Lostmans River to Sandy Key

Day 10: March 9, 2013

To reiterate the closing statements on yesterday’s notes, last night was a really rough night.  It was still rough and bumpy while we prepared our sausage gravy and biscuits and was still rough when we finally pulled anchor and headed for points further south.  Upon checking the charts, it appeared that the best plan would be to take a short day, 16 miles and pull in at Little Shark River because suitable anchorages are few and far between south of there.  A stop at Little Shark River would give us a good jumping off point for a fairly long trek on down to the lower Keys.

Sunrise on Lostman River

So, we raised the sails while still anchored and with a nice breeze planned to sail to our stopping point.  We had a wonderful sail.  The breeze was off our port quarter giving us a great broad reach run.  The wind was from the northeast so it was coming over the shoreline which was about 2 or 3 miles from us.  That fetch distance afforded us a smooth Gulf.  The sun was warm and we finally had to put up the Bimini to protect us from the burning sun. 

We had our usual fare for lunch.  The spam was no longer the “light” junk so it was outstanding.  In preparing our meal, I noticed that the ice in our coolers was completely gone.  That is a problem because there would be no ice to be found on Little Shark River. So we began revising our plans.

The next (and only) possible place to get would be at Flamingo which was a good 20 miles past Little Shark River.  We considered the fact that we still have quite a bit of meat and perishables in our coolers and realized we would have to make a run for it.  We started the motor, left the sails up, and motored sailed at a blistering 7+mph for a couple of hours.  As we moved down the coast, the wind continued to increase and swing around to the east so that the wave heights began to increase and the sailing portion of the scheme had to be abandoned. 

As we rounded Cape Sable, the southwestern most point on mainland Florida, the wind and waves, which were now rolling at 2 feet and an occasional 4 footer, our forward progress fell down to an average of about 3.5mph.  We came to the realization that there was no way that we were going to get to Flamingo before dark so we began looking for a place to drop anchor for the night.  The chart showed numerous shoal areas which, from the map, appeared to be dry land, but were in fact very shallow water areas that were not slowing down the waves.

We could see one Key probably 5 miles off in the distance but to reach it required an extremely wide track taken around a shoal area.  But we had to do it.  And, as we drove into the waves, the bigger ones would produce a cold driving spray over the bow which mandated rain gear. 

Sandy Key

Key next to Sandy Key

Sunset was coming at 6:34 and we finally pulled in to calmer water behind Sandy Key.  We nudged as close as we could to the island before our centerboard stuck in the mud.  I dropped the anchor and Janine raised the centerboard and set us drifting back against the anchor.  The bottom of this area is covered with sea grass and the primary anchor that we carry is not particularly effective in grass so it took 3 attempts to get the anchor to finally hold.  We probably drifted back 100 yards from where we first attempted to anchor but the waves were still minimal.  The wind was still blowing, the weather forecaster indicated 15 knots, and I was uneasy about the holding ability of our anchor.  We carry a heavy backup anchor which is a killer to set and retrieve but I felt that it would possibly be necessary to keep us fixed in our desired spot.  I drug it out and lashed it to the fore deck in a ready position if needed.  I then set the anchor drag alarm on the GPS at a narrow setting that would quickly alert us if we were moving.  It was almost dark when I finally came in and joined Janine who had made me a cup of tea and was preparing a  chicken fried rice with enhanced chicken dinner. 

I tell folks that sailing is 80% thrilling pleasure, 15% work and 5% stress and terror.  Well after the last two days, I may have to revise my percentages.  By the way, Sandy Key is the only dry land within sight and the only protection from the waves.  We made it!

Bed came easily at 8:30 and up until that time, the Danforth anchor had held against the howling wind.  We shall see.