Harry, trying to determine our course for the next day . . . and more importantly, which way is North?
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Navigation 101
Harry, trying to determine our course for the next day . . . and more importantly, which way is North?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Day 4 - Panama City to Fort Walton
Short day today, covered 60 nautical miles (69 statute miles) from Panama City to Fort Walton Beach (near Destin). Took the Intracoastal water way route again since the winds were forecast to be 10-15 knots, so the seas would be somewhat rough in the gulf.
Staying at Fort Walton Yacht Club tonight and will have dinner with the club’s commodore and wife this evening. Seems Harry knows everybody.
Tomorrow we will proceed to Dog River Marina near Mobile.
Staying at Fort Walton Yacht Club tonight and will have dinner with the club’s commodore and wife this evening. Seems Harry knows everybody.
Tomorrow we will proceed to Dog River Marina near Mobile.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Day 3 - Carrabelle to Panama City
We decided to use the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) rather than the Gulf, primarily due to distance. The Gulf route seemed longer while the ICW appeared to be a “cut through”.
The cannels and rivers traversed cypress swamps and pine forests. We needed to keep a sharp lookout for local fisherman as our wake was quite large when operating at 17 knots in such a narrow waterway.
The series of creeks canals and rivers dump into East Bay which connects to St. Andrew's Bay, the location of our moorage, St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club. An interesting story here. We had reservations via Harry, and upon arrival were met at the dock by a gentlemen who said not to go back into the cut too far as it was shallow.
After a cocktail in the lounge we returned to the boat and wondered how shallow it was. After measuring the depth and realizing it was very shallow, we checked the tide tables on the GPS and came to the conclusion we would be aground by midnight. The wind was around 10 to15 knots pressing us into the dock. The only thing to do was tie the dock side stern to the dock as a pivot point , power the bow toward the channel and the wind in order to move the boat to open water. In the end several hearty “sailors” and yours truly (Ed) were able to assist in moving the bow to catch the wind to escape the dock and move the boat. We relocated to an outer dock in 15 feet of water.
Dinner tonight was in Panama City at Uncle Ernie’s Bar and Grill, an OK seafood place with a view of the bay.
The cannels and rivers traversed cypress swamps and pine forests. We needed to keep a sharp lookout for local fisherman as our wake was quite large when operating at 17 knots in such a narrow waterway.
The series of creeks canals and rivers dump into East Bay which connects to St. Andrew's Bay, the location of our moorage, St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club. An interesting story here. We had reservations via Harry, and upon arrival were met at the dock by a gentlemen who said not to go back into the cut too far as it was shallow.
After a cocktail in the lounge we returned to the boat and wondered how shallow it was. After measuring the depth and realizing it was very shallow, we checked the tide tables on the GPS and came to the conclusion we would be aground by midnight. The wind was around 10 to15 knots pressing us into the dock. The only thing to do was tie the dock side stern to the dock as a pivot point , power the bow toward the channel and the wind in order to move the boat to open water. In the end several hearty “sailors” and yours truly (Ed) were able to assist in moving the bow to catch the wind to escape the dock and move the boat. We relocated to an outer dock in 15 feet of water.
Dinner tonight was in Panama City at Uncle Ernie’s Bar and Grill, an OK seafood place with a view of the bay.
Looking for Anglers
It has been pointed out that "wakeing" fisherman is a serious offense (as we all know), so extra attention, including the use of binoculars are used to loacte boats nestled among the mangroves engaged in fishing.
Searcy Creek View (ICW)
Traveling the Intracoastal (ICW) finds you at times in narrow waterways, adjoined by swamps and forests.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Day 2, Clearwater to Carrabelle, FL
A long day - probably will be the longest of the trip. We shoved off at 6:40 AM and followed our pre-programmed course to the first waypoint some 3 hour later with a second waypoint 5 ½ hours (total trip estimated at 159 plus nautical miles - 183 plus statute miles.)
During the crossing, I (Ed) was disappointed my cell phone was not working . . .taking a 2nd look at the GPS display, I realized we sepent most of the day 30 miles plus out in the Gulf . . . and not one cell tower nearby. Go figure!
Water was somewhat rough 3-4 foot waves over much of the crossing. About one third in to the 2nd leg, Harry suggested we try a more direct route and cut through a Pass rather than the more traditional Intracoastal approach to Carrabelle. Made course corrections to the GPS/autopilot on the fly, all was good.
We arrived at 4:20 PM and stayed at the Moorings. Good marina, nice lounge with pool table, wifi internet, courtesy car to take you to dinner and a local tour of the smallest police station in the country. The photo depicts my (Ed's) release from said police station after I was arrested for not eating my vegetables via a warrant initiated in Montgomery, Ohio from a family member. Extradition was waived.
During the crossing, I (Ed) was disappointed my cell phone was not working . . .taking a 2nd look at the GPS display, I realized we sepent most of the day 30 miles plus out in the Gulf . . . and not one cell tower nearby. Go figure!
