Today: 50.3 miles 8.75 hours ICW ST Mile: 914.8
Total: 1174.6 miles 269.10 hours
We departed at 8 with help from Mike. Temps ranged from 58-72 degrees, with the breezes NNW 5-15, With only one bridge opening today, we had a 20-minute wait for South Fort Pierce bridge, but the rest of the trip was smooth motor sailing.
There are always interesting sights. Today we passed a small boat with one of the crew reeling in a good 30” fish. Then came a strange shark-mouthed, 2-storied sailboat without a mast, and as you can see, a few others.
A "big tug wantabe", MY GLORY and ??? (Your guess is as good as mine!)
As we were exiting north from Wabasso, we encountered a southbound sailboat in the skinny channel. Too impatient to back down, a 25" Sea Ray split the water between us! We both got rocked and he never looked back. I truly believe, many of the boaters assume navigating a boat is the same as driving a car. Unfortunately, they do not realize that they also need to be mindful of the water disturbance left behind!
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| The sandbar at Sabastian Inlet (it keeps creeping into the ICW!) |
Arrived at Eau Gallie around 4:15. This is the second time there was no dockmaster, but a couple of liveaboards helped us dock. We had met Rob & Millie, his Australian sheep dog, on our was south in the fall. His plans were to fix his boat after the lightening strike last September then head back to the Bahamas. Unfortunately, Millie was injured while jumping from the boat and miss-judged her landing on the dock. She now has impaired spinal function and some brain damage, but is still her loveable self.
Monday 4/11/22 ~ Eau Gallie to Titusville, FL ~
Today: 39.0 miles 6.75 hours ICW ST Mile: 878.1
Total: 1174.6 miles 275.85 hours
Total: 1174.6 miles 275.85 hours
Traffic light, mostly north bound. While I was at the helm, a large boat with no attempt at contact, passed only 20 feet off our starboard, at slow speed, but still left a sizeable wake.
Construction of the new Addison Point Bridge / NASA Parkway
Artemis 1 sits on the pad for a Wet Dress Rehearsal (Fuel up).
Another, smaller rocket is also on its pad
We filled up at Titusville with the first of the more expensive fuel: $5.68/ gal as opposed to $3.49 in the fall. It is a 1/3 or about $75 more for the same 35 gallons. Of course, it is no where near the cost of fuel for Artemis!
Friends next boat over. The Jandaya Parakeet is native of Brazil
Secured in slip by 4:45. Pete back to work while I visited with our dock mate, his Great Dane, Boxer and beautiful bird.
Tuesday, 4/12/22 ~ Titusville to Daytona, FL (3 days) ~
Total: 1222.1 miles 284.25 hours
Dog was walked, keys returned and we cleared the dock by 7:35 as planned.
Leaving the marina channel, the boat the left just before us, made a hard turn to port as it was heading out of the channel. Pete had to call to him a few minutes later as he was once again out of the channel. Just before he entered the Haulover Canal, he called out skinny water when once again he was out of the channel. The looper behind him also called out that he was throttling back due to speed restrictions in the canal -- hint, hint! Thankfully, once in Mosquito Lagoon, the experienced boat passed him so he could follow. We only heard 1 additional warning that he would run out of water if he hugged the green marker as he turned from Ponce Inlet back to the ICW. The experienced boat reported the “tracks from Bob423” shows the need to hug the red side due to shoaling.”
It was a great day for watching wildlife. The islands before the canal were active with Herons, Spoon bills, Pelicans, Egrets, and Herring Gulls. Dolphins love the entrance and exit for fishing, and the manatees love the warmer waters of the canal. Exiting the canal, we saw a fisherman in a canoe land a large fish. Made his day and ours.
As we approached New Smyrna, we caught the current for the rest of the day; 7.4 -8 mph!
The home had the most unusual roof line also on the Casita and the boat house
The 65' Motor Cat SOUTHERN COMFORT heads back to Palm Beach.
Winds increasing and the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse
Grounded and/or derelict boats in Smyrna Beach
Interesting "ghost" tree and the River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant
The winds increased during the day and peaked just as we were docking. We are on the south side of the dock and facing north. With the 15-20 mph wind from the south, Pete backed down the fairway so that he could use the wind to turn into the slip. The breeze wanted to push us sideways, but Pete handled perfectly.
We are staying 2 days so the Pete can concentrate on work. Wednesday, 4/13/22 ~ Daytona ~ Day 1
Pete took a break from work & checked the brackets holding the heat exchanger, which broke again. He temporarily fixed it, but needs to buy the heavy duty stainless brackets NOT made in China! He took the scooter and went to West Marine to buy 4 of the good brackets. While he was away, I was able to download & process photos and work on the blog.
Thursday, 4/14/22 ~ Daytona ~ Day 2
Pete up early and picked up quarters from the office so I can do laundry. He and George continue working on a very complicated project that requires intense concentration.
Things were going so well . . . and now we have problems with the head. Pete couldn’t get it to work. So, in the morning we will go over for a pump out in the hopes that if there is an obstruction, it will be cleared with the suction. In the meantime, Pete started to investigate, troubleshooting and new heads. Our current unit has been out of production for years and parts are no longer available.
Friday, 4/15/22 ~ Daytona ~ Day 3. . . of now 5
Up early and at the pump out at 8. Suction didn’t help. I asked to stay until Tuesday. Currently, the computers are down, but no one is penciled in our current slip for tonight. I need to call later in the day for confirmation past tomorrow. In the meantime, we notified both Comachee and Fernandina of our delay. By about 3, the office called. Computers are up and they could accommodate us. We are now book through Monday. Pete has also ordered a portable unit to use until we get back to the Narrows. It will be delivered by 10 tomorrow morning here at the marina. This way we will have a car and all the tools Pete could possibly need, and no time concerns to install the proper unit.
Pete undertook the icky job of emptying the fluid in the toilet, before disinfecting it and putting in the treatment. This will hold until we get back.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the blog. I hope to get this first week of our north bound travel posted. Since it is Friday, and rainy, many people are using the internet. Yesterday, it was lightening fast. Today, it is taking me about 5 minutes to upload a single photo. I think I will finish it tomorrow morning when everyone is doing other things. Or, since I only have a few photos to upload, I would be better using our MiFi.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the blog. I hope to get this first week of our north bound travel posted. Since it is Friday, and rainy, many people are using the internet. Yesterday, it was lightening fast. Today, it is taking me about 5 minutes to upload a single photo. I think I will finish it tomorrow morning when everyone is doing other things. Or, since I only have a few photos to upload, I would be better using our MiFi.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P
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