The Final Day

The northeast wind was blowing hard across Pine Island Sound as we departed Capitva today and created quite a chop on the water. Knowing that it would take us about 5 hours to reach Longboat Key, we left early hoping to get past much of the open water. Once we were past Charlotte Harbor and the Boca Grande Pass, things calmed down and made for a peaceful run.

That is, until we got just north of Venice, where we discovered one of the few bridges that we need to have opened damaged and under repair.  As a result, it was only opening every four hours -- which meant we would have a 2+ hour wait based on its schedule.

We made the decision to turn around and go back to the Venice Inlet and run "outside" to Sarasota. Even though the wind continued to be a factor, the sea conditions were relatively mild compared to what we had become accustomed to over the past year. The only question was where we would come back in.

Sarasota Pass is known for its shifting shoals and is often different each time you go through it. One of the local yacht clubs regularly updates those changes on their web site, but since I wasn't "planning" on that, I hadn't had the opportunity to review it. Not good. The I remembered reading that New Pass, just to the north of that had recently been dredged and was now open. A quick call on the VHF radio to BoatUS confirmed it was indeed open, but that aids to navigation were all different and not accurate on the charts or GPS plotters. So with a little old fashioned compass navigation and binoculars, we found our way in the inlet without issue -- and plenty of water!

We reached Longboat Key in the early afternoon and docked Endless Summer in her winter berth. After 1500+ miles and two weeks on the water it felt good to be "home".

The Okeechobee Waterway

Normally when we cross the state of Florida on the Okeechobee Waterway, we can make the trip in a day. While it involves going through 5 locks over the 130 mile run, it can be done under good conditions and good timing. That is unless one of the locks is being repaired and under restricted openings. As a result, there was no way to make it the trip in the day.

That meant spending the night somewhere among the "swamp" where there are more snakes, alligators and mosquitoes than most people see in a lifetime. Needless to say, the Admiral did not even get off the boat that day!

My only hope was that the engine issues we discovered in Stuart didn't manifest themselves in more problems "in the middle of nowhere". I continued to check on things in the engine room throughout the day and was pleased to see it wasn't getting any worse.

Docking through - Port Mayaca Lock

Looking back on the Moore Haven Lock

We docked around 300pm at the Moore Haven City docks (without any help I might add), paid our dockage fee across the street at City Hall and enjoyed yet another frozen / microwave dinner on board! Windows closed and lights down low to minimize the bugs!

The next day, we departed at a leisurely 930 am as we only had 16 miles to go get to the Ortonna Lock and it's restricted 1130 am opening. While we had plenty of time, I suspected it might get a bit crowded at the lock as other transient boaters had to do the same thing. So we cruised along at just 8 mph and quickly came to the conclusion that we weren't ready for sailboat or trawler speeds quite yet!

Almost 7 hours later, we finally made it South Seas on Captiva Island at 4pm. A well deserved cocktail or two, a delightful dinner off the boat (yeah) and a long walk on the beach helped keep things in perspective.

South Seas Yacht Harbor - Captiva Island

Looks Like We Have a Problem

Monday was planned to be a short day with just 65 miles to Stuart, FL which was to be our "staging" to cross the state through the Okeechobbe Waterway. While the run was easy and brief, the end result was not a welcome sight.

After fueling and docking the boat, I did my normal engine checks in preparation for the next day. I was surprised to find not just one problem but two! It seems the bushing on the starboard engine drive shaft was staring to come apart and showed evidence of black duct and small pieces of rubber scattered about. If that wasn't enough to cause me pause, I also found an oil leak on the starboard Zeus drive unit that seemed to be coming from the seal around the oil pump.

I was able to contact the folks at Siebert Yacht Management in Jupiter (that did the original rigging of the boat) who were able to come by and help diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, it was going to require the attention of a Cummins certified tech who was not readily available.

After further discussion along with some pictures of the problem to my primary Cummins tech on the west coast, it was determined that both issues were manageable and not likely to cause further damage before being repaired. With that advice, and a cautious approach to running the boat, we decided to continue our trip with only two more stops along the route.

