MIDORI ADVENTURES

We estimate that we have 65 miles to go and if sunset is at 5:35, we really need to push today. So, we depart at 5:45 a.m.. Starting in the dark is not really a good idea - especially when the chart plotter is so bright and I can’t remember how to dim it! Makes it hard to see what’s out there. Just saying.

The wind is NNE but stronger than forecast, we think, as we have no wind indicator. With both sails up, we are flying at 7.0 - 7.9 knots. However, the crab pot watch begins in earnest. And, we always seem to miscalculate the angle of the wind when we are in Florida Bay. Instead of the wind being across our beam, we have a following sea and the catamaran loves it! However, the auto pilot does not like a following sea. It is constantly correcting. The solution is to turn off the autopilot and steer manually!

And so the day progresses. Sunny, sparkling water - making it even more difficult to see the crab pots; manual steering - making it easier to steer around the crab pots and, no other boats out there except the crab boats in the distance. It’s always pleasing to see flying fish and suggests that the waters are healthy.

We start to see towers and a bit of land when we are still about three hours away,. We can see the Seven Mile Bridge when we are two hours away. And finally, we are travelling under the Seven Mile Bridge at 3:50 p.m. We use our cell phone to call the City Marina and get no answer. Their normal working hours are until 5:30. It is the day after Thanksgiving.

When we are about 30 minutes away from the harbour, we try channel 16 and finally go to channel 68 for local knowledge. We are informed that the office closed early today at 2:00 p.m.. They will be back tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. The rules are clear - you can not pick up a mooring ball without approval. FUDDLE DUDDLE

We go into the harbour and choose the anchorage just past the Bridge to Nowhere. The weather is benign, We will survive one night at anchor here.

We’re here! We made it! We have travelled 62.9 nautical miles in 11 hours with a maximum speed of 8.8 knots. And tomorrow, hopefully, we will get on a mooring ball!

Stay tuned,

First Mate Lynn & Captain Brian