the Coch Republic

Surprise, another update and from a Republic other than Honduras! Yesterday at 2 AM, after struggling with 25+ knot wins for 10 hours, the winds increased to 30-35 and a shackle holding the main sheet to the traveler let loose. The seas were only eight feet, but the period between was only about 2 seconds, causing two and three to hit us at the same time. Larry took the helm and held us into the wind and the rest of the crew (me), lassoed the swinging boom, then went on the deck to wrestle the main sail down and tie it to the boom. As I lay on my back, tied to the boom, with waves breaking over the boat and the wind howling, I questioned my interpretation of the word fun. Maybe at 65 I should check out lawn bowling or bridge.



We were closer to Havana than to Key West and fought the seas for 16 hours to get back to Key West. We repaired the traveler, the main sheet blocks, the main sail and added addition reefing capability.



Key West for a few beers and some dead cow tonight and to check out my buddy Big Ern's favorite bar, then back towards Honduras noonish.

80 Degrees and Sunny

Another beautiful day in the Florida Keys! Did some shopping and maintenance and plan on heading out tomorrow. We had a bumpy ride down the coast to Jacksonville, with unfavorable winds, meaning motoring and stopping for fuel. Went in to the waterway and couldn't get out until Fort Pierce as the lock near Port Canaveral was closed for repair. Zipped out finally and after a day of struggling with tuning the boats rigging, we sailed well to Marathon Florida on Key Vaca, 48 miles from Key West.

Had some fun due to the rough seas, sediment shut the engine down three times, first coming in through the breakwater in Jacksonville, second as we were 1/2 way through a bridge that was closing (used the starter moror to get through and dropped anchor) and finally as we crossed past Key Biscane and were fighting the Gulf stream! Larry is an expert at cleaning the fuel system. Hopefully treatment we bought will clear the problem.

Probably will be two or three weeks before the next post. Check out the new link for pictures and our track so far.

Resting in Mayport Florida

Underway Wednesday 29 December from Sloop Point NC. Snow on the ground in shady places, ponds iced over. Launched the boat only to discover the fresh water lines suffered a few breaks. We lost half a day troubleshooting the water system and scooted down the waterway to enter the Ocean at Wrightsville Beach at sunset. Cold clear night, with sunrise finding us in a huge pod of dolphins. Spinning jumps, two jumping at each other from different directions, eight jumping together, 12 hours of entertainment.

Ocean sailing was horrible, light and variable or on the bow. From our un-planned fuel stop in Savannah we sailed two hours, part of it in the wrong directions. We motored down to Florida in choppy seas which stirred up sediment and clogged fuel filters for an exciting entrance to the St Johns River. After a great seafood lunch (and cold beer) we face decision of what to have for supper and do we want to chance an ocean thunderstorm at sea or on the inland waterway tomorrow.

Next stop Cape Canaveral, then Miami, the keys, then wherever!