Newbie heads out

[Fiftybucks]

Heading out from Snead in the morning. Decided to take Southwest Passage not Egmont. We will see and decided perhaps Venice or stay off short an go further. Got some extra diesel. We will most likely tow the dinghy. We have davits but don’t know how to get them all adjusted and connected.

[wolfe10]

Did you find a seasoned sailor to make the trip with you-- an excellent (and safe) learning experience.

No problem with SW channel. Mind the few marks and you will be just fine.

Weather forecast says for the next couple of days (through Sunday morning based on forecast as of this time) you will likely be damp/slightly wet, wind off the land and light, so seas are a non-issue: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/fl/tampa

The good news is that you can continue to get updated weather forecasts as you transit south.

Have "Plan B" all along your transit down the West Coast-- have at least end marks at each entrance in your GPS and a reasonable idea of the channel into protected marinas/anchorages, so you are not doing this when you are tired. Only go in at night in a dire emergency. With wind off the land, MUCH safer to anchor in 8' or so offshore than attempt an unknown channel in the dark when you are tired.

Marco Island is the decision point/last easy port-- from there two long days to protection in the Keys. Yes, you can get shelter in Little Shark River, but receiving weather forecasts there can be iffy.

Post your progress and we can continue to "arm chair navigate".

[Fiftybucks]

We were just going to try to Venice then ICW for a ways. No on the seasoned sailors. We are fine. Just taking it slower.

[wolfe10]

Off at dawn and start engine if under 6 knots and you will be just fine to Venice.

Continue overnight instead of stopping if you are comfortable sailing at night AND the forecast continues to look like light wind from the E.

If stopping at Venice, next day either ICW or off shore looks fine as well.

[Fiftybucks]

We did not make Venice. We go a late start noonish. We are anchored on the outside of big pass south Sarasota. Went close to shore somewhat protected just outside marked swimming area of huge hotel. Dinghy towed fine. 5-6 knots. Primary an hor would not deploy. Breaker was off. Usining CQR. If it pulls in an hour I’ll deploy Lewmar. Winds wee 14. Ut dropped to 6.

[wolfe10]

Dingy observations, based on 10' hard dingy and several trips Galveston Bay to the Abacos:

Just a suggestion, but offshore, we always have the dingy on the foredeck. Yes, have to use the spare jib halyard to get it on deck and to raise it enough to get to the anchor locker, but safer than towing or having it on davits.

We do carry the dingy on the davits when not likely to encounter rough seas. Installed small cleats just below the small opening doors on the stern boarding area. Then "X" tie the dingy so no side to side load on the davits (dingy can not swing). Bow painter of dingy to port ties to starboard cleat. By forward dingy seat (both sides) to starboard cleat. Stern (both sides) to port cleat. Dingy motor on rail mount. This is our typical ICW configuration where we are not likely to need the dingy and want the better visibility of not having the dingy on the foredeck.

We do tow the dingy once we arrive at our cruising grounds where we will be using it. Using a floating line to tow the dingy helps keep it out of the prop and rudder. Be careful towing a dingy when maneuvering in a marina or waiting for a bridge opening. Backing with a dingy on tow line adds a LOT of extra drama.

[Fiftybucks]

Stopped in Venice at crows nest 4.7 gal fuel. Filled forward tank pump out. Macerator does not work. Pulled into cay costa s d anchored too close to shore. Tide was -.33 and 3knt current drug is up near shore. Bounced s few times at 4am and just waited. No one mentioned the CRB POTD. Ndodging them all day. Took ICW from cayo costa south due to strong winds on the nose the whole day. Exited at South sanibel. Now in St James anchored took first shower. sooo nice. Having beer and sitting on back. 80 dog water 77 air. Did not get to sail at all today. Hoping for good winds in the morning. I took pics but app says pics too large. Will get them on.

[Aussie Mate]

Good suggestion from Vindaloo. But we only had a spinnaker halyard which is the one I presume you are referring to. The advantage of dong that also is that you can raise the dinghy and open the fore hatch for a cooling night breeze. Just ensure your screens are in place!

[TBOT422]

From St. James City to Ft. Myers Beach Mooring Field, you need to be aware of the tidal current cruising the 'Miserable Mile' of the ICW (roughly from green marker 9 east of St. James City to Green marker 3A). If you happen to transit this stretch during a strong tidal flow, the tidal flow will create significant leeway and it is easy to get out of the ICW channel. And of course, there is a shallow spot near green marker 7 in the middle of that stretch.

Miserable Mile.JPG (241.77 KiB) Viewed 6084 times

The Ft. Myers Beach Mooring Field is a great place to stop. Operated by the Matanzas Inn ((239) 463-9258). After going under the Sanibel bridge at Punta Rassa, head in Matanzas Pass follow the markers under the bridge, and contact the Matanzas Inn for a mooring ball number. The Inn provides hot showers, a laundry area, numerous restaurants within walking distance. The top floor bar at the Lani Kai has a great happy hour and view of the sunset.
Good Luck

[wolfe10]

Yes, the secret to transiting an area with a strong perpendicular current is to not only look ahead of you but also behind you to make sure you are where you need to be in the channel. If strong flow, you may be "crabbing" 20 degrees or so to the path you are traveling.

[Fiftybucks]

We wee severely affected by currents as my choice was too near the outlet to the sea. Won’t happen again.
I don’t know if my post went thru that we at at a slip in Marco Island. 70$. Nice.

We decided to make for Indian River inlet just south of cape Ramano. That could change.

[Fiftybucks]

Gary/Janet. Have you rounded S FL?

[TBOT422]

We have not rounded the tip of FL. mostly cruise between Crystal River and Marco, and overnight to the Dry Tortugas. We plan on spending some time in the Keys this spring.

Good Luck

[Fiftybucks]

No. We had the anchor fail in the mouth of Little Shark River. We abandoned carried by national park officers to Flamingo. TowBoat US contacted wedo not know extent of damage or maybe OK. Water was up past portlight when we left.
Going back out at 4:30 with Rangers.
More stupid errors while anchoring. Wind current etc
I hav pic of boat aground.

[Fiftybucks]

Pocs

[Fiftybucks]

We are out of Little Shark and now in upper Mata Combe. Inside. Will look for pump out and continue north.
At Shark the error was not so much the CQR but that I was in a rush and did not put the boat in reverse to set. Plus these moon tides and current. So much to learn just to be safe. Then we can relax and have fun. We have a Lewmar Delta also poor choice by me.

[Fiftybucks]

I need recommends on a marina northbound like in Key largo on the inside. Bad outside 15 knots wave to 4-5.

[wolfe10]

For marinas: https://cruisersnet.net/category/west-f ... n-florida/

Click on the "M" icon on the left side to pull up Marinas. Click on the "M" on the chart to pull up full information.

So what damage from the grounding? Water inside?

[Fiftybucks]

Tide went down. The portlight is one of those that don’t open. It was under but did not leak.
We stayed by Channel Five Bridge and madeKey Largo North Bridge. Got a slip and water and the is NO pumpout!!! Oh did I say I now have nightmares of random crab pots coming at me.

Boat is doing well. I’ve been keeping it at about 5knts. Is that too slow? 2050 RPM.

[Fiftybucks]

And we used and suggestion on M Button to fin this location. Anchorage resort and Yacht Clib. Terrible current and winds to 20 tonight.