by a very large dolphin making rounds in the anchorage. A large turtle also played at our stern for a minute or two before disappearing below the surface.  Both were too quick to capture in a photo.

MY KIRK'S ENTERPRISE
has a lavender hull!

Almost full moon

     Mike and Deb from SV RESOLVE and Marilyn and Jon of SV ESCAPADE highly recommended this anchorage as it is protected from most winds, except from the SSW, is close to Publix, West Marine and many restaurants.  Most importantly for us, it has a place to get Bailey ashore.  When we arrived, there were about 8 boats on private moorings and another 6-8 boats at permanent anchor. The water is deep for a lot of the anchorage, Old Port Cove Marina on the western shore, has quite a few yachts in the 100-150’ range as well as smaller fishing boats and weekenders. By evening, 6 other boats had also anchored for the night.

Nighttime reflections of
North Palm Beach

  

New Hinckley and old steel ketch

     SATURDAY, 1/19/19, many of the smaller craft headed out of their docks for time on the water. A number of them were unconcerned with boats at anchor and powered through the anchorage, rocking us with their wakes and blaring their music.

       While we were doing small projects, quite a few more boats joined us at anchor.  Strong winds are predicted Sunday and Tuesday due to cold fronts that are causing havoc in the Central States and soon, the Northeast. 

      Periodically today, we were aware of a low “hum.”  Pete did some research and found that Black Drum, common in this area, make a deep vibration and sound.  That is what we were hearing. . . fish!!!

  

The pastels of sunset

     We found out tonight that our generator is running, but not putting out power.  We had to run the engine to charge the batteries. Tomorrow we will need to investigate.

     Yesterday, most people took their dinghy’s into shore.  SUNDAY, 1/20/19, everyone stayed put. Winds were out of the SSE at 15-20 mph.  One of the boats at permanent anchor was listing to starboard. We watched a kayak fighting the winds and wavelets all the out to the ketch. He was paddling while she was in back of him, trying to stay out of the wind and splash zone. They must have run pumps because when they left, the boat was no longer listing.

He fits!!! No more panic attacks
for fear of getting stuck.

Can't do repairs today, so
time for relaxing

     We emptied out the aft lazarettes in order to get at the generator. Pete went down in the hull and found that the weight he has lost over the past two years has enabled him to fit into the space without panic!  Once the generator was exposed, Pete found a melted wire. It must have been loose and short circuited.  He just needs a few things from an auto parts store to fix it.

     When Pete took Bailey to shore at 9:30 pm, he never saw the man in the kayak returning from checking the boat.  He was barely discernible even with the moonlight. At first, Pete thought it might be the dolphin again. The kayaker didn’t have any lights, not even a flash light or life preserver! 

The full Wolf Moon
 over Old Port Cove

    Sunday night around midnight was the lunar eclipse. It was a beautiful evening with the full moon, known as the Wolf Moon.   Due to atmospheric conditions, when fully eclipsed, was red.  I was disappointed. There is no way I was going to get any decent pictures of it on a bobbing boat.

Dad left without me!

     MONDAY morning, 1/21/19, Pete walked over to West Marine for the parts to fix the generator.  An Auto parts store would have been cheaper, but here in North Palm Beach, they are few and far between and none in walking distance.  He was able to fix it and we once again have power for charging the batteries.

     Right next to West Marine, is a wonderful grocery store called Doris’ Market.  I’ll have to check it out before we leave.

     TUESDAY morning, 1/22/19, we rechecked the weather. Current winds were out of the east at 15-18. Winds tomorrow are supposed to be in the 25-30 mph range. The quarter mile to take Bailey to shore will be bumpy and messy.  Add to that, Pete needs to be on the phone and computer for most of the day on business.  After some discussion, we decided to call the marina to see if they had space for us for the next few days.  Surprisingly, they did! Once Pete left to take Bailey to shore, I prepped the dock lines and got Bailey’s and our breakfasts started.  While down below, the Anchor Drag Alarm went off. I immediately started the engine and monitored held position.  As soon as Pete returned, we pulled anchor, raised the dinghy and headed to the marina.

       Due to winds and the narrow fairways for the smaller boats, the dock master put us in one of the larger slips.  John, our dock hand, did a great job in helping us dock.  The winds kept pushing us away from the dock had a to use muscle power to pull us back. At one point he said, “Captain, use the bow thruster to bring her back to starboard.”  Pete replied, “She can’t. She is holding the bow line!”  This is the first dock we have been at where the dock cleats are movable.  John was able to place them where they provided the best angle for stability.  The marina is beautiful.  Since we were with the “Big Boys” (the 75 - 125-foot yachts), the docks between boats were about 10’ wide. While the main dock was 12’ wide.  As we walked down the dock, we didn’t realize how long it was due to the size of the boats, until we saw people coming towards us. They were pretty small!

     While Pete worked, I took the laundry.  Boy, am I glad we got the wagon!  Once again it is about a ½ mile to the Captain’s Lounge/ Showers/ Laundry.  The facility is beautiful; modern bathrooms and showers, 4 washers and 4 driers with folding table, in the lounge are chairs and a leather sofa, large TV, kitchenette and 3 work spaces.  And they are slightly cheaper that Riviera Beach!  This is definitely a marina we will keep on our list.

The Facilities are wonderful ~
    

     WEDNESDAY, 1/23/19, Pete’s mail finally arrived at our mail service in Green Cove Springs, so we drove the 3 hours up.  We did take time to enjoy a great meal at Texas Roadhouse before returning to the boat.

     THURSDAY,1/24/19 The winds came up last night and we rocked substantially considering that we are in a dock. This morning Pete just made it back from walking Bailey, when the heavens opened up. It wasn’t until later that we learned that we were under a tornado warning!
     

The storm receding over Lake Worth

     Pete was busy with work all day.  Since the rains lightened and we still had the car, I ran to the Post Office, West Marine and stopped next door at Doris’ Market.  What a great place!  Fresh fruits and veggies, home-made pastas, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, about 30 different prepared meal items; not to mention the great potato egg salad and cold slaw, which, of course I needed to bring home for dinner.  Their meat, seafood, cheese and bakery selections were wonderful, and their unusual selections of canned foods and condiments was extensive.  I know where I’ll be shopping in the future when we are in this area!

Bailey pealing her found coconut

     Once Pete was finished work for the day, he headed back to West Marine.  He is redesigning the anchor snubber.  While at anchor in the heavy winds, the chain would slip and bang in the anchor channel.  He just needs new hardware and line to remake it.  It didn’t take him more than an hour to assemble it and splice the lines.  He will burn the ends tomorrow.

     This was a great place to wait out the storms. The crews for the big boats were friendly and helpful, the facilities great, stores close by, and super internet.  We will definitely consider returning.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P