Part 1. CHANGE IN PLANs
So why would anyone sit in 95* weather in Florida at a rest area from noon until 6am?
On Tuesday, after a spectacular two day run across open ocean (211 miles), we were coming inshore to take on fuel. The next stretch is 300+ miles across open ocean to Pensacola and we wanted a full fuel tank.
Coming through the "cut" at John's Pass in Treasure Island to get inside it was quite rough and we got bounced out of the channel. We went aground HARD on the rocks. It stopped us dead in the water. After bouncing a while, eventually we got off the reef, but things were badly damaged.
The keel is gouged up, but mostly cosmetic, no leaks and everything still floating. But, it bent the rudder shaft badly. I can "sort of" steer, but clearly we are not able to continue our crossing. Repair is two weeks - pretty major.
So Shawnae and Alan hopped in a rental car, Enterprise $7.92 (crazy) headed for New Orleans to pick up our truck and trailer. They'll bring it back here (to St Petersburg) and we will start the driving process here. The sailing part is abruptly done.
We're all feeling very blue and disappointed. But everyone IS safe. The damage is pretty bad, but IS repairable.
All of those hundreds and hundreds (thousands actually) that we've sailed her my only to have this happen! 😢 grrrrrr
Mark made about 75 phone calls the next morning and found a marina to pull the mast in the following morning. Nae and Alan got back with truck and trailer - after driving 22 hours about 3pm to load on trailer.
Continued in Part 2
So why would anyone sit in 95* weather in Florida at a rest area from noon until 6am?
On Tuesday, after a spectacular two day run across open ocean (211 miles), we were coming inshore to take on fuel. The next stretch is 300+ miles across open ocean to Pensacola and we wanted a full fuel tank.
Coming through the "cut" at John's Pass in Treasure Island to get inside it was quite rough and we got bounced out of the channel. We went aground HARD on the rocks. It stopped us dead in the water. After bouncing a while, eventually we got off the reef, but things were badly damaged.
The keel is gouged up, but mostly cosmetic, no leaks and everything still floating. But, it bent the rudder shaft badly. I can "sort of" steer, but clearly we are not able to continue our crossing. Repair is two weeks - pretty major.
So Shawnae and Alan hopped in a rental car, Enterprise $7.92 (crazy) headed for New Orleans to pick up our truck and trailer. They'll bring it back here (to St Petersburg) and we will start the driving process here. The sailing part is abruptly done.
We're all feeling very blue and disappointed. But everyone IS safe. The damage is pretty bad, but IS repairable.
All of those hundreds and hundreds (thousands actually) that we've sailed her my only to have this happen! 😢 grrrrrr
Mark made about 75 phone calls the next morning and found a marina to pull the mast in the following morning. Nae and Alan got back with truck and trailer - after driving 22 hours about 3pm to load on trailer.
Continued in Part 2
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| Oversized banners and flags in place. |
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| In the Elite Marine boat yard rafted up after the mast was lowered. Waiting for them to haul us out |
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| All loaded up and ready for the road |
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| A night in the cockpit at the rest area |
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| Rest area 40 miles out of St. Petersburg, FL |
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