One should not go to the boat show. All you see is boats you cannot afford. But they sure are nice.
Boat Show
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Came back to the boat the other day to bird shit...everywhere
Some bird had a bad case of diahrea and decided to use our boat as it's dumping ground. I spent the next hour washing the crap off. We have spent 8 days here and no bird has bothered us...but this day, while we were out...they made up for it. Marina did notice that it seems to be the Crows that are the culprits and not the Pelicans. The crows like to sit on masts and poop. The pelicans just fly around and head right back for the tree to do their business. We head to the hotel across the street to do our business. Those damn crows need a place.....
Took the damn sink apart for the 3rd time.
I glued it shut. It better never leak again.
that damn drain would leak and leak and leak. I siliconed it....I plumber puttied it, this time I 3M 4200ed it. That shit should work.
we went to Home Depot to get a new drain for the sink...they don't carry that size drain. went to Lowes...same story. tried to get a new sink...none fit. Only thing left. Glue!!!!!!
I have taken it apart 3 times. I know how to freaking plumb a sink. something else is wrong with this piece of doodoo.
that damn drain would leak and leak and leak. I siliconed it....I plumber puttied it, this time I 3M 4200ed it. That shit should work.
we went to Home Depot to get a new drain for the sink...they don't carry that size drain. went to Lowes...same story. tried to get a new sink...none fit. Only thing left. Glue!!!!!!
I have taken it apart 3 times. I know how to freaking plumb a sink. something else is wrong with this piece of doodoo.
Went to the boat show today...
We had the day to spend so we went to the boat show.
Took the hour long bus ride to St petersburg. They like to keep it cold on those buses. Also noticed, buses are predominately populated by women. Very few guys ride buses. I guess we just walk. Took the bus downtown, walked to the boat show. It is right next to the Dali Museum. Saw lots of boats we can't afford and sat through some seminars. These seminars hinted to us that we are ready to cross the Atlantic. Did I mention we have not sailed too much since we started this adventure. Ok ...we need to sail more then maybe we can go in June.
Took the hour long bus ride to St petersburg. They like to keep it cold on those buses. Also noticed, buses are predominately populated by women. Very few guys ride buses. I guess we just walk. Took the bus downtown, walked to the boat show. It is right next to the Dali Museum. Saw lots of boats we can't afford and sat through some seminars. These seminars hinted to us that we are ready to cross the Atlantic. Did I mention we have not sailed too much since we started this adventure. Ok ...we need to sail more then maybe we can go in June.
Figured out why the Tracking system does not work.
Well...this might seem like something I should have known, but...I didn't. The AIS tracking/reporting system works through the VHF Antenna. (That is where I hooked it up) and VHF only works line of sight (about 10 miles)....so...once we go past that...the AIS does not get out and report any more. The Garmin guy at the St Petersburg boat show told me this.
But this still does not explain why we have been in this area for 3 weeks and no signs of us on the reporting web sites...oh well...it is should work again.
But this still does not explain why we have been in this area for 3 weeks and no signs of us on the reporting web sites...oh well...it is should work again.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Mississippi to Alabama
Since we left Texas we have not seen a sandy beach that is until we reached Alabama. Just after the Mississippi sound the sand starts to show and the mud starts to clear.
Photos from Mississippi to Alabama
Photos from Mississippi to Alabama
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Marina has been writing and not posting...so here it is
ays 34 - 37, Nov.13-16
========================
We stayed at Holiday Marina for couple days waiting for more favorable weather.
We were so happy to get to the sunny Florida state (our marina is right on the border of Alabama and Florida),
but the weather was not cooperative with us - we got freezing temprature for two nights in the row.
And we don't have a heater in our boat! To survive such cold we were sleeping in Kevin's "cave" close to the machine room
with a water heater, covered ourselves with four blankets and fully dressed including wool hats. Still, my nose was freezing...
We got our walking excersize while getting groceries - had to walk on the bridge to get to other side of the ICW, it seemed
never ending bridge with a lot of angry cars in the rush hour.
Staying at marinas is getting very expencive, we decided to leave this place on Sunday (no matter what weather will be)
=================================
Day 38 - Sun, Nov. 17
=================================
We made it to Destin, Florida. Took us about 10 hours and I remember each minute of this drive.
