Monday, March 25, 2013
Lift Out
Early this morning the Loon was lifted out and found to have moderate damage to the keel and the edges of the prop were bent. Luckily no damage to the hull. The prop will be reconditioned and fiberglass work done to the keel. We were relieved that there was no damage to the shaft. After the repairs and touching up the bottom paint, Loon will be back in good shape and we will continue our journey home. It should be noted that the friends we were traveling with also struck an object and sustained some minor damage. Not a good day for either of us.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Trouble!
Left River Forest Yacht Center at 7:30 a.m. early enough to make it to Stuart, Florida before dark. During this portion of the trip we would cross Lake Okeechobee. The entrance channel across the lake starts at Clewiston, FL so a decision had to be made to either cross the lake with 18-20 Mph winds and a 4 foot chop for 25 miles or take the rim route which is 10 miles farther. We opted for the more comfortable ride using the rim route. Ken and Candy chose the same route and passed us as they cruised faster than 9 mph. The rim route was well marked and the lake level was high enough that we had 6 to 10' of water all day. Near mile marker 40 only a mile from the lake exit we encountered very shallow water. Randy manuvered left and right across the channel looking for deeper water. We draw nearly 4 feet and were in 2 feet of water. We found 3 feet of water on the left edge of the channel, however, that's when we heard a terrible loud sound and severe rocking of the boat. We had struck an underwater object and it sounded as if we had ripped open the entire bottom of the boat. Pat took the helm and Randy quickly went below to check for leaks and thankfully didn't find any water! The throttle was operating normally so we continued on to our destination of River Forest Yacht Center in Stuart, FL. With hearts pounding we cruised for about an hour and Pat spent the time alligator hunting and saw a number of them along the shore. We were pleased to find out that RFYC is a first class boat yard who was well equipped to haul Loon out of the water, assess the damage and make repairs.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Caloosahatchee River
The plan was to leave Fort Myers for Moore Haven FL in the am but we have learned you have to be flexible on this trip. There was a storm in the area so we waited and left at 12:45. Randy had met another boater at the marina and they decided to travel with us. They were from Ohio on the first day of their Great Loop trip. The weather was ideal and we traveled up the Caloosahatchee River toward Lake Okeechobee. We cruised until 6:30 and stopped at River Forest Marina. We encountered two swinging bridges and two locks. Pat was nervous about the lock process but it was very easy and no problems. There was very little boat traffic and an easy ride down the fairly narrow river. Pat was on the lookout for alligators but didn't see any. Although we were surprised to see a cow in the water and hoped he could make it back out! After we docked at the marina the couple in the boat traveling with us came over for "docktails".
Friday, March 22, 2013
Tampa, FL
Randy left Clearwater at 9 a.m. for a trip to Sarasota arriving at 5:15. Cruised down the ICW thru St. Pete, Tampa, thru the Tampa Bay under the Sunshine Bridge then on down to Marina Jacks for the night. Arrived to a very lively marina with bands playing, outdoor dining, several St. Patrick's Day parties. Pat flew into Tampa and was met at the airport by a good friend, Mike Carey, who generously picked her up and brought her to the marina. Thanks to Mike for his help! There was a small private St. Patty's day party on the dock and Randy was invited to join the group of boaters from Marco Island Yacht Club - great people and great food. There was a 141' yacht named "Big Cities" docked near us. It rents for $175,000 per week if anyone is interested.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Fort Myers, FL
Left Captiva Island South Seas Plantation Marina at 8 am in calm winds but cloudy skies. Our destination today was only 30+ miles to Fort Myers for a day of maintenance before we embarked on the next leg across the Okeechobee Waterway. We docked at a very nice marina, Legacy Harbor and rented a car. Randy went to West Marine and bought supplies to change the oil in Loon. It was the first time changing it and he was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was after getting all the necessary supplies. Also installed new hatch covers on aft deck and side decks. Pat walked to downtown Fort Myers and spent the afternoon shopping and sightseeing. By noon the weather had cleared and it was hot and sunny for the rest of the day which was a nice change. That evening we walked downtown and ate dinner at Henry Ford Cafe. Fort Myers was the winter home of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison and their estates are open for tours.
Captiva Island, FL
Left Sarasota at 8:15 bound for South Seas Resort and Marina on north end of Captiva Island, FL. The route between Sarasota and Venice was full of No Wake zones and several bridges. Most were high enough for Loon to slip under but there were 2 swinging bridges we had to wait for an opening. The afternoon brought heavy rain and even some thunder and lightning. But we were safe and secure inside Loon. Entering the channel for South Seas, Randy put on his foul weather gear and drove from the bridge for better visibility. We tied up easily and proceeded to the outdoor poolside bar for a beer fully dressed in our rain gear.
