PEKABU 3 Cruising: Week 2 ~ Cruising North ~ Ponce Inlet to Fernandina, FL

Monday, 5/10/21 ~ Pete snuck out around 7:30 so he could be up in Green Cove Springs when St Brendan’s Mail Service opens at 9 am. We had stuff that has been sitting there waiting for us. Since we still had the loaner car, it was a perfect time. I cleaned and planned to do laundry. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough quarters. Since we will be in St Augustine tomorrow, I’ll do it there. Pete’s work load was very light so he offered to do a few errands including the Post Office, pharmacy, groceries, and return the car. We set for departure tomorrow.

Tuesday, 5/11/21 (Three Days)
Daytona to Ponce Inlet, FL (That's right... we digressed!)
Today: 14 miles (north & towed 30 miles south) 6.0 hours ICW ST Mile: 843.5
Total: 1309 miles 199.7 hours

We slipped out of the dock and dropped of the keys by 7:30. We were about 2 hours up the Halifax River (Green 19, by Ormand Beach) when the engine started to sound like a Harley and the engine temp started climbing. We shut down and Pete checked all the possible suspects: belts, impeller, sea chest, fluid levels and of course water intake for the engine, but everything seems fine. He also used his “ life lines” and called Dan and Gerry. Everything they suggested he also checked. So, we dropped anchor and called TowBoatUS. It took a good 90 mins for him to arrive and another 2 hours to tow us to Ponce Inlet and Sea Love Boat Works. Pete talked to Alan, the GM, who runs one of the best boat yards around apparently and he will have a mechanic check us out.

Once docked, we had to wait for the mechanic. Eric came aboard and discussed all Pete’s diagnostics as well as past repairs. We’re the first boat owners he has assisted who are the original owners. After about 90 mins, it looks like our problem is probably the water pump. Since it was already 4:30, Pete immediately called the supplier ordered the pump with next day delivery. Pete called both Comachee and Fernandina Beach Marinas to move back our reservations.

The Tug CATHERINE, building a multimedia barge, and SV SHRIST
at Sea Love Boat Works

Initially, we were docked at the north end of the dock. We had to walk her back to the middle of the dock so that the tug CATHERINE could dock for the night. “Cap,” the captain/owner and I had a nice conversation. He has been working on the water for his entire adult like, from salvage and underwater cable placement to research and finally owning his own tug. He docks it behind his home on Merritt Island. Right now he is doing support for the Ponce Inlet breaker restoration. He also assists with bringing the rocket retrieval boats into Port Canaveral. Quite an interesting character!

As things aboard became quiet, we could hear popping and crackling. Thanks to Rich and Clair, SV VIEWFINDER, previous investigative skills we knew it is the shrimp hitting on the hull.

Wednesday, 5/12/21 ~ We waited until 2:30 pm and finally called the supplier. When they tracked our water pump, they found that it was delayed by UPS. She promised to refund the next day delivery charge. We should have it by noon tomorrow.

Thursday, 5/13/21 ~ UPS did deliver the part by noon. Eric picked it up and installed it during Pete’s conference. Thankfully, the problem was the pump. When Eric examined the old one, there was a worn area on the metal that caused the leak. Pete looked back in the logs to when the pump was replaced. It was only 5 years ago, which means that the original one was good for 13 years. However, when he checked the engine hours, it was at 2200 hours. Currently we have about 4600 hours. It is good to know that we replace the water pump about every 2000 hours.

Friday, 5/14/21 ~

Ponce Inlet to St. Augustine, FL
Today: 71.2 miles 11.8 hours ICW ST Mile: 775.6
Total: 1380.2 miles 211.5 hours

Slipped the dock at 7:20. Current still against us, but should have turned soon. Overcast, temps today in the low 70’s with winds of 15-18 and higher gusts. Well... so much for accurate weather! Winds increased to a steady 25+ with gusts above 30 and the current was against us for a full 9 hours! There were white caps and 1-foot waves in the ICW! Between wind, waves and current, we only made about 5 mph instead of 7. Of course, that also added to our travel time. What should have been an 8 hour day, became 11. Thankfully, having the current with us for the last hour enabled us to make the 6 instead of the 7 pm opening of the Bridge of Lyons. We still had another 25 minutes to Comachee Marina. They are open until 7 so we had a dock hand to help with docking. With being assigned a slip right off the main alleyway, and a strong wind, the extra hands were great. Originally, our plans with the marina had us spending the night in the fuel dock. That’s perfect for us as it is a short walk to the office, showers/ laundry, and Vinny’s New York Style Pizza for a much anticipated Pizza. With being on M Dock, it was a very long walk. We decided to still do pizza, but Pete sat outside the office at the tables while I continued over to pick up dinner. (He really needs those knees taken care of!) The pizza is the best EVER! . . . At least in our book.