As we were treated to a beautiful sun set over the St. Lucie River that evening, we contemplated our next few days getting Endless Summer back to Longboat Key.

Sunset Bay Marina - Stuart, FL

New Symrna to Vero Beach

The 120 mile run from New Smyrna to Vero Beach lets you know you are back in Florida waters. From "Slow Wake" zones to "No Wake" zones, to "Manatee Areas", to speed restrictions overlaid with various dates and times., it requires constant diligence to make sure you are doing the right thing!

Of course, it also makes for an active day of sightseeing with dolphins dancing in the bow wake, to Manatees heading for warmer waters, and all manner of waterfront homes, docks and boats. Add to that the normal array of folks in small boats fishing the shallows, the occasional kayaker, and a sail boat race, our progress was a series of fits and starts all along the way.

A watchful eye on the bow

Manatees were plentiful and often hard to see

Sunday afternoon sailboat race!

We continued to see a lot of damage from the hurricane, with repairs and active salvage operations going on. It was sad to see so many boats damaged but thankful that no one was seriously injured as a result.

Salvage operations outside of St. Augustine, FL

None the less, we were blessed with yet another day of beautiful weather albeit with a brisk wind out of the northeast. We arrived in Vero Beach about six hours later at Loggerhead Marina. After fueling and a quick wash down of the boat, we opted to dine on board (Hungry Man style) and enjoy a quiet evening and just relax.

"Gourmet" dinner from the freezer to the microwave

Low Tides and Early Mornings

Yesterday as we traveled from Savannah to our planned stop at Amelia Island Florida, we were struck by the extensive and continued damage along the ICW from Hurricane Matthew. Boats aground, docks destroyed, and floating debris throughout.

None the less, it was a good day on the water, that is, until we reached Amelia Island and realized that the marina entrance was not only very narrow, but extremely shallow at low tide. In fact, had we stopped there, we would have had to wait until almost noon the next day in order to exit the marina basin.

So I called ahead to other marinas along the route and further south, only to find that they were fully booked or closed due to storm damage. We were running out of options quickly and starting to consider where we might anchor out for the night. At the last moment,  I re-called Beach Marina in Jacksonville Beach who said they could now take us due to a cancellation. Only problem was, their entrance was also relatively shallow and we would have to depart at "first light" in order to get out before low tide. And so we did.

Early this morning, and I do mean early, we left Jacksonville Beach with just 18 inches under the bottom of hull and headed back into the ICW.  It was none the less a great day, filled with dolphins in our bow wake, palm trees lining the shore and sunshine overhead. It felt good to be back in Florida. Some six hours later and 100 miles, we arrived in New Smyrna Beach in time to enjoy the afternoon sunshine and breeze, a casual dinner at Outriggers, not to mention an early night to bed!!

A Long But Enjoyable Day

We left Savannah this morning just as the sun crested the horizon. Running though Georgia is filled with all manner of twists and turns as the waterway meanders south. It was a beautiful and scenic day but not without its challenges. Shallow cuts, sharp turns, floating debris and narrow channels kept us on our toes the entire day.

After 158 miles and 9 hours we finally arrived at Jacksonville Beach Florida. This wasn't our original planned stop but Fernandina Beach Marina was completely shut down from the damage it incurred from Hurricane Matthew two weeks ago. As is often the case when traveling by boat, you have to adjust and amend as conditions demand.

All that said, it was good to get back home to Florida today. We still have a ways to go before reaching Longboat Key, but for the moment we feel as thought we have "arrived".

Sunrise over Savannah

Charleston to Savannah

We really enjoy the stretch of waterway from Charleston South Carolina to Savannah Georgia. The vast majority of the route is untouched and undeveloped and accentuates the simply beauty of the "low country". Unfortunately, much of the area suffered damage from the recent Hurricane Matthew that racked the east coast from Florida to Virginia. We saw boats high aground, docks destroyed beyond recognition, and larges pieces of debris amassed along the shoreline and floating in the waterway. It was very sad to see, especially in the context of such natural beauty.