The sea was rough, especially while getting out to Golf from Perdido bay, a lot of confused waves
in different directions up to 8 feet. Felt like a roller coaster drive in Six Flags and we got completely
wet from one of those waves. But in the afternoon the weather got calmer and made it successfully in the Destin
Harbor. It's a very nice place with a lot of marinas (nobody is taking transients though) and restaurants right on
the water, and very pretty white sand beach on another side.
We found a safe anchorage right in the middle of Destin Harbor and were happy that finally can save money on marinas.
==================================
Day 39 - Mon, Nov. 18
=================================
Some maintanence and cleanning of the boat and it was raining (pooring) all the morning. I gathered a lot of rain water dripping
from our bimini - that water was enough to take two showeres, clean in the boat and wash dishes several times. Wow, I was surprized
myself.
Our poor old Mercury outboard engine refused to start again and we had rowed our dinghy to the docks. Then we took a
walking trip to Winn-Dixie and ACE (to get right parts for the galley focet) and, loaded with food rowed back.
Tomorrow is Kevin's birthday - a good reason for us to stay for one more night at this cute anchorage
=================================
Day 40 - Tu, Nov.19
=================================
It's Kevin's birthday! We celebrated with almost special breakfast - blinzi with yogurt, berries, honey and fresh made chocolate
chip cookies. Well, it turned out to be a one big flat cookie, but still, it's a cookie!
Kevin fixed our old outboard Mercury - I will miss rowing excersize to the shore.
========================================
Day 41 - Wed, Nov.20
===========================================
We got a bit late start today - going offshore finally! Weather was finally cooperating with us and without any trouble we made
it to the next stop - Panama City. We decided to anchore right off the entrance channel, water got a bit skinny and anchorage was
already fully populated. We managed to park next to the warning sign "heavy seaweed" and near abandoned old stinky boat.
We enjoyed beatuiful scenery and sunset at this place. We were planning to go next day to St.Joe bay, but listening to the
weather channel we figured out that if we don't go strait to Clearwater (Tampa) city tomorrow, then we might need to stay at
this secluded anchorage till next week.
============================================
Day 42 - Thu, Nov.21
============================================
It's a big day today - the first time we will go offshore sailing for 2 nights and 2 day strait, just to make it to Clearwater
before bad weather comes again. Marina prepared meals for long passage and Kevin checked all the parts of the boat which could
be checked and set the autopilot. In order to get to the harbor in Clearwater before sunset, we would need to leave this place at 9pm.
And here we go - tracing back our way out of the channel in darkness. Hmm, turned out it's not so easy if you do that first time
in unknown place, luckily there were not other boats around!
As soon as we got into big waters and on the corner of the Apalachacola, the ways got bigger up to 6 feet with interval 4 sec (too short!)
Besides, waves came from different directions racing each other, so our boat reminded a walnut shell in the water - no fun!
At some point it got so bad that GPS showed 0.0 speed, even though engine was running on crusing speed and main sail was up and reefed.
Well, if it goes this way for all 200 miles to Clearwater then we will be there next week instead of Saturday morning!
============================================
Day 43 - Fri, Nov.22
============================================
The night was horrible, we were wet from the waves and tired and exhausted, even though we took shifts at the helm for 2 hour each.
We could not get down to the galley to get food - can break your neck, slept right in the cockpit, and tried to figure out
whos idea was that "sailing is fun"?
The waves got more ordered afternoon, so we could get some additional food and water to replenish our exhausted bodies.
============================================
Day 44 - Sat, Nov.23
============================================
Second night was much nicer: waves got smaller and wind was not 30 mi/h anymore. It was very beatiful at night - clear sky totally
covered with stars and full moon - we were almost ready to start writing poetry.
Last 20 miles seas were relatively calm and we successfully entered Clearwater bay entrance channel, and while looking for an
anchorage we oops... ran a ground - almost in the middle of the channel with a lot of little dinner cruises and dolphin watching boats!
We hit the sand "bump" which only locals know about, but it's not marked on the chart. Also, Kevin was playing with his phone when driving
- another lesson: don't text and drive!
Eventually, we ended up at the Marina - $2/foot - yea, the more south you go the more expensive it gets.
Even though we were totally exhausted after non-stop 40 hours passage, we manage to swim and hang out on the Clearwater Beach - which is
considered on of the three best beaches in Florida. Trully, it's so beatuiful!
=============================================
Day 45 - Sun, Nov.24
=============================================
Back to heavy duty "boot camp" - walking with heavy backpacks from the grocery store (and liqcure store).
