Thursday proved to be a VERY productive and successful
day! The autopilot was installed and the
sea trial was a success! If you EVER
need ANY marine electronic work done in southwest Florida…Southwest FloridaMarine Technologies is THE ONE TO CALL!
They are top notch in both ability and ethics – Thanks Brian, Tom &
Nick, you guys ROCK!!
So Friday was a “wait day” because Charlie was expecting a
package and UPS didn’t make the guaranteed 2 day delivery by Thursday
afternoon…oh well, I was able to get the boat clean, we had a “super trip” to
Winn Dixie thanks to Kitty’s driving, took a much needed swim in her pool &
had a relaxing dinner pool side. By the
way, the package was delivered around 3:30.
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The Fly Bridge - how many screens can you spy? |
Also on Friday, our buddy boat Southern Cross left us in
Cape Coral. They headed to Ft. Myers for
the month of Dec. We will miss them but
fully expect to catch up later on the east coast.
So, Saturday morning we headed out at ebb tide in a frigid
62° air temp. After much thought and study
over the past couple days, Charlie & I decided to go “off course” for a few
weeks. Instead of crossing Florida via
the Okeechobee Waterway (traditional Great Loop path) we have opted to travel
the west coast to Naples and on to the Keys.
AND since we have autopilot…why not go “on the outside”? That means we have left the protected, slow
speed, no wake excitement of the barrier islands to the beautiful, pristine,
crystal blue to emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Staying off shore about 3-4 miles provides
the most spectacular views, we are in “good water” (18-28’ deep), and we can
cruise along at the neck-break speed of 8.50mph!!
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Cruising on the outside!! |
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Our view of Naples-looking to the "inside"! |
So today we journeyed about 5 hours – worked out the
particulars of the new electronics to develop our confidence, enjoyed the
rocking & rolling of 2-3’ seas and picked Drs. Pass for the nights
anchorage! It was SHALLOW coming in but
we are tucked in a great cove protected from wind & waves. We dropped both bow & stern anchors due
to the shoaling on all sides. NICE area
but we can’t leave the boat because everything around us is privately owned…we
are in North Naples – ‘nuff said!
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At anchor in Drs. Pass - new meaning to the phrase "House Call" |
Tomorrow we will continue to Port of the Islands Marina –
southeast of Naples but still considered Naples. That marina sits on the edge of the
Everglades so it’s a little more remote but seems to offer the services we
need. At that point we will do a little
more study on the area, west coast cruising and possible route to the Keys. OR if it seems too intimidating – we will
turn north, head back to Ft. Myers and cross the Okeechobee Waterway and
consider our time in Naples as a side trip!!
Stay tuned!!
Happy Saturday!!
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