SOLD!

We no sooner returned to Longboat Key after two wonderful weeks on the water when I got an email from a Sabre dealer (Downeast Yachting) that they had an offer on our boat that we should seriously consider!

If you've been following my blog, you know that we have used our boat extensively the past three years -- from New York to Sarasota to the Bahamas and Abaccos to the Chesapeake Bay to Key West, ENCORE has been our home-away-from-home bringing us wonderful adventures, new friends (and seeing some old ones too), and countless memories on the water together.

But because of all that time living aboard, we had come to a crossroads -- we either needed a larger yacht that was more accommodating for longer periods of time (months at a time), or we needed to start taking shorter trips (a week at a time). So back in February, we listed ENCORE for sale to test the waters and begin to look for something else that might meet our needs.

So as fate would have it, on the very last day of our trip from Cocoa to Longboat Key, we received a fair offer on ENCORE and reluctantly accepted. I say reluctantly because I really love this boat and have been so happy with its quality, performance and function. I know the new owners will be equally as pleased as they are getting a well built, well equipped and meticulously cared for yacht.

Not exactly sure what's next.... but I have a few ideas!

Back in Longboat Key

We left South Seas Yacht Harbor mid-morning on Monday and with the wind at our backs enjoyed following seas leaving Red Fish pass. Since I hadn't been in Sarasota's Big Pass for almost a year, I thought it might be best to come at Venice Pass and do the remainder of the trip on the "inside". It's an easy and pleasant run from Venice to Longboat Key and we enjoyed seeing "familiar" territory.

Upon arriving at the Longboat Key Club Moorings and getting tied up in our slip, it was nice to see some old friends and be welcomed "home" after a year away.

But you won't believe what happened the day we arrived.... (see next blog entry).

Home Port - Longboat Key, FL

South Seas Yacht Harbor

Our passage from Key West to Naples was a comfortable 115 mile run across the Gulf of Mexico. ENCORE once again ran beautifully and we arrived safely in Naples some five hours later. We docked the boat at the Naples Boat Club near the headwater of the Gordon River. A nice two day visit with some more dear friends, great restaurants and shoppes to enjoy.

This morning we left Naples for a leisurely two hour run to Captiva Island and the South Seas Yacht Harbor. The offshore waters were some of the calmest we've had on this trip and with a bright sun and clear sky, it was like being able to see over the edge of the earth. Only on a boat do you get that wonderful and peaceful sensation.

We are only going to stay here one night due to a change in the weather forecast, which now calls for high winds and possibility of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday. Depending on the sea conditions in the morning, we will make our final run to Longboat Key in three hours (on the outside) or five hours (on the inside). Either way, we are looking forward to getting to our "home" port after almost two weeks on the water.

Southernmost Point

After two wonderful days at Little Palm Island, we headed to Key West, the "most southern point" in the United States. It is also our turning point to head north again up the Gulf Coast.

Key West is always a fun and interesting place to visit. Unfortunately, it has changed over the years and what used to be a small "fun and funky" town with quaint shops, little bistros and neighborhood bars, has been largely replaced with larger chain restaurants, T-shirt and tacky tourist souvenir shops catering to the large crowds and cruse ship passengers. I still like Key West, just not as much.

The highlight of the trip though was seeing some very dear friends that now live on Sumerland Key just to the north. We had dinner at Louie's Backyard which was definitely on the upper end of fine dining. It's amazing that boating is what first brought us together (back on the Chesapeake Bay) and it is boating that has rekindled our friendship some 30 years later.

Tomorrow, the wind forecast looks encouraging as we cross the Gulf and head toward Naples.

Little Palm Island

I don't normally make a separate blog entry for a "place", but when it comes to Little Palm Island, it's anything but normal.

Having stayed here before with our boat, we knew that the docks are exposed to open water, an active channel, and plenty of wind from everywhere except from the south. It not only makes for some tricky docking, it tends to be a bit unpleasant for sleeping on board. So this time, we really went crazy and stayed on land in one of their small, but elegant, thatched roof huts.

Canopy bed, claw foot tub, outdoor shower, our own jacuzzi, private fire pit on the beach and of course, the requisite hammock strung between two palm trees.

And while Little Palm Island has its own lovely beach, tropical pool, and world class spa, the real gem of the place is the restaurant, simply called, the Dining Room. Listed in Zagats as one of the top 5 hotel restaurants in the United States, the flavors, textures and visual appeal of the food is beyond description. And the location on the beach (and I do mean ON the beach), makes for glorious sunsets while enjoying your favorite cocktail.

Firecracker Grouper over asparagus puree

Diver Sea Scallops in a citrus butter cream sauce

Yes, Little Palm Island is expensive, but then, most things that are over-the-top amazing, normally are. I don't know when we will come back again, but I can assure you we will visit often in our dreams for a long time to come.