None the less, we had another great day on the water and enjoyed the serene and calm conditions arriving in Savannah at Isle of Hope Marina around 3pm. Tonight, it's a casual dinner on board with perhaps once of the best views you can ask for while at dock.

Some of the damage from Hurricane Matthew

Hilton Head, SC

Hilton Head, SC

Thunderbolt, GA

Crossing the Savannah River

Aft deck view -- Isle of Hope Marina

Leap Day

Due to the extensive flooding from Hurricane Matthew, the Socastee Swing Bridge was damaged and is currently closed "until further notice". With a vertical clearance of just 11 feet, very few boats can pass which essentially shuts down the ICW between Southport and Georgetown SC.  As a result, we had to make a choice to either go "outside" and bypass the problem or sit and wait it out someplace north of the bridge.

As luck would have it (and we've had a fair amount so far), the Atlantic Ocean sea conditions were good and offered us a window of opportunity to make an extended offshore run. So we headed out at the Cape Fear River Inlet and made our way toward our planned stop in Georgetown. That was, until we got going and found ourselves in not only good conditions but excellent conditions. So as we approached the Winyah Bay Inlet where we would normally have entered, we decided to make a go of it and go all the way to Charleston, thereby leap frogging an entire day in our float plan.

While we are both tired from the 7+ hour, 190 mile run today, we are safely and happily tied up at the Charleston City Marina for the night.

Delightfully calm Atlantic about 7 miles offshore from Myrtle Beach

3 Great Days on the Water

On Sunday, we awoke to a beautiful full moon as we left Portsmouth VA and headed out at a leisurely pace toward Coinjock NC. While only traveling 50 miles today, it takes almost 5 hours due to the number of bridges that need to be opened, no wake zones and a lock that opens on the half hour, not to mention plenty of other boats working their way south.

Morning Moon - Portsmouth, VA

Great Bridge Lock

Since Hurricane Matthew slowed the progress of many other transient boaters the past few weeks, the waterway has been unusually crowded for this time of year. Add to that lots of storm related debris in the water and things really get bogged down. None the less, we made it in plenty of time to watch the Redskins game on TV, which as many of you know, remains a priority for the Admiral! Oh yeah, they won!

On Monday, under clear, sunny (and warmer) skies, we continued our trek south toward Oriental NC and River Dunes Marina just off the Neuse River. Now, the Neuse is known as one of the more turbulent bodies of water, and in fact, has never been one of our favorite stretches to navigate. But as luck would have it, we continued to be blessed with great conditions including a calm and almost serene Neuse River!

The Neuse River - clear skies and calm, a perfect day!

Tuesday morning was yet another glorious day on the water as we continued up the Neuse River (still calm as a lake), through Adams Creek toward Beaufort NC and then turning south on the ICW to our destination at Wrightsville Beach. While the sea conditions were good, we found a number of areas where the hurricane had shifted sand and created some unexpected shoaling. Nothing like seeing your depth gauge go from 16 feet to 4.5 feet in less than 50 yards! Since Endless Summer only drafts 4.0 feet, we made it through without issue, but it was close.... very close!

And Away We Go!

Every once in a while, Mother Nature looks favorably upon you and gives you an unexpected pleasure. Today was one of those days as we traversed the Chesapeake Bay from Kent Island Maryland to Portsmouth Virginia in near perfect conditions. The sun was shining brightly, the seas were calm (like a lake) and the winds were fair. We went 160 miles in just under 6 hours. The boat ran great and the time passed quickly.

While it was hard to say goodbye, it was good to get "on the road again" headed home to Florida.

Heading South - Chesapeake Bay

At the helm

Farewell Maryland

Heading South - Part 2

We have been based in Kent Island at the Bay Bridge Marina for the past month and what a month it has been.

When we first arrived on the 16th of September, we had a great four days with our dear friends Wynn and Nancy, and Barbara and Jim who flew in for a mini-reunion. We ate, we drank, we had crabs, we did puzzles, we had a blast! It is always amazing to me that even after long periods of time apart, once we get back together, it is like we never we gone. Special friends, special times.

