Well it’s been a long time since we updated our blog. We’ve been very
remiss but since we’ve been out recently we ought to update this.
We had a great start to the year going back for a family wedding in the UK.
My sisters daughter Sam and her husband Mes had a really fantastic send off and
we were really delighted to be there and see the whole family once more as well.
Devin attended a engine maintenance course at Mack Boring in New Jersey for
5 days. It was fantastic to strip down 3 version of my engine, reassemble them
and have them actually start! This course gives us the confidence to approach
more than simple maintenance on our own engine and if absolutely necessary to
actually repair it. Liz is enrolled in a Spanish course and learning a great
deal and is now exercising in Spanish as well (counting off reps).
This memorial weekend we had organized an SSCA anchor away weekend. We have
organized several in the past and felt it was time for another. The venue was to
be Anclote Key, north of were we are and a good 8-9 hours from our dock. The
night before leaving we were going to get out and anchor by Pinellas point to
get a head start. Unfortunately when I got back from a business trip the thunder
and lightening were all over Tampa Bay. It rained really hard for several hours
with cloud to ground/sea lightening, so we gave up on the idea. So it was we got
up bright and early on Friday morning. As is customary the wind blew from the
direction we were heading for a good part of the day or not at all, so we mostly
motor sailed our way there. We arrived just after lunch and settled in.
The first evening was a very pleasant evening on Dulces Suenos and
comfortable night’s sleep. The next few days were exploring Anclote Key state
park and lighthouse as well as relaxing on the sand bar and cooling off in the
nice clear waters. We enjoyed several days with LouAnne and Lyman as company.
Nights were very calm and days hot and sunny, food and company were
excellent.
The wind was forecast to back on Monday was were were due to leave. Of
course this meant we would have wind on the nose all the way down the gulf of
Mexico. Oh what fun! We got up at first light, and waited for visibility to
improve a little. The wind was as forecast from the SW and blowing pretty well,
unfortunately we had an incoming tide too. This makes the pass to the Gulf
pretty rough with steep waves. We motored out and turned south. We were close
hauled and not making great speed so we motor sailed under stay sail and reefed
main so lessen the time on the large waves which were 4-6 feet by now with the
wind building to 20-25 knots.
Once inside Pass A Grille, some 4 hours later, we were starting to calm
down considerably. We came under Structure E and the Skyway and put out our Jib
only and managed to sail all the way back to our slip at 5-6 knots with a
following wind. At last a nice sail to finish our trip.
Moosetracks has some nice new anchor gear: Rocna 73lb anchor, 3/8” Chain
and 200 ft of new rode and it was all fantastic for holding. I also replaced the
down tube in the forepeak at it was badly worn. I must admit spending 2 weekends
in the forepeak is not fun in 90+ degrees, but very necessary. We now have
really strong ground tackle and can sleep soundly.
We don’t have many trips planned as we used our vacation this year in the
UK, however we do have plans for a thanksgiving trip with Laissez Faire and
Priority.
So it’s back to work for us. We also have some more jobs on Moosetracks
with canvas repair and varnishing being high on our list. All we need now is
exotic places !!
Fair Winds to everyone.
