On to Biscayne Bay
24 April 2009 | Anchored, off Elliot Key, Biscayne Bay
Mark
Thursday, April 23. The winds remain out of the E, which is where they are predicted now and so we are going to move to an anchorage up in Biscayne Bay with more protection from that angle, although we spent a very comfortable night. Retrieved the bridle and kellet, then raised the main before finishing raising the anchor. We have to sail through a narrow dredged channel to get from Card Sound into Biscayne Bay. With wind just about 90* this will be close hauled to a close reach, but we should be able to do it under sail. First we have to tack out to the SE to get the right angle. When I think we have gone far enough, we tack back and head for the first set of markers. It's close, but we make it. Just as we are entering the channel, a large, liveaboard power boat approaches from behind. He slows down nicely and waits while I pull as far to starboard (into wind) as I can and then passes us to port. We probably had 10-15 feet between boats which is pretty tight considering I was close hauled and didn't have much room for change. They thanked us for letting them pass and I thanked them for the gentle pass. I somehow think if they had no also been liveaboards that is could have been much dicier. The rest of the channel went smoothly, though we did pass an oncoming sailboat. I hailed him on VFH to recommend we pass port to port (which is pretty standard and how we were lined up). He never answered, but proceeded to pass without problems. From there is was only another 7 nm to our destination. We chose to anchor off a nice little beach by the N end of Elliot Key. We were able to carry 6' reasonably close to shore (for Florida) and anchored much tighter in than the other boats in the area. Once again we anchored for strong winds with plenty of scope and the kellet. When I dove the anchor, it was well buried but doing nothing as the boat was 'anchored' by the kellet which was resting nicely on the bottom, holding the bridle down at a fairly steep angle. We should have a comfortable night. The water was so clear that there was no question about making water, it would be fine. We have been using about 20 gallons a day and run the watermaker at least every other day to replace it. Since we left the Gulf, we have had no problems with the filters silting, though we do make sure the water is good and clear before choosing to run it. After lunch we dinghied ashore. Not a very interesting beach - very few shells, but it did have a fantastic tree that I will have to come back and photograph. Might even be something I could paint. It was pretty weird being on this deserted beach in a lovely anchorage with the skyscrapers of Miami visible on the horizon! They say that this area gets really crowded on the weekends, but for now it is very nice - just a few fishing boats, a couple of larger power boats, and another sailboat, all spread out quite reasonably.