MIDORI ADVENTURES

Photo of new island in the navigation channel of Pelican Bay

Friday, December 26, 2014

It is the day after Christmas and after a wonderful dinner with ham and turkey and all the fixings at “the Hut” yesterday, with a group of approximately 27 boaters, we think it is time to start heading south.

On our first attempt to depart the dock of Charlotte Harbour Boat Storage we had an issue with the starboard motor not wanting to go into reverse. A few adjustments were required and we departed at approximately 8:30 a.m. Captain Brian thinks he will have to replace the cable when we get to Fort Myers Beach.

Chris and Bill on LAZY DAYS (Bayfield 25) departed a few minutes ahead of us, but we soon caught up and passed them.

It took almost two hours to meander through the freshwater canal, behind suburban homes, to the self operated lock that opens into the Myaaka River. Just the thought of the lock stresses us out! First, we have to lasso a dock cleat and either press and hold the green button, or hold a chain to start the gate opening sequence. Once the water level is equalized, then we have to enter the lock (with very little room to spare on either side) and lasso some cleats on the brick and timber wall, centre and aft of the boat, and do the green button or chain holding again. The gate behind us closes, and when the gate ahead of us opens, the water rushes out and it is all we can do to hold on. When we are through, we have to stop, lasso a dock cleat and, once again, do the green button pushing or chain pulling to close the gate behind us! Whew, we’ve done it again, but the starboard engine was not shifting well as we drove through. And I’m thinking “I’m glad we won’t have to go through this again until next April”.

Although the day started off sunny, it got cloudier and cloudier as the day wore on which made it a bit cool. I’m guessing the temperature was in the 70’s F. And, the low tide that helped our speed initially in the Myaaka River and Charlotte Harbour, was against us as we neared the Boca Grande Pass.

When we arrived at the opening to Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa State Park, we were anticipating the narrow navigation channel, but not the new island in front of us, created since we were last here. We steered to port and found reasonably good depths.

We were happily anchored by 2:00 p.m. having covered 28 nautical miles in 5 1/2 hours…….motor sailing as usual.

And so concludes day one of Season #eight.

First Mate Lynn