Working our way through the Keys

The weather continued to cooperate as we traveled from Fort Lauderdale on Saturday morning to Ocean Reef in Key Largo. Since we decided to stay "inside" the ICW, the pace was relaxed and measured -- partly because we weren't in a hurry and mostly because the combination of NO WAKE zones and low bridges makes it that way! None the less, we arrived at Ocean Reef without issue .... well, until we got there!

It seems our dockage reservation was mistakenly cancelled, so upon arriving they didn't have a place for us! I kept my cool, but made it clear that they needed to find a solution. The first option was to put is one of the large concrete fixed docks that an owner had vacated for the weekend. That would have been fine if we were in a big trawler with high sideboards, but for ENCORE's low profile, it would require a ladder to get off the boat and onto the dock. So, we patiently waited (about an hour) until one of the mega yachts on the T-head departed from the floating dock. While we seemed out of place among the MUCH larger yachts, we ended up at one of the best locations in the marina (D16) with an open view to port and the constant of entertainment of boats navigating in and out of the marina. We enjoyed two great days in Ocean Reef including a delightful Easter Sunday dinner buffet in the Ocean Room. Sometimes, be patient (but firm) pays off!

ENCORE among the "mega yachts" 

Seems the Easter Bunny got on board and left something for the Captain!

We departed Key Largo yesterday morning for our 90 mile run to Little Palm Island. While the winds were up to 18 knots, it was at our backs with following seas the entire way. Of course, when we arrived, those same winds presented a bit of a challenge when docking ENCORE into her berth. The Harborview Dock is exposed to the northeast which meant a very strong crosswind along with a strong current. Even with the Zeus drives doing their magic (and testing my boating skills), it took two attempts before we finally settled in and were tied up for the night. As an added treat for the Admiral (well, and me too) we have opted to stay on land in one of the thatched roof huts on Little Palm. More on that later!

Only two ways to get to Little Palm Island - Seaplane or Boat (we came by boat!)

A long day... not very far!

Traveling on a boat is always "interesting". What I mean by that is, no matter what you "think" is going to happen, it rarely, if ever, does. Today is a good example.

I knew that our trip from Palm Beach south to Fort Lauderdale would be filled with MINIMUM WAKE safety zones (in other words, lots of marinas), plenty of bridges to contend with (and with odd time openings that never seem to sync up with the next bridge) and plentiful NO WAKE Manatee zones (which amazingly always seem to be around multi-million dollar homes). What I didn't expect or take into account was it is Good Friday and EVERYBODY was off work and on their boats, jet skis and kayaks. Slow.... SLOW.... S L O W!

So we traveled a total of 52 miles today (did you get that... just 52 miles) from Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale in, are your ready???  Here it comes.... SIX HOURS! A very long day on the water for very little distance.

Now the good news. The weather was very cooperative with lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze the entire route. It was actually rather relaxing with lots of time for the Admiral and I to talk about the kids, grandkids, retirement, family, friends and the occasional "idiot" who would ignore the slow speed zones and cause all sorts of bouncing and rolling.

Having arrived in Fort Lauderdale, we fueled ENCORE's hungry tanks, found our way to our slip in the Bahai Mar Yachting Center, and hosed off the days salt and spray. Tonight will be "casual night" as we venture to a beach bar for margaritas, fish tacos and lots of loud music.

I just LOVE this life!

Getting our Sea Legs Back! - Departing Cocoa

April is one of the nicest months of the year in Florida. Daytime highs in the low 80's, nighttime temps in the low 70's and normally a light and variable breeze throughout the day. But the next two days are forecasted to be anythng but "normal" as an unsettled cold front stalls over central and south Florida bringing showers (actually, thunderstorms), high winds (with gust to 35 mph), and off shore wave heights approaching 7 feet! Not that we were intending to crusie offshore for this leg of the trip, but even the intercoastal waterway was pretty choppy for such a narrow body of water.

Yet, after last-minute provisioning on Wednesday and a final check of all ENCORE's systems we got underway this morning from Cocoa for our 120 mile trip to Palm Beach. The skies were overcast most of the days with an occasional peak of sunshine or a brief shower. Despite the less than ideal conditions, we saw a lot of other boats on the waterway (most of them heading north!). We arrived at Old Port Cove Marina about 6 hours later.

It is really good to be back on the water!!!

Departing from Cocoa Village Marina 

Heading Back to Longboat Key

After arriving in Cocoa, FL last October, we really haven't done much boating the past six months. Between other land based travels, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, some health concerns (all better now), and some family obligations, we simply haven't had the time. But that is all about to change!

We are making plans to depart Cocoa mid-April for a two week cruise back to Longboat Key. We are going to take the "long way" around leaving from Cocoa south past Miami to the Florida Keys and then back up the Gulf Coast. Planned ports of call include Cocoa, Palm Beach, Key Largo, Little Palm Island, Key West, Naples, Captiva Island and Longboat Key.

Since we haven't been onboard for awhile, we are going to take the next week to restock ENCORE with the necessary provisions, clothing and equipment. The weather this time of year is generally beautiful with daytime highs in the low 80's, mild breezes and cool evenings. We are looking forward to another great trip!