Orion Jr leaving LaBelle When we start to move, WE MOVE. Only 6 days after leaving LaBelle, we were setting anchor in Sisters Creek, just off Boot Key in the Marathon harbor. We had traveled several hundred miles in those days under sunny skies and fair winds. Once we were settled in, we made our travel arrangements to drive north, get the truck, take in the Miami Boat Show, where we hoped to learn a lot more about trailers for Orion Jr.
Boat in fog off Fort Myers Beach Fair Winds, But No Following Seas
What time does the Key West ferry leave Fort Myers Beach?
It was a question that was beginning to feel urgent, as the clear sunny morning, was suddenly swallowed up in fog when we passed through the Sanibel bridge on our way out in the Gulf to Marco Island. Having left before sunrise, our route was causing us to pass the Fort Myers Beach channel around 8:30am. If the ferry was exiting in the fog, would they see us? Luckily by the time we passed the channel entrance the fog was lifting. Shortly after, the ferry passed us.
What time does the Key West ferry leave Fort Myers Beach?
It was a question that was beginning to feel urgent, as the clear sunny morning, was suddenly swallowed up in fog when we passed through the Sanibel bridge on our way out in the Gulf to Marco Island. Having left before sunrise, our route was causing us to pass the Fort Myers Beach channel around 8:30am. If the ferry was exiting in the fog, would they see us? Luckily by the time we passed the channel entrance the fog was lifting. Shortly after, the ferry passed us.
Sparkling Gulf of Mexico off the Everglades We were facing several days of light south or southeast winds that would make our trip down through the Everglades a pretty uneventful motor sailing trip. Well, not necessarily sailing;. We pulled out the drifter a couple of times and sailed on the main a bit as we were traveling very close to the wind. Trying to time our last jump to Marathon for more easterly winds, we decided to divide the trip into 3 hops from Marco to Marathon – New Turkey Key and Little Shark being our stopping points.
Terry and Jeff paddle back to shore after a visit at New Turkey Key Surprisingly, this would be our most social trip through the Everglades. As we pulled into New Turkey Key, the wind direction made us grateful for the protection of the key. We dropped anchor off its sandy beach, and saw a tent campsite with some canoe campers. Later, they were out in their canoe fishing. We invited them over to visit and learned they were from Wisconsin and on a 10-day canoe trip through the Everglades. We had been curious how people reached this remote spot to camp. Terry and Jeff explained their route from Everglades City and how they planned to complete the circuit. They were also sailors back in Wisconsin, so we traded stories about little sailboats. Just before sunset, we said goodbye, so we could both take cover before the bugs arrived.
After weathering the swarm of mosquitos while pulling anchor early the next morning, we had a short trip to Little Shark River. With winds from the southwest, the mouth of the river was too rough, so we pulled up in the river. Its strong current and problematic bottom conditions gave us some problems anchoring. On our first attempt, the anchor skipped across the bottom. Until, of course we tried to pull it up. Then it caught on something and Dave struggled to pull it up. After several attempts and a lot of muscle power, Dave managed to retrieve it. Whew! On our 3rd attempt, the anchor caught and held.
Since we had been traveling for several days, we were just relaxing in the cockpit when we saw several boats heading up the river to anchor, including one substantial dinghy. Later on, the dinghy was heading back downriver on plane – and then suddenly stopped. Cathy called to see if they needed assistance. After some checks yielded no immediate solution, they slowly made their way towards Orion Jr and our assistance.
Since we had been traveling for several days, we were just relaxing in the cockpit when we saw several boats heading up the river to anchor, including one substantial dinghy. Later on, the dinghy was heading back downriver on plane – and then suddenly stopped. Cathy called to see if they needed assistance. After some checks yielded no immediate solution, they slowly made their way towards Orion Jr and our assistance.
Dave and crew towing a dinghy in Little Shark River It turned out the dinghy's engine was overheating. As we secured their dinghy to Jr, we learned that they were on a large power boat anchored about a mile outside the outer channel. They had taken the dinghy in to explore the river, reluctant to bring the big boat in closer. They took us up on our offer of a tow, so we scurried to prepare the dinghy for travel. This was going to be a challenge, since our 2 boats were so mismatched. Their dinghy was a large inflatable with a large outboard. It had a pedestal with a steering wheel and ample room for the four occupants. Our little Portabote with its 4hp outboard was going to work hard to pull the boat against the swift flood current. Also, since we don't have a way to secure a towing pennant on the boat, we needed someone from the other boat to hold a tow line. Dave began towing them out of the river, but it was a slow go. It was also a strain on the crew member holding the tow line. At the pace they were going, it was going to take till sunset to make it to the mother ship. So, they opted to put the owner on our dinghy and get him back to bring the big boat closer to their dinghy, which would also bring Dave closer to Orion Jr. That solution worked. Once the tender was secured, they sent Dave on his way back to Orion Jr, with a T-shirt , a hat and a bottle of wine for his troubles. We were just glad to help.
The "big boat" for dinghy we helped tow As we made our way out of the river early next morning, we got a hail from them as they were pulling anchor. They were on their way to Naples, having served as race committee for the Key West and then a Miami sailing race. Since we were headed the opposite direction, we said good bye and wished them luck with getting the dinghy engine repaired. Our day was another light wind day, with us motorsailing on the main. The biggest challenge was dodging the myriad fish floats between Cape Sable and Marathon. By late afternoon, we were anchored in Sisters Creek, off Boot Key, less than a week after leaving LaBelle. Within 3 days we were on a mooring in the main harbor.
The Miami Boat Show took place on Valentine's Day Miami Boat Show
Those who've followed us for a while know that we're planning to trailer Orion Jr north in the spring. We've got the truck. Now all we need is a trailer. One reason for our mad dash to Marathon was so David could begin researching options by talking to the local trailer dealers. With this information in his back pocket, our next stop was the Miami Boat Show and the myriad vendors who make and sell trailers.
Those who've followed us for a while know that we're planning to trailer Orion Jr north in the spring. We've got the truck. Now all we need is a trailer. One reason for our mad dash to Marathon was so David could begin researching options by talking to the local trailer dealers. With this information in his back pocket, our next stop was the Miami Boat Show and the myriad vendors who make and sell trailers.
Trailers, trailers everywhere at the Boat Show So, on Valentine's Day, we set out early from our north Miami hotel for the Miami Beach Convention Center. Two shuttles and two hours later, we walked into the show. We had a checklist of trailer vendors and their locations and worked our way through them. Obviously, most trailer vendors focus on power boats, but a power boat trailer with small modifications will work for a Columbia T26. Our most promising discussion was with Magic Tilt. Their trailer was a good price and good quality. And the local dealer would work with us to order and fit it to Orion Jr.
Having done the circuit on the trailers, we surveyed the rest of the show quickly. Our big purchase turned out to be a dinghy light. We took time out for a Valentine's Day lunch at The Knife back at the Bayside Marketplace venue for Strictly Sail, and then headed home. We did make one more purchase that day. Arriving at Shell Lumber 15 minutes before closing, we managed to get a teak board for the companionway to match the one we installed last year. We then learned that everyone wants to be in Miami or the Keys for the Prestident's Day weekend. Hotels were either outrageously priced or not available. So a little after midnight, we arrived back at the boat, and were glad to have a place to lay our heads.
Having done the circuit on the trailers, we surveyed the rest of the show quickly. Our big purchase turned out to be a dinghy light. We took time out for a Valentine's Day lunch at The Knife back at the Bayside Marketplace venue for Strictly Sail, and then headed home. We did make one more purchase that day. Arriving at Shell Lumber 15 minutes before closing, we managed to get a teak board for the companionway to match the one we installed last year. We then learned that everyone wants to be in Miami or the Keys for the Prestident's Day weekend. Hotels were either outrageously priced or not available. So a little after midnight, we arrived back at the boat, and were glad to have a place to lay our heads.
Libby and Dick on Tarwathie Boat Stuff and more
Our time in Marathon has been a strange mixture of tasks. A little boat maintenance was needed to stop a leak in the head and to re-attach the table support in the Main Saloon. We had some computer work to do ashore. Now that we would be using the dinghy more at night, we needed a better way to have its all-around light attached to the boat. The tall pole from last year didn't survive the summer. So Dave found some PVC connectors at Home Depot and built a light holder. He attached a long 3/4” PVC pole (~5ft) to a rectangular frame that was secured to the transom. At the top of the pole he used the connectors to build an arm with a sleeve at the end. The pole light we purchased at the boat show would drop through the PVC sleeve at the top while we were underway. From discussions with the FWC, we learned that the light must be high enough not to be obscured from any angle. Also, the FWC had ticketed boats in the harbor who had their dinghies behind the boat and not lit. So this worked for an anchor light of sorts as well. We just use a solar garden light from Home Depot, but we now secure the dinghy beside the boat, so we don't have to meet the higher visibility rules for its light.
With such a busy harbor, we stopped by to see some folks we haven't seen in a while. For example, Dick and Libby on Tarwathie graciously offered to watch our boat, while we traveled to LaBelle to get the truck and to see the Miami Boat Show. Since we had to shut down the ice box, we were invited to dinner upon our return to give us a day to get it going again. That was a treat.
We're looking forward to our time here once again.
Our time in Marathon has been a strange mixture of tasks. A little boat maintenance was needed to stop a leak in the head and to re-attach the table support in the Main Saloon. We had some computer work to do ashore. Now that we would be using the dinghy more at night, we needed a better way to have its all-around light attached to the boat. The tall pole from last year didn't survive the summer. So Dave found some PVC connectors at Home Depot and built a light holder. He attached a long 3/4” PVC pole (~5ft) to a rectangular frame that was secured to the transom. At the top of the pole he used the connectors to build an arm with a sleeve at the end. The pole light we purchased at the boat show would drop through the PVC sleeve at the top while we were underway. From discussions with the FWC, we learned that the light must be high enough not to be obscured from any angle. Also, the FWC had ticketed boats in the harbor who had their dinghies behind the boat and not lit. So this worked for an anchor light of sorts as well. We just use a solar garden light from Home Depot, but we now secure the dinghy beside the boat, so we don't have to meet the higher visibility rules for its light.
With such a busy harbor, we stopped by to see some folks we haven't seen in a while. For example, Dick and Libby on Tarwathie graciously offered to watch our boat, while we traveled to LaBelle to get the truck and to see the Miami Boat Show. Since we had to shut down the ice box, we were invited to dinner upon our return to give us a day to get it going again. That was a treat.
We're looking forward to our time here once again.
