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.
Aptly Named Punta Mala
We anchored at the recommended spot, but when the wind came over the hill and we dragged anchor the large island was right behind us – a lee shore. So I sat up in the cockpit, with Chico from 10:30 pm until sunrise, wide awake most of the time. It’s called Anchor Watch; my eyes were glued to the GPS coordinates to make sure they didn’t stray too far from those we jotted down when we arrived.
I wanted to make sure the guys got a good night sleep because I knew the next night we’d be at sea and it could be a rough leg. I just didn’t know HOW BAD it could be.
Tom followed the cruising guides’ advice to go wide around the point due to vicious winds and currents. When we rounded the point, we couldn’t turn to go north. We had to go out at al east 5 miles then tack back to barely make it past the north side of the Point. The wind was blowing about 25-30 knots steady, from the north with about 4-6 ft seas, AND a 2 knot current going against us.
Motor sailing (sails up and the motor working) we were doing a half a knot at times! Probably the most frustrating of the legs we’ve done. It took us 34 hours from the time we left Ensenada Benao to arrive at Isla Otoque, which is still 12 miles from the marina we’re headed to in Panama City.
