04/11/2009, Anchored, Key West, Conch Republic
Friday, April 10. We arose early to get a start on a long (38 nm) day's sail to Key West. Of course it was low, low tide! We very carefully wound our way out the way we had come in ('Tracks' setting in chart plotter is so convenient!) and only saw 4.6' once. As soon as we wer out, we raised sail and headed for Key West dodging crab traps all the way. Winds were from the SE and we were headed SW - perfect broad reach. 7+ kts. By mid day we had to tuck in a reef as winds were gusting to 23 kts. So easy to do from the shelter of the cockpit now that we have everything set up. Continued to make 6-7 kts all the way to NW channel into Key West. Then we hd to drop sail and motor as the NW channel runs SE (directly into wind) when going to Key West. Anchored off Wysteria Key with only one problem - we picked up a chain. Set anchor, but it just didn't feel right so we picked it up only to find it wrapped around a chain and rode. Not sure what from as there were no other boats close by, but it was certainly set well as it held us in 15+ kt winds. We tried several methods of getting it off to no avail. Bent and lost a boat hook in the process. Finally I tied a line to the trip spot on our anchor, let the chain drop and used the line to dump the other chain off our anchor. After that we set the anchor just fine and settled in nicely. Took dinghy into town, had drinks and raw oysters at Pepe's and bought a few provisions to get us through the next few days.
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04/11/2009, Anchored, Key West, Conch Republic
Since we have internet temporarily, I took the opportunity to add lots of pictures we have been accumulating to our album. Please check it out!
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04/09/2009, Anchored off Howe Key, near Harbor Key Bank
Tuesday, April 7 Another blustery day. We stayed snug and warm on the boat. I fussed with chasing down RF problems with the SSB that have hampered posting these blog entries. Cleaned out the primary filter on the watermaker as it had shut down yesterday with "high pressure" meaning the filter was plugged. It certainly was - lots of slit - this Gulf water is just milky with silt. Seemed to wash out OK so we'll try it again next time off shore a bit more. Deb sewed up the drogue bag and we both took turns working on weaving the cones in.
Wednesday, April 8. What a day of contrasts! We started out with a strong cold wind - 15+ kts from the NE - wearing sweatshirts AND jackets. By mid morning the wind was down and the sun was up. We stripped off the heavy clothes and for the first time ever, flew our spinnaker! Went up as easy as could be. The ATN sock worked like a charm allowing us to raise it inside and then 'pop' the sock up and let the spinnaker fill. We even got all the lines on the right side of all the rigging the very first time! It looked beautiful and we were able to sail at nearly 5 kts in barely more than 6 kts of wind! We had a great afternoon basking in the sun and enjoying our spinnaker (pics when we have internet). By evening, we tucked into Shark River and anchored in a snug little cove next to a Nordic Tug trawler, soon to be joined by several other boats. After dinner, we sat on the tramp and listened to the pelicans fishing - splash, splash! Cool, but comfortable night.
Thursday, April 9. Beautiful dawn (pics when we have internet), but dead calm. By breakfast, there were beginning ripples and light wind. Left the anchorage early (9:00) and were followed by a parade of other boats. Sailed briefly with main and spinnaker, then with just spinnaker, then with main and spinnaker again, but the reality was that the wind was so light and variable, that we just could not sail. And since we had 38 miles to cover, we turned on the engines. By noon there was enough breeze to motor sail and by mid afternoon, the wind was up to where we could sail again. Dodging crab pots all day! Made our destination at Harbor Key Bank by 4:00 and then spent another =BD hour working our way in through the shallows to a nice anchorage off Howe Key. Long, and at times frustrating, day, but could place for the night and tomorrow we should be able to make Key West.
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04/06/2009, Anchored off Jack Daniel's Key, 10,000 islands
Monday, April 6. With the predicted passage of a storm front today/tomorrow, we have elected to spend a couple days at anchor. Today, I installed grommets in the shade cloths and got them hung while Deb continued sewing cones and FINALLY finished all 150! Now we just have to get them all on the drogue line. (I did another 8 today, only 134 to go.) In the early afternoon, something changed and we were suddenly hanging @ 90* to the wind, rocking and rolling. It must be the current sweeping around the little island, but I cannot see it in the water. In any event, we picked up anchor and moved until we could hang correctly. It means we are less protected from the wind, but the shallows still gives excellent protection from any waves. When the predicted shift to NW comes, we should be facing right into the mangroves and very protected. Since we were hanging fairly close to the mangroves, I decided to try my luck at spin casting for snook. It was not a fruitful effort, so we had left over ribs and fried chicken for dinner. The front just hit (8:05 PM) with a 10-15* temperature drop and pouring rain for about 15 minutes. Haven't swung yet, but should be soon.
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04/05/2009, Anchored off Jack Daniel's Key, 10,000 islands
Sunday, April 5. OK, so the commercial fishermen start running the channel @ 4:30. And we thought it was bad in Naples @ 7:00. This is not the place to stay. Tomorrow and Tuesday they are predicting strong (15- 20) winds from SW>NW. Normally this would be great winds to make a run either down to Shark River or direct to Key West, but Westerly winds on the Gulf are to be respected and avoided if possible, so since we have no fixed schedule (gotta love that!), we will just find a more comfortable anchorage to ride out this bit of weather. Jack Daniels looks good. We can anchor in a cut between the main island and a smaller one and will be very protected from SW>NW (but open to SE which is what today's light winds are.) The sail over is only two miles and we just use gennie after clearing the 4' patch off Indian. The depths are a bit less than charted through the cut so we anchor a bit further East as we are predicted to have a couple of -1' tides - not sure why, it is a half moon. We anchor easily and it sets immediately (one good thing about this SW Florida mud!). Deb continues to sew up cones, I finish splicing the eyes (including one with a thimble - fit great) and begin weaving the cones into the line. The instructions say it takes about 4 minutes a cone (and we have 150). I got 8 done today before we decided it was low tide and we should go visit the beaches on the little island. Didn't find anything real exciting, but the beach was nicer than Indian and the water felt great as it was getting pretty hot. Back on the boat, we celebrated our anchorage with a Jack Daniel's Manhattan, and Jack Daniel's beef ribs on the grill. No dolphin antics tonight, but we did see a manatee. Very comfortable night at anchor.
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