Waltzing Matilda is handling this part of the adventure quite well, Mattie is enjoying it and I am happy to be out of sight of the Miami lights. I am thrilled to be in the Bahamas.
After our Gulf Stream crossing we landed in Bimini exhausted from being underway for more than 24 hours. Matilda clogged a fuel filter 4 miles off the Bimini harbor channel but I got it fixed and rafted up to Gnar Krust an hour after they landed. We cleared in at customs, returned to our boats and hoisted hook bound for Gun Cay. We found a nice anchorage in the lee of Gun Cay and dropped hook, went swimming and snorkeling, I went to bed before the sun set.
I awoke about midnight and the wind had shifted 90 degrees, we were taking a little bit of wind but pretty big swells hitting on the beam, I let out more anchor scope and dropped my big #55 anchor, I wrote in my log that “I am not dragging into the rocks my first night here”. I got a few hours of rolling and banging that might be called sleep but as soon as I had gray light I got ready to split, I looked out to see if Gnar Krust was awake and they were gone! I popped my head out of the companionway and looked around spotting Gnar Krust about 300 yards offshore on anchor. I got underway and got on the radio, they had dragged overnight and slammed the coral razor rocks shearing off their rudder at the waterline, they used the outboard engine to motor off the rocks and dropped hook to wait for me to wake up. I suggested we run 1.5 miles to a marina and take shelter at the jetty to have breakfast and get a plan.
After breakfast the GK Capitan came aboard Matilda and we went back to Gun Cay to trey and find the piece of rudder that broke off, it wasn't till we were standing on the ricks that we realized how dangerous the situation had been, it's hard to see danger in the dark. After a few minuets of searching we found the rudder piece and took it back to the jetty wall. We rafted Matilda and Gnar Krust together and using material left over from my rudder build last summer we were able to fix the broken rudder and get underway.
We crossed Elbow Bank in NNE 15kt winds that clocked to the East and increased to 20kt, we coulnd't hold the course that we neeeded to make the North West side of Andros Island and wanted to get far from civilization and camp on a beach so we let the wind push us to the South East. We stopped at dawn 8miles off shore in 10' of water, dropped hooks and slept till noon, then turned NE and found creek that made it deep enough for us to get within kayak distance of shore. Mattie was thrilled to be ashore and we had a campfire and sat on a beach, no lights and no people in sight.
After a day of rest we continued North, Waltzing Matilda left at first light, Gnar Krust is 3 times my speed so I left early allowing them to catch up. There was no wind, I made 8 miles in 10 hours and spotted an island I wanted to spend the night at, I radioed my Lat and Long to Gnar Krust and they informed me that there was a town right where I was called Red Bay. Gnar Krust motored to the bay and took a hook closer to shore, I took Mattie to the island and had a nice evening walking along the beach of a wonderful uninhabited key with pine, palm and mangroves, sponges washed up on red sand beaches and a wonderful sunset.
The Capitan of Gnar Krust went to shore to do some reconnaissance and meet some locals, the next day the four of us from both boats went to shore and spent a day hanging around in the village, buying out all the beer in the little “convenience” store. The locals were really cool and the village reminded me of some of the poorer neighborhoods in Pueblo, like Dog Patch and the West Side.
We took a local on board with us as a guide and headed north, we wanted to find away through a bank to avoid having to sail all the way around it, one of the guys came along assuring us “Ya mon, I know de way true”. We departed Red Bay at high tide and spent the night laying on our sides in 1' of water, stuck in de mud. Our guide knew that there was a way through, he just wasn't so hot at keeping to the channel. Gnar Krust made it through and Waltzing Matilda got stuck in the falling tide, when Gnar Krust came back to pull me out they got stuck. So we made dinner and went to bed. At 02:00 the tide lifted us off and we ran the last mile to the North West Channel.
The next morning I left at sun up and Gnar Krust followed an hour later, I had just crossed into the Tongue of the Ocean basin when Gnar Krust called me on the radio and told me to warn them if I got down to 4', I looked at my depth gauge and watched it go 40, 55, 90, 200, 515, blink, blink, blink. I radioed back that I only had about 600' under the keel and the water had turned purple again.
We sailed until we lost wind, then 4 miles from Morgan's Bluff we began to motor sail in, Gnar Krust ran out of gas and I passed them 1/3 of a gallon that I keep on board for back-up cooking fuel, just as we made the anchorage they ran out of fuel again, I pulled along side and we rafted up while I dropped a hook. We cooked up the barracuda that our guide caught, gave him half of the fish and $20, plus I gave him a small bag with soaps, fish hooks and first aid stuff. We took him to shore and his cousins were at the local watering hole and was able to get a ride home, half the island is his cousin. I'd really like to gdt some goats to these folks, the environment is perfect for them and the people's diet is mostly chicken, fish, wild boar and conch. They use dogs to hunt the wild boar then pen them up and fatten them before butchering them.
We are headed to the Exumas next, not going near Nassau, no need to go to a big city where we will get robbed (or worse) when there are plenty of beautiful cays to visit. We've only met a few cruisers since we landed at Morgan's Bluff, we have been traveling just the two little boats so far.
There will not be much contact from me while in the Exhumas, there is not much civilization there, but lots of fish and conch to eat.
(Post Script Gnar Krust is a 27' Balboa sloop that is buddy boating with Waltzing Matilda)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Mangrovia, Marathon and Mom
This is my first winter without snow, even when I was home for Christmas I didn't see snow. I was hoping to make last winter the first sans snow, but I got snowed on in Biloxi MS, I a bit further south now. Mattie and I are not on the dock anymore, after many weeks we are on the hook again, I took a few short trips in a big old trawler and learned that I am not a stink potter, I need sails to be comfortable.
It's been a month of Arkies on the Ocean, friends and family from the Ozarks found reasons to get out of the cold an down to the Keys in February, a temperature difference of 70 degrees was convincing.
I worked on the clean up and painting of the trawler Just Because at the house on Valencia St while staying in the apartment on the ground floor. She's a great old boat with a big comfortable stateroom, two heads and a bath tub, yes, a bath tub on a boat. She needed her bright work restored and needed a paint job, I gave her both. In the middle of February it was cold and snowy in Arkansas and I convinced mom to come visit Florida, it wasn't hard to convince her, while it was snowing there I was in shorts and 75 degrees here. The owner of Just Because loaned her to me to take mom out, Waltzing Matilda is not terribly comfortable for overnight trips with more than one person. A few days before mom was scheduled to arrive I still had lots of painting and a bit more sanding to do and knew there was no way I could get it done by myself. I contacted the crew of Ginger and they came to assist. After having been on the hook for 3 months a chance to get to a dock, take showers and sleep indoors was a real treat for them. We sanded, painted and scrubbed and got Just Because shining in time to take her out for a shake down cruise.
Ginger's crew and I motored six miles to an anchorage known to locals as Mangrovia, a funky little anchorage community that has some really great folks around, the local fishing charter captains hang out there and share the excess fish and beers donated by the tourists. Ginger was anchored there, we stayed the night and motored back to Valencia St. the next day while taking lots of photos of Ginger under sail, it was my first time piloting anything larger than Waltzing Matilda and I am proud of how well I brought her into the dock.
When mom got to the Keys she was quite tired from flying all day and a bit bummed out that she missed the sunset, I assured her that there would be more sunsets. We had a nice little jaunt down to Marathon, we only hit one crab trap! Actually mom hit it but is wasn't her fault, some inconsiderate crabber had placed his trap in the ICWW channel, and somebody else's prop had cut the float off of it so it was just a block piece of black line floating in the water, nearly impossible to see. Despite being cross waked at 04:00 by a very inconsiderate crabber, (they are ALL inconsiderate) we had a very nice night anchored out on the north side of the island. We motored under Seven Mile Bridge and through the Marathon anchorage to Sister Creek. I took mom kayak exploring the mangroves and taught her how to sail a kayak with an umbrella, I found a geocahce by chance and signed the log book, left a lighter but didn't feel the need to take anything. When we left the next day I though we should run the ocean side of the keys half way then cross under a bridge to the bay side, that way mom could get both sea and bay experiences. The weather had other ideas. As we headed out to sea I could see the 3' waves were not a big deal, at least not in a sail boat, but we weren't in a sailboat and 3' waves in a power boat are no fun at all. Mattie got sea sick, things began rolling and banging around and in less than a mile I turned around and went back into Marathon. We had a nice calm day returning Just Because to Islamorada, no crab traps were hit and mom got some photos of dolphins dancing along side us.
Upon return to the dock mom and I went out to eat a nice dog friendly place on the ocean, it was a great visit and mom had a good time, I made sure she left with a coconut in her carry on, I hope it wasn't more than 3 ounces of liquid.
With Just Because painted, a few dollars in the cruising kitty and all of my minimal responsibilities fulfilled the only things left to do were stock up with food and go to the Bahamas. I sailed Waltzing Matilda to Mangrove Marina and anchored out intending to spend two nights, the weather had other ideas. A huge high pressure front was coming across the Gulf of Mexico and I like being well protected in nasty blows, Community Harbor is well protected, shallow but has really poor holding. The harbor is 4.5' deep and surrounded 360 degrees by mangroves with a small marina and very few anchored boats. I was concerned about dragging anchor (I'm really good at dragging) and was going to move close into the mangroves to be sheltered from the wind. One of the locals that I met a few weeks ago in Islamorada offered to give me a 50lb danforth anchor, 50lbs is a lot of anchor for a little boat like mine but dragging into a marina and possibly scratching a fancy yacht is never a good idea, so I ran out the big anchor attached to 40' of heavy chain and 20' of rope just moments before the winds began to gust 40mph from the north. It's amazing what too heavy of ground tackle can do for a sailors sleep. I've read in plenty of sailing books the proper scope ratios to use in anchoring, these guidelines often come with disclaimers, one should be “anchoring anywhere in the keys is not easy, get 5 anchors that are too big, use too much chain, run too much scope and hang on, you're going to drag eventually”.
The weather has cleared, my boat is stocked, I am going to head up to Cape Sable to redevouz with a buddy boat and cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. I've wanted to go to the capes for quite some time but avoided it in October as that is the height of “mosquito season”, there are 17 species of mosquito in Florida, they are represented by the millions near the capes but this time of ear they aren't as thick.
I plan on being back in the states before the beginning of hurricane season in June, but I've never been south and I could island hop far enough to get under the hurricane paths, I've never seen the Southern Cross and am not opposed to crossing the equator. We'll wait and see, Waltzing Matilda is not the right boat for doing long journeys but I've made it this far.
It's been a month of Arkies on the Ocean, friends and family from the Ozarks found reasons to get out of the cold an down to the Keys in February, a temperature difference of 70 degrees was convincing.
I worked on the clean up and painting of the trawler Just Because at the house on Valencia St while staying in the apartment on the ground floor. She's a great old boat with a big comfortable stateroom, two heads and a bath tub, yes, a bath tub on a boat. She needed her bright work restored and needed a paint job, I gave her both. In the middle of February it was cold and snowy in Arkansas and I convinced mom to come visit Florida, it wasn't hard to convince her, while it was snowing there I was in shorts and 75 degrees here. The owner of Just Because loaned her to me to take mom out, Waltzing Matilda is not terribly comfortable for overnight trips with more than one person. A few days before mom was scheduled to arrive I still had lots of painting and a bit more sanding to do and knew there was no way I could get it done by myself. I contacted the crew of Ginger and they came to assist. After having been on the hook for 3 months a chance to get to a dock, take showers and sleep indoors was a real treat for them. We sanded, painted and scrubbed and got Just Because shining in time to take her out for a shake down cruise.
Ginger's crew and I motored six miles to an anchorage known to locals as Mangrovia, a funky little anchorage community that has some really great folks around, the local fishing charter captains hang out there and share the excess fish and beers donated by the tourists. Ginger was anchored there, we stayed the night and motored back to Valencia St. the next day while taking lots of photos of Ginger under sail, it was my first time piloting anything larger than Waltzing Matilda and I am proud of how well I brought her into the dock.
When mom got to the Keys she was quite tired from flying all day and a bit bummed out that she missed the sunset, I assured her that there would be more sunsets. We had a nice little jaunt down to Marathon, we only hit one crab trap! Actually mom hit it but is wasn't her fault, some inconsiderate crabber had placed his trap in the ICWW channel, and somebody else's prop had cut the float off of it so it was just a block piece of black line floating in the water, nearly impossible to see. Despite being cross waked at 04:00 by a very inconsiderate crabber, (they are ALL inconsiderate) we had a very nice night anchored out on the north side of the island. We motored under Seven Mile Bridge and through the Marathon anchorage to Sister Creek. I took mom kayak exploring the mangroves and taught her how to sail a kayak with an umbrella, I found a geocahce by chance and signed the log book, left a lighter but didn't feel the need to take anything. When we left the next day I though we should run the ocean side of the keys half way then cross under a bridge to the bay side, that way mom could get both sea and bay experiences. The weather had other ideas. As we headed out to sea I could see the 3' waves were not a big deal, at least not in a sail boat, but we weren't in a sailboat and 3' waves in a power boat are no fun at all. Mattie got sea sick, things began rolling and banging around and in less than a mile I turned around and went back into Marathon. We had a nice calm day returning Just Because to Islamorada, no crab traps were hit and mom got some photos of dolphins dancing along side us.