Once back, Pete washed the salt off the boat, which will probably need doing again tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for winds again from the NNE in the 10-15 mph range. . . . We will see. We are also keeping a close eye on Monday’s offshore forecast. It is a 1-day window for the week. Fingers crossed, we really don’t want to travel through Georgia. Bailey only has a15-hour bladder and there are no shore access along the ICW there.

Saturday 5/15/21 -

St. Augustine to Fernandina, FL (Two Days)
Today: 59.0 miles 10.4 hours ICW ST Mile: 716.8

Total: 1439.2 miles 221.9 hours

We were up and ready to leave at 7 am. Instead we had to wait for the fuel dock to empty. Contestants in the Marlin Tournament were docked there. They left at 8:15 instead of 7 am.

I was able to retrieve my package that was delivered here last week. When we originally called for reservations, they had no openings. That was a definite 1st! So... maybe our side trip to Ponce Inlet had one positive note. We were able to get reservations for last night.

After taking 32 gallons in the main tank and 9.5 in the portable cans on the rail, we should be set for our outside jump. With the main pipeline for the east coast hacked and held ransom for the past 5 days, panic buying created gas lines and stations with no fuel or date for restocking. Thankfully, it was resolved yesterday and the supply line is beginning to function. Hopefully the marinas will be resupplied before we need another fill up.

Wind howling down the entry made leaving the gas dock a real challenge. Pete, being such a good captain, was challenged by the wind, nearly being locked in irons, but was able to finally point into the wind and exit the marina.

Rosco Row

Remember the weather prediction. Winds 10-15 with gusts to 20? HA! Let’s try steady at 20-25 with gusts 30+! We actually closed up our enclosure to keep the splashes out of the cockpit. Once we entered Palm Valley (also know as "Roscoe Row" because the waterfront homes have their Roscoe Boulevard addresses on their docks and boathouses) the winds were calmer, but still gusting. There was a lot of boat traffic, but passage was uneventful. And, yea, the current was once again against us. While I was at the helm, Pete was able to catch up on a work project.

When we entered the Pablo Creek area, the wind waves and current we slowing us down to about 4.7 - 4.9 mph. Once again, we counted our blessings as the current wasn’t at its 3.1 against us.

St. Johns River, Jacksonville

Crossing the St. John’s River, we were directed to stay close to the markers on the western side of the channel. There was a safety zone of 200 yards around 3 naval vessels in for dry dock at the shipyard. Continuing up Sister’s Creek, there must have been another fishing tournament for small boats at the Park. Somehow the public free dock only had one boat as we passed around 2-ish. It will probably be full by later today. Who doesn’t love free dockage!

Sister's Creek Fishing Tournament

A little further up the creek, we spied our 1st Air boat. Boy was it noisy! I guess all that noise helps the illusion that the paying customers are getting a fast ride. The captain made sure that he swooshed left and right through some of the flooded grasses of high tide.

By the time we crossed the Nassau Bay nearing Amelia Island, the winds were finally lessened to the predicted 10-12. Of course that still left the current.

We arrived 15 minutes after closing, but the dockhands were there to to get us settled. We were just in time to catch a beautiful sunset.

Sunset from Fernandina Beach City Marina

Sunday 5/16/21 ~ Slept in this morning, but there were things to do. Since plans were delayed and changed, I never had the opportunity to do laundry nor stock up the last minute stuff for cruising. So, Pete took a taxi to Public’s while I did laundry. We both finished at the same time. Thank heavens for our wagon. Then it was time to put everything away.

We also reviewed our travel plans for tomorrow. Unfortunately, the window to make our ocean jump from Fernandina to Hilton Head has shrank to about 12 hours. We need a good 24 to insure a relaxing 17-hour cruise overnight, which is about the max for Bailey’s bladder. So. . . We will travel through Georgia for the first time! It takes a lot more planning to account for the varying tides and currents, along with the with many rivers which squiggle and cross each other. If we traveled Interstate 95 it would be 129 miles (21.5 hours at 6 mph). Instead, it is 204 miles by the ICW (34 hours at 6 mph). By the way, doing the straight line from Fernandina to the Savannah River via the ocean (the line between Georgia and South Carolina) is 13 hours! Once done, we relaxed and read in the cockpit.

After Bailey was fed, we walked over to the Salty Pelican for dinner. Their crab dip, Caesar salad, fired plantains, fries, fish, and shrimp were all delicious. Now we know why there were so many positive reviews! The only negative was Pete disappointment with his crab cakes that were very spicy.

Eye-catchers along Centre Street (Main Street), Fernandina

Afterwards we walked Main Street. It is filled with quaint shops, shrimp themed, and lots of trees, plants and seating.

Talking about sunset, quite a few folks, walk the docks to catch the sunsets. We were fortunate to catch 2 really beautiful ones during our stay. I also hoped to see a rocket take off from Wallops Island that placed a gas in the atmosphere that colored violet and green for about 30 seconds. Apparently the launch was delayed about 30 mins so I missed it.

When Pete walked Bailey at 10, he called for me to come meet him. Fernandina downtown keeps the lights in the trees along Main Street lit. I’m so glad I got to see it!