It was rocky in the slip until sometime after midnight. When I got up around 0300, things had calmed down and the wind had shifted to the east.
I’m awake at 0600 and decide that we need to get underway ASAP. True to form it takes us until 0740 back out of the slip. Once out side of the marina harbor, we confront the first of two bridges that require opening for us to pass.
Another boat, Makani joins us and we travel together most of the day. On southward we go passing Titusville, the NASA Causeway Bridge, Cocoa, and Eau Gallie. The wind is just right for a port weather run. We reach speeds of 7.9 and make good time. We are approaching Melbourne when the warm front moving northward begins to pass over us. The winds pickup, the sky darkens and it starts to sprinkle just as we reach the area where we planned to anchor.
We got the hook down and it was only 1400. It was too far to make it to Vero Beach and there were no good anchorages between Melbourne and Vero Beach.
We open a bottle of red and enjoy the warm temps and the gentle rain. Buddy is out on deck and enjoying himself too. We get a call from our friend Maggie and we let her know we should be in Stuart on Monday.
We spend the rest of the afternoon just chilling.
Location: Anchored near the Melbourne High Rise Bridge, Melbourne, FL MM 918
Started: 0740 Stopped: 1402
Distance Traveled: 41 mi, Avg Spd: 6.2 Max Spd:7.9
Day 34, December 11, 2009
Today, I pulled a classic. I forgot to untie a line and then tried to leave the slip. Oh, well, if the weather guessers can keep getting it wrong, I guess I’m entitled to screw up too.
Ok, the second attempt to depart was more successful. Back in the ICW, we rode the outgoing tide down to Ponce de Leon Inlet with good speed. As always, we got the reverse effect as we passed the inlet. I rolled out the jib and it did help overcome some of the effects of the adverse current there.
We departed the Halifax River and continued on through Mosquito Lagoon. The wind was increasing as we went. Actually it would have been great sailing except for keeping the boat within the confines of the dredged channel. Go outside the channel and you’ve got trouble big time. By the time we were half way down the lagoon, the combination of wind and fetch had things really churned up. At this point, Otto (autopilot) became useless and manual helm was required.
We reached the Haul Over Canal and proceed through the bridge into the Indian River. There was a brief respite from the wind in the short canal due to trees on both sides. As we crossed the Indian River over to the western shore, the wind and fetch nailed us and things got uncomfortable again. The wind was now out of the north at 20 kt and gusting on the port quarter. A weather check told us that anchoring was out for the night. We called and got a slip at Titusville Municipal Marina. Seems like every time we pass this area we get forced into this marina by foul weather.
We are docked at 1530, but not without difficulties. As I write this entry, the wind is still out of the north at 20+ and is expected to last until late tomorrow morning. The boat is really rocking and Buddy is not happy. So much for the forecasted east at 5-10. Wonder what the weather guessers have in store for us tomorrow.
Oh well, two brews, chips and salsa and everything will be all right. I guess we’re better off than those trying to travel in the blizzards in the north.
Location: Titusville Municipal Marina, Titusville, FL MM 878
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1515
Distance Traveled: 49 mi
Ok, the second attempt to depart was more successful. Back in the ICW, we rode the outgoing tide down to Ponce de Leon Inlet with good speed. As always, we got the reverse effect as we passed the inlet. I rolled out the jib and it did help overcome some of the effects of the adverse current there.
We departed the Halifax River and continued on through Mosquito Lagoon. The wind was increasing as we went. Actually it would have been great sailing except for keeping the boat within the confines of the dredged channel. Go outside the channel and you’ve got trouble big time. By the time we were half way down the lagoon, the combination of wind and fetch had things really churned up. At this point, Otto (autopilot) became useless and manual helm was required.
We reached the Haul Over Canal and proceed through the bridge into the Indian River. There was a brief respite from the wind in the short canal due to trees on both sides. As we crossed the Indian River over to the western shore, the wind and fetch nailed us and things got uncomfortable again. The wind was now out of the north at 20 kt and gusting on the port quarter. A weather check told us that anchoring was out for the night. We called and got a slip at Titusville Municipal Marina. Seems like every time we pass this area we get forced into this marina by foul weather.
We are docked at 1530, but not without difficulties. As I write this entry, the wind is still out of the north at 20+ and is expected to last until late tomorrow morning. The boat is really rocking and Buddy is not happy. So much for the forecasted east at 5-10. Wonder what the weather guessers have in store for us tomorrow.
Oh well, two brews, chips and salsa and everything will be all right. I guess we’re better off than those trying to travel in the blizzards in the north.
Location: Titusville Municipal Marina, Titusville, FL MM 878
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1515
Distance Traveled: 49 mi
Day 33, December 10, 2009
Talk about a change in the weather, it was 74F and there was no breeze when I got up. We headed to the shower and when we got back to the boat the temp was 62F and the wind was blowing 12 mph. Sheez!
We got away from the dock and headed back to the ICW. The plan for the day was ambiguous at best. We wanted to get as far as we can, but we also don’t want to push our safety if the weather goes sour. As usual the weather guessers get it wrong again. It was supposed to be warm with a chance of showers late in the day. What we got was cool and a deluge about 1100.
By the time we were nearing Daytona Beach, I had limited visibility and was running with navigation lights on. We decided to stop at Halifax Harbor and take the afternoon off.
We docked, secured the boat and then walked downtown to Stavro’s, a pizzeria we visited during our last trip. We enjoyed a pitcher of beer, salads, and a small pizza. Afterwards we walked the main drag, visited an antique mall and then went to CVS Pharmacy for a couple of items. On the way back to the boat we stopped at West Marine for some holding tank treatment. Extravagant shoppers aren’t we?
Sorry about no pictures lately. We haven’t had a wifi link lately and we’ve been using the air card. For some reason the air card connections seem to be slow and we can’t upload the picture files. Guess we’ll back fill the entries when we have a good wifi connection.
Location: Halifax Harbor, Daytona Beach, FL, MM 831
Started: 0830 Stopped: 1400
Distance Traveled: 28 mi
We got away from the dock and headed back to the ICW. The plan for the day was ambiguous at best. We wanted to get as far as we can, but we also don’t want to push our safety if the weather goes sour. As usual the weather guessers get it wrong again. It was supposed to be warm with a chance of showers late in the day. What we got was cool and a deluge about 1100.
By the time we were nearing Daytona Beach, I had limited visibility and was running with navigation lights on. We decided to stop at Halifax Harbor and take the afternoon off.
We docked, secured the boat and then walked downtown to Stavro’s, a pizzeria we visited during our last trip. We enjoyed a pitcher of beer, salads, and a small pizza. Afterwards we walked the main drag, visited an antique mall and then went to CVS Pharmacy for a couple of items. On the way back to the boat we stopped at West Marine for some holding tank treatment. Extravagant shoppers aren’t we?
Sorry about no pictures lately. We haven’t had a wifi link lately and we’ve been using the air card. For some reason the air card connections seem to be slow and we can’t upload the picture files. Guess we’ll back fill the entries when we have a good wifi connection.
Location: Halifax Harbor, Daytona Beach, FL, MM 831
Started: 0830 Stopped: 1400
Distance Traveled: 28 mi
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