Upon return to the dock mom and I went out to eat a nice dog friendly place on the ocean, it was a great visit and mom had a good time, I made sure she left with a coconut in her carry on, I hope it wasn't more than 3 ounces of liquid.
With Just Because painted, a few dollars in the cruising kitty and all of my minimal responsibilities fulfilled the only things left to do were stock up with food and go to the Bahamas. I sailed Waltzing Matilda to Mangrove Marina and anchored out intending to spend two nights, the weather had other ideas. A huge high pressure front was coming across the Gulf of Mexico and I like being well protected in nasty blows, Community Harbor is well protected, shallow but has really poor holding. The harbor is 4.5' deep and surrounded 360 degrees by mangroves with a small marina and very few anchored boats. I was concerned about dragging anchor (I'm really good at dragging) and was going to move close into the mangroves to be sheltered from the wind. One of the locals that I met a few weeks ago in Islamorada offered to give me a 50lb danforth anchor, 50lbs is a lot of anchor for a little boat like mine but dragging into a marina and possibly scratching a fancy yacht is never a good idea, so I ran out the big anchor attached to 40' of heavy chain and 20' of rope just moments before the winds began to gust 40mph from the north. It's amazing what too heavy of ground tackle can do for a sailors sleep. I've read in plenty of sailing books the proper scope ratios to use in anchoring, these guidelines often come with disclaimers, one should be “anchoring anywhere in the keys is not easy, get 5 anchors that are too big, use too much chain, run too much scope and hang on, you're going to drag eventually”.
The weather has cleared, my boat is stocked, I am going to head up to Cape Sable to redevouz with a buddy boat and cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. I've wanted to go to the capes for quite some time but avoided it in October as that is the height of “mosquito season”, there are 17 species of mosquito in Florida, they are represented by the millions near the capes but this time of ear they aren't as thick.
I plan on being back in the states before the beginning of hurricane season in June, but I've never been south and I could island hop far enough to get under the hurricane paths, I've never seen the Southern Cross and am not opposed to crossing the equator. We'll wait and see, Waltzing Matilda is not the right boat for doing long journeys but I've made it this far.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Rats, Skating and Marina Communities.
The rat has jumped ship, I guess it wasn't up for the cruising lifestyle, either that or being surrounded by food with no water got to it but I havent seen it since I dropped hook in Key West, of course I bought a rat trap, that may come in handy if the Fun Police come aboard.
I have returned to Islamorada from my week in Key West, I was planning on staying a week but only made it six days. Key West seems to have the moto of "Leave your dollars and GTFO", not a very hospitable town down south there. I was lucky not to be boarded by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (aka "Fun Police"). Two nights in a row they were out in the anchorage with three boats boarding everyone that had interior lights on and writing tickets like it was the end of a fiscal period. FWC is basically park rangers without jurisdiction so they take it upon themselves to be general water cops, in my few dealings with them I have yet to be questioned about fish or game. Fortunately Waltzing Matilda has black out curtains and red lights inside, so I went into stealth mode and they left me alone. If i were to get boarded there is nothing they could write me a ticket for but I have an aversion to black soled jack boots on my white deck, shoes aren't allowed, guns aren't allowed, thugs aren't allowed on board, neither are rats.
The trip back to Islamorad is always slower than the trip to Key West, Hawk Channel has a 1.5kt current heading SW and the winds tend to be from the NE, combine the two and you get to tack, lots and lots of tacking. My first day away I towed a nice vintage British bilge keeler to the northwest channel and hung around till he got his sails up, the owner was sick of getting tickets and despite a broken motor headed to better cruising grounds. I tack back and forth in Hawk Channel until an hour before sunset and took refuge in between Stock Island and Boca Chica Key in a well protected channel bordered with mangroves and inhabited by a few derelicts and one very (drunk) friendly live-aboard.
When I finally made it to Marathon I had been at a 20 degree heel all day, motorsailing with a dog that was unhappy as she kept falling out of bed and sliding across the deck, I was planning on going to a little gunk hole I learned about but it was 5 miles more, I was tired and the sun was setting in an hour. I stopped at the same friendly fuel dock-marina that I've frequented and met a pair of couples looking at charts on the dock. We struck up conversation and I was able to point to some great anchorages as well as warn some evesdropping sailors that were headed to Key West about the Fun Police. The younger crew are new to cruising, mid 20s with a really neat steel hull, junk rigged, mono hull that has a greatest motor of all time, a Sabb type G (same as me!). I towed their dinghy back to their vessel, Ginger, and rafted up with them, new cruising friends were made by the 2nd bottle of wine.
I was planning on leaving the next day but since I don't like to be in a hurry or make plans the skipper of Ginger and I decided to go skateboarding since we were anchored right by the city park. We took our boards to the Marathon skate park with high hopes, especially since I was so disappointed with Key West's skate park, turns out Marathon offered the exact same disappointment. Both parks are closed most of the day, they open at 3PM (presumably so kids will not ditch school to skate) and are surrounded by high fences, they have more rules than ramps and seem to be managed by the baseball commissioner. I guess they don't realize that grown ups skate, we don't want to do it when it's hot or when there are loads of little kids around, some of us like to hit the park early in the morning. Some of us have been skating fro years without some park's commissioner (Fun Police) lording over the key to the park, some of us might even have a good time.
I left late the next morning via Sister Creek out of Boot Key Harbor so that I could see if it is passable and make a waypoint on my GPS to find it again, Ginger's crew took the long route with another couple they met and we planned to rendevouz at a gunk hole I had read about, that is until the wind died. I spent an hour drifting sideways at 1.5 kts until I finally fired the motor and got into the channel entrance. Ginger and their friends went back to Boot Key Harbor.
It was a nice gunk hole, it would have been nicer sans no-see-ums, but I got a good nights sleep and was out with the crab boats before sun rise. The wind was still not co-operating, there was NO WIND! and hot, really hot, but I don't complain about the heat after the Mississippi River passage. As I passed the bridge on the north end of Long Key I watched the water change from mucky brownish green to the beautiful azure blue of the Atlantic, I finally made the bascule bridge in Islamorada at 15:30 and after docking Waltzing Matilda at the 104.9 Beach House I stowed her gear and dove off her starboard side to take a swim..... Ahhhh that feels good, afte two weeks of afraid to get in the water it was nice to see clear water again.
I have returned to Islamorada from my week in Key West, I was planning on staying a week but only made it six days. Key West seems to have the moto of "Leave your dollars and GTFO", not a very hospitable town down south there. I was lucky not to be boarded by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (aka "Fun Police"). Two nights in a row they were out in the anchorage with three boats boarding everyone that had interior lights on and writing tickets like it was the end of a fiscal period. FWC is basically park rangers without jurisdiction so they take it upon themselves to be general water cops, in my few dealings with them I have yet to be questioned about fish or game. Fortunately Waltzing Matilda has black out curtains and red lights inside, so I went into stealth mode and they left me alone. If i were to get boarded there is nothing they could write me a ticket for but I have an aversion to black soled jack boots on my white deck, shoes aren't allowed, guns aren't allowed, thugs aren't allowed on board, neither are rats.
The trip back to Islamorad is always slower than the trip to Key West, Hawk Channel has a 1.5kt current heading SW and the winds tend to be from the NE, combine the two and you get to tack, lots and lots of tacking. My first day away I towed a nice vintage British bilge keeler to the northwest channel and hung around till he got his sails up, the owner was sick of getting tickets and despite a broken motor headed to better cruising grounds. I tack back and forth in Hawk Channel until an hour before sunset and took refuge in between Stock Island and Boca Chica Key in a well protected channel bordered with mangroves and inhabited by a few derelicts and one very (drunk) friendly live-aboard.
When I finally made it to Marathon I had been at a 20 degree heel all day, motorsailing with a dog that was unhappy as she kept falling out of bed and sliding across the deck, I was planning on going to a little gunk hole I learned about but it was 5 miles more, I was tired and the sun was setting in an hour. I stopped at the same friendly fuel dock-marina that I've frequented and met a pair of couples looking at charts on the dock. We struck up conversation and I was able to point to some great anchorages as well as warn some evesdropping sailors that were headed to Key West about the Fun Police. The younger crew are new to cruising, mid 20s with a really neat steel hull, junk rigged, mono hull that has a greatest motor of all time, a Sabb type G (same as me!). I towed their dinghy back to their vessel, Ginger, and rafted up with them, new cruising friends were made by the 2nd bottle of wine.
I was planning on leaving the next day but since I don't like to be in a hurry or make plans the skipper of Ginger and I decided to go skateboarding since we were anchored right by the city park. We took our boards to the Marathon skate park with high hopes, especially since I was so disappointed with Key West's skate park, turns out Marathon offered the exact same disappointment. Both parks are closed most of the day, they open at 3PM (presumably so kids will not ditch school to skate) and are surrounded by high fences, they have more rules than ramps and seem to be managed by the baseball commissioner. I guess they don't realize that grown ups skate, we don't want to do it when it's hot or when there are loads of little kids around, some of us like to hit the park early in the morning. Some of us have been skating fro years without some park's commissioner (Fun Police) lording over the key to the park, some of us might even have a good time.
I left late the next morning via Sister Creek out of Boot Key Harbor so that I could see if it is passable and make a waypoint on my GPS to find it again, Ginger's crew took the long route with another couple they met and we planned to rendevouz at a gunk hole I had read about, that is until the wind died. I spent an hour drifting sideways at 1.5 kts until I finally fired the motor and got into the channel entrance. Ginger and their friends went back to Boot Key Harbor.
It was a nice gunk hole, it would have been nicer sans no-see-ums, but I got a good nights sleep and was out with the crab boats before sun rise. The wind was still not co-operating, there was NO WIND! and hot, really hot, but I don't complain about the heat after the Mississippi River passage. As I passed the bridge on the north end of Long Key I watched the water change from mucky brownish green to the beautiful azure blue of the Atlantic, I finally made the bascule bridge in Islamorada at 15:30 and after docking Waltzing Matilda at the 104.9 Beach House I stowed her gear and dove off her starboard side to take a swim..... Ahhhh that feels good, afte two weeks of afraid to get in the water it was nice to see clear water again.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Stow away on the Waltzing Matilda
I have a stow away of the rodent variety aboard, not a cute little mouse or a squirrel. I have a smallish black rat that chews things up, has been into the dog food and tried to chew a hole through the companionway drop boards to get out. One night while sailing the rat came up on deck and ran right into Mattie's head, Mattie woke up and just sleepily looked at the thing as it ran back inside. My first trip to shore in Key West I went to a hardware store and bought a rat trap. It was odd looking at the trap section, they had all kinds of “humane” and live animal traps, there was even a selection of electric zappers but the good old fashioned spring one were stashed in the corner and hard to find, but they only cost $4 each. Since I set the trap I haven't seen or heard the rat, hopefully it left my boat and swam to some other place.
It was good to get out sailing again, I hadn't been sailing for two months and I missed the sea. The day I left Islamorada there was no wind at all, the Straits of Florida were mirror smooth and I had to run my motor all day, the only wind was after dark when a squall moved through. I dropped hook I the open to spend the night then headed into Marathon the next day, I knew a cold front was coming in and I don't like nasty weather. Boot Key Harbor is well protected and I stayed there for 36 hours. When I left I had a 6-10kt following wind, not much speed could be made with that so I decided to put up my spinnaker, I've only used it once and want to learn how to use it more. That big sail made a big difference, I was making 4kts during the day then as the sun set the winds picked up and with the tail current I was making 6-7kts! (very fast for Waltzing Matilda). I had already decided to sail in the dark so I had the tide to my tail as I entered Man of War Harbor,as I approached the Key West channel the wind had picked up quite a bit and I realized I had to get the spinnaker down, as I stared slacking that clew lines the spinnaker began to flog and then POW! I broke a halyard, the head of the sail dove into the water and the sail wrapped under my keel. That happened last time too. The moon came up as I made my final turn into the harbor, that made it easier to see the water taxi that almost ran me down, I had the right of way but he had a steel hull and was much heavier, rule of tonnage is one never to break.
