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