Delilah's Meanderings

"Better late than never" best describes this final post of Delilah's third season. In the previous post on March 9th Delilah was tied up to mooring ball #21 at Warderick Wells Cay in the Exumas in the Bahamas. With another weather front approaching we decided to head north to Highbourne Cay on March 10th. There was good wind and Delilah sailed past Osprey hitting 8 knots several times. We dropped anchored at 11:45AM and Kim made BLTs for lunch! It was a lumpy night, so not much sleep.

The next morning a storm with heavy wind and rain came thru delaying our departure to 9:30am. Fortunately the anchor held as the wind was blowing us toward a rocky shore. It was rough going at first, but we motored out of the weather and waves, unrolled the Genoa, and headed straight for Nassau. Kim radioed Nassau Harbor Control to get permission to enter Nassau Harbor. We attached dock lines in slip 17 at Nassau Harbor Club Marina at 3:45pm. We walked to a near by Chinese restaurant for an early supper, getting back before dark to be safe.

It was nice to get back to civilization (showers, laundry, hair salon, WiFi)! We had a great time seeing the sites at Nassau with our "buddy boat" mates Tammy and Jerel Roe. March 16th we motored east out of Nassau Harbor passing several cruise ships that were coming in. In light air and almost calm water, we motor sailed all day. We decided to bypass NW shoal and continue to Mackie Shoal. Kim made salad and ground turkey spaghetti for supper! We anchored at 8pm in almost dark near Mackie Shoal in 15 feet of water. Another lumpy night in open water, but the anchor held. :)

Raised anchor at 7:30am, motor sailed towards Bimini's North Rock. The wind didn't last long, but we will take smooth water over 4 foot waves on the bow every time! Kim made grilled ham and cheese for lunch. We played scrabble on the helm seat, Kim won. I guess we are becoming salty sailors. We rounded Bimini's north shore and anchored near Hilton World Resort at 2pm. I did boat chores and prepared Delilah for a sail across the Gulf Stream and back to Florida the next day. We saw two sea turtles in the anchorage.

March 18th we raised anchor at 6:45am and motored west towards Cape Florida on Key Biscayne. Had small waves at first, but was smooth later on. It was slow going because of the Gulf Stream current. We anchored outside of No Name Harbor at 6:30pm. We called SVRS to check in after being out of the country and were told that Kim needed her own SVRS number and in 24 hours we must come into office to check in. GRRRRRR

We raised anchor at 8:00 Am motored north up the ICW right by Miami sky line, what a view! We found a protected anchorage near Miami Beach and anchored at 11:15AM. We ate a quick lunch, got the dinghy down and went up Collins Canal and tied up to Publix dock. From there we ubered to Port of Miami so Kim could check in. From there we ubered to West Marine and bought replacement belt for auto pilot that had stopped working! We returned to the boat and moved to better anchorage next to Star Island where famous stars have houses.

We spent the next couple days seeing the Miami beach sites including the botanical garden and Holocaust memorial. March 22nd we motored south to Dinner Key Marina mooring field and tied up to ball #75. This marina had a very nice and new office and facility. On the dinghy ride back from paying at the office, Kim saw something in the water. We motored by, she grabbed it and discovered it was Jerel's wallet! While at the marina Kim caught up on laundry.

March 24th we dropped ball 75 pennant at 6:50am, headed south down Biscayne Bay, while Osprey went on outside and had a rough time of it. With Delilah's shallow draft, she can sail down the ICW, where Osprey with almost 6 foot draft can't and thus has to sail down the Atlantic coast of Florida. We dropped anchor at the SE corner of Mattecombe Bight in the Florida Keys. It was a very nice anchorage. Later Osprey anchored not far away after coming under the Channel 5 bridge.

The next morning anchor up 6:50am and motor sailed with main and genoa south down Florida Bay making good time. Kim made cinnamon rolls in the oven for bkfst while underway. What a first mate! We motored under 7 mile bridge and into Boot Key Harbor and picked up mooring ball A3 pennant at 12:30pm. We dinghy in and paid for a week and then dinghy to Burdines for lunch with Roes and Loyde and Caroline. PB&J sandwiches for supper followed by scrabble with Kim winning a close game. That was a full day!

The next week was spent at Marathon. We did some some site seeing. Kim caught a shuttle to Miami and flew home to see the grand kids! I worked on the boat. While replacing the autopilot belt I discovered that the port steering cable was broken! So I ordered new cables and replaced them with some help from Jerel! What an ordeal, but how fortunate that it broke where and when it did.

April 7th dropped mooring A3 pennant at 6:40AM and followed Osprey thru Marathon City mooring field. The steering and autopilot worked great! We saw a large pod of dolphins near the 7 mile bridge. Motor sailed down wind all day with genoa sheeted to screecher block. There was lots of floating sea grass and crab pots to dodge. At 2pm anchored in Little Shark River. I saw 2 manatees in river. It took a while to clear grass out of the engine strainer.

Anchor up 7am, motor sailed all day on reach with main and genoa north toward Panther Key. A cliff swallow landed on helm seat and stayed for a while. A loud deck slap scared it enough for it to poop and fly away. 2:45pm anchored behind Hog Island near Panther Key. Dinghy over to Panther Key and walked down beach. Not much sand was left on the beach after hurricane Irma.

The next morning I saw 2 bald eagles on near by island. 10:15AM pulled up anchor against 16 mph wind, grunt grunt. Motored to Smokehouse bay on the inside by Goodland with the dinghy in tow, anchor down 1:45PM. FaceTime with Deanna and girls, dinghy to Winn Dixie dock and walked to McDonalds for grilled chicken sandwich and a small vanilla shake.

April 10th 6:50am anchor up, motor sailed north to Fort Myers Beach, light winds, and big soft rollers. Arrived 1:50PM and tied up to ball #55. Dinghy in and paid for a week, take a shower, and supper with Roes at the Beached Whale … had mussels. The next day Kim flew back and I picked her up at Salty Sam's marina. The next week was spent at Fort Myers Beach and celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on the 16th!

April 18th we motored north up the ICW, anchored by Useppa Island, took dinghy to Cabbage Key for Mahi Mahi sandwiches for lunch, then on to Pelican Bay to anchor, and took dinghy to walk on the beach. The next day we sailed north to the Charlotte Harbor Storage and the end of third season aboard Delilah!

The engine clock showed 200 hours, which translates to about 1000 miles! What an adventure the third season was ... can't wait for next season. Kim says no Bahamas for a while, but hopefully we will get back to the Florida Keys in 2019.

Fair winds and following seas,
Mark and Kim
S/V Delilah