And .. lundry day! all day! I was lucky to be first to use both washing machines in the landry room - little things like that make me happy
so much now. And finally we were able to dry our goose downcomforter which start smelling like mold - we still need it: it's very warm and we
use it all the time at night with low 30F.
==============================================
Day 46 - Mon, Nov.25
==============================================
On the road again - the weather is not very plesant again, choppy and very windy. We decided to take ICW - safer and quicker way than offshore
motorsailing ( yes, our iron horsy is overworked, but the wind direction is wrong again, so sails will not help much).
We went through 5 lift bridges! The communication with the bridge operators here in Florida much more effective than in LU or Alabama.
The last bridge at the entrance of St.Pete Beach gave us some chills - this bridge is still under construction and the hight of this bridge is
not mentioned in any charts! We barelly made it under - it's 65' tall and our boat is 60'.
We found a great anchorage very close to grand hotel De Se Car and other attractions in walking distance.
================================================
Day 47 - Tu, Nov.26
================================================
We had to rent a car to get to my appointment with the "hand" doctor - outside of Tampa.
Seems that I have a typical carpal-tunnel syndrom, but still need to get nerves test.
So... we will be here, in St.Pete Beach for a while.
=================================================
Day 48 - Wed, Nov.27
=================================================
What a night we had! Tournedo warning on the land, waves 11 feet, raining, lightning, wind up to 39 mi/h - and we are on the anchorage!
Kevin managed to setup and drop the second anchor and seems that helped a lot. Our neighbor's boat start dragging and he had to park at
some private dock. Oh, well, it's better for us - less boats to hit around.
Stayed on the boat all day - the storm is still continues till Friday.
========================
We stayed at Holiday Marina for couple days waiting for more favorable weather.
We were so happy to get to the sunny Florida state (our marina is right on the border of Alabama and Florida),
but the weather was not cooperative with us - we got freezing temprature for two nights in the row.
And we don't have a heater in our boat! To survive such cold we were sleeping in Kevin's "cave" close to the machine room
with a water heater, covered ourselves with four blankets and fully dressed including wool hats. Still, my nose was freezing...
We got our walking excersize while getting groceries - had to walk on the bridge to get to other side of the ICW, it seemed
never ending bridge with a lot of angry cars in the rush hour.
Staying at marinas is getting very expencive, we decided to leave this place on Sunday (no matter what weather will be)
=================================
Day 38 - Sun, Nov. 17
=================================
We made it to Destin, Florida. Took us about 10 hours and I remember each minute of this drive.
The sea was rough, especially while getting out to Golf from Perdido bay, a lot of confused waves
in different directions up to 8 feet. Felt like a roller coaster drive in Six Flags and we got completely
wet from one of those waves. But in the afternoon the weather got calmer and made it successfully in the Destin
Harbor. It's a very nice place with a lot of marinas (nobody is taking transients though) and restaurants right on
the water, and very pretty white sand beach on another side.
We found a safe anchorage right in the middle of Destin Harbor and were happy that finally can save money on marinas.
==================================
Day 39 - Mon, Nov. 18
=================================
Some maintanence and cleanning of the boat and it was raining (pooring) all the morning. I gathered a lot of rain water dripping
from our bimini - that water was enough to take two showeres, clean in the boat and wash dishes several times. Wow, I was surprized
myself.
Our poor old Mercury outboard engine refused to start again and we had rowed our dinghy to the docks. Then we took a
walking trip to Winn-Dixie and ACE (to get right parts for the galley focet) and, loaded with food rowed back.
Tomorrow is Kevin's birthday - a good reason for us to stay for one more night at this cute anchorage
=================================
Day 40 - Tu, Nov.19
=================================
It's Kevin's birthday! We celebrated with almost special breakfast - blinzi with yogurt, berries, honey and fresh made chocolate
chip cookies. Well, it turned out to be a one big flat cookie, but still, it's a cookie!
Kevin fixed our old outboard Mercury - I will miss rowing excersize to the shore.
========================================
Day 41 - Wed, Nov.20
===========================================
We got a bit late start today - going offshore finally! Weather was finally cooperating with us and without any trouble we made
it to the next stop - Panama City. We decided to anchore right off the entrance channel, water got a bit skinny and anchorage was
already fully populated. We managed to park next to the warning sign "heavy seaweed" and near abandoned old stinky boat.