I have a much better attitude about Key West this time and am having better adventures because of it. After buying the rat trap I went to Simonton Park beach and drank beer with the homeless guys, I bought the beer and they keep and eye on my bicycle and kayak, it's like the neighborhood watch program. While on the beach I spotted a really cute girl by herself on the pier, well she wasn't by herself when I spotted her, some guy was making really pathetic attempts to hit on her. Mattie was running around like crazy getting covered in sand and kept jumping in the water then rolling in the sand, the cute girl noticed this and as she was leaving I made certain that our paths crossed to get a closer look, she commented about my dog having boundless energy. I spotted her again later at an open air restaurant dining alone, I stopped for a moment and told her to find me when she got done eating and with in the hour she was sitting next to me on my favorite boardwalk bench. This woman was wonderful, recently graduated with a electrical engineering degree and was a great conversationalist, plus she hadn't heard any of my corny jokes. We wound up drinking $1 PBRs at a “No Dogs” bar with Mattie secretly on my lap. I wanted to show her this really funky little locals spot that got surrounded by hotels. We wound up wandering around in the courtyard of the Hyatt looking for the funky place but couldn't find it, we did find a really nice big swimming pool and I was feeling pretty sticky and dirty so swimming was in order. We spent the rest of the evening noisily hanging out on the finger pier near the fancy yachts, the security guard stopped by and asked us to keep our voices down but never kicked us out. We parted ways for the evening and made plans to meet up the next day. I took her for a sunset sail on Waltzing Matilda the next evening and she flew home to start her new job.
Temporary romances are a dandy thing to have and something that has greatly been lacking in this voyage, fond memories of grand adventures should have plenty of romantic interludes.
I'm here for a week then headed back to Islamorada.
It was good to get out sailing again, I hadn't been sailing for two months and I missed the sea. The day I left Islamorada there was no wind at all, the Straits of Florida were mirror smooth and I had to run my motor all day, the only wind was after dark when a squall moved through. I dropped hook I the open to spend the night then headed into Marathon the next day, I knew a cold front was coming in and I don't like nasty weather. Boot Key Harbor is well protected and I stayed there for 36 hours. When I left I had a 6-10kt following wind, not much speed could be made with that so I decided to put up my spinnaker, I've only used it once and want to learn how to use it more. That big sail made a big difference, I was making 4kts during the day then as the sun set the winds picked up and with the tail current I was making 6-7kts! (very fast for Waltzing Matilda). I had already decided to sail in the dark so I had the tide to my tail as I entered Man of War Harbor,as I approached the Key West channel the wind had picked up quite a bit and I realized I had to get the spinnaker down, as I stared slacking that clew lines the spinnaker began to flog and then POW! I broke a halyard, the head of the sail dove into the water and the sail wrapped under my keel. That happened last time too. The moon came up as I made my final turn into the harbor, that made it easier to see the water taxi that almost ran me down, I had the right of way but he had a steel hull and was much heavier, rule of tonnage is one never to break.
I have a much better attitude about Key West this time and am having better adventures because of it. After buying the rat trap I went to Simonton Park beach and drank beer with the homeless guys, I bought the beer and they keep and eye on my bicycle and kayak, it's like the neighborhood watch program. While on the beach I spotted a really cute girl by herself on the pier, well she wasn't by herself when I spotted her, some guy was making really pathetic attempts to hit on her. Mattie was running around like crazy getting covered in sand and kept jumping in the water then rolling in the sand, the cute girl noticed this and as she was leaving I made certain that our paths crossed to get a closer look, she commented about my dog having boundless energy. I spotted her again later at an open air restaurant dining alone, I stopped for a moment and told her to find me when she got done eating and with in the hour she was sitting next to me on my favorite boardwalk bench. This woman was wonderful, recently graduated with a electrical engineering degree and was a great conversationalist, plus she hadn't heard any of my corny jokes. We wound up drinking $1 PBRs at a “No Dogs” bar with Mattie secretly on my lap. I wanted to show her this really funky little locals spot that got surrounded by hotels. We wound up wandering around in the courtyard of the Hyatt looking for the funky place but couldn't find it, we did find a really nice big swimming pool and I was feeling pretty sticky and dirty so swimming was in order. We spent the rest of the evening noisily hanging out on the finger pier near the fancy yachts, the security guard stopped by and asked us to keep our voices down but never kicked us out. We parted ways for the evening and made plans to meet up the next day. I took her for a sunset sail on Waltzing Matilda the next evening and she flew home to start her new job.
Temporary romances are a dandy thing to have and something that has greatly been lacking in this voyage, fond memories of grand adventures should have plenty of romantic interludes.
I'm here for a week then headed back to Islamorada.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Back in the Keys
Oh my, am I ever happy to be back in the Keys! Despite how wonderful it was to be back in Arkansas and see family, friends and dirty bicyclists I am really fond of warm weather, clear water and the laid back atmosphere of the Keys.
I am once again at the 104.9 beach house in Islamorada, Waltzing Matilda is still bobbing happily on the dock and the sun is shining, the fish may be biting (I'm still not much a fisherman) and I am bare foot in shorts. I went to Key West via automobile yesterday and found that I have a bit better of an attitude about the place now that I am not as homesick and lonely as I was in October. I rode down with the program manager of 104.9 to install some new gear in the radio station and we walked about the water front, went to Turtle Kraals for dinner then, yawning at 8PM, drove the 88 miles back to Islamorada.
I think it is getting time for me to upgrade my sailing experience, I love Waltzing Matilda and I have done things with her that no one thought possible, but she is a day sailer, I am a cruiser and need a slightly larger vessel. Sea comfort is very important to me as is enough room to stand upright, storage for the plethora of tools I carry and deck wide enough to walk about.
I know exactly what I want so I am going to employ my tried and true method of getting it. Despite my lack of superstition I have found that a series of actions has consistently resulted in achieving the impossible and I will share these methods with my faithful readers, please keep in mind that the following method does not work for gaining money or women.
Step one: Write down exactly what you want.
Step two: imagine having what you want
Step three: ???
Step four: profit?
This has worked for me several times, it's how Courtney and I found PlanB and how I lived there for three years without meeting the landlord, it's how I found the school bus (wow that thing was fun) and it's how I acquired Waltzing Matilda in the first place. I know exactly which boat I want, not just the type but specifically which boat. I spotted her in Treasure Island in the summer of 2010 and fell in love the moment I laid eyes on her.
Time will tell, I am not changing my course or lack of plans but I am ready for a larger vessel, one with accommodations for myself, Mattie and an adventurous woman as I don't think I can carry on alone much longer. Applications to join me may be sent with a $20 application fee to:
Nathan Landry
General Delivery
82801 Overseas Highway,
Islamorada, FL 33036-9998
Please include height, weight and your rational (or lack there of) for joining the ranks of the impoverished, homeless and free.
I am once again at the 104.9 beach house in Islamorada, Waltzing Matilda is still bobbing happily on the dock and the sun is shining, the fish may be biting (I'm still not much a fisherman) and I am bare foot in shorts. I went to Key West via automobile yesterday and found that I have a bit better of an attitude about the place now that I am not as homesick and lonely as I was in October. I rode down with the program manager of 104.9 to install some new gear in the radio station and we walked about the water front, went to Turtle Kraals for dinner then, yawning at 8PM, drove the 88 miles back to Islamorada.
I think it is getting time for me to upgrade my sailing experience, I love Waltzing Matilda and I have done things with her that no one thought possible, but she is a day sailer, I am a cruiser and need a slightly larger vessel. Sea comfort is very important to me as is enough room to stand upright, storage for the plethora of tools I carry and deck wide enough to walk about.
I know exactly what I want so I am going to employ my tried and true method of getting it. Despite my lack of superstition I have found that a series of actions has consistently resulted in achieving the impossible and I will share these methods with my faithful readers, please keep in mind that the following method does not work for gaining money or women.
Step one: Write down exactly what you want.
Step two: imagine having what you want
Step three: ???
Step four: profit?
This has worked for me several times, it's how Courtney and I found PlanB and how I lived there for three years without meeting the landlord, it's how I found the school bus (wow that thing was fun) and it's how I acquired Waltzing Matilda in the first place. I know exactly which boat I want, not just the type but specifically which boat. I spotted her in Treasure Island in the summer of 2010 and fell in love the moment I laid eyes on her.
Time will tell, I am not changing my course or lack of plans but I am ready for a larger vessel, one with accommodations for myself, Mattie and an adventurous woman as I don't think I can carry on alone much longer. Applications to join me may be sent with a $20 application fee to:
Nathan Landry
General Delivery
82801 Overseas Highway,
Islamorada, FL 33036-9998
Please include height, weight and your rational (or lack there of) for joining the ranks of the impoverished, homeless and free.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Arkansas invades the Big Sleezy
Ahoy from New Orleans, better known this week as South Little Rock, I think half the state of Arkansas is here. After a few weeks in the Ozarks I am en-route back to Waltzing Matilda and temporarily delayed in New Orleans due to a football game. I like NO, despite all the bad press this town has gotten it is a really unique area with a wonderful culture and great people. Last time I was here was spent bicycling about and looking at the sights, this time I have no bike and I'm more interested in watching the people. I really wanted to get a pass and spend the day riding the electric trollies but little dogs aren't welcome on public transportation.
I spent most of the day hanging around the waterfront watching the barges navigate the hairpin turn in the heart of the city and enjoying the sound of the steam whistle aboard the Natchez. The Mississippi River is extremely low and there are sand bars exposed near the park, even with the water so low I can see the current moving. The current is deceiving when one is looking out over the water, it seems to be moving slowly, but the speed in which the vessels move downstream is a good indication of how mighty the river really is. After being spoiled by the clear water in the keys the Mississippi looks like viscous mud.
It's funny the way people in NO drive, in NYC or Chicago the instant a light turns green horns begin to blare and tires begin to squeal, here life has a little bit different pace. When the light turns green the driver finishes the text message they were sending, puts their cocktail back in the cup holder, waves a jay walking pedestrian across then leisurely motors on a few yards only to stop in the middle of the lane in order to chat with a person on the sidewalk.
Bourbon St. is touristy crap selling the same Chinese trash as Duval St. in Key West, I felt sorry for the tourists lined up to get in the Hard Rock cafe, surrounded by culture they retreat to the homogenized lest they step too far out of their comfort zone.
Heading back to the keys tomorrow, I miss Waltzing Matilda, this is the longest I have been away from her in a year and have worried a good deal about her, I will feel a lot better when I see her again. It was good to visit Fayetteville, nice to see old friends and meet some new ones, really good to see my family.
Post Script: I'm back in the Keys, Waltzing Matilda was waiting for me with about 3" of water in the bilge and the batteries at 12.5VDC, she fired up on the first rotation of the motor and blew a bit of brown water out the exhaust but is none worse for the wear. She doesn't seem to mind the temporary abandonment, unlike a certain little dog that I cannot leave alone for 5 minutes.
I spent most of the day hanging around the waterfront watching the barges navigate the hairpin turn in the heart of the city and enjoying the sound of the steam whistle aboard the Natchez. The Mississippi River is extremely low and there are sand bars exposed near the park, even with the water so low I can see the current moving. The current is deceiving when one is looking out over the water, it seems to be moving slowly, but the speed in which the vessels move downstream is a good indication of how mighty the river really is. After being spoiled by the clear water in the keys the Mississippi looks like viscous mud.
It's funny the way people in NO drive, in NYC or Chicago the instant a light turns green horns begin to blare and tires begin to squeal, here life has a little bit different pace. When the light turns green the driver finishes the text message they were sending, puts their cocktail back in the cup holder, waves a jay walking pedestrian across then leisurely motors on a few yards only to stop in the middle of the lane in order to chat with a person on the sidewalk.
Bourbon St. is touristy crap selling the same Chinese trash as Duval St. in Key West, I felt sorry for the tourists lined up to get in the Hard Rock cafe, surrounded by culture they retreat to the homogenized lest they step too far out of their comfort zone.
Heading back to the keys tomorrow, I miss Waltzing Matilda, this is the longest I have been away from her in a year and have worried a good deal about her, I will feel a lot better when I see her again. It was good to visit Fayetteville, nice to see old friends and meet some new ones, really good to see my family.
Post Script: I'm back in the Keys, Waltzing Matilda was waiting for me with about 3" of water in the bilge and the batteries at 12.5VDC, she fired up on the first rotation of the motor and blew a bit of brown water out the exhaust but is none worse for the wear. She doesn't seem to mind the temporary abandonment, unlike a certain little dog that I cannot leave alone for 5 minutes.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Ahoy from the Hills
I got a lift from Islamorada FL without having to stick out my thumb, we drove straight through swapping drivers and only stopping for fuel. We weren't even inside the Fayetteville City limits yet when we got pulled over by FPD on the interstate for a random search, I forgot how much police presence there is in this state.
.
Mattie and I are in Fayetteville AR catching up with old friends. It's nice to be back home for a visit, even if it is a bit cold up here. It's nice to see familiar faces and really nice to be around Arkansas women again but I've had to schedule my time and make appointments to see everybody. Since I have been home I've been eating very well (almost nonstop) and haven't paid for a beer yet.
Nothing much changes in Fayetteville, I compare it to ground hog day, a few changes I have noticed is the emptiness of Dickson ST, another parking garage and more bicycle trails. When I started out on this voyage I was happy to get away from all the sounds of the shore, the engines and car noises, and most of all the sirens, train horns don't seem to bother me too much.
I made a masthead light and hope someone else may benefit from my learning experience. There is not a lot of power to spare on Waltzing Matilda and I have wanted LED running and anchor lights for some time but $150 bulbs are not in the beer budget. In true cruiser fashion I have fashioned some lights myself and run into a few small difficulties I would like to share.
My 1st attempt was pitiful but free, I discovered a bar in Key West (Fat Tuesdays) sells these goofy light up plastic mugs with red, green and blue LEDs in the base, I scored a few from the dumpster, pulled them out of the original circuit board and soldered them parallel to a DIY board (used a safety pin to drill bits from the mugs) with some foraged white LEDs to make a tri light. I used a automotive cell phone charger to drop 12V to 4.5V, and viola..... not bright enough.
The second attempt was not free but less pitiful. I went to SurplusGizmos.com and purchased 16 70ma Piranha LEDs, after shipping it was a total of $20 worth of beer money. Since I am home for the holidays I have better tools to use than I can carry in the boat including a great adjustable power supply from a model train set.
I soldered 4 red, 4 green and 4 white in parallel arrays and powered them up to test. The red was nice and bright, the green and white, not so much. If I disconnected red the green and white lit up. Once the red was on it sucked all the power, so it seems, the red array draws twice as many amps as the green and white combined. Using a multimeter as an adjustable resistor I found I could get all three arrays to light up by limiting the power that went to the red array on the negative line but had no way to see how many amps were being used (I only have 1 multimeter).
I found a resistance calculator for LEDs online and according to it I need a 30ohm resistor to solve my problem and make all 3 arrays light. If anyone that reads this and knows more about LEDs than me I'd appreciate if you can contribute some info, I don't know much about electronics. I know what the markings on a the resistor I need look like, I'll just have to find a toy in the dumpster to find the right one.
I haven't encased the new lights in epoxy yet, but they will be before I climb the stick
I'm heading back down south in early Janurary, a few weeks recharging my internal batteries will be nice.
.
Mattie and I are in Fayetteville AR catching up with old friends. It's nice to be back home for a visit, even if it is a bit cold up here. It's nice to see familiar faces and really nice to be around Arkansas women again but I've had to schedule my time and make appointments to see everybody. Since I have been home I've been eating very well (almost nonstop) and haven't paid for a beer yet.
Nothing much changes in Fayetteville, I compare it to ground hog day, a few changes I have noticed is the emptiness of Dickson ST, another parking garage and more bicycle trails. When I started out on this voyage I was happy to get away from all the sounds of the shore, the engines and car noises, and most of all the sirens, train horns don't seem to bother me too much.
I made a masthead light and hope someone else may benefit from my learning experience. There is not a lot of power to spare on Waltzing Matilda and I have wanted LED running and anchor lights for some time but $150 bulbs are not in the beer budget. In true cruiser fashion I have fashioned some lights myself and run into a few small difficulties I would like to share.
My 1st attempt was pitiful but free, I discovered a bar in Key West (Fat Tuesdays) sells these goofy light up plastic mugs with red, green and blue LEDs in the base, I scored a few from the dumpster, pulled them out of the original circuit board and soldered them parallel to a DIY board (used a safety pin to drill bits from the mugs) with some foraged white LEDs to make a tri light. I used a automotive cell phone charger to drop 12V to 4.5V, and viola..... not bright enough.
The second attempt was not free but less pitiful. I went to SurplusGizmos.com and purchased 16 70ma Piranha LEDs, after shipping it was a total of $20 worth of beer money. Since I am home for the holidays I have better tools to use than I can carry in the boat including a great adjustable power supply from a model train set.
I soldered 4 red, 4 green and 4 white in parallel arrays and powered them up to test. The red was nice and bright, the green and white, not so much. If I disconnected red the green and white lit up. Once the red was on it sucked all the power, so it seems, the red array draws twice as many amps as the green and white combined. Using a multimeter as an adjustable resistor I found I could get all three arrays to light up by limiting the power that went to the red array on the negative line but had no way to see how many amps were being used (I only have 1 multimeter).
I found a resistance calculator for LEDs online and according to it I need a 30ohm resistor to solve my problem and make all 3 arrays light. If anyone that reads this and knows more about LEDs than me I'd appreciate if you can contribute some info, I don't know much about electronics. I know what the markings on a the resistor I need look like, I'll just have to find a toy in the dumpster to find the right one.
I haven't encased the new lights in epoxy yet, but they will be before I climb the stick
I'm heading back down south in early Janurary, a few weeks recharging my internal batteries will be nice.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Land Lubber Dog
It's been nice to be on land, I haven't left the property except to go grocery shopping and get beer, the bike has recovered from the flat tires acquired in Key West but I just haven't gone anywhere. There is a big old trawler that needs TLC and I am sanding the teak to refinish the bright work. Waltzing Matilda hasn't been getting any work done on her, but she isn't breaking anything as she is just sitting at a dock.
I've had several people have asked about Mattie lately, yes, I am fine, and so is the dog. She is currently snuggled up in a big comforter on a big bed refusing to get up since the temp has dropped to 65F. She is quite happy to be ashore after 7 days without a walk when we left Key West. She cannot seem to figure out that I don't have to take her on a walk for her to pee here, she can just go outside and go pee. Peeing has been a problem for her as long as she has been with me, she pees when she is happy, or sad, or hungry, or full, or wants to play, or is scared, she pees all over herself all the time. Not sure why but I know that when we get to Arkansas to visit home she will have to stay in a crate rather than pee anywhere in my parent's place. Did I just write a whole paragraph about my dogs urine habits?.... I cannot believe how much of my life has been taken up by the dog's toilet.
The laptop donated by Map Oil Tools a year ago is dying, I have to keep the case off and wedge my fingers between the main board and case to get it to boot, the keys y,u,r don't work, nor does the zero key, it makes typing very tedious I cut and paste missing characters in. I've removed ever non-essential bit in the machine, only a HDD, WiFi card and main board are left, I need to get a small net book and modify it to handle the rigors of sea life.
Headed home for Christmas, looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.
Photos
I've had several people have asked about Mattie lately, yes, I am fine, and so is the dog. She is currently snuggled up in a big comforter on a big bed refusing to get up since the temp has dropped to 65F. She is quite happy to be ashore after 7 days without a walk when we left Key West. She cannot seem to figure out that I don't have to take her on a walk for her to pee here, she can just go outside and go pee. Peeing has been a problem for her as long as she has been with me, she pees when she is happy, or sad, or hungry, or full, or wants to play, or is scared, she pees all over herself all the time. Not sure why but I know that when we get to Arkansas to visit home she will have to stay in a crate rather than pee anywhere in my parent's place. Did I just write a whole paragraph about my dogs urine habits?.... I cannot believe how much of my life has been taken up by the dog's toilet.
The laptop donated by Map Oil Tools a year ago is dying, I have to keep the case off and wedge my fingers between the main board and case to get it to boot, the keys y,u,r don't work, nor does the zero key, it makes typing very tedious I cut and paste missing characters in. I've removed ever non-essential bit in the machine, only a HDD, WiFi card and main board are left, I need to get a small net book and modify it to handle the rigors of sea life.
Headed home for Christmas, looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.
Photos
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
How to fix a broken fuel line
I didn't make it as far south as Key West, I sailed all day and into the night and was headed to Marathon when I ran aground. It's been quite some time since I've been aground and it was time for it to happen.
It took 10 hours to back track four days of NE travel, I was running fast, 7-8kts on a broad reach and enjoying the surfing (didn't hit any crab traps!) as I approached Marathon I got the early morning lull in the wind and turned a bit. I'm not sure if I fell asleep or was just punch drunk from being at the tiller for 20 hours but I misjudged the shoal and didn't have my depth sounder on (DOH!). Due to battery problems I've been trying to use as little power as possible so aside from my running lights I had on a single red LED in the cabin, no VHF, no GPS and no depth gauge. Coasting along at 3kts I heard a soft swish and Waltzing Matilda slid to a stop. Earlier that evening I had had listened to the tide forecast and remembered something being said about 3AM, I assumed I was at high tide and guessed I was in a protected area, there are big fines for running aground in protected areas. I launched the kayak and rowed out '125 of anchor line and was able to get Waltzing Matilda turned 180 degrees before she stuck really hard, even with lots of sail up I couldn't get her free. I turned on the radio and the tide forecast told me that LOW tide was at 03:15, so I went below and made something to eat. She rolled all the way to rails underwater before the tide lifted her then; exhausted; I sailed to an safe anchorage outside the harbor and dropped hook before dropping to sleep.
I planned to head back to Key West to see if I could get work at the shipyard there, I called and left a message but still have not heard back (and don't expect to), meanwhile I texted Steve Butler, owner of 104.9FM in Fayetteville, AR whom I had met a few days before in Islamorada, FL. Steve invited me to come dock at the 104.9 Beach House and stay for a few days to take break (Fayetteville folks are great!). I turned back to the NE and with a nice East wind headed back tracking on my back track. That wind lasted until I made it into the bay, I set a course for 57 degrees and the wind began to blow at 15kts from 60 degrees (DOH!). After 3 hours I had made one mile and fired the Sabb to run closer to the wind, even with the motor running I had to tack as she didn't have enough power to fight it.
On and on and on I motor sailed, about 2 am the motor began to bog down and I assumed I had yet another crab trap in the prop, I killed the engine and opend the engine bay, thats when the smell of diesel hit me. I shined a flashlight into the engine bay and saw fuel, lots of fuel, everywhere. Immediately I shut the fuel tank off and assumed I had just lost all of it in the bilge, fortune was with me, I only lost about a gallon of fuel, that equals eight hours of run time. I then learned a valuable thing that I will share with you all, How to Fix a Broken Fuel line:
Step 1: determine why the fuel line broke; I didn't notice that the primary filter had vibrated loose from its mounting, but about two inches fore is where the fuel line broke.
Step 2: be in bouncy waves
Step 3: drop the tool you need in the bilge, the bilge that is full of fuel
Step 4: remove broken fuel line section (in this case it had compression fittings on both ends of a 1.5ft piece of copper)
Step 5: get sea sick.
I've heard of mal du mer but never really experienced it, in my zeal to solder the fuel line I hove to and tried to solder the copper back together, this consisted of filing the pieces clean, flaring one piece, pressing them together and using a torch to heat them up to soldering temp. The torch caused the residual fuel in the line to evaporate and fill the cabin with fumes, that combined with the bouncing and I got sea sick for the fist time ever, there was that time on Mississippi Sound but that was nothing like this.
Step 6: remount fuel line
Step 7: break fuel line while remounting it, this determines if it will handle vibration
I found some rubber fuel line left over in a can of junk from the infamous school bus that happened to be the right diameter and with a pair of hose clamps sleeved the fuel line and remounted it, bled the system and got ready to start the motor. Remember my earlier statements about the batteries being bad? I had to prime the motor via hand crank, fortunately I can spray WD-40 directly into the cylinder and that fires the engine fast enough to make starting very easy.
I finally made the channel entrance to Islamorada after 18 hours of motor sailing to cover 35NM, I waited for the sun to rise over the Atlantic before I had enough light to enter the channel and by 10:00 was docked at the 104.9 Beach House. It's been a long time since I watched the sunrise over the Atlantic and it brought back fond memories of Myrtle Beach with a crazy girl and great sand dragons.
I'm going to take a break, I like this part of the keys very much, 30' visibility in the water, less traffic, more mangroves.
It took 10 hours to back track four days of NE travel, I was running fast, 7-8kts on a broad reach and enjoying the surfing (didn't hit any crab traps!) as I approached Marathon I got the early morning lull in the wind and turned a bit. I'm not sure if I fell asleep or was just punch drunk from being at the tiller for 20 hours but I misjudged the shoal and didn't have my depth sounder on (DOH!). Due to battery problems I've been trying to use as little power as possible so aside from my running lights I had on a single red LED in the cabin, no VHF, no GPS and no depth gauge. Coasting along at 3kts I heard a soft swish and Waltzing Matilda slid to a stop. Earlier that evening I had had listened to the tide forecast and remembered something being said about 3AM, I assumed I was at high tide and guessed I was in a protected area, there are big fines for running aground in protected areas. I launched the kayak and rowed out '125 of anchor line and was able to get Waltzing Matilda turned 180 degrees before she stuck really hard, even with lots of sail up I couldn't get her free. I turned on the radio and the tide forecast told me that LOW tide was at 03:15, so I went below and made something to eat. She rolled all the way to rails underwater before the tide lifted her then; exhausted; I sailed to an safe anchorage outside the harbor and dropped hook before dropping to sleep.
I planned to head back to Key West to see if I could get work at the shipyard there, I called and left a message but still have not heard back (and don't expect to), meanwhile I texted Steve Butler, owner of 104.9FM in Fayetteville, AR whom I had met a few days before in Islamorada, FL. Steve invited me to come dock at the 104.9 Beach House and stay for a few days to take break (Fayetteville folks are great!). I turned back to the NE and with a nice East wind headed back tracking on my back track. That wind lasted until I made it into the bay, I set a course for 57 degrees and the wind began to blow at 15kts from 60 degrees (DOH!). After 3 hours I had made one mile and fired the Sabb to run closer to the wind, even with the motor running I had to tack as she didn't have enough power to fight it.
On and on and on I motor sailed, about 2 am the motor began to bog down and I assumed I had yet another crab trap in the prop, I killed the engine and opend the engine bay, thats when the smell of diesel hit me. I shined a flashlight into the engine bay and saw fuel, lots of fuel, everywhere. Immediately I shut the fuel tank off and assumed I had just lost all of it in the bilge, fortune was with me, I only lost about a gallon of fuel, that equals eight hours of run time. I then learned a valuable thing that I will share with you all, How to Fix a Broken Fuel line:
Step 1: determine why the fuel line broke; I didn't notice that the primary filter had vibrated loose from its mounting, but about two inches fore is where the fuel line broke.
Step 2: be in bouncy waves
Step 3: drop the tool you need in the bilge, the bilge that is full of fuel
Step 4: remove broken fuel line section (in this case it had compression fittings on both ends of a 1.5ft piece of copper)
Step 5: get sea sick.
I've heard of mal du mer but never really experienced it, in my zeal to solder the fuel line I hove to and tried to solder the copper back together, this consisted of filing the pieces clean, flaring one piece, pressing them together and using a torch to heat them up to soldering temp. The torch caused the residual fuel in the line to evaporate and fill the cabin with fumes, that combined with the bouncing and I got sea sick for the fist time ever, there was that time on Mississippi Sound but that was nothing like this.
Step 6: remount fuel line
Step 7: break fuel line while remounting it, this determines if it will handle vibration
I found some rubber fuel line left over in a can of junk from the infamous school bus that happened to be the right diameter and with a pair of hose clamps sleeved the fuel line and remounted it, bled the system and got ready to start the motor. Remember my earlier statements about the batteries being bad? I had to prime the motor via hand crank, fortunately I can spray WD-40 directly into the cylinder and that fires the engine fast enough to make starting very easy.
I finally made the channel entrance to Islamorada after 18 hours of motor sailing to cover 35NM, I waited for the sun to rise over the Atlantic before I had enough light to enter the channel and by 10:00 was docked at the 104.9 Beach House. It's been a long time since I watched the sunrise over the Atlantic and it brought back fond memories of Myrtle Beach with a crazy girl and great sand dragons.
I'm going to take a break, I like this part of the keys very much, 30' visibility in the water, less traffic, more mangroves.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Waltzing Matilda: Back Toward Key West
November 22, 2010
A year ago today, Nathan set out on his journey, launching in Western Arkansas, sailing the Arkansas River to the Mississippi, heading into the rivers and bayous of the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana and continuing on the Intracoastal to Western Florida, then across the open Gulf of Mexico to the Tampa area. After spending hurricane season there, he sailed to Key West. Last week, he set out sailing with another vessel up the Florida Keys, with an intention of heading east to the Bahamas. But he called yesterday from Key Largo to say he was turning back toward Key West.
The other craft he was sailing with has been using its motor a great deal, while the wind and current have prevented Nathan from keeping up. “He’s a good guy, but he’s not my kind of sailor,” Nathan said. As a result, he decided to part ways with the other craft and do what he had originally intended: winter in Key West.
Nathan had a job offer near Key West to work in a boatyard and he’s going to see if he can still get that job. Besides the different travel philosophies between Nathan and the captain of the boat he was sailing with, Waltzing Matilda has battery problems and Nathan said there are a lot of little things that need to be fixed on his boat.
Heading back down the Keys, the wind was more favorable: “It took two hours to backtrack what it took ten hours to cover,” Nathan said.
Actually, Nathan plans to winter at Stock Island, the key just east of Key West, since that’s where the boatyard is and Nathan has little good to say about Key West.
Thus ends the first year of the voyage of Waltzing Matilda. Nathan hopes to make it a three-year event, eventually ending up sailing the Atlantic seaboard, then into the Hudson River-Erie Canal-Great Lakes-Mississippi River and back down to Arkansas.
--Posted by official correspondent Dad Landry
A year ago today, Nathan set out on his journey, launching in Western Arkansas, sailing the Arkansas River to the Mississippi, heading into the rivers and bayous of the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana and continuing on the Intracoastal to Western Florida, then across the open Gulf of Mexico to the Tampa area. After spending hurricane season there, he sailed to Key West. Last week, he set out sailing with another vessel up the Florida Keys, with an intention of heading east to the Bahamas. But he called yesterday from Key Largo to say he was turning back toward Key West.
The other craft he was sailing with has been using its motor a great deal, while the wind and current have prevented Nathan from keeping up. “He’s a good guy, but he’s not my kind of sailor,” Nathan said. As a result, he decided to part ways with the other craft and do what he had originally intended: winter in Key West.
Nathan had a job offer near Key West to work in a boatyard and he’s going to see if he can still get that job. Besides the different travel philosophies between Nathan and the captain of the boat he was sailing with, Waltzing Matilda has battery problems and Nathan said there are a lot of little things that need to be fixed on his boat.
Heading back down the Keys, the wind was more favorable: “It took two hours to backtrack what it took ten hours to cover,” Nathan said.
Actually, Nathan plans to winter at Stock Island, the key just east of Key West, since that’s where the boatyard is and Nathan has little good to say about Key West.
Thus ends the first year of the voyage of Waltzing Matilda. Nathan hopes to make it a three-year event, eventually ending up sailing the Atlantic seaboard, then into the Hudson River-Erie Canal-Great Lakes-Mississippi River and back down to Arkansas.
--Posted by official correspondent Dad Landry
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tally HO!
Forget all the advertisements you have seen about Key West, it aint like that at all. I am rather disgusted with the filth, lack of litter control, plastic bags in the ocean and general un-sustainability of this island. I can imagine what will happen when fuel becomes scarce.
This weekend is super-boat races, kinda like nascar on the water, fuel smell, oil slicks on the water and obnoxiously loud speed boat zipping around. I need the peace and quiet, I like the mangrove swamps (aside form the no-see-ums) and less light pollution.
Early next week I am headed out, sailing in tandem with We Don't Neaux out of New Iberaia, LA. The captian, Sterling Dore, has a crew of noob sailors that want to learn the ropes and have a sense of adventure. I am just ready to go. I have found some used peanut oil and amd stocking up as much as I can carry, fuel is only going to become more expensive, my finances are at $3.26 so fuel purchases are out of the question.
The exhaust line on Waltzing Matilda finally blew out, I knew it was going to eventually and with a wet exhaust it is important to not leak. I traded some labor for material and replaced it while only cutting the crap out of my hands about 20 times. Today I am climbing my mast to install the rest of my "new" LED running/anchor lights, I've been dumpster scoring lighted toys and things and have built my own lights that use very little power, the mast is now at 4.5VDC using a cell phone charger as a converter. Speaking of dumpster scores, I have stocked up some food gleaned from the fat of the land, I have to dry some of it but I still have a small stock of beans, rice and peanut butter. I need to go to the local charity and stock up on dry goods. I have been catching little fish lately, it takes 4 of them to make a meal but I can catch them on peanut butter and a small tri hook.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Waltzing Matilda Makes Key West
October 17, 2010
Nathan pulled into the harbor at Key West this afternoon, although he landed nearby Felmming Key, the next inhabited key to the east. I think the $80 per month landing fee at Key West discouraged him (“I’ve heard they nickel-and-dime you down here,” he said).
Tonight he told of sailing to the Keys from Marco Island, Florida, where he spent several nights waiting out the weather. Friday night he went to a thrift store next to a classy Italian restaurant. Looking at the menu posted outside the restaurant he saw that no dish on the menu was listed at less than $50. He was behind the thrift store to do some dumpster diving when the Italian restaurant closed and someone threw away the items from the make table. Nathan went over and had “gourmet cheese, chicken noodles and bread, all hot, just out of the kitchen. Considering their prices I probably had a $200 meal.”
Saturday he motored out of Marcos into the Gulf of Mexico. He hoisted sail, but there was no wind to speak of – it took him ten hours to go just 7 miles (“Really, really annoying”). Wind picked up at sunset and “I did not go to sleep. I’ve been to college – I’ve pulled all nighters – so I sailed all night long. I made 68 miles in ten hours of darkness.”
His overnight sailing was amazing, he said. “The water is crystal clear and loaded with phosphorus. After the moon sets at 3 a.m. it’s completely dark. My pupils are probably huge – I can see everything. In fact, when the moon was up I didn’t look at it so that could keep my night vision. Between 3 a.m and 6 a.m. I see thirty-two shooting stars. I’m now far enough south that I am hitting tropical waters. The color is amazing. There are 3- to 5-foot waves, the sea is glowing green, the sky is glowing blue.
In the distance, he could see light. He thinks they were the lights of Miami, which, depending on where he was between Marcos Island and Key West, were 80 to perhaps 100 miles away.
“I navigated all night by the north star. I went below to make a sandwich and when I came back up I noticed there was something wrong with the north star. It didn’t appear to be quite right. I’m looking at it, trying to figure out what’s wrong. Then he turned on his landing lights!”
Wrong north star!
“Sunrise,” Nathan said, “Was amazing. There was a flame-shaped – not grey, not blue, not green – flame-shaped discoloration of the sky. I had been awake long enough to where everything was surreal. I’m in 65 feet of water with no land in sight and there is an aqua-marine blue sea.”
Coming into Key West harbor the wind was good. “I came through the channel so fast even though I had the current against me, the wind was so strong I dipped my head sail in the water. I was making 6 and ½ knots, which is as fast as my boat will go.”
Arriving in the Keys, Nathan docked next to the boat of a friend of some friends (Rick and Cathy Morrell – there’s a post about them on Nathan’s March 7 blog).
In sight are two docked cruise ships: a 300-foot Disney ship and a 400-foot Carnival ship.
Calling it a day, Nathan said “I’m going to sleep in and work on the boat tomorrow.” Having pulled an all nighter and having a grand sailing trip “I’m trying to wind down.”
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
Nathan pulled into the harbor at Key West this afternoon, although he landed nearby Felmming Key, the next inhabited key to the east. I think the $80 per month landing fee at Key West discouraged him (“I’ve heard they nickel-and-dime you down here,” he said).
Tonight he told of sailing to the Keys from Marco Island, Florida, where he spent several nights waiting out the weather. Friday night he went to a thrift store next to a classy Italian restaurant. Looking at the menu posted outside the restaurant he saw that no dish on the menu was listed at less than $50. He was behind the thrift store to do some dumpster diving when the Italian restaurant closed and someone threw away the items from the make table. Nathan went over and had “gourmet cheese, chicken noodles and bread, all hot, just out of the kitchen. Considering their prices I probably had a $200 meal.”
Saturday he motored out of Marcos into the Gulf of Mexico. He hoisted sail, but there was no wind to speak of – it took him ten hours to go just 7 miles (“Really, really annoying”). Wind picked up at sunset and “I did not go to sleep. I’ve been to college – I’ve pulled all nighters – so I sailed all night long. I made 68 miles in ten hours of darkness.”
His overnight sailing was amazing, he said. “The water is crystal clear and loaded with phosphorus. After the moon sets at 3 a.m. it’s completely dark. My pupils are probably huge – I can see everything. In fact, when the moon was up I didn’t look at it so that could keep my night vision. Between 3 a.m and 6 a.m. I see thirty-two shooting stars. I’m now far enough south that I am hitting tropical waters. The color is amazing. There are 3- to 5-foot waves, the sea is glowing green, the sky is glowing blue.
In the distance, he could see light. He thinks they were the lights of Miami, which, depending on where he was between Marcos Island and Key West, were 80 to perhaps 100 miles away.
“I navigated all night by the north star. I went below to make a sandwich and when I came back up I noticed there was something wrong with the north star. It didn’t appear to be quite right. I’m looking at it, trying to figure out what’s wrong. Then he turned on his landing lights!”
Wrong north star!
“Sunrise,” Nathan said, “Was amazing. There was a flame-shaped – not grey, not blue, not green – flame-shaped discoloration of the sky. I had been awake long enough to where everything was surreal. I’m in 65 feet of water with no land in sight and there is an aqua-marine blue sea.”
Coming into Key West harbor the wind was good. “I came through the channel so fast even though I had the current against me, the wind was so strong I dipped my head sail in the water. I was making 6 and ½ knots, which is as fast as my boat will go.”
Arriving in the Keys, Nathan docked next to the boat of a friend of some friends (Rick and Cathy Morrell – there’s a post about them on Nathan’s March 7 blog).
In sight are two docked cruise ships: a 300-foot Disney ship and a 400-foot Carnival ship.
Calling it a day, Nathan said “I’m going to sleep in and work on the boat tomorrow.” Having pulled an all nighter and having a grand sailing trip “I’m trying to wind down.”
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Waltzing Matilda Gets Bugged
October 15, 2010
Nathan suffered an interruption on his trip toward Key West, Florida. His boat was invaded by tiny no-see-um flies (also “midgies,” “sand flies,” “punkies,” or, if you must, ceratopogonidae [Thanks, Wikipedia!]). Although he put screens up to ward off the pests, they are small enough to pass through the screen. “They drove me nuts. I could not sleep,” he said. Finally, to get relief, he sailed into Marco Island, Florida, a place he describes as very affluent. “I’m in Factory Bay, but I don’t see any factories. It should be called ‘Condo Bay.’ Lots of mansions and marinas.” Not willing to pay high rates for a marina, Nathan docked the dinghy under a bridge (“It’s public right-of-way”) and went ashore.
Again he’s holed up due to weather: the last vestiges of Hurricane Paula mixed with a front moving through have resulted in small craft warnings and 7-foot seas. If he was sailing, he would have a strong wind from the stern, which makes for difficult sailing, “After six hours of it I’m worn out.”
“I know my boat, I know my capabilities, and I know what’s safe and I’m not going.” He hopes to cast off for Key West, about 75 miles away, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the course of an hour long conversation tonight, Nathan regaled us with stories:
--Western Florida, he says, has a lot of transplanted Louisianans. When he approaches people about working on their boat, he uses a Louisiana accent. (He reeled out a sentence in pure Cajun to demonstrate). Having a typical Cajun name like Landry doesn’t hurt, either.
--On repairing boats: “One guy wanted me to work on his boat – the starter on his generator wouldn’t work. ‘How much you charge by the hour?’ the guy asked me. I told him I charged by the job, not by the hour. The guy looked at me kind of funny then told me to go ahead and look at his generator. ‘I’ll need your help,’ I told him ‘Got to have somebody press the starter button.’ Then I climbed down in the hold, wiggled the starter solenoid, sprayed some W-D 40 on it, and told him to hit the starter. ‘Vrroom,’ the generator immediately came to life. I popped my head up out of the hold and said: ‘That’s why I don’t charge by the hour!.’”
--Nathan has developed an automatic pilot for Waltzing Matilda. He’s got a line attached to one of his sails that he strung in various ways until it eventually makes its way to the tiller that controls the rudder. When the wind moves the sail, it moves the tiller in the appropriate direction, pulling against a bungie cord. When the wind dies down, the bungie cord compensates by pulling the tiller the opposite way, adjusting the direction of the boat.
--He wants us to get him a good, well-made Arkansas flag. I forget how many Arkansas flags he said he’s worn out on this trip. One of the flags he signed and gave to somebody. Recently he told us about a Coast Guard boat that came by. The crew looked at him with stony faces until one of them, apparently an Arkie, saw the Arkansas flag and got excited, he calls to a fellow sailor, "Look, that boat's from and Arkansas!", the other sailor replied, "I know, I can read, I'm not from Arkansas.
--Posted by Correspondent Dad Landry
Nathan suffered an interruption on his trip toward Key West, Florida. His boat was invaded by tiny no-see-um flies (also “midgies,” “sand flies,” “punkies,” or, if you must, ceratopogonidae [Thanks, Wikipedia!]). Although he put screens up to ward off the pests, they are small enough to pass through the screen. “They drove me nuts. I could not sleep,” he said. Finally, to get relief, he sailed into Marco Island, Florida, a place he describes as very affluent. “I’m in Factory Bay, but I don’t see any factories. It should be called ‘Condo Bay.’ Lots of mansions and marinas.” Not willing to pay high rates for a marina, Nathan docked the dinghy under a bridge (“It’s public right-of-way”) and went ashore.
Again he’s holed up due to weather: the last vestiges of Hurricane Paula mixed with a front moving through have resulted in small craft warnings and 7-foot seas. If he was sailing, he would have a strong wind from the stern, which makes for difficult sailing, “After six hours of it I’m worn out.”
“I know my boat, I know my capabilities, and I know what’s safe and I’m not going.” He hopes to cast off for Key West, about 75 miles away, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the course of an hour long conversation tonight, Nathan regaled us with stories:
--Western Florida, he says, has a lot of transplanted Louisianans. When he approaches people about working on their boat, he uses a Louisiana accent. (He reeled out a sentence in pure Cajun to demonstrate). Having a typical Cajun name like Landry doesn’t hurt, either.
--On repairing boats: “One guy wanted me to work on his boat – the starter on his generator wouldn’t work. ‘How much you charge by the hour?’ the guy asked me. I told him I charged by the job, not by the hour. The guy looked at me kind of funny then told me to go ahead and look at his generator. ‘I’ll need your help,’ I told him ‘Got to have somebody press the starter button.’ Then I climbed down in the hold, wiggled the starter solenoid, sprayed some W-D 40 on it, and told him to hit the starter. ‘Vrroom,’ the generator immediately came to life. I popped my head up out of the hold and said: ‘That’s why I don’t charge by the hour!.’”
--Nathan has developed an automatic pilot for Waltzing Matilda. He’s got a line attached to one of his sails that he strung in various ways until it eventually makes its way to the tiller that controls the rudder. When the wind moves the sail, it moves the tiller in the appropriate direction, pulling against a bungie cord. When the wind dies down, the bungie cord compensates by pulling the tiller the opposite way, adjusting the direction of the boat.
--He wants us to get him a good, well-made Arkansas flag. I forget how many Arkansas flags he said he’s worn out on this trip. One of the flags he signed and gave to somebody. Recently he told us about a Coast Guard boat that came by. The crew looked at him with stony faces until one of them, apparently an Arkie, saw the Arkansas flag and got excited, he calls to a fellow sailor, "Look, that boat's from and Arkansas!", the other sailor replied, "I know, I can read, I'm not from Arkansas.
--Posted by Correspondent Dad Landry
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Waltzing Matilda Hides Out from Storm
October 13, 2010
Nathan spent the last several months in port, waiting out a hurricane season that produced nothing.
Last week he went back to sea. And now there’s a hurricane.
Or not.
Hurricane Paula grazed Mexico, coming within 60 miles of it and at this writing threatens western Cuba. However, by the time Paula reaches land it is expected to be downgraded, perhaps to a tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane.
But Nathan is taking no chances. He’s heading for Rookery Channel between Naples and Marco, Florida, where he plans to hole up in the mangrove trees “until Friday or until I’m comfortable with the weather.”
Nathan believes in being cautious, which is a far cry from his motorcycling days years ago when it seemed that every week he had a story for me about avoiding a close call on the bike. Eventually “I lost my nerve with the motorcycle,” he said. “And I’m a cautious sailor.” Good. I was glad to see the motorcycle days come to an end. And today I quoted for him an altered version of the old saying about airplane pilots: “There are old sailors and there are bold sailors, but there are no old, bold sailors.” “That’s right,” he replied.
Nathan did face some stormy weather last night. There was no wind to speak of, and he was just drifting on a glasslike sea. Suddenly, within ten minutes, the wind came up and he found himself in 4-foot waves. But it apparently was uneventful as he had no further comments on anything other than the sudden change in the weather.
Visiting Naples, Florida, he met some people in a trawler that is named the same as his boat, Waltzing Matilda. The man was a Key West local who told Nathan about hiding places from hurricanes. Also, Nathan got from the man some contacts which may provide him work in Key West, where he’s thinking of spending the winter.
For now, Nathan is heading for his Rookery Channel hurricane hideout and says he may be out of cell phone contact for awhile.
Nathan spent the last several months in port, waiting out a hurricane season that produced nothing.
Last week he went back to sea. And now there’s a hurricane.
Or not.
Hurricane Paula grazed Mexico, coming within 60 miles of it and at this writing threatens western Cuba. However, by the time Paula reaches land it is expected to be downgraded, perhaps to a tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane.
But Nathan is taking no chances. He’s heading for Rookery Channel between Naples and Marco, Florida, where he plans to hole up in the mangrove trees “until Friday or until I’m comfortable with the weather.”
Nathan believes in being cautious, which is a far cry from his motorcycling days years ago when it seemed that every week he had a story for me about avoiding a close call on the bike. Eventually “I lost my nerve with the motorcycle,” he said. “And I’m a cautious sailor.” Good. I was glad to see the motorcycle days come to an end. And today I quoted for him an altered version of the old saying about airplane pilots: “There are old sailors and there are bold sailors, but there are no old, bold sailors.” “That’s right,” he replied.
Nathan did face some stormy weather last night. There was no wind to speak of, and he was just drifting on a glasslike sea. Suddenly, within ten minutes, the wind came up and he found himself in 4-foot waves. But it apparently was uneventful as he had no further comments on anything other than the sudden change in the weather.
Visiting Naples, Florida, he met some people in a trawler that is named the same as his boat, Waltzing Matilda. The man was a Key West local who told Nathan about hiding places from hurricanes. Also, Nathan got from the man some contacts which may provide him work in Key West, where he’s thinking of spending the winter.
For now, Nathan is heading for his Rookery Channel hurricane hideout and says he may be out of cell phone contact for awhile.
Monday, October 11, 2010
“Dum DUM Dum DUM” -- Waltzing Matilda Hears Theme from “Jaws.”
October 10, 2010
Nathan called today, his birthday (and the day before my birthday – he was my birthday present 35 years ago). He’s enjoyed the last few days at Cayo Costa State Park near Fort Meyers, Florida. He’s glad to essentially be underway again, says he has more to talk about. Indeed. Some of is it funny. Some of it is ominous.
"I had an interesting event happen and got a little money in my pocket from it," Nathan said. "I was a little bit concerned about getting all the way down to Key West and being flat broke.”
While camped on the island containing Cayo Costa State Park, Nathan met four middle aged people who were excited about journeying on the water. They were in a 14-foot boat similar to the “johnboats” used in Ozarks fishing float trips. The boat had two gasoline motors: a couple of ancient Johnsons from the ‘60s: one 40 horsepower, the other 5 horsepower. Eventually, after having a good time camping on the island, the people (two couples, I think) shoved off. The johnboat, or whatever it was, was overloaded: with the people, their sleeping bags, their coolers. “They decided not to bring an air conditioner or a microwave, but that was about it,” Nathan said. Nathan, too, went sailing. “About 100 yards out, their engines quit. That’s why I hate gasoline engines. A million things can go wrong and it never runs right (Waltzing Matilda has a small diesel).” At this time Nathan was cruising at about 3 knots and he spotted the johnboat dead in the water, with the people waving at him. “Need a tow?” Nathan asked them. “Oh, do we need a tow!” was the reply: in their overloaded boat with dead engines they only had one paddle among them and they were 8 miles from where they had first launched.
So Nathan begins to tow them and there is a problem: he can’t find the channel markers. He has no idea where he is going (with them in tow). The water gets shallow: the depth gauge reads 2 and ½ feet, which is not possible because Waltzing Matilda draws 3 feet; then Nathan realizes that the sea grass is high and the depth gauge is reading the sea grass.
It’s a Sunday and a lot of boats are out and about and they are causing large wakes behind them. As a result, the heavy-laden johnboat starts taking water, so they have to start bailing. As the sorry parade moves along, Nathan hears a splash. He looks back to find that one of the men who had been sitting on the bow of the johnboat with his legs dangling over the side had fallen overboard. Nathan immediately stops as he sees one hand coming up from the water, hanging on to the boat. Then two hands grab the boat and Nathan determines that the man has the towline tangled around his leg. Nathan throws him a flotation device. The man moves himself to the side of the johnboat and tries to pull himself aboard. The overloaded johnboat now has an extra 200 pounds pulling down on one side, so it starts to roll over. The man then goes to the stern of the boat and pulling himself up, pulls the gunwale of the johnboat to within 2 inches of the water. Then a fast boat goes buy, 15 feet away, pushing up a big wake. “This is about to get bad,” Nathan thinks. But the man made it aboard with no more problems and they resumed the tow to the marina, with the man now wisely wearing a life jacket.
Upon reaching shore, the people thanked Nathan by giving him a much needed $70.
Also, Nathan said that while at the state park he had taken his kayak to a lagoon in the middle of the island. The water was about 4 feet deep and fairly clear. As he moved toward deeper water, he saw fish thrashing at the surface. Then he saw a large white dorsal fin. “This is a shark,” he thought to himself.” “This is a big shark. This is a big white shark. This is a Great White Shark. By now I’m hearing dum DUM dum DUM dum DUM music from 'Jaws.' This shark was as big as a dolphin. It was as big as my kayak. It cruises under my kayak. By now, I’ve got the heebie jeebies. He comes and he bumps my kayak. In the past I swam with sharks – little ones, 1 and 2 footers. But this one was 9 foot.” Apparently the shark had little more interest in Nathan’s kayak. Maybe it had its fill of the mullets on which it had been feeding. That’s good. Somehow, “dum DUM dum DUM dum DUM” doesn’t seem to be the tune one would want in one’s head while sailing in a small kayak.
