Jan 3, 2019- Jan 6, 2019
Total trip: 12 hours – 100 nautical miles
So this was our first trip actually moving the boat down the Coast of FL and we not only had our two kids, but my in-laws as well, who have never been on a boat or trip like this before……because why not? What could possibly go wrong?
Day before: We arrived at the boat, provisioned, and I frantically cleaned. Capt Steve’s parents made it there later that day and we decided to stay one last night at the Marina and go out to eat one last time in downtown St. Pete before heading out first thing in the morning. Besides, it gave everyone a chance to get used to everything.
Day 1 (5 hours): We paid up, said our goodbyes and off we went. We planned for 9am departure time, but it was more like 10-10:30am, by the time 4 adults got in their last minute showers, etc. This day started off as a nice uneventful day. Good way to start off and show how amazing this whole thing is to my in-laws. We cruised about 5 hours before finding our anchorage for the night. Capt Steve didn’t care for the original one he researched. When we got there, there was too much boat traffic and not as protected as he thought. We traveled further south about 30 mins and found a much more protected area. Dropped anchor and we were all set.
Day 2 (4 hours): What the FOG?!? Cruising reality has now set in. Mother Nature has her own timeline. We got a late start because the fog just wouldn’t lift. And of course, for some reason our right engine was overheating. Capt Steve and his Dad tried their best to diagnose the prob, but couldn’t figure it out, so we cruised along on 1 engine. We originally planned to stay on the hook (anchor) at this anchorage about 1/2 way to our final destination. When we arrived, we noticed a storm rolling in from our south and after not much contemplation (especially w/guests on board we definitely didn’t want a rocky night like last trip) so we decided to duck into a nearby Marina (Gasparilla Marina) for the night. The Marina bar and grill was closed for the night by the time we got all tied up, so we grilled dinner on the back deck. We had a blast walking the docks, with drinks in our hands, checking out all the other boats around.
Day 3 (3 hours): The home stretch!! So our originally planned 2 day trip was taking us 3 due to weather. That was ok for all parties, since we all factored this into our original schedule. We were thinking a fresh start on the day and fresh minds of the Capt and his Dad would allow them to fix our finicky right engine. I do think they were able to figure out that it was overheating because of a coolant leak, but they couldn’t find the leak therefore couldn’t get her running again. Onward we go on just Lefty! It saved us some fuel anyway. Always need to find the silver lining, right? So then we come upon what the locals call “The Miserable Mile”. And it is just that. A whole mile of no wake zone thats super congested with all kinds of boats. Fishing boats and huge fishing yachts, ski boats, speed boats, john boats and million dollar chartered yachts. IT. IS. CRAZY. BUSY. I’m not even driving the boat and I’m white knuckled. Capt Steve did an outstanding job navigating. We come around the corner and see The Boat House Bar and Grill. We made it!! Our Marina is just behind here. Capt Steve calls the Marina on the radio to let them know we’re coming in and asking where to park. Docking at a new Marina, one you’ve never even seen in person, is a bit like taking your parents car out for spin when your not supposed to be driving yet and being asked to parallel park. White knuckles again. Grandparents manage the children while I start putting out lines and getting bumpers ready. This is going to be a tight one. We were at a side facing dock last time, but this time nose in. Capt Steve’s only other experience docking the boat was at our Marina, Gasparilla last night which was super easy. So, we were lucky that the boat guys on either side of our new slip were home and ready to lend a helping hand with lines. It gets a little crazy because Capt Steve is up on the flybridge and can’t hear the men on the docks, so I have to yell back to him, hoping I got the message right, all while figuring our which lines to throw to them. Again, Capt maneuvered our vessel like a seasoned pro (one engine and all) and we slid right into our slip with only 1 re-do because of winds. Everyone greeted us with open arms. Sigh, this is our new home…….for now.
