Early on the 19th, we left St Augustine for Ft Pierce where we hoped to meet up with Byrne and Sharon. The weather was beautiful as were the sunrises and sunsets. The houses by the waterway were not getting especially smaller and there was interesting water life everywhere.
One morning, before Bev got up, I must have seen 100 dolphins, sometimes 4 or 5 at a time. Bev finally had some success photographing some. In one of the photos, you can see a dolphin’s back and the ripples from a few others that she had just missed.
On the 19th, we actually managed to go aground. We were given some local advice on where to anchor. Our charts showed a deep water passage, but it turned out that the deepwater passage was only about 2’ 7” deep and we draw 2’ 8” – and this was at peak high tide. By wiggling the outboard, we managed to turn the boat and to excavate a bit under the keels. Once we were afloat, we went full bore back towards the channel, bouncing several times. The important thing was that we made it. Even Tow Boat US would not have done us much good. By the time they might have arrived, the tide would almost certainly have dropped at least a few inches and we would have been stranded until the next high tide.
So, we went to the next anchorage, Sheephead Cut, no longer recommended by Skipper Bob, but viable for three boats. Someone from shore kindly started up a conversation and invited our dogs ashore for a little run. It turned out he had done some long distance cruising on a catamaran and just wanted to chat.
The next morning, as we cruised through New Smyrna Beach (just South of the Ponce de Leon Inlet), there were lots of boats anchored. This was our first plan and it would have worked well.
From New Smyrna, you pass through the Mosquito Lagoon, but we only saw “noseeums”. Actually, you feel more than see their presence.
This leads through a narrow but manatee filled cut to the Indian River. The Indian River is not really a river at all but is a long and shallow body of water running parallel to the coast. There are many bridges, mostly fixed. If you were in search of signs of civilization, you would not have to search far.
We have heard that Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are pretty interesting, but did not stop. Instead, we pressed on.
On this date, we were able to motorsail with a beam wind of about 10 to 15 knots. We set the throttle for about 7.5 mph, but did 8 to 9.5 mph through the water. In this manner, we were able to save time and to save fuel.
We had heard of a great restaurant/bar called Conchy Joes in Telemar Bay, not far from Melbourne. Unfortunately, Conchy Joes was no longer in business. After going to a yacht club and a marina which did not sell gas, we found a marina which did – but at $4.00 per US gallon. Ouch!!!
Seeing that there was nothing to keep us in Telemar Bay, we pressed on, putting in another 10 miles and anchoring behind one of the spoils islands. In spite of the gas stop, we still managed an 80 mile day!
Sometimes misfortune turns into fortune. When I paddled the dogs ashore, I met Jimmy the fisherman. Jimmy invited Bev and I to return after dinner to join him. He had 4 fishing rods and suggested we try our luck. As it transpired, we were skunked from a fishing perspective, but we learned much about Jimmy, how he grew up in the Blue Ridge hills in Virginia, how he had been the first carpenter hired to work on the Washington Subway, his challenges in dealing with his children and his grandchildren etc. Jimmy was very charming, very down to earth and the experience offered a very interesting view into a part of the American culture.
We also learned a bit about fishing. I learned the next morning as we pulled out that after we had left to go to bed, Jimmy had caught a 3 foot redfish, so Jimmy did OK after all.
On the 21st, we again got off to an early start. This day, the wind was right on the nose, so we could not motorsail. On the way, we noticed a number of monohulls who appeared to have tried to anchor in catamaran anchorages. Oops. Oh well, eventually the tide will probably float them.
By noon, we were anchored off the Riverview Marina where Byrne and Sharon were keeping Sea Ya II. Shortly after we arrived, an old business acquaintance, David B and a member of Trident, arrived with his boat to have his air conditioning fixed. He was changing crew and was set to leave early the next morning to the Bahamas.
Wow, this was a long way to go on a boat to meet other people on boats who were also from the Ottawa area!
It was really great seeing Byrne and Sharon. Sitting on their boat, I felt that we had finally made it and that we could finally really relax. Life felt really good!
The whole crew got together for dinner at an absolutely great burger joint. I think the owner must be doing well selling beer and alcohol. The place offered karaoke entertainment. I have heard good karaoke before and this was not it. Most of the singers would drive a person to drink. I guess if you are the bar owner, this is a good thing.
One morning, before Bev got up, I must have seen 100 dolphins, sometimes 4 or 5 at a time. Bev finally had some success photographing some. In one of the photos, you can see a dolphin’s back and the ripples from a few others that she had just missed.
On the 19th, we actually managed to go aground. We were given some local advice on where to anchor. Our charts showed a deep water passage, but it turned out that the deepwater passage was only about 2’ 7” deep and we draw 2’ 8” – and this was at peak high tide. By wiggling the outboard, we managed to turn the boat and to excavate a bit under the keels. Once we were afloat, we went full bore back towards the channel, bouncing several times. The important thing was that we made it. Even Tow Boat US would not have done us much good. By the time they might have arrived, the tide would almost certainly have dropped at least a few inches and we would have been stranded until the next high tide.
So, we went to the next anchorage, Sheephead Cut, no longer recommended by Skipper Bob, but viable for three boats. Someone from shore kindly started up a conversation and invited our dogs ashore for a little run. It turned out he had done some long distance cruising on a catamaran and just wanted to chat.
The next morning, as we cruised through New Smyrna Beach (just South of the Ponce de Leon Inlet), there were lots of boats anchored. This was our first plan and it would have worked well.
From New Smyrna, you pass through the Mosquito Lagoon, but we only saw “noseeums”. Actually, you feel more than see their presence.
This leads through a narrow but manatee filled cut to the Indian River. The Indian River is not really a river at all but is a long and shallow body of water running parallel to the coast. There are many bridges, mostly fixed. If you were in search of signs of civilization, you would not have to search far.
We have heard that Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are pretty interesting, but did not stop. Instead, we pressed on.
On this date, we were able to motorsail with a beam wind of about 10 to 15 knots. We set the throttle for about 7.5 mph, but did 8 to 9.5 mph through the water. In this manner, we were able to save time and to save fuel.
We had heard of a great restaurant/bar called Conchy Joes in Telemar Bay, not far from Melbourne. Unfortunately, Conchy Joes was no longer in business. After going to a yacht club and a marina which did not sell gas, we found a marina which did – but at $4.00 per US gallon. Ouch!!!
Seeing that there was nothing to keep us in Telemar Bay, we pressed on, putting in another 10 miles and anchoring behind one of the spoils islands. In spite of the gas stop, we still managed an 80 mile day!
Sometimes misfortune turns into fortune. When I paddled the dogs ashore, I met Jimmy the fisherman. Jimmy invited Bev and I to return after dinner to join him. He had 4 fishing rods and suggested we try our luck. As it transpired, we were skunked from a fishing perspective, but we learned much about Jimmy, how he grew up in the Blue Ridge hills in Virginia, how he had been the first carpenter hired to work on the Washington Subway, his challenges in dealing with his children and his grandchildren etc. Jimmy was very charming, very down to earth and the experience offered a very interesting view into a part of the American culture.
We also learned a bit about fishing. I learned the next morning as we pulled out that after we had left to go to bed, Jimmy had caught a 3 foot redfish, so Jimmy did OK after all.
On the 21st, we again got off to an early start. This day, the wind was right on the nose, so we could not motorsail. On the way, we noticed a number of monohulls who appeared to have tried to anchor in catamaran anchorages. Oops. Oh well, eventually the tide will probably float them.
By noon, we were anchored off the Riverview Marina where Byrne and Sharon were keeping Sea Ya II. Shortly after we arrived, an old business acquaintance, David B and a member of Trident, arrived with his boat to have his air conditioning fixed. He was changing crew and was set to leave early the next morning to the Bahamas.
Wow, this was a long way to go on a boat to meet other people on boats who were also from the Ottawa area!
It was really great seeing Byrne and Sharon. Sitting on their boat, I felt that we had finally made it and that we could finally really relax. Life felt really good!
The whole crew got together for dinner at an absolutely great burger joint. I think the owner must be doing well selling beer and alcohol. The place offered karaoke entertainment. I have heard good karaoke before and this was not it. Most of the singers would drive a person to drink. I guess if you are the bar owner, this is a good thing.
Notwithstanding the singers, a good time was had by all.
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