Old friends are the best friends

Besties!

Puzzle time

Crabs -- before, during and after!

Crab pretzel at David Pub in Annapolis

We also had the chance to visit with old friends Larry and Marilee, Bob and Carolee, Renie and Harry, Ed, my college roommate David, Rachel's Uncle Gene, my brother Tom and his wife Cindy, and Cordell and Sharon from the Chesapeake Yacht Club. All in all, a wonderful few weeks back home in Maryland.

Ed. Carolee & Bob, Renie & Harry

Larry & Marilee

Cordell & Sharon

We also took a week to fly back home to gather the mail, pay the bills and get in a few doctor appointments. We've been gone a long time and need a few days to just catch up and take a breather before we start our journey south on Endless Summer. Of course, dealing with Hurricane Matthew was an unexpected experience, but we managed through it at home in Florida and then again as the impacts were felt around the Chesapeake Bay. Hopefully, that will be the last of the nasty weather!

Bills and mail (and a lot of junk!)

Flying back to Maryland just before Hurricane Matthew strikes.

This weekend is the Annapolis Power Boat Show where I plan to check out some of the new "gadgets" and boating resources before we get underway. While I will certainly check out other boats, I am pretty darn happy with our boat and the many features it has afforded us the past year.  Even Sabres Yachts has asked to show Endless Summer during the show days to a prospective client(s) who are interested in our custom design.

A few "parting shots" from Maryland My Maryland.

As the sun sets over the Chesapeake Bay

The last crabs of the season

"Old Bay" provisions for the trip home

Endless Summer ready to roll!

Heading South - Part 1

After a wonderful "farewell weekend" in Connecticut in mid-September, we provisioned Endless Summer for the first part of our journey south for the winter. We left on a beautiful day, sunny skies and calm seas as we headed south down Long Island Sound. Our first stop was Port Washington adjacent to New York City. As luck would have it, our friends from Martha's Vineyard were also starting their journey south and stopped at the same marina.

Endless Summer and One Mo Time at Port Washington

Good times with Scott and Kell

The next morning, we departed Port Washington at a very civil 830 am and cruised down the East River past Manhattan on a ebb tide. That not only gave us a little boost in terms of speed, but also made for easy running through Hell Gate, a notoriously turbulent body of water. As we turned into the Hudson River, we could help but take a few extra minutes to sight see and capture a few more pictures on the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

New York City Skyline

Our Lady Liberty!

We continued under the Verrazano Bridge and across Sandy Hook Bay toward our destination in Red Bank, New Jersey. It was the first time we had gone up the Navasink River and while beautiful, was very "skinny" water, even through the middle of the channel. Since we use to live in nearby Little Silver, we had a chance to catch up with some old friends, played a little golf and enjoyed being back in the area for a couple of days.

At dock at the head of the Navasink River 

Molly Pitcher Hotel & Marina

Great laughs - mediocre golf!

The time came that we needed to leave and head south to Cape May, which unfortunately involved running offshore some 140 miles. Conditions were not in our favor but the forecast was going to get even worse the longer we waited. So we ventured out in what was forecast to be 3-4 foot following seas and 20 mph winds at our back. Not the best conditions but certainly doable. As often happens, the forecast was wrong -- very wrong. We ended up with 5-7 seas and winds over 30 mph. The boat handled it fine but suffice it to say, we did not enjoy the next 6 hours! After a nice dinner at the Lobster House and a good stiff drink (or two), we settled in for the night.

Some rough seas off the Atlantic City coast

The furniture in the salon got rearranged today!

The next day brought us overcast skies but the wind had subsided and it looked the conditions on the Delaware Bay were going to be good. This time, the forecast was right! We had a good run up the Bay and through the C&D Canal. We then turned into very familiar territory as the Chesapeake Bay welcomed us back. Heading south down the Bay, we arrived at the Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island early that afternoon. We expect to be based here for a month before continuing down the ICW toward Florida mid-October. We are enjoying this time with good friends and the abundance of Chesapeake Bay seafood!

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge