Waiting on the M. S. POOP and had a little time to take care of business and blog. TARDIS left Monday 3/5 after the winds subsided some. About 3am this morning the wind died and we could hear the ROAR of the ocean. Small craft advisory until late Wednesday had been issued. Atlantic seas up to 15' crashing onto the coast just the other side of the sound where we were anchored. Stepping outside the boat in the middle of the night and hearing the roar was simply amazing.
We were in no hurry since we only were going a couple hours up to the north end of Jupiter Island then pass through the crossroads at Port Lucie Inlet. There we got to see the crashing waves at the Jetty. NO WAY we're going east and into the Atlantic! It's a hectic crossroads with ever changing channels and shoals. Nerve racking...adrenaline flowing - easy passage - ha!
The tools of passage make a huge difference for Captain Calm and First Mate Queen's happiness.
We turned south into Manatee Pocket at Port Salerno and immediately found a spot to anchor. There are two anchorages here and city regulations require you anchor in one of the two triangles formed. We were being followed by a trawler all the way up today and into the crowded anchorage. TARDIS ground tackle again grabbed and we were set. The trawler on the other hand tried 3 different spots in the same anchorage, drug each time and finally left. Either his ground tackle was inferior, picked poor spots or was moving too fast not allowing the anchor to set. The latter is what we think.
Beautiful spot.
We dropped in the kayak and took a tour of the canals and looked for a dinghy dock for Tuesday land excursion.
Cooked, relaxed and enjoyed the sunset.
Tuesday after breakfast we left on the kayak. This is TARDIS in the perfect spot. We're getting better at placing her in a crowded anchorage, always learning.
Charlie located a business "A Sailor's Place - Worldwide Inflatables". It became evident this winter that we would need more than a kayak in the Bahamas so the research started on Davits for a T37 and Dinghies.
After a short 1.5 hike we walked in the door. Charlie wearing his 2010 HIGHLANDER NATIONALS T-shirt from Pymatuning Yacht Club, PA when he crewed for the Carey's. (Jamey & Tanya)
Mark, the guy selling the inflatables, behind the counter reads Charlie's shirt and says, "I won the Highlander Nationals many years ago sailing with Larry Klein!" That was 1978 we learned. Small world!
Sailor's Place had a great selection, probably 8-10 different models and styles of rigid inflatables IN STOCK to look at. After being educated on the PROS-CONS of each, Charlie picked the one for TARDIS and arranged to purchase it this summer including storage until TARDIS gets released in November from her summer slumber. COOL!
Another fellow, who graduated from ISU heard us talking and took us another mile up the road to a store to get a couple electrical connectors. Another good contact and more stores to see what is available when it come time for project installation this summer.
Afterwards we appetizer hopped a couple bars with HH beers and met more interesting people. This is our kind of town, laid back. We like Port Salerno ALLOT!!!
As always as we travel either by TARDIS or her tender we find interesting things.
This is a Coastal Shellfish Farm right at our anchorage.
It appears the boxes go in and out of the water to simulate tides. Lots of water running over them when up.
Then there is this 'Winged' Catamaran, also in the harbor. Looks new!
The masts are free standing - freedom rig; rotate 360 degrees; jibs on booms in front of each and helmsman sits between the masts.
And finally this early model Hobie Mirage Outback, well used and cared for. Guessing 20+ years old.
And in case we forget where we are after shore trips...
One more anchorage when we move later today after the rain passes and maybe we get a pump out by the M. S. POOP (got to love the boat name!). Our next stop is two hours closer to the ST LUCIE LOCK and haulout in Indianatown Marina next Monday.
UPDATE 12:30PM - Wind shifted and TARDIS and DRIFTER just came together at anchor. At the same time M.S. POOP shows up. Charlie shortened the anchor rode 15' to get TARDIS in front of DRIFTER. M.S. POOP pulls alongside and TARDIS is now POOP-FREE. This is M.S. POOP pulling away in the distance. NO TIPS - plastered all over the boat - interesting.