Weekend Cruise to Boca Grande Key

Leaving Stock Island

Saturday, 2/17 -  We were up, walked dog, and out of the slip by 7:45 am.  DOLCE VENTO and SIMPLICITY were right behind us. Last night, Paula and Steve, SV TABLE FOR TWO, had to back out on the excursion. It is a shame. They will be missed.

DOLCE VENTO

     We waited until we were in Hawk Channel before hoisting the sails.  Winds were light out of the East at 8-10.  DOLCE VENTO passed us while under sail with no problem.  Her 46’-hull length and larger sails a great help. Sailing started out OK, but as the winds changed to the ENE and lightened, it was more difficult to keep the sails full.  SIMPLICITY was the only one who kept her sails full.  We found out later that the whisker poll was doing a great job! It took 3 ½ hours to get to Boca Grande Key, which is just north east of the Marquesas Keys, with our attempts to sail.  It was worth the trip. 

SIMPLICITY
Wing-on-Wing

  

Private island with very long dock

     Somehow, the VHS radio was very quiet this morning. About an hour into our sail. I commented about it to Pete.  He played with the squelch and was able to get the weather, so we guessed everything was OK. About another hour passed and we still hadn’t heard the boats calling out from Key West.  That when we stared to use the hand-held unit.  Unfortunately, the battery life was less than a quarter, so I had to connect it to the inverter.  At least we now had contact with our other boats.

     The island is just like we had found in the Bahamas with one exception. . . . There were lots of other boats and people! Since it is a weekend with beautiful weather, there were over 35 “day-tripper” boats run up on shore and a 151-foot mega-yacht, IMPROMPTU, anchored about a quarter of a mile off shore with her pull toys and 3-story slide. On the beach, the crew had supplied 2 tents, tables, and a about 12 matching, lounging, beach chairs.  It was a great place to people watch, but not the right time to use the drone.  Hopefully, Pete will be able to use it tomorrow morning, when the beaches should be deserted.

Anchoring in deeper channel

Though the anchorage too fast

     The 3-knot + current was impressive, making anchoring properly important. Using the dinghy was also interesting, but our group knew just what to do.  It was also intriguing to watch people intending to relax on rafts in the water, traveling at about 3 mph with the current. They quickly chose not to use the floats.  Most people stood in the 1-2-foot shallows.  Of course, there are the crazies.  Those power boats with no common sense, speeding through the anchorages at 20 mph or greater.

Only portion of the beach and more boats were added as the afternoon arrived

The western end of the island
the current is strong as
the beach drops off quickly

Hugh and Deb exploring

My happy guy!

     I offered to make chicken fajitas, so everyone contributed with the fixings.  Pete and I decided to cook before everyone arrived at 5 PM.  Deb and Hugh explored a bit via dinghy, while Dorine and Cindy went ashore to explore the island.  They found that walking around the western point, they encountered very strong currents, making walking around the mangroves difficult.  Pete and I enjoyed the people watching and trying to read.

     Everything was ready when the Deb, Hugh, Dorine, John, and Cindy arrived at 5.  We all enjoyed the company, stories and obviously, the food, since a good deal of the food went.

Hugh and Deb

Dinner makings

Cindy and Dorine

Dorine, John, Kathy, Pete Deb and Hugh
Thanks. Cindy, for the photo!

     The sunset near IMPROMPTU, making for an interesting sunset.  The green flash was obvious tonight. With no ambient light, everyone headed back to their boats as twilight descended. With the darkness came the magnificent, starlit sky.  We sat up above and just stargazed.  I was fortunate to see a shooting star, the International Space Station and one, possibly 2, satellites.

Can you see the green flash?

MY IMPROMPTU, twilight descending, and the moon

     Since Bailey goes to shore a final time around 9:30 pm, it was an interesting dinghy ride in complete darkness and very strong current. Everything went perfectly, with 2 exceptions:  Bailey wanted to explore the beach instead of jumping ashore, doing a quick piddle, and jumping back into the dinghy.  Pete had to call her a number of times. The other was watching the dinghy stern light to monitor Pete’s movements in the water.  At one point, his body blocked the light and I couldn’t find him.  After a momentary panic, I was able to see the light and soon both were back on board.
     Shortly after we headed to bed.  I loved lying in bed looking up at the bright stars.

Sunday, 2/18 -   Periodically through the night, we heard the speed of the current against our hull.  We also heard the anchor chain hit the keel a few times due to the current.  Come daylight, Pete wanted to check to make sure that the chain wasn’t wrapped around the keel.  Thankfully, we were OK.

The clouds begin to gather

and the clouds get heavier

       While Pete took Bailey to shore, I prepped breakfast and watched DOLCE VENTO as she moved and swung the current.  Apparently, they had popped the snubber earlier and checked out the anchor situation while re-attaching the snubber.

     Forecast for today is for clouds, rain showers and winds ENE14-18.  Sunrise this morning was not very interesting, but in such a beautiful spot, who’s complaining.

IMPROMPTU and her toys

     We were 3 of 6 sailboats and the mega yacht that anchored overnight. As I turned on the hand-held VHS, I heard one of those other 3 boats calling the Coast Guard for assistance reaching Boat US for a tow.  Hugh offered to help, but he didn’t have the proper size hose needed by the boat in distress.  USCG relayed to Boat US, which is on its way.  SIMPLICITY offered to remain as a buddy boat until Boat US arrived.

     DOLCE VENTO and we headed out around 10.  The winds were “noserlies” and rains showers were all around us. We both decided to motor back.  I did see SIMPLICITY sail away from Boca Grande and make the turn North East, but I lost sight of them in the rain. 

     The chop made for an interesting ride. At one point we took 3 large waves over the cabin.  Unfortunately, we had the hatch in the head cracked about a half inch.  I didn’t know that much water could come through 10 x ½ inch opening!  Water sloshed around on the floor.  In that chop, after I closed the hatch, I had to mop up the floor, then wipe down everything before washing the entire head.

     Once back the boat needed to be scrubbed outside, I needed to scrub the head inside and since the machines were currently fee, I did 2 loads of wash.  A half hour later, many people had the same idea and waiting for machines was the nature of the beast.  Thankfully, I was done without waiting.

     We enjoyed leftovers for dinner and caught some of the Olympic stuff tonight, but one again there was a lot of “ Bla-bla, bla, bla-la-bla…” so we called it an early night.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P