Water was somewhat rough 3-4 foot waves over much of the crossing. About one third in to the 2nd leg, Harry suggested we try a more direct route and cut through a Pass rather than the more traditional Intracoastal approach to Carrabelle. Made course corrections to the GPS/autopilot on the fly, all was good.
We arrived at 4:20 PM and stayed at the Moorings. Good marina, nice lounge with pool table, wifi internet, courtesy car to take you to dinner and a local tour of the smallest police station in the country. The photo depicts my (Ed's) release from said police station after I was arrested for not eating my vegetables via a warrant initiated in Montgomery, Ohio from a family member. Extradition was waived.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Day 1 St. Petersburg to Clearwater
Harry arrived last evening on schedule and Sharry joined us at St. Petersburg YC for dinner.
Today was a relatively short 60 mile day from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. This for all intent and purposes was a shakedown cruise to become better familiar with the auto pilot and other navigational features of the boat. Tomorrow will be a long day (over 160 miles), so we want to make sure everything is in working order.
Filled up both tanks (around 390 gallons of diesel) and settled in at Clearwater Municipal Marina. Harry and I input the next two days of courses in the GPS and Kevin did some trouble shooting on the bow thrusters, since they seem to have a low battery, even though the charger appears to be working.
Today was a relatively short 60 mile day from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. This for all intent and purposes was a shakedown cruise to become better familiar with the auto pilot and other navigational features of the boat. Tomorrow will be a long day (over 160 miles), so we want to make sure everything is in working order.
Filled up both tanks (around 390 gallons of diesel) and settled in at Clearwater Municipal Marina. Harry and I input the next two days of courses in the GPS and Kevin did some trouble shooting on the bow thrusters, since they seem to have a low battery, even though the charger appears to be working.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Crew
Two Crew are sharing four positions on the Island Hopper . . . Some folks wear different hats, we wear different T-Shirts
St. Pete Arrival
Ed arrived Thursday on time and cab’d to the Marina from Tampa/St. Pete airport. Kevin had arrived the night before and stayed at a local hotel since the Island Hopper was being moved to its pr-trip dock. Danny (friend and fraternity brother from college) had stopped in from Daytona and showed us some of St. Pete and Treasure Island.
Ron (Everafter marine - awsome work!) arrived early Friday to give instruction on the radar, GPS, Auto Pilot, cameras, etc. and to shakedown their operation. As in all things, a few bugs, to be remedied by a Fed Ex shipment and a return to finish his work on Saturday.
The day was busy with dinner being postponed until 7:30 due to provisioning in preparation for the trip. Our arrival on Central Ave in St. Petersburg was greeted with a parade celebrating the All States Festival (kind of a Mardi Gras theme) to kick off the National High School Band competition. A nice dinner at the Central Oyster House followed by a stop at an Ice Cream shop and fireworks next to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club rounded out the evening.
Harry will arrive this evening around 6:00 PM, completing the “crew”
Ron (Everafter marine - awsome work!) arrived early Friday to give instruction on the radar, GPS, Auto Pilot, cameras, etc. and to shakedown their operation. As in all things, a few bugs, to be remedied by a Fed Ex shipment and a return to finish his work on Saturday.
The day was busy with dinner being postponed until 7:30 due to provisioning in preparation for the trip. Our arrival on Central Ave in St. Petersburg was greeted with a parade celebrating the All States Festival (kind of a Mardi Gras theme) to kick off the National High School Band competition. A nice dinner at the Central Oyster House followed by a stop at an Ice Cream shop and fireworks next to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club rounded out the evening.
Harry will arrive this evening around 6:00 PM, completing the “crew”
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Weather Update
In anticipation of the start of our trip am checking the weather while working in my hotel room in San Diego. Does not look good, wave forecast for Sunday at 4-6’.
Harry emails to Kevin:
“4-6 looks rough to me. Maybe what we do is take the inside up to Clearwater so we can jump off when the weather and seas permit. Your call.”
Inside vs. outside is a choice of 30 Slow Miles Inside vs. 60 Fast Miles Outside (according to Jan and Bill Haueisen in their blog at http://www.janandbillhaueisen.com/diary_25.htm). Once we get to Clearwater, may have the same wait as at St. Pete, but at least we will have moved.
I (Ed) will leave San Diego at 6:20 AM tomorrow, passing through Denver and arriving at Tampa St. Pete at 3:43 in the afternoon. Should be on board by 5:00 PM. Provisioning and shakedown scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Harry emails to Kevin:
“4-6 looks rough to me. Maybe what we do is take the inside up to Clearwater so we can jump off when the weather and seas permit. Your call.”
Inside vs. outside is a choice of 30 Slow Miles Inside vs. 60 Fast Miles Outside (according to Jan and Bill Haueisen in their blog at http://www.janandbillhaueisen.com/diary_25.htm). Once we get to Clearwater, may have the same wait as at St. Pete, but at least we will have moved.
I (Ed) will leave San Diego at 6:20 AM tomorrow, passing through Denver and arriving at Tampa St. Pete at 3:43 in the afternoon. Should be on board by 5:00 PM. Provisioning and shakedown scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
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