Meanwhile, it’s a new day tomorrow. “I’m going to run hard the next couple of days to get on down to Key West,” he told me. “I can see the lights of Fort Meyers. I’m going to stop there tomorrow and resupply and refuel. Fort Meyers and a little place called Marco are the only towns between here and Key West. I’m going to be sailing through 100 miles with absolutely nothing (onshore).
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
Nathan called today, his birthday (and the day before my birthday – he was my birthday present 35 years ago). He’s enjoyed the last few days at Cayo Costa State Park near Fort Meyers, Florida. He’s glad to essentially be underway again, says he has more to talk about. Indeed. Some of is it funny. Some of it is ominous.
"I had an interesting event happen and got a little money in my pocket from it," Nathan said. "I was a little bit concerned about getting all the way down to Key West and being flat broke.”
While camped on the island containing Cayo Costa State Park, Nathan met four middle aged people who were excited about journeying on the water. They were in a 14-foot boat similar to the “johnboats” used in Ozarks fishing float trips. The boat had two gasoline motors: a couple of ancient Johnsons from the ‘60s: one 40 horsepower, the other 5 horsepower. Eventually, after having a good time camping on the island, the people (two couples, I think) shoved off. The johnboat, or whatever it was, was overloaded: with the people, their sleeping bags, their coolers. “They decided not to bring an air conditioner or a microwave, but that was about it,” Nathan said. Nathan, too, went sailing. “About 100 yards out, their engines quit. That’s why I hate gasoline engines. A million things can go wrong and it never runs right (Waltzing Matilda has a small diesel).” At this time Nathan was cruising at about 3 knots and he spotted the johnboat dead in the water, with the people waving at him. “Need a tow?” Nathan asked them. “Oh, do we need a tow!” was the reply: in their overloaded boat with dead engines they only had one paddle among them and they were 8 miles from where they had first launched.
So Nathan begins to tow them and there is a problem: he can’t find the channel markers. He has no idea where he is going (with them in tow). The water gets shallow: the depth gauge reads 2 and ½ feet, which is not possible because Waltzing Matilda draws 3 feet; then Nathan realizes that the sea grass is high and the depth gauge is reading the sea grass.
It’s a Sunday and a lot of boats are out and about and they are causing large wakes behind them. As a result, the heavy-laden johnboat starts taking water, so they have to start bailing. As the sorry parade moves along, Nathan hears a splash. He looks back to find that one of the men who had been sitting on the bow of the johnboat with his legs dangling over the side had fallen overboard. Nathan immediately stops as he sees one hand coming up from the water, hanging on to the boat. Then two hands grab the boat and Nathan determines that the man has the towline tangled around his leg. Nathan throws him a flotation device. The man moves himself to the side of the johnboat and tries to pull himself aboard. The overloaded johnboat now has an extra 200 pounds pulling down on one side, so it starts to roll over. The man then goes to the stern of the boat and pulling himself up, pulls the gunwale of the johnboat to within 2 inches of the water. Then a fast boat goes buy, 15 feet away, pushing up a big wake. “This is about to get bad,” Nathan thinks. But the man made it aboard with no more problems and they resumed the tow to the marina, with the man now wisely wearing a life jacket.
Upon reaching shore, the people thanked Nathan by giving him a much needed $70.
Also, Nathan said that while at the state park he had taken his kayak to a lagoon in the middle of the island. The water was about 4 feet deep and fairly clear. As he moved toward deeper water, he saw fish thrashing at the surface. Then he saw a large white dorsal fin. “This is a shark,” he thought to himself.” “This is a big shark. This is a big white shark. This is a Great White Shark. By now I’m hearing dum DUM dum DUM dum DUM music from 'Jaws.' This shark was as big as a dolphin. It was as big as my kayak. It cruises under my kayak. By now, I’ve got the heebie jeebies. He comes and he bumps my kayak. In the past I swam with sharks – little ones, 1 and 2 footers. But this one was 9 foot.” Apparently the shark had little more interest in Nathan’s kayak. Maybe it had its fill of the mullets on which it had been feeding. That’s good. Somehow, “dum DUM dum DUM dum DUM” doesn’t seem to be the tune one would want in one’s head while sailing in a small kayak.
Meanwhile, it’s a new day tomorrow. “I’m going to run hard the next couple of days to get on down to Key West,” he told me. “I can see the lights of Fort Meyers. I’m going to stop there tomorrow and resupply and refuel. Fort Meyers and a little place called Marco are the only towns between here and Key West. I’m going to be sailing through 100 miles with absolutely nothing (onshore).
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
Friday, October 8, 2010
Waltzing Matilda Back at Sea
October 8, 2010
After months in the Tampa Bay area to wait out the hurricane season, Waltzing Matilda is back at sea, working her way toward Key West. Nathan called today to say he is at beautiful Cayo Costa State Park on an island near Fort Meyers, Florida. Yesterday, while coming into the area where the park is, he had a bit of an adventure. He was racing against sunset and had to choose between going through a channel or through a more direct route through the ocean breakers. He chose the breakers. Waltzing Matilda has a 3-foot draft, and the water was 4 feet deep, so he could make it. Initially, seas were only 1 foot, but as he neared shore, the waves grew to 6 feet. Cruising along at 6 knots, Waltzing Matilda was towing its kayak when the kayak flipped over, filled with water, and slowed Waltzing Matilda to 3 knots. Dragging the kayak, waves began breaking over Waltzing Matilda’s stern, and Nathan began to get wet. He tried to flip the kayak upright, but since it probably weighed 500 pounds full of water, he was not successful. Nathan has cable strung around Waltzing Matilda to act as a lifeline for him to hang onto and the kayak’s line snagged one of the lifelines and broke it. Nathan swung Waltzing Matilda 180 degrees around to face into the wind and stop. Now the waves were 10 feet and Mattie the Dog began to get scared. While stopped, Nathan managed to flip the kayak upright but attempting to bail the water out of it was out of the question. He turned back toward shore, hoping to tow the kayak, now upright but half submerged. Progressing at 2.5 knots, with the wind and waves behind him, he had problems with stern waves and with the kayak banging and snagging. Nathan had to make a choice: lose the kayak or lose Waltzing Matilda and himself. Easy decision to make, but he didn’t have to act on it as the kayak’s rope broke and the half-sunk kayak moved away on its own. Nathan made three passes by the kayak trying to recover it, Realizing it was too full of water to handle and that the sun was getting ready to set, he abandoned the kayak and proceeded to shore. Arriving in calm waters he called the Coast Guard to tell them that he was okay and that there was no alarm if a partially sunken kayak showed up. The next day he told a state park ranger of his lost kayak. Ten minutes later, another ranger showed up and said someone had reported a lost kayak. The kayak had washed ashore just a bit more than a half mile where Nathan had landed. He recovered it, but took 45 minutes cleaning an “unbelievable” amount of sand out of it.
He’s enjoying the state park he is at and indicated he will be taking his time getting to Key West in order to enjoy things he encounters along the way.
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
After months in the Tampa Bay area to wait out the hurricane season, Waltzing Matilda is back at sea, working her way toward Key West. Nathan called today to say he is at beautiful Cayo Costa State Park on an island near Fort Meyers, Florida. Yesterday, while coming into the area where the park is, he had a bit of an adventure. He was racing against sunset and had to choose between going through a channel or through a more direct route through the ocean breakers. He chose the breakers. Waltzing Matilda has a 3-foot draft, and the water was 4 feet deep, so he could make it. Initially, seas were only 1 foot, but as he neared shore, the waves grew to 6 feet. Cruising along at 6 knots, Waltzing Matilda was towing its kayak when the kayak flipped over, filled with water, and slowed Waltzing Matilda to 3 knots. Dragging the kayak, waves began breaking over Waltzing Matilda’s stern, and Nathan began to get wet. He tried to flip the kayak upright, but since it probably weighed 500 pounds full of water, he was not successful. Nathan has cable strung around Waltzing Matilda to act as a lifeline for him to hang onto and the kayak’s line snagged one of the lifelines and broke it. Nathan swung Waltzing Matilda 180 degrees around to face into the wind and stop. Now the waves were 10 feet and Mattie the Dog began to get scared. While stopped, Nathan managed to flip the kayak upright but attempting to bail the water out of it was out of the question. He turned back toward shore, hoping to tow the kayak, now upright but half submerged. Progressing at 2.5 knots, with the wind and waves behind him, he had problems with stern waves and with the kayak banging and snagging. Nathan had to make a choice: lose the kayak or lose Waltzing Matilda and himself. Easy decision to make, but he didn’t have to act on it as the kayak’s rope broke and the half-sunk kayak moved away on its own. Nathan made three passes by the kayak trying to recover it, Realizing it was too full of water to handle and that the sun was getting ready to set, he abandoned the kayak and proceeded to shore. Arriving in calm waters he called the Coast Guard to tell them that he was okay and that there was no alarm if a partially sunken kayak showed up. The next day he told a state park ranger of his lost kayak. Ten minutes later, another ranger showed up and said someone had reported a lost kayak. The kayak had washed ashore just a bit more than a half mile where Nathan had landed. He recovered it, but took 45 minutes cleaning an “unbelievable” amount of sand out of it.
He’s enjoying the state park he is at and indicated he will be taking his time getting to Key West in order to enjoy things he encounters along the way.
--Posted by Official Correspondent Dad Landry
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A Nasty collision
Saturday the 18th was a nice day and Mattie needed some beach time, she and I walked the three blocks away from the fishing pier to the beach and sat out on the sand watching the gringo bake. When I left the anchorage it was nice sleepy afternoon, Grounds For Divorce was anchored about 60 feet from Waltzing Matilda, lots of families were on the pier sight seeing and fishing, another pleasant day in paradise.
When I returned about an hour later everything was in an uproar, Grounds for Divorce was damaged and lots of people were talking about the collision. Some drunken jerk in a 270HP jet boat was racing around in the anchorage (a posted Manatee/no wake area) and buzzing the pier, He had pissed off and soaked a lot of folks and he went flying up the ICW through a bascule bridge, turned 180 degrees and shot back into the anchorage plowing into the bow of Grounds For Divorce snapping her anchor rode and knocking Sailor John down the companionway stairs. The Coast Guard was standing by in the ICW about 400 yards away but were unable to respond.
Coast Guard: "Whats your GPS coordinates?"
Concerned Mariner: "look out your port window and you'll see the vessel speeding around in the anchorage"
CG: "do you have a life jacket on?"
CM: "are you going to stop that vessel?"
CG: "What's your GPS coordinates?"
After slamming into Ground For Divorce the drunk jerk sped around in the anchorage a bit more, got his photo taken by a witness and took off north, he was arrested for a BUI when he tried to load the speed boat on a trailer, forgetting to get the tailer and launching the boat up the concrete ramp.
Florida Fish and Wildlife commission responded after about 90 minuets and took statements from Sailor John and other witnesses, I had already contacted the witnesses on the pier, gotten a photo of the perpetrator emailed to John and we had the vessel's registration number. FWC hasn't filed charges yet, (it takes 5 days), Bradenton Beach PD wasn't aware that there had been an accident till Tuesday. The owner of the speed boat has no insurance on the thing and claims that it was his son operating the vessel without his permission and claims no responsibility. Even in a non-boating state like Arkansas, any vessel with more than 10hp is required to have liability insurance. John has holes on either side of his bow, the forestay chain plate is ripping out, a bent chain roller and cracks running length wise along his gunwales.
Sailor John finally found a lawyer willing to take this case, his journey is halted until repairs can be made, the crack all the way to the waterline makes his craft un-seaworthy. Fortunately Waltzing Matilda was not hit, the weight and speed of the drunk jerk craft would have ripped her in half. It's a really good thing I was not onboard when this event was taking place, I might be in jail for firing a safety flare into the offending vessel.
When I returned about an hour later everything was in an uproar, Grounds for Divorce was damaged and lots of people were talking about the collision. Some drunken jerk in a 270HP jet boat was racing around in the anchorage (a posted Manatee/no wake area) and buzzing the pier, He had pissed off and soaked a lot of folks and he went flying up the ICW through a bascule bridge, turned 180 degrees and shot back into the anchorage plowing into the bow of Grounds For Divorce snapping her anchor rode and knocking Sailor John down the companionway stairs. The Coast Guard was standing by in the ICW about 400 yards away but were unable to respond.
Coast Guard: "Whats your GPS coordinates?"
Concerned Mariner: "look out your port window and you'll see the vessel speeding around in the anchorage"
CG: "do you have a life jacket on?"
CM: "are you going to stop that vessel?"
CG: "What's your GPS coordinates?"
After slamming into Ground For Divorce the drunk jerk sped around in the anchorage a bit more, got his photo taken by a witness and took off north, he was arrested for a BUI when he tried to load the speed boat on a trailer, forgetting to get the tailer and launching the boat up the concrete ramp.
