Living The Dream
Most of them dream... We LIVE IT.
| Vessel Name: | Santorini |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Mariner/Mayflower 48' |
| Hailing Port: | Punta Gorda, Florida |
| Crew: | Tom, Dawn, Chico & Kamala |
| Social: |
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13 August 2016 | Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Back in Isla Mujeres!
It's been a fast 3 years since moving to Punta Gorda, FL. Although we haven't done much sailing, we have made some very nice improvements and upgrades to Santorini. We had her hauled out for bottom paint - this time applying Petit Trinidad 75. It had been 5 years since her last paint job with Trinidad [...]
28 July 2013 | Punta Gorda, FL
Home At Last
We moved into our new house end of May 2013. Tom towed the SeaRay down and put it in storage. We made several trips down to move, but sadly left Santorini behind in Panama City, Fl until we could prepare her slip in Punta Gorda.
28 July 2013 | Punta Gorda, FL
Getting Our Freedom Back
After swallowing the anchor in Panama City, FL for 2 years we are looking forward to getting back into cruising mode. We were certainly grateful for Tom landing a job when he did - it saved us when our businesses went bust. It was tough working 8-5 M-F with 1 week of vacation after having been self-employed [...]
22 April 2011 | St. Andrews Bay, Panama City, FL
Settling In on the Gulf Coast
We had a great trip back to OC. It was wonderful to see everyone and a relief to finally move the rest of our stuff. We stopped and stayed with family and friends along the way during our trip home. We missed the kitties, and they missed us even more. Our neighbors, Don & Kelly live on a houseboat [...]
21 March 2011 | Panama City, Florida
Back to the OC
Well it's only been 4 days since we sailed into port here in Panama City, FL but we're already heading back to Orange County, CA. My friend Beth is engaged to a great guy named Alan. He happens to own a private jet. They flew in this afternoon from Key West for a short overnight visit and are returning [...]
18 March 2011 | Panama City, Florida
Mission Accomplished: Over 5000 miles in less than 5 months!
We finally made it! We sailed into St. Andrews Bay at 2 pm on St. Patrick's Day, it was a very moving experience! There's nothing like achieving a many years long goal. The people here are wonderful - everyone is SO NICE! Southern hospitality is alive and well.
Leaving Costa Rica
Because of our anchor situation, the timing (so far behind our planned trip through the canal) and the prohibitive cost in Panama we decided to head quickly to Panama City and get through the canal as soon as we can.
There are supposedly beautiful marine parks here. The problem is that they charge you $60 per night for the boat to anchor, then an extra $20 per person. So that's $100 per day for a cruising couple - WOW! According to the cruising guide, they are supposed to lower these outrageous fees.
In speaking with our new friend Eddie, who has been cruising for over eight years, he recommended not clearing in and out of Panama. He said it best "You're in transit. Do you think all of those commercial ships going through clear in and clear out their entire crew?" Since we plan to head north as soon as we go through the canal, it doesn't make sense to do the "paperwork cha cha". The fees to go through the canal are high enough. Once we base in Florida, we can always come back to Panama and cruise this area.
