Bahama Cruise - The Beginning

Sunday, May 3

It has been a quiet day in Stuart as everyone seemed to take a deep breath from all of the preparation, waiting to get going and then finally getting to travel yesterday.  Each of us made our trips to town to explore or visit West Marine (of course).  It was also a day to finalize organizing the inside of the boats and to do a little cleaning on the outside.  We are planning a group cookout at the Sunset Marina grills tonight while we plan our next move. 

We had considered moving down the ICW tomorrow to Boca Raton, but we found out that the high tide is not until about noon and the Royal Ridge Yacht Club (a reciprocal Florida Council Yacht Club) marina is not open this summer as they are putting in new "Techno Marine" floating docks.  Our friends from St. Charles Yacht Club will understand this comment. 

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Everyone was up and around early at St. Charles Yacht Club as we were ready to set out at 6:45 AM.  John & Ella McDowell were on their balcony to give us the Commodores salute and the Marlin Striker and The Maine Event gave their departure whistles. 

We met up with Afterwires at the end of the channel and after a brief delay while Stocks & Blondes reset his computer (for the engines) we were on our way for a delightful trip across the ICW and Lake Okeechobee to Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart, FL. 

Temperature - 64 degrees in the morning to 77 degrees in the afternoon

Wind - NE 15 -20 knots

Departure from - St. Charles Yacht Club, Fort Myers, FL

Departure time - 6:45 AM which really was 7:16 AM by the time we meet Afterwires and Stocks & Blondes got the repairs complete. 

Midpoint Bridge - 7:43 AM

I75 Bridge - 8:20 AM

Franklin Lock - through at 9:26 AM

Alva Bridge - 9:38 AM

LaBelle Bridge - 10:22

Ortona Lock - in at 10:50 and out at 11:20 AM

Moore Haven Lock - out at 12:35 AM

The Lake was very smooth, not like glass, but call it a ripple

Port Myaca Lock - out at 1:45

Indiantown Bridge - 2:33 PM

St. Lucie Lock - in at 3:12 PM out at 3:39 PM

Arrival - Sunset Bay Marina - 5:03 PM

You are probably wondering why the delay between the St. Lucie Lock and the Marina?  Well, Stocks & Blondes went aground in the channel while exiting out from under the Dixie Highway Bridge.  Yes it was a hard aground stop which shut down the engines.  Jerry did a great job of getting the engines restarted and after a few minutes was able to back the boat into some deeper water, while the rest of us stood by ready to help.  Nothing major, just typical Florida shallow water!

Average speed - 14.9 knots
Maximum speed - 32.7 knots
Total trip distance today - 119.4 NM (Nautical Miles) - approximately 140 Statute Miles

We had dinner at the Boathouse Restaurant which was excellent and enjoyed by everyone.  Marja had fun with us as we all donned red noses in support of the Boys & Girls Club.  After discussion about the weather predictions for the next few days, we have decided to stay in Stuart another day (Sunday, May 3) and then work our way down the ICW until we can get the opening we need to cross to the Bahamas.