ANOTHER CHANGE OF PLANS
22 April 2017 | Burnt Store Marina
For us, historically, April is the premier month for cruising in Florida. For example, last year we had every dinner in our cockpit. We had no rain and wind was always doable and, except for a couple of days in St. Pete, it did not change any of our plans.
This month has been totally different as to the wind. After leaving April 1 for the month, we returned four days later, cancelled our planned visits to Sarasota and St. Pete, and returned to the marina. There, the wind continued to blow for more than a week. With a good forecast, we headed out to Pelican Bay, Redfish Pass and the Gulf. Leaving the marina, the predicted wind failed to develop. Yesterday morning, we were facing a strong headwind for the three-hour trip to the Pass. Then the afternoon winds were to drop to five knots in the Gulf. We decided to forego that experience and planned just to head back to the marina. During the night before, the wind and rain, yes, rain, came on to us. Expecting the wind to become constant yesterday, we hoped to sail home. Once out of the anchorage, we pulled out the headsail in 15 knots of wind. Five minutes later, the wind dropped to five knots. In came the sail. For the next two hours, the wind would go back and forth from five knots to over 20. Not worth trying to sail in those conditions.
We have accepted the fact that there will be no extended cruising this year. We will just have to take advantage of the good days whenever we can.