THE Crossing!
Randy left RDU for Panama City on March 14th. He had been receiving a daily weather forecast for over a month from an expert in the area who advises when it is safe to cross the Gulf. The plan was for Scott to meet him at Port St. Joe that night and they would leave early the next morning and cross the Gulf to Clearwater. There is a buddy system in place so boats can travel together and he was meeting up with 3 other boats Friday. Unforuntately, Scott's flight from Greensboro was delayed which caused him to miss the connection in Atlanta and he wasn't able to get on another flight that night. The window of opportunity to make the crossing was limited so Randy felt he had no choice but to continue on by himself. It must have been pure determination and adrenalin because he went nonstop from 8am Friday unti 10am Saturday...26 hours!
To the readers of this blog I will try to give you a view into the 26 hours I stayed awake guiding Loon across the Gulf from Port St Joe to Clearwater FL. Good weather was forecast for crossing the 171 miles from East Pass inlet to Clearwater FL. I left Port St Joe at 8am and cruised 52 miles to East Pass.Weather was cool and the water was "mirror-like". I passed the sea buoy at East Pass at 2pm which officially began my cross Gulf Journey. The plan was to go with 2 other boats who left at noon since they cruised at 7 mph. Since I was making 8.5 mph, I should catch up with them before dark. Using radar, I located the two boats approximately 4 miles to my starboard. I could see their lights in the distance and we could communicate via radio. It felt good to talk to someone. We stayed in radio contact for much of the night. I set a course of 137 degrees for R2 buoy off of Tarpon Springs, FL. As the sun set and the moon rose, I saw a comet streaking by thanks to informtion supplied by my good friend Koo Stengle. The sky was so dark that I could see millions of stars. With only a sliver of moonlight, it was very very dark but the night had almost a magical quality, I sat on the bridge and watched the stars; it was like being in your own planetarium! I shined a spotlight into the black water and noticed large numbers of dolphin swimming along side the boat. Being extremely tired, I set my phone to alarm every hour and sent EPIRB messages that I was ok back to the friends and family that were following me. Seas were calm in the beginning but increased to 2-3 feet as the night went on. The autopilot did a good job of holding course but due to the rough conditions, it did lose course a few times. The sun began to rise around 7:30 am...what a beautiful sight. Daylight again! I turned torward the coast and entered Clearwater Channel. I docked around 10am at the Clearwater Harbor Marina. After a hot shower and something to eat, I went to sleep knowing...I had successfully crossed the Gulf.
To the readers of this blog I will try to give you a view into the 26 hours I stayed awake guiding Loon across the Gulf from Port St Joe to Clearwater FL. Good weather was forecast for crossing the 171 miles from East Pass inlet to Clearwater FL. I left Port St Joe at 8am and cruised 52 miles to East Pass.Weather was cool and the water was "mirror-like". I passed the sea buoy at East Pass at 2pm which officially began my cross Gulf Journey. The plan was to go with 2 other boats who left at noon since they cruised at 7 mph. Since I was making 8.5 mph, I should catch up with them before dark. Using radar, I located the two boats approximately 4 miles to my starboard. I could see their lights in the distance and we could communicate via radio. It felt good to talk to someone. We stayed in radio contact for much of the night. I set a course of 137 degrees for R2 buoy off of Tarpon Springs, FL. As the sun set and the moon rose, I saw a comet streaking by thanks to informtion supplied by my good friend Koo Stengle. The sky was so dark that I could see millions of stars. With only a sliver of moonlight, it was very very dark but the night had almost a magical quality, I sat on the bridge and watched the stars; it was like being in your own planetarium! I shined a spotlight into the black water and noticed large numbers of dolphin swimming along side the boat. Being extremely tired, I set my phone to alarm every hour and sent EPIRB messages that I was ok back to the friends and family that were following me. Seas were calm in the beginning but increased to 2-3 feet as the night went on. The autopilot did a good job of holding course but due to the rough conditions, it did lose course a few times. The sun began to rise around 7:30 am...what a beautiful sight. Daylight again! I turned torward the coast and entered Clearwater Channel. I docked around 10am at the Clearwater Harbor Marina. After a hot shower and something to eat, I went to sleep knowing...I had successfully crossed the Gulf.
Sunset on the Gulf |
Sunrise on the Gulf - A Welcome Sight! |
View in Salon with Lights Off |
View in Salon with Lights On |
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