Florida Fish and Wildlife commission responded after about 90 minuets and took statements from Sailor John and other witnesses, I had already contacted the witnesses on the pier, gotten a photo of the perpetrator emailed to John and we had the vessel's registration number. FWC hasn't filed charges yet, (it takes 5 days), Bradenton Beach PD wasn't aware that there had been an accident till Tuesday. The owner of the speed boat has no insurance on the thing and claims that it was his son operating the vessel without his permission and claims no responsibility. Even in a non-boating state like Arkansas, any vessel with more than 10hp is required to have liability insurance. John has holes on either side of his bow, the forestay chain plate is ripping out, a bent chain roller and cracks running length wise along his gunwales.
Sailor John finally found a lawyer willing to take this case, his journey is halted until repairs can be made, the crack all the way to the waterline makes his craft un-seaworthy. Fortunately Waltzing Matilda was not hit, the weight and speed of the drunk jerk craft would have ripped her in half. It's a really good thing I was not onboard when this event was taking place, I might be in jail for firing a safety flare into the offending vessel.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Anna Maria Island
After months in the same dirty bay I finally sailed south, I had a great time in Gulfport but was afraid of getting too comfortable, when I walked the dog too many people stopped me to say hello so my and my friend from Panama City sailed south. I met Sailor John a few months ago and he met up with me again in Gulfport, he sailed the 30' Morgan named "Grounds For Divorce”, he has been a transient sailor for 9 years and knows these waters well.
Yesterday was the best sailing I have had in a long time, the wind was from the East for the last few days and the Gulf of Mexico was as smooth as it can get, a nice 15kt wind and full sails we made great time, John made better time, I had my new anchor fall off the bow and dragged it through most of Tampa Bay, I didn't notice until I hit shallower water, then I noticed in a hurry. The entrance to this channel was narrow and hard to spot, once inside the channel it snaked about with 1' depths on either side, the statement “stay in the channel” was well heeded.
We arrived in near Cortez on Anna Maria Island just after dark, John had motor trouble at the last bascule bride and had to clear the bridge under sail, very impressive due to the fact that the bridges take away all wind. Once through the bridge he headed towards my vessel and promptly ran aground. If you decide to come to the this anchorage via the ICWW here is some local knowledge to assist, heading south pass under the Bradenton Causeway and take the channel that runs parallel to the bridge that is just on the south side of it, follow that channel to green marker #3 and turn south, stick close to the fishing pier and the anchorage is easy to wander into, otherwise you will run aground. I didn't know this but Waltzing Matilda rarely runs aground, it pays to have a shallow keel boat.
The anchorage here is grand, clear water, nice little town, free showers, water on the floating dock, poached wifi, and an awesome pier, almost like a marina, sans fees. There are the usual anchor rats but they seem friendly enough, every free anchorage has “live aboards” that are not the most upstanding citizens. Many derelict boats here, but a very laid back atmosphere on the shore, a really nice island and (dare I say it) great surfing. I need to find a surf board! Not a $300 used one from a shop, more like a $25 yard sale score, I am going to beat up the board and it will be my first one, so spending a bunch of money does not sound like a good idea, but I need a surf board.
Tomorrow, clean the hull, replace the prop shaft zinc and catch some fish, the fishing here is dandy, too bad I am a lousy fisherman.
lots of new photos
Yesterday was the best sailing I have had in a long time, the wind was from the East for the last few days and the Gulf of Mexico was as smooth as it can get, a nice 15kt wind and full sails we made great time, John made better time, I had my new anchor fall off the bow and dragged it through most of Tampa Bay, I didn't notice until I hit shallower water, then I noticed in a hurry. The entrance to this channel was narrow and hard to spot, once inside the channel it snaked about with 1' depths on either side, the statement “stay in the channel” was well heeded.
We arrived in near Cortez on Anna Maria Island just after dark, John had motor trouble at the last bascule bride and had to clear the bridge under sail, very impressive due to the fact that the bridges take away all wind. Once through the bridge he headed towards my vessel and promptly ran aground. If you decide to come to the this anchorage via the ICWW here is some local knowledge to assist, heading south pass under the Bradenton Causeway and take the channel that runs parallel to the bridge that is just on the south side of it, follow that channel to green marker #3 and turn south, stick close to the fishing pier and the anchorage is easy to wander into, otherwise you will run aground. I didn't know this but Waltzing Matilda rarely runs aground, it pays to have a shallow keel boat.
The anchorage here is grand, clear water, nice little town, free showers, water on the floating dock, poached wifi, and an awesome pier, almost like a marina, sans fees. There are the usual anchor rats but they seem friendly enough, every free anchorage has “live aboards” that are not the most upstanding citizens. Many derelict boats here, but a very laid back atmosphere on the shore, a really nice island and (dare I say it) great surfing. I need to find a surf board! Not a $300 used one from a shop, more like a $25 yard sale score, I am going to beat up the board and it will be my first one, so spending a bunch of money does not sound like a good idea, but I need a surf board.
Tomorrow, clean the hull, replace the prop shaft zinc and catch some fish, the fishing here is dandy, too bad I am a lousy fisherman.
lots of new photos
Friday, September 10, 2010
Updated From Boca Ciega Bay
It's been a while since I have written and I apologize for that, there hasn't been much going on so I haven't had much to say. I should correct that statement, there has been plenty of stuff going on, just none of it traveling via Waltzing Matilda so I haven't felt it worthy of posting in the travel blog.
I will touch on some of the highlights of interesting things that have occurred. I got blown ashore in a storm, again, no Coast Guard this time. There was a stiff SW wind blowing for three days and I was up early when the 3/4” anchor rode was sawed through by what ever nasty piece of junk it wrapped around. I was alerted to the issue when my kayak began banging against the side of the boat and I realized I was drifting sideways into some mangroves. I bumped the ground softly once and was able to get an anchor out and stop the drifting, I fired the motor and backed off of the shoal narrowly missing a crab trap with my prop. (I hate crab traps!)
The next day I took a small grappling hook to the approximate area that my anchor was set and fished around looking for it, the visibility in the bay was down to 1” and the amount of garbage, old 55 gallon drums, sharp chunks of iron and other things that would rip my hands open as I felt around dissuaded me from any more exploration and I gave the anchor up for lost. Thats three anchors I have lost since I left Arkansas, at a rate of one every three months this journey is getting expensive.
I did get a new anchor on trade, a #20 plow, haven't gotten any chain for it yet, plus I'll need shackles, a thimble and a swivel. Chain or solar panels.... hard choice to make.
Hurricane season is almost over, I've been working a bit, trying to get enough money to score some solar panels from harbor Freight tools, I was at the closest store (an 18 mile bike ride north) and the solar panel kit I want was on sale for $150, I had $100.... dang it. 'll bet by the time I get back up there with enough money they will be back at their regular price.
If only I didn't have to do laundry or eat, I'd have so much more gear!
Key West for Halloween?
I will touch on some of the highlights of interesting things that have occurred. I got blown ashore in a storm, again, no Coast Guard this time. There was a stiff SW wind blowing for three days and I was up early when the 3/4” anchor rode was sawed through by what ever nasty piece of junk it wrapped around. I was alerted to the issue when my kayak began banging against the side of the boat and I realized I was drifting sideways into some mangroves. I bumped the ground softly once and was able to get an anchor out and stop the drifting, I fired the motor and backed off of the shoal narrowly missing a crab trap with my prop. (I hate crab traps!)
The next day I took a small grappling hook to the approximate area that my anchor was set and fished around looking for it, the visibility in the bay was down to 1” and the amount of garbage, old 55 gallon drums, sharp chunks of iron and other things that would rip my hands open as I felt around dissuaded me from any more exploration and I gave the anchor up for lost. Thats three anchors I have lost since I left Arkansas, at a rate of one every three months this journey is getting expensive.
I did get a new anchor on trade, a #20 plow, haven't gotten any chain for it yet, plus I'll need shackles, a thimble and a swivel. Chain or solar panels.... hard choice to make.
Hurricane season is almost over, I've been working a bit, trying to get enough money to score some solar panels from harbor Freight tools, I was at the closest store (an 18 mile bike ride north) and the solar panel kit I want was on sale for $150, I had $100.... dang it. 'll bet by the time I get back up there with enough money they will be back at their regular price.
If only I didn't have to do laundry or eat, I'd have so much more gear!
Key West for Halloween?
Friday, August 6, 2010
Musical Anchorage
when the winds blows, everyone change places!
Every evening we have storms from the east build up and collide with the sea breeze coming in from the west, this produces everything from a light drizzle to brilliant displays of electrical power in the sky, there are lots of rainbows and the news is full of stories of who or what was struck by lightning. One of these sumer evening storms was building as I paddled back to Waltzing Matilda the other evening, they are usually preceded by strong gusts of wind and will often rotate the boat 360 degrees in the course of the rain.
I battened down the fore hatch and sat in the chair in the bow while the winds began to build, I felt something strange, moment that wasn't the usual. I looked out my companionway hatch to see my canoe that was tied to the stern about 10' off the bow of the vessel anchored downwind from me. It only took a second for me to realize that I was drifting, and another second for the lightning to illuminate the concrete fishing pier that was in the near future. I took time to put on my life vest and fired the motor, by the time I got to the bow and dropped another anchor I was nearly on top of the 30' vessel anchored near me. I had fenders out so as we swung beam to beam there was no chance of too much impact or damage, I still fended off collision and made the decision that I had to move and needed to get as much room between me and the fishing pier as possible.
I bounced off the 30' vessel one more time as I lashed the tiller one direction, put the engine in gear and went forward to pull anchor, I found a milk crate fouling the tangs of one of them, thus the drifting. By the time I had the anchor on deck and was back at the tiller the winds had built to a very high rate and I was able to motor into the wind and out into the bay, Waltzing Matilda was heeling just a bit and my radio began to crackle with others in the anchorage asking where I was since they couldn't see my vessel in the spot she lad the last two weeks. I got out 300 yards and upwind of the main body of vessels and dropped a 25# danforth on 100' scope in 10' of water. The storm continued to grow and began to dump rain, I took the opportunity to take a shower on the bow.
After a little while I heard my radio crackle again as another vessel hailed a 56' that was drifting down on him, I looked out and could see the silhouette of the 56' heading towards another 30' and the fishing pier. Someone overhead the radio call and called the captain of the 56' on his cell phone to wake him, in the lightning flashes I could see him on deck running out more chain and finally getting his vessel under control. He came to rest lying almost exactly where Waltzing Matilda had been. I'm glad I moved.
Anchor stories are easy, but I'm ready for hurricane season to be over so I can get underway and exploring again.
Some Arkies are coming to visit today!
Every evening we have storms from the east build up and collide with the sea breeze coming in from the west, this produces everything from a light drizzle to brilliant displays of electrical power in the sky, there are lots of rainbows and the news is full of stories of who or what was struck by lightning. One of these sumer evening storms was building as I paddled back to Waltzing Matilda the other evening, they are usually preceded by strong gusts of wind and will often rotate the boat 360 degrees in the course of the rain.
I battened down the fore hatch and sat in the chair in the bow while the winds began to build, I felt something strange, moment that wasn't the usual. I looked out my companionway hatch to see my canoe that was tied to the stern about 10' off the bow of the vessel anchored downwind from me. It only took a second for me to realize that I was drifting, and another second for the lightning to illuminate the concrete fishing pier that was in the near future. I took time to put on my life vest and fired the motor, by the time I got to the bow and dropped another anchor I was nearly on top of the 30' vessel anchored near me. I had fenders out so as we swung beam to beam there was no chance of too much impact or damage, I still fended off collision and made the decision that I had to move and needed to get as much room between me and the fishing pier as possible.
I bounced off the 30' vessel one more time as I lashed the tiller one direction, put the engine in gear and went forward to pull anchor, I found a milk crate fouling the tangs of one of them, thus the drifting. By the time I had the anchor on deck and was back at the tiller the winds had built to a very high rate and I was able to motor into the wind and out into the bay, Waltzing Matilda was heeling just a bit and my radio began to crackle with others in the anchorage asking where I was since they couldn't see my vessel in the spot she lad the last two weeks. I got out 300 yards and upwind of the main body of vessels and dropped a 25# danforth on 100' scope in 10' of water. The storm continued to grow and began to dump rain, I took the opportunity to take a shower on the bow.
After a little while I heard my radio crackle again as another vessel hailed a 56' that was drifting down on him, I looked out and could see the silhouette of the 56' heading towards another 30' and the fishing pier. Someone overhead the radio call and called the captain of the 56' on his cell phone to wake him, in the lightning flashes I could see him on deck running out more chain and finally getting his vessel under control. He came to rest lying almost exactly where Waltzing Matilda had been. I'm glad I moved.
Anchor stories are easy, but I'm ready for hurricane season to be over so I can get underway and exploring again.
Some Arkies are coming to visit today!
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