This was our dream. Taking our boat to anchor just offshore of a little island, dinghy over to it to explore, make dinner back at the boat and watching the sunset while sipping cocktails on our bow as our children are fast asleep. Sigh.
So we decided to do a “test run” and boat about 1 1/2 hours away from Tampa bay and stay just off of Egmont Key Island. Capt Steve had thoughtfully considered what side of the island to stay on based on where the winds were coming from (NE) to ensure we had a beautiful evening. So, it seemed reasonable to stay on the SW side of the island to have the island itself act as a sort of buffer for the winds. I should’ve trusted my instincts when we arrived and the boat was rocking a decent amount and I start feeling sea sick. But, Capt assured me it would calm down by evening and best thing was to head to the island now for solid ground. And would you look at that….we’ll have the place to ourselves because we saw all the other boats heading out soon after we arrived. Little did I know that those boats also knew something we didn’t.
Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful. Here we are anchored just off shore of this uninhabited island. Sun was lowering into the sky. We take our dinghy to shore. I strap on the baby and we walk up and down the beach with no one as far as the eye can see. But….my eye does see something. OUR boat ROCKING away as it sits out there majestically with the sunset as it’s background. I should’ve trusted my gut again, but was reassured by my ultra calm and comforting Captain.
We try to load ourselves up in the dinghy to head back to the boat and get rushed with huge waves and we are all drenched for the ride back. The second I set foot back on board, I’m hit with nausea again. This time it’s instant and unrelenting. Sun is now just skimming the horizon and not enough time for us to pull anchor and find a Marina. WE ARE RIDING THIS THING OUT! No……..please no. Thankfully little bro was already ready for bed and the rocking put him to sleep. Capt Steve at this point fully realizes his error….He forgot to factor in the waves from the Gulf.
So let’s try to make some dinner. We grilled outback, steak and potatoes I think. I never fully understood why our dinette table inside had 2 inch high edges all around, until this night. Our plates were literally sliding from one end of the table to the next. As sick as we were, it still was quite comical. With everyone’s bellies full, my daughter decided to call it a night early and head to bed. She was starting to feel sick too.
So Capt Steve and i retreat to the back deck. We did it. We anchored out for our first time, explored the island and now sipping cocktails on our deck as I watch the lights on the horizon go so far up/down that they go out of my line of sight for a second. I got a great idea 🤔 We have another anchor, why don’t we throw it off the back of the boat to try and keep the boat from spinning around the anchor?? I quickly google how to tie a knot for an anchor rope, Capt Steve tosses it in and Voila! The rocking didn’t stop, but it did ease up…..for about 30 mins, Ugh!!! We kept it out there anyway.
We once got some advice from a well seasoned boater about how drinking Dark and stormy’s (ginger ale and dark rum) can help with sea sickness. The ginger ale calms the stomach and the liquor throws off your balance anyway, almost counteracting the effects of the rocking boat. Guess what??? It was a miracle. It actually worked. We were able to salvage what was left of our night and enjoy it without heaving over the side of the boat. I count this trip as a success….but not just yet.
Anytime you anchor out for the first time. You. Will. Not. Sleep. You will constantly be wondering if the anchor on your boat will hold. We did this with our last boat too. We even have an app to alarm us if we start drifting away from our set anchor site. Still…what if I didn’t work right?, etc. As we head to bed the rocking was so bad all the wine glasses hanging in the galley, dishes and wine bottles were banging so loud we could hear them with our bedroom door closed. We were fully prepared to wake up to broken glass everywhere. Besides waking up every few hours to peek outside and make sure we weren’t beached on the island, we were awoken by the tv in our bedroom (that was on top of the dresser) falling face first on the floor and then……..A BIG POP. What the??? Steve heads outside to check it out. Our second anchor was GONE. But here’s the awesome part folks, my knot was still holding strong. I was pretty proud of that. The line actually snapped off from the swim platform rubbing on it all this time. Our $$$ anchor was still at the bottom of the sea. Wasn’t doing much good anyway.
We decide to head back as soon as the sun rose. No one was sleeping anyway. But, one last kink in the plan. Do you know what’s worse than sea sickness? Being hungover and sea sick!!! Just shoot me now. I get my daughter dressed and to the fly bridge to sit with Daddy, while I go back down to dry heave, while I check on the little monster and get myself dressed. I return up top and now my daughter is throwing up. Full speed ahead Capt. Let’s get the heck out of this hell hole!!!
I was so relieved to see that dock and boat cleats to tie our boat to. You’d think this trip may deter us from doing this again. But it was a real lesson (many many lessons) learned.