Another Touring Day in Key West

Day 19: March 23, 2018
Follow our progress using this link: Steve's Spot

It as a restless night on the boat.  The wind blew hard the boat bumped the dock pretty much all-night long.  Last night I made plans to set sail early on our way

Beautiful Casa Marina built by Flagler early in the last century

back to Marathon and Boot Key Harbor.  The weather appeared to be moderating a bit and although it would be a bumpy ride, we would be able to make the trip with little trouble.  So, lying in bed with these thoughts in mind, I didn’t sleep well.

We ate a dry cereal breakfast to facilitate an early start, however, we ended up delaying our departure by having to check out with the Dock Master who didn’t come to work until 8:00.  We finally got away at around 9:00. The winds were blowing from the north east and my thoughts were that the best way east was

Interesting fisherman near the dock

to follow the lee shore on the ocean side of the island chain.  

My wind gauge, which works less than 5% of the time, decided that it would be a good day to work so we could watch the speed of the winds as it whipped up the seas.  We saw gusts up to 20 knots with an average speed of about 15 to 16 knots.  Since the winds were blowing from the north east and we were traveling toward the east, the waves were basically hitting us on the nose.  Although it was rough and wet, it was not as bad as the day we left the Dry Tortugas with the wind rocking us from the side.

Second Wind and Dink in a tight spot amongst neighbors

At one point, the waves and winds were such that we were able to only make 3.8 knots of headway over ground and at that speed we would not make Marathon before dark.  I decided to head into shallower waters near the shore and we were again able to average about 4.5 knots.  

Fortunately, as the day progressed the winds began to subside.  The waves did follow suit, however, they are much slower to lay down.  By the time we got to the entrance to Marathon/Boot Key Harbor, the winds had dropped to about 6 to 8 knots.

Our goal was to secure a mooring ball in the harbor, but I also knew that the

One of a number of local schooners in Key West

marina office would be closed by the time we arrived.  I finally got cell service about an hour before they closed and received instructions to our designated spot.  Catching a mooring ball is sport!  Early in our sailing career, I would stand on the bow of the boat with boat hook in hand yelling out instructions to my first mate who was back by the motor absolutely unable to hear me.  Envariably, we would miss the tether on the ball and would have to make additional passes, each time with elevated volume and frustrated comments. 

Well, we have solved that problem.  We bought a set of “Bluetooth” headphones and now we can talk back and forth in a civilized manor throughout the whole

process.  Today’s snaring of the tether was truly a show piece seamanship and skill at the helm by the mate.  She brought the bow of the boat to the ball and stopped while I reached down and easily hooked not just the tether, but the eye of the tether to secure our mooring.  She got and deserved a triple “at-a-girl’ on that one.

It was nice to be moored securely in a calm harbor.  We celebrated out successful

journey with a cold beer and dinner of beef tip and mushrooms on noodles sided with sweet corn.  It was easy to go to bed this evening.