Lion's Paw: SailBlogs

Northbound to the Bay 2009

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:03:37 -0500

After spending the winter in Marathon, gloating over the reports of miserable weather in northern parts, it was time to think about heading north for the summer. However, we were determined to get in one last warm-water adventure, and so headed for the Dry Tortugas. These tiny islands lie about one long day's sail to the west of Key West. We stopped overnight in both directions at Key West. Outbound, we made the obligatory pub crawl down Duvall Street, before a pre-dawn start for Fort Jefferson. It was an uneventful passage, although the harbor was quite crowded by the time we arrived. The fort provides an interesting historic backdrop to this remote anchorage. We toured the fort, snorkeled from the beach, and watched the sunset for a couple of days. We would have loved to stay longer, but were determined to take advantage of winds that were from anywhere-but-east to begin the long journey east and north. On the passage from Dry Tortugas back to Key West, we spotted a large hammerhead shark cruising at the surface - an amazing creature. Sea turtles were common, and always a welcome sight. (Continued...)

Safe Arrival at Key Marathon

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:06:49 -0600

Lion's Paw arrived safely in Boot Key Harbor on December 8 after an overnight run from Fort Lauderdale. We had initially planned for stops in Miami and one of the Keys along the way, but we had a weather window that encouraged us to just go for it and get there. It was indeed a pleasant motor-sail, with the wind clocking and strengthening to push us along as we rounded the curve at the bottom of Florida. However, the 50-mile run down Hawk Channel was chock full of trap floats - a challenge to dodge after the moon set and they became nearly invisible. (Continued...)

Southbound 2008

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:22:08 -0600

Well, we can see palm trees, but the breeze is not that balmy yet. A cold snap has followed us most of the way from Hampton VA to Vero Beach FL, where we are on a mooring amongst others of our kind (cruising boats headed south for the winter) for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Lion's Paw departed Hampton on November 7. Most of the trip has been slogging down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), with plenty of company. However, we did get in two nice offshore runs; from Beaufort NC to Georgetown SC, and Beaufort SC to Fernandina Beach FL. This saved some time and fuel, and let Lion's Paw strut her offshore stuff (if not exactly deep ocean, at least out of sight of land). These were good runs, in spite of the crew having miserable colds (can't sleep anyway, may as well be up all night dodging ships). With some of the blustery winds lately, we have even gotten in some nice downwind jib sailing on the ICW. (Continued...)