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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Not much of a sail



Monday morning our plans changed. Instead of a long sail we did a short motor over to a nearby marina. The little 2hp kicker motor was barely up to the job. Pushing into the wind and current our speed sometimes dropped to just over one mile per hour. Though slow, it was forward motion and our speed improved a bit as made it out of the worse of the current.

It took the better part of the morning to get into Boca Grande Marina. It's a fairly high end resort sort of place -not the type of thing we planned. It does give us protection from high winds and rough seas. We'll just have to adjust the budget. After a week living at anchor, we can afford staying here. This marina gives boaters a break on dockage fees if they don't tie into marina power. Once again our solar panel pays for itself. Our relatively short boat length also saves us money as marinas charge by the foot.

This island is one of those places in Florida where golf carts are allowed on city streets. Included with our marina fee is a half priced golf cart rental so I rented one for the day. We didn't get a chance to resupply any provisions because the town rolls up the sidewalks at 5. Hopefully I can get a few things in the morning.

We are booked for two nights. By Wednesday the winds should be more reasonable.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. Note to self "swap boat motors once home"

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  2. Sometimes, you just have to take life as it comes.

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    1. Indeed. In life there's only so much control sometimes.

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  3. Taking it as it comes seems to be working in your favor so far, Sixbears. A little luxury now-and-again is all the nicer when you know it's been paid for with a little extra planning. And a golf cart for supplies - bonus! Favorable winds to you and the missus ~

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    1. We were able to get a few supplies to round out our diet.

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  4. Sounds like a very nice place to just relax for a bit.

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    1. Interesting island to visit, but I would not want to live here. Not much to do and the snowbirds here look a bit bored.

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  5. Six Bears, where is a good place to start with buying solar power? We live in a area that socks in starting late October and doesn't get much sun until April. Any info would be appreciated as I am a novice, have 3 freezers and had our lights go out a couple of days due to a storm.

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    1. Freezers take a fair bit of power. Solar might not be the way for you to go.

      Right now I find that Amazon has some of the more reasonable prices.

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  6. Thought you might be interested in this story for the next time you tie up in St Augustine, FL. A sailboat broke free from a mooring ball and hit the Bride of Lions and was trapped against it until a tow boat could get them free. Snapped the mast!

    News Link:
    http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/2-board-when-sailboat-hits-bridge-lions-st-augusti/npyL2/

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    1. Thanks Mike. Scary stuff. I know St. A well. Believe me, it's one of the things I think about.

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