EVENT OF THE DAY!!

Woke this a.m. at 04:30 to a different view from my porthole - we had obviously swung around! Also, noticed we weren't rolling like we had though still felt choppy slaps from the water. Went up to see what was in the works. Bow now pointed East - was West when went to bed. Anchor line off to the starboard and not tight. Little if any boat rocking though some obvious wind from the East. Oh, Oh.

Checked the depth sonar and said 2.5 ft under the keel. Still 'oh, oh'. We had swung around in the wind during the night and with the outgoing tide, were now 'slightly' aground - based on the lax anchor line + little rocking + sphincter spasm. Low tide would be in 1 hr and we would be stuck for several hours till high tide came in. Marg came to helm, I pulled the anchor line [too easily] and when I began pulling in the last 20 ft of chain, the boat began to rock a bit - the spot which we were 'resting on', let us go - Samson pulling the boat off the muddy bump!! Marg gently nudged us forward on idle engine speeds, between the crab pots, and we were in 6 ft water quickly. Headed out the channel breathing much more easily. It was an awakening we hope to never repeat: next time, will verify the tidal drop expected in a shallow area and drop anchor deeper [didn't actually have much choice last night though]; will set the anchor alarm to a smaller radius if shallow water is close. Marg's photo of the sunrise was great compensation, especially considering it's as rare as a constipated goose for her to see a sunrise - and she was still in her nightie due to the morning's emergency and she handled the boat superbly ! ! [that could be worth some future brownie points??]


The rest of the trip was a pleasant cruise. Beautiful weather, turquoise water, saw dolphins and some crazy fish, a few strings of crab pots which kept us vigilant at all times, the water was calm; ran at 2200 rpm which gave us 14-16 mph today, and we reached Turtle Cove Marina in Tarpon Springs by noon, 5 miles upstream on the Anclote river, and officially back within the ICW [IntraCoastal Waterway - protected from the sea waves].


A very nice spot - see photos. Filled our diesel tanks [276 g. @ $2.29] and had a quick tour of the facility - their business is mostly dry docking runabouts as you can see. Put the chain and line back in the anchor locker after leaving on the bow to dry all day - helps keep the mold/mildew controlled - it was much cleaner this time compared to our experiences last week. Hooked up the shore power and all works well!


Marg booked an Uber to take us for groceries at Publix and we enjoyed buying needed foods. Lots of folks wearing masks - all the staff and probably half the shoppers. We ordered a take-out/delivery from a well known Greek restaurant, Costas. Tarpon Springs is an old city with lots of Greek history - sponge divers, Greek restaurants, etc. We are now in Happy Hour having a Boddington's [me] and a G&T [admiral] + Mission chips/Cape Cod chips. I finished inputting the routes to Sarasota for our journey tomorrow.


I keep track of our 'mileage', FYI. Our most efficient speed is 'hull' speed, which is 11mph for our boat, which is 1700-1800 rpm, and that requires about 6 gph, or 1.25 mpg; when we ran fairly consistently at 2200 rpm for the Gulf crossing the past 3 days, giving a speed of 12.5 mph avg, our fuel consumption jumps to 13.5 gph, or 0.9 mpg. Even though the engines run well and safely at that 2200 rpm, it doubles the cost. Also, puts out a bit more diesel smoke to stain the transom so that I can wash it off at the end of each day. [the engine oils, etc are all staying normal - check them every day before leaving].


Tomorrow, we head to Marina Jack, in Sarasota, another highly reviewed, large marina, to spend 3 nights/2 full days to clean the boat, do some maintenance things, and not be in a rush. Don't plan on going to any restaurants yet, trying to maintain some distancing.

Hope everyone is well and continuing to distance while staying in touch.


Comments:

Jon  •  06 May, 2020:  Talked to my close friend Bob Ridgeway who lives in Saratoga and told him about your trip. We took a night diner cruse with them from marina Jacks. 941-371-7490 They are fun people Robin's grade school friends. call them.

Dd  •  06 May, 2020:  You are so lucky to go unscathed from the turn around!! Your sphincters definitely working overtime! Lol

Janice  •  08 May, 2020: So, what Greek did you order and how was it????