Cruising again....

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It is good to be back on the water again - after a few glitches we seem to be back in the groove of the cruising life.
Our first day out (Friday 13th) we had a great sail down Charlotte Harbour doing 7 knots under just the jib with the wind picking up and the waves building. We reached the narrow dredged channel to our marina destination to discover that the engine was not pumping water (so would quickly overheat). We recalled Bill Stephenson's comment re towing insurance..."It's not IF you'll need it, it's WHEN you'll need it!" So we called TowBoat US to get us safely in. Fortunately the engine was a quick fix - no harm done!

We have been working our way north, exploring new territory north of Sarasota. Yesterday we crossed Tampa Bay and passed through St. Petersburg on our way to Dunedin where we'll spend a couple of days with friends Ted & Marg.

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Photos

first day out
We left the boatyard with Jim and Lani on Sea Trekker for a brisk sail down Charlotte Harbour - which ended in our BoatUS adventure.

Home James
our son in law came to mind as soon as we saw this megayacht in the Burnt Store marina

another option
this would be a cheaper form of transportation

injured manatee
this manatee bears the scars of being hit by a boat - common in the busy waterway

Longboat anchorage
on the hook off Longboat Key

Puff 2
we are pleased with our new dinghy - it is smaller, lighter and easier to manage on the davits

osprey
this osprey brought his own lunch to Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant on Longboat Key

sunrise
start of another beautiful day in southern Florida

Christmas cottage
this little cottage (on Poinsetta Lane on Longboat Key) is naturally ready for Christmas

Tampa Bay
the Sunshine Skyway Bridge crosses Tampa Bay - 15 miles - a good navigational aid!

Comments

[Penelope Jayne]

jealous
Look forward to following your blog

[Lori & Jim Wells]

Great to hear that you are on the water again. The weather down here (Hilton Head) has been much warmer this year and we are enjoying a lot of golf, sun and the beach. We have driven over the Sunshine Skyway bridge several times...I think it would be interesting going under it. Enjoy reading your blogs...keep them coming. Ciao

[Judi/John]

Sea legs
Instant sea legs come in handy at 7 knots under the jib. Looks like a great inroduction to the new season.

[johns silva]

Ramada Inn & Suites Clearwater
Great Place......................