We enjoyed beatuiful scenery and sunset at this place. We were planning to go next day to St.Joe bay, but listening to the
weather channel we figured out that if we don't go strait to Clearwater (Tampa) city tomorrow, then we might need to stay at
this secluded anchorage till next week.
============================================
Day 42 - Thu, Nov.21
============================================
It's a big day today - the first time we will go offshore sailing for 2 nights and 2 day strait, just to make it to Clearwater
before bad weather comes again. Marina prepared meals for long passage and Kevin checked all the parts of the boat which could
be checked and set the autopilot. In order to get to the harbor in Clearwater before sunset, we would need to leave this place at 9pm.
And here we go - tracing back our way out of the channel in darkness. Hmm, turned out it's not so easy if you do that first time
in unknown place, luckily there were not other boats around!
As soon as we got into big waters and on the corner of the Apalachacola, the ways got bigger up to 6 feet with interval 4 sec (too short!)
Besides, waves came from different directions racing each other, so our boat reminded a walnut shell in the water - no fun!
At some point it got so bad that GPS showed 0.0 speed, even though engine was running on crusing speed and main sail was up and reefed.
Well, if it goes this way for all 200 miles to Clearwater then we will be there next week instead of Saturday morning!
============================================
Day 43 - Fri, Nov.22
============================================
The night was horrible, we were wet from the waves and tired and exhausted, even though we took shifts at the helm for 2 hour each.
We could not get down to the galley to get food - can break your neck, slept right in the cockpit, and tried to figure out
whos idea was that "sailing is fun"?
The waves got more ordered afternoon, so we could get some additional food and water to replenish our exhausted bodies.
============================================
Day 44 - Sat, Nov.23
============================================
Second night was much nicer: waves got smaller and wind was not 30 mi/h anymore. It was very beatiful at night - clear sky totally
covered with stars and full moon - we were almost ready to start writing poetry.
Last 20 miles seas were relatively calm and we successfully entered Clearwater bay entrance channel, and while looking for an
anchorage we oops... ran a ground - almost in the middle of the channel with a lot of little dinner cruises and dolphin watching boats!
We hit the sand "bump" which only locals know about, but it's not marked on the chart. Also, Kevin was playing with his phone when driving
- another lesson: don't text and drive!
Eventually, we ended up at the Marina - $2/foot - yea, the more south you go the more expensive it gets.
Even though we were totally exhausted after non-stop 40 hours passage, we manage to swim and hang out on the Clearwater Beach - which is
considered on of the three best beaches in Florida. Trully, it's so beatuiful!
=============================================
Day 45 - Sun, Nov.24
=============================================
Back to heavy duty "boot camp" - walking with heavy backpacks from the grocery store (and liqcure store).
And .. lundry day! all day! I was lucky to be first to use both washing machines in the landry room - little things like that make me happy
so much now. And finally we were able to dry our goose downcomforter which start smelling like mold - we still need it: it's very warm and we
use it all the time at night with low 30F.
==============================================
Day 46 - Mon, Nov.25
==============================================
On the road again - the weather is not very plesant again, choppy and very windy. We decided to take ICW - safer and quicker way than offshore
motorsailing ( yes, our iron horsy is overworked, but the wind direction is wrong again, so sails will not help much).
We went through 5 lift bridges! The communication with the bridge operators here in Florida much more effective than in LU or Alabama.
The last bridge at the entrance of St.Pete Beach gave us some chills - this bridge is still under construction and the hight of this bridge is
not mentioned in any charts! We barelly made it under - it's 65' tall and our boat is 60'.
We found a great anchorage very close to grand hotel De Se Car and other attractions in walking distance.
================================================
Day 47 - Tu, Nov.26
================================================
We had to rent a car to get to my appointment with the "hand" doctor - outside of Tampa.
Seems that I have a typical carpal-tunnel syndrom, but still need to get nerves test.
So... we will be here, in St.Pete Beach for a while.
=================================================
Day 48 - Wed, Nov.27
=================================================
What a night we had! Tournedo warning on the land, waves 11 feet, raining, lightning, wind up to 39 mi/h - and we are on the anchorage!
Kevin managed to setup and drop the second anchor and seems that helped a lot. Our neighbor's boat start dragging and he had to park at
some private dock. Oh, well, it's better for us - less boats to hit around.
Stayed on the boat all day - the storm is still continues till Friday.
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