. . . LEAVING GOOD FRIENDS, TRAVELING WITH OTHER FRIENDS
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| The flags were streaming back as Carina approached Seven-Mile Bridge. |
Horrible Grinding Noise Cleared Up
The horrible grinding noise that kept us in the harbor past several good weather windows was checked out by another diver, Barnacle Bill. It turned out to be a rapid growth of barnacles on the shaft and prop -- the same shaft and prop that had been cleaned three weeks before. That's how quickly barnacles can grow down here and the effect they can have on equipment.As we motor sailed to Lignumvitae Key, the "chattering" of the engine returned occasionally that we associate with the zinc on the shaft. We had hoped that clearing up the grinding problem and having a new zinc put on would end the chattering, too. It didn't. We plan to have it checked out when we reach Jacksonville in a few weeks.
Sailing by the Crab Pots
For most of the day, the wind was on our nose. By 2, it shifted, and both Fiu and Carina motor sailed with jib only. At the same time we rolled out the sail, we entered the largest crab pot field we had ever seen. With her wing keel, Carina can easily snag a crab pot and its line get wrapped around our prop, damaging the engine. We were on intense lookout to dodge the pots as the wind built. In fact, it seemed that we were sailing to avoid the crab pots, not necessarily sailing to the wind. Despite that, we motor sailed at 7 mph a few times.
Bonnie and Sid took this picture of Carina as we dodged the crab pots.
How they took the picture without showing one crab pot is a mystery to us.
At Anchor At Last
When we reached Lignumvitae Key, we searched for the free mooring balls that the state park service installed, but couldn't find them. Instead we dropped anchor and peacefully swung on the hook for the first time in over three months.
Bonnie and Sid on Fiu in the quiet Lignumvitae Key anchorage.
Nice to see you're under way, again! I know you really enjoyed Boot Key, but there are no doubt other places with treasures to discover. Enjoyed catching up on your blog. Somehow been too busy already, and it's not even spring, yet (tomorrow)!
ReplyDeleteDieter and I got a real knock down on the last frostbite race - sails kissed the water and Dieter fell like a sack of bricks into the cockpit. He just missed going into the lake. Somehow, I stayed up on the high side and released the main. It happened so fast, I'm not sure what happened, but the boat sprang back up and I don't think I've ever seen Dieter move so fast to get back in position. We went on to finish the race - our first of the season. The next weekend was St. Patrick's and we had Dee Harwell helping us hold it down. We kept the 110 on all day, rather than switch up to the 150 like the week before.
Miss you guys. Be sure to call us when you get back into town.
Hi Jane and Kent - You missed the Big Wind of the St. Patrick's Day Regatta!....every boat was looking for extra crew to serve as "ballast"!! I think fun was had by all, but there were some tired sailors who came off the water that day. I spent the day, as I mentioned to you before, in the kitchen, but I think we ended up turning out a pretty good meal. I had lots of help, so all the decorations from last year made it up, plus a few new ones. Brian Holloway furnished some great Irish music, and no one seemed sad to see the bottle of Jamison I "happened" to bring along! They ended the evening with a big bonfire, so all in all, I think it was a successful event....but we missed you both! I have just sent out the preliminary Notice of Race for the Choo Choo Regatta, happening later in April. We are also going to do a "Poker Run", fun-sailing event with a cookout the Friday evening of the Choo Choo in honor of Paul Healy, as he leaves us for San Francisco. My parents are still visiting, so that keeps me busy, and my entire family will meet in Gatlinburg the week of Easter for some "family time", so that will be fun. Other than that, all is well here. be safe on